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Baseball fans are accustomed to "greatest players of all time" lists, with endless quibbling about the relative merits of Warren Spahn vs. Lefty Grove and so on and so forth. This DVD is basically just another of these lists, decorated with still photos, brief film clips, music, and some quotes and stats sliding around the screen. Bob Costas isn't given the time to say anything really new or interesting. The whole production lacks depth. (Also, MLB felt the need to include a current young player, but a couple years on now, Ken Griffey Jr. doesn't seem quite like the player-for-the-ages that he did then.) If you really want a comprehensive list of great players through history, get the New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract book. If you want films of the great old-time players along with the discussion, get the Ken Burns Baseball series or When It Was a Game.

An opportunity lost. So much more could have been done with this, but was not. The entire DVD should have contained more details and more video of the beeter players. I was not impressed with parts of the documentary and do not recommend the expenditure for this rather short history of the games greats.

This is a DVD for everyone - for modern fans, for those nostaligic for a former age, for modern players, and for coaches.

The sheer quality of the historical film footage is what particularly fascinated me, far more than who failed to be included but who ought to have made it etc etc which I am sure will bug some people. I have a feeling that the average standard of professional baseball in the post-war years became much higher than that of the pre-war wars, hence the absence of .400 hitters - especially pitchers who hit .400!

Although some of the pre-war players were doubltess great talents the exagerated claim made on video such that Walter Johnson pitched faster than 100mph is just laughable. Just as the fisherman's fish get bigger with time it sounds like the speed of pitchers becomes faster as the years go by. Footage of Johnson pitching is nonetheless fascinating because his mechanics are just as how people remembered him: effortlessly smooth and fluent. But then it is also obvious that his mechanics lack the dynamism of a similar side armer, namely Randy Johnson, who follows through with more thorough weight transfers to the front foot and thus with a flatter back at follow through. That, combined with the fact that Randy is much taller and whippier than Walter can only mean that Walter Johnson cannot possibly be pitching faster than 100mph. However, it is obvious that Walter does have remarkably late shoulder rotation - something that makes a pitcher appear much faster than he actually is.

Nonetheless a student of the art of pitching could still learn a thing or two from studying the beautifully fluent text-book pitching mechanics of a Walter Johnson, or a Lefty Grove. If that were not enough the superb color pictures of Sandy Koufax pitching are a wonder to behold. I couldn't help but put on the slow motion replay to study him over and over. His mechanics have always struck me as being perfection itself and the footage quoted here only reinforces this.

On the other hand Warren Spahn's pitching mechanics are by modern standards thoroughly Baroque. Gross leaning backwards used to be common fault amongst an older gneration of pitchers such as Bob Feller and Johnny Vander Meer, but Spahn outdoes them all with a degree of leaning backwards that would make a modern pitching coach go pale. It's a small wonder he doesn't fall over backwards and even more of wonder that he was able to maintain control of his pitches with mechanics like that.

Although being a pitcher myself it is harder to comment on hitting mechanics it is obvious that Ty Cobb's hitting mechanics are equally bizzare starting with the hands apart on the bat followed by a ridiculously large 'hitch' in which he almosts touches the home plate with the tip of his bat before lifting it up to start his swing. On the other hand seeing Ted Williams (in beautiful color) swing the bat is a joy to behold as a model of perfection. You can see how hitters in opposing teams used to come out just to watch and learn from him when he was at bat.

Back when NBA basketball was at its healthiest (the Magic through Michael era)there was a natural progression of teams rising over a great opponent to the championship. Lakers over Celtics; Celtics over Lakers; Sixers over Celts/Lakers; Pistons over Celts/Lakers; Bulls over Pistons, etc...

This DVD mostly covers some of the hilights of this period. But the focus really is on the great players of this era (Bird, Magic, Isiah, Michael) and not on the Finals "Greatest Moments". It covers:

*Celtics - underdog '76 team beats the run 'n gun Suns
*Lakers - 76ers heartbreaking loss in '80w/ Magic at center
*Pistons - Isiah leads Detroit to the title
*Knicks - heroic '70 team beats Wilt-led Lakers
*Bulls - montage of Michael greatness

There are some hilight clips of everyone from Cousy to Walton that bookend the feature, but how could they leave out the Sixers dominant run of '83 or the Rockets improbable back-to-back titles in Jordan's 1st retirement?!? Fans of 80s NBA will get their fill and of course, Jordan is better represented elsewhere, but overall the feature was lacking. How bout a Top Ten Finals Moments? Or Top Finals of each decade? They could have done a lot more and instead, it just feels thrown together.

The true gem of the DVD is the edited 50 Greatest NBA Players presentation which every NBA fan can appreciate. To my knowledge, it does not appear anywhere else, and if so, are worth the price of the DVD.

this dvd fantastic. if you dont know about the history of the game this is THE dvd to get. also has great special features on kobe and shaq in 2000 finals and the greatest 50 playas of all time (except they need to get updated wit players like a.i and kobe). anyways great dvd

Detailed stats of each NBA finals is awesome

Interesting info. but only runs about 50 minutes. Not worth the price of admission I'd say.

If you are a hockey fan or even if you wonder why hockey fans are hockey fans, this is a pretty good DVD to add to your collection or to answer your questions. While most of the footage included is of recent vintage, there is enough film of "old time hockey" to keep the long time hockey fans interested. Denis Leary, who hosts the DVD, has the perfect personality to narrate this video, bringing the appropriate mixture of reverence and humor in leading the viewer from the history of the cup to its latest home in New Jersey. During the 50 minutes of the DVD, the producers present some of the greatest performers during the playoffs as well as the Dynasties that have held the cup more times than any other teams. In one of the more interesting segments presents what the cup means to NHL players, past and present, both who have been on Cup-winngin teams, and those who have fell short in this quest. Another very interesting segment, the Cup's Escorts from the Hockey Hall of Fame discuss what happens to the Cup after the final game.

All in all, this was a very good DVD, the bonus footage of games 6 of the 1999 and 2000 finals allow the viewer to relive (or to experience for the first time) these two games that really presented what hockey is all about. It also presents additional footage of some of the greatest players to play for this award.

I would, in a second, recommend this DVD to any hockey fan, either a casual fan or die hard. It's well produced and doesn't leave out too much. The only thing that could be improved is if it were longer.

Fans of hockey don't need to be reminded of how truly special Lord Stanley's Cup really is. For many, winning the Cup is a dream, and the road to realizing that dream is long and arduous. This documentary, hosted by Denis Leary, is a tribute to the history of the Stanley Cup, and the passion and dedication it takes to earn the right to hold the world's most famous trophy above your head.

Over the course of an hour, this film covers the roots of the Cup, the great hockey dynasties of the Habs and the Islanders, some of the best moments along the path to the Cup, some of the most heartbreaking defeats, as well as a chronicle of Cup history in the making.

Included on the disc are a slew of special features, the best being tense highlights from the '99 and 2000 Cup finals.

This is a must for any hockey fan.

Agnes Browne is so fine from beginning to end it will give you a prolonged organism (if you don't understand thst, view the video for a clue).

Agnes Browne is one of my favorite Irish films of all time. Set in Dublin in 1967, it is about the struggles of Agnes, played by Academy Award winner Angelica Huston, who also directed the film, A Moore Street fruit and veg stand vendor, whose husband dies in an auto accident, and she is left to raise their seven children. Anjelica had much of her early education in Ireland, so she knows about Irish life, and made sure that her film was loaded with realism. My wife was born and raised in Ireland, and says that Anjelica's Dublin accent was flawless. She was not so kind about other American acresses, playing Irish parts, like Julia Roberts in "Michael Collins," or Cameron Diaz in "Gangs of New York." The language in this film might seem a little strong to somw viewers, but it is very realistic for Dubliners, so it adds to the film's quest to just "Tell it like it is." Huston surrounded herself with experienced Irish actors, led by Marion O'Dwyer, who plays her best friend and fellow street vendor Marion. The friendship between these two is one of the highlights of this amazing film, but the interaction between the two of them with other venders carries a lot of weight also. In her situation, Agnes was bound to have financial problems, and went to local gangster "Mister Billy," who thinks nothing of dealing with children and has an unorthodox collection system, and no sympathy for the poor souls he lends money to. Overall, this film keeps drawing you in, and makes you want more, which is why you feel kind of sorry when it ends, because you want it to continue. My wife and I watch Agnes Browne whenever we need a pick-me-up, and we always feel better after watching it.

Agnes Browne has to be one of my all time favorite movies. I have watched this numerous times and walk away each time with something new. It's about friendship, life, struggles...and Angelica Houston is just so fabulous. WOW! I laughed and cried so much throughout the movie, I went throught tissue after tissue. Watch with you're best girlfriend. I know I sent a copy to mine. I also own one and bought another for my Mother. A movie that just really stayed with me.

Linda Fiorentino plays a prom queen who finds herself working in a nursing home--and something less than satisfied with her life. Paul Newman arrives at the home in shackles, temporarily released from prison because he was feigning a stroke. A notorious bank robber, Newman's character is shrouded in intrigue. Though he's a dangerous character, Fiorentino's character, Carol, starts spending a lot of time alone with him.

Carol is a sexy and smart woman. (This is the first of Fiorentino's movies I remember seeing. Sh'es incredibly attractive, and will have to look for her in other movies.) One of Carol's causes for displeasure is her husband, Wayne, played by infrequent star Dermot Mulroney.

The plot plays out out very well, though the beginning stumbles a bit. The acting isn't great, though the charismatic and smooth Newman mostly carries the film. While the story at times is inplausible, it's a very watchable and light movie.

What I really enjoyed was the aftermath: while the bank caper movie is a bit formula, this incarnation is twisted with life-purpose and satisfaction crisis storylines, and an interesting resolution. The story comes off as a spirise to those who'd take it as cookie-cutter for the genre.

The cameara work is great, and the production quality is outstanding. The audio is a little muddy, but fits its genere very well.

This movie is a hoot and of course, Paul Newman, is superb. You watch a movie for entertainment. Don't take everything so seriously!

A clever caper, "Where the Money Is" stars the inimitable Paul Newman as Henry Manning, a bank robber who went untouched for 20 years before bad luck landed him in the pen. Not one to call it quits, he fakes a heart attack and is transferred to a nursing home, where the only thing that stands in his way is a nurse named Carol (Linda Fiorentino).
This clever caper flick seems somewhat out of time, like a classic film and I enjoyed it immensely for this reason. The best part of this film is the performances. Linda Fiorentino is still the ... woman acting today. It's not about how she looks, but the way she carries herself

Are you an idiot karl? You can tell you are from Canada because you dont know anything about the NFL. I think its surprising that Dan Marino isn't ranked number 1. He holds every meaningful passing record. Just because he did not win a superbowl does not make terry bradshaw a better quarterback. I love Terry Bradshaw but he could not have won a superbowl without the players around him. Thier defense, Swann and Stallworth. Dan Marino did not have that. If Dan was playing on the Dolphins team today, believe me, he would have a ring.

I loved the game footage on this DVD. However, I had a problem with some of the QB ratings. I wholeheartedly agree with Joe Montana being the undisputed number 1 quarterback. Where I disagree with the ratings is when they rank non-Superbowl winning QBs such as Dan Marino and Jim Kelly so high. I simply can't believe Dan Marino is ranked ahead of Terry Bradshaw! This is pure foolishness. Otherwise, a nice NFL films product.

I wanted to see the whole game. This DVD is only highlights. I feel cheated.

Okay, so I'm not COMPLETELY neutral...there were enough Michigan alums on the Patriots (especially Tom "Heart Attack" Brady) so that I was hoping they'd pull out the win. And in the most exciting Super Bowl ever played, they did.

This is a terrific season highlights collection from a really improbable championship run. NFL Films has always been the greatest ambassador the game has; as they have consistently managed to present the game in a way that somehow makes it seem more relevant than it truly is; the film techniques, the epic music accompanying the slow-motion sequences, the on-field microphones...really, there is no other sport that can come remotely close to American football for being as "made for film" as it is.

The 2001 season for the New England Patriots seemed even more epic than most...from starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe getting hurt early in the year to the interruption of play due to 9-11 (tastefully covered in a bonus feature unto itself) and Patriots guard and New York City native Joe Andruzzi's relief after finding out that his brothers in the FDNY made it out of the World Trade Center before it went down to the regular season meeting with the St. Louis Rams indicating that just MAYBE the Rams could be had to the emergence of Tom Brady as the star and eventual starting quarterback to the "tucking" of former Michigan teammate Charles Woodson and the Oakland Raiders in the last-ever game played at Foxboro Stadium to Brady's injury in the AFC Championship in Picksburgh with Drew Bledsoe stepping in to steer the team to New Orleans for the Super Bowl...and then of course the Super Bowl itself.

I honestly can't think of one NFL season within recent memory that has had that much excitement (once you take Michael Vick's highlights out, at any rate)...this was an incredible journey, accessorized with some choice bonus features including U2's halftime set, the 9-11 tribute, and some old skool Patriots highlights from the 1970's that are sure to bring back some memories (as well as the question as to why a team calling itself "Patriots" was doing wearing red tops instead of the Colonial blue). All-in-all, a superb production from NFL Films of a season that was truly a stand-out in all aspects of the word.

I will deduct a star from this rating because the Super Bowl game itself was not shown either in its entirety or in the full-length NFL Films production of that game from start-to-finish; games like that just don't come along every year; a second disc could have been included dedicated entirely to that one game (Glasgow Celtic Football Club did something similar to this regarding their 2003 UEFA Cup run; a 2nd disc was included showing their quarterfinal match at Anfield with Liverpool in its entirety...a nice touch, so we know it can be done).

U2 is the only reason this game is cool. The halftime, baby. U2 opens with Bono trying to get through the crowd to the big heart in "Beautiful Day". The crowd never stops cheering through the whole song. At the end Bono sings "MLK" and the names of 9/11 victims scroll upwards on a huge sheet. The Edge comes in perfect with his trademark guitar and that 6 courd tune in the "Where The Streets Have No Name" opening. Bono grabs his Bible and starts pacing around like a madman, praying. Finally he's like "America, AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!" The performance is emotional, for Bono. The backdrop falls to earth perfectly after some 3,000 names go up. Bono turns the mood from dark, fearful to hopeful, bright. At the end is a picture America will always love Bono for; right during the last " it's all we can do" Bono shows the inside of his jacket. It's an American flag, not a real one, that would be murdering the flag...

it was a beautiful day

I thought it would be about the game more,and the players.Also thought that it would have some of the most hard hitting tackles every caught on film!!(If it did i would have gave it 5stars)
As i am a x-football player i would like to see some hard hitting tackles!!

Modern music and NFL action are combined to great effect in this mostly enjoyable video. The Kurt Warner, Marshall Faulk, John Randle and Peyton Manning/Marvin Harrison videos were particularly good and my sons (ages 10 & 8) and I have watched them repeatedly. "Sounds of the Game" and "Announcer's Radio Rap" are also a lot of fun. These videos are great to watch to get "psyched-up" before a game or workout. Unfortunately, there is a fair amount of "filler" on the DVD. I think many of the interview sections are pretty worthless ( but can be quickly skipped on DVD!). A few more player videos would have put this over the top... but as is, definitely worth a look.

Ah heck yah this video kicks uh oh can't say that. I just plugged the video in and hit play, literally i was so pumped. And then realized i just kicked my vcr, then i had to go get a new one. After having some cherios and listening to metallica all day, i watched the video then i just wanted to get into my pads again and kick "but" again.

I am quite possibly the biggest football fan on Earth (though I'm sure most of you will argue that point). My library of NFL films spans darn near all of them. I received this DVD as a present, watched it once and have never even had the urge to pick it up again. It's not very exciting, it's not compelling and it's basically little more than a droning documentary. It gets two stars just because it's football.

Its a good DVD, but way too short considering the amount of space that can fit on a DVD. Should have had more material

My review in on par with most of the ones written below. If you're an avid NFL fan like me, DVDs like this will attract your eye, but wait for the documentary on HBO or another channel.

The documentary has a few extras included such as extended interviews, different audio segments of the same play, etc.. but there was so MUCH MORE that NFL Films could have included on a DVD capable of holding this much memory. I viewed the extras that are watchable with a computer DVD player... Nothing impressive, a collection of stats that you could get on any internet site...

Not worth it until the price drops... If you're an NFL fan, you'll enjoy what you watch, but it's over quick!

Ok, so you want to see a computerized matchup of Rocky Marciano fight Muhammed Ali, or How about Babe Ruth hit on John Smoltz, well that is pretty much what you get here only with the NFL. A fictitous story that can not replace what makes all sports worth there true value, the human spirit. I guess if your a real fan, and you want to go on an imaginary trip on what ifs, I think a better solution is to throw on a Monatana Jersey, and place a few Packer Jersey's on your kids, and see if they can stop you. jk.

I'm in my twenties, so I've only seen highlights of the 60s Packers and 70s Steelers, and I got this box set partially in hopes of learning more about them. If you have any similar interest, look elsewhere.

The editing and video reconstruction is impressive for the most part, but on many plays, there are annoying cuts in the action, so you see the quarterback release a pass, then a cut to the receiver catching it, without actually watching how the ball got there.

There's also virtually no opportunity to see the offensive line or the defense in action. You see the most important moments in the simulated plays, but you can't learn anything about HOW an individual played or what made him so great. For instance, I still couldn't tell you a thing about Jack Ham's style of play, and I didn't learn anything at all about Bart Starr. You could watch all three games and not even know Forrest Gregg or Larry Allen were in there. These are just four of many examples.

The simulated games are also horribly predictable and the drama is badly overdone: the announcers tell you someone hasn't made a catch yet, and the next play he does; squeezed into three little games are an overtime, a game-deciding replay challenge, a disputed coin toss, and about 50 4th-quarter drives that would put John Elway to shame. Last-minute rallies are fun when they're spontaneous, not when you know they're coming and that they're there for false drama.

There's very little actual football, but there's a lot of production. There are some nice interviews with players, good cuts of some old footage, and a LOT of cuts to the booth with Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann, Steve Sabol, and a simulated Howard Cosell.

The best part of this box set, if you can stand his abrasiveness, is Cossell. I'd only read about him, but I felt like I got a real flavor for why he inspired such intense feeling (positive and negative) from viewers. Even the Cosell hook is a little disappointing, though, as some quotes are reused up to three times, and a few themes are a little overdone. The producers thought some jokes were so funny, they used them in each of the three videos.

If you want to watch football, buy a Super Bowl or highlight video instead. If you want to learn about the past, read a book (Total Football II is a great resource). If you want to settle the debate about greatest team ever, this is helpful but hardly indisputable. And if you really like Theismann and Patrick and "Forrest Gump"-style editing, this might be right for you. But for a die-hard football fan, this is certain to be a disappointment. I do not recommend it.

Productions like this one, and "The Dream Season" are fun but what are they based on? "Computerized matchups"? Subjective bias? COME ON GUYS. YOU CANNOT COMPARE TEAMS AND INDIVIDUALS FROM DIFFERENT ERAS. The game has changed. The rules have changed. The training regimens have changed. RESPECT THE GREATS BY JUDGING THEM ACCORDING TO THE TIMES IN WHICH THEY PLAYED.

It is all speculation. In the end, it's hype. Why are the 49ers (who benefitted from weak competition and favorable matchups, and ridiculously weak AFC Super Bowl opponents throughout their glory years, and who lost to good teams like the Bears, Giants) in the top 5 teams at all?