History Movie Reviews

Truly fabulous. This is history at it's best and it's all here for the veiwing. Nothing like these sets (however they ARE for the "hardcore" fans). Along with these downlink DVDs the book "Exploring the Moon" by David Harland is as detailed (and more so because not everything was filmed)and is a great companion to these DVDs

Definitely, this set of 6 DVDs is for true Apollo hardcore fans. Almost every TV transmission is included, as well as all the photographic magazines used by the astronauts on the surface of the moon. Apollo 15 was the only lunar mission on which a site observation was made (by CDR Scott) on the surface of the moon by opening the docking hatch and standing on the ascent engine cover, so the pictures and audio are included too. The pre-flight videos are quite interesting, since they show some of the procedures performed to fine-tune the LM before the flight. One of them shows the reception of the LMÂ's descent stage at the Cape, with technicians unboxing and unzipping the module. The LRV (Rover) attaching procedure to the LM is also fully covered.
One of the things that amazed me is that on EVA2, on the "Back to LM" portion, both astronauts deploy the US flag while the Rover camera is watching at them. I have had for
years two pictures of LMP Jim Irwin standing at one side of the Rover while saluting to both Scott and the flag. In this pictures is obvious that the Rover remote-controlled camera from Houston is watching at the photographer, not at the subject as it happens on EVA2. After reviewing once and again the video and pictures AS15-92-12444 to AS15-92-12447 on magazine OO/92, I said to myself that, finally, I had found an obvious error and that every single Apollo flight was a hoax. But then, reviewing EVA3 and magazine TT/88 on chapter "Farewell to Hadley" I discovered that, indeed, CDR Scott takes the picture of LMP Irwin while the Rover camera is pointing at him. Picture is AS15-88-11865.
A weird thing I discovered and that should be explained is that on "Farewell to Hadley" the video shows both Scott and Irwin working on the Rover at one side of the LM; at 40:25 mins the Rover camera fails, and without audio interruption it works again some 200 m away from the LM at 41:20 mins on its final spot. So that means Scott drove the Rover off some 200 m, parked it and re-arranged the camera in just 55 seconds!!!
Another strange thing is that the sixth DVD shows the last transmission from the Rover, on 4th August 1971, more than 24 hours after they took off from the surface, but nothing is shown between the LM take off and this last show. Perhaps a little green man with horn-shaped nose and gloves started to dismantle the LM...
Anyway, this set of videos is worth every dollar I paid for and truly an outstanding document of one of the mankind's greatest adventures.

Wow! The landing at Hadley was really the most spectacularly beautiful site in all the Apollo missions. This set shows all available footage (both video and 16mm) of the Apollo 15 landing and in full colour as well!

OK people who are interested enough in Apollo to sit through the complete downlink series may be few and far between, however, in all cases I have found myself compelled to watch. These missions really were the greatest moment in human history.

Spacecraftfilms have made these sets with so much passionate love about what's in them, that you'll be hard pressed to fault them. EVERYTHING is there. No curtailed mix of several Apollo mission footage generally trying to represent one landing, no cheesy music, no voice overs telling us what we can plainly see on the screen.

The chapter sections are chronoligically arranged, and subchapters allow you to review film magazine pictures, assembled moon landscape panoramas, and the seperate 16mm films. Not only the moon EVAs are there. You get the pre-flight tests, suit-ups, multi angle launch views of the Saturn V rocket, mid flight downlinks, news conferences, splashdown recovery and even CM lunar survey film footage.

Prepare a weekend of couch potatoe asorbtion with this (and the other Apollo Downlink sets). You will not be disspointed. Furthermore, the educational value of these sets cannot be overstated. WELL worth the moeny hands down.

this 50 minute piece produced by BBC follows the great painter Francis Bacon around from the streets of london, to the Tate Gallery, to a drunken lunch, to the painters studio at 7 Reece Mews, to the reknown Colony Room - a drinking club Bacon frequented for 40 years, and finally to a late night casino. very interesting portrayal and the comments from Bacon are in great form. A perfect introduction to the painter and for those quite familar with Bacon you will most likely recognize many of his statements - he often says the same things over and over (more or less) but its still very interesting to see him in action. in addition the paintings and close-ups they show during the video are so much more fulfilling the reproductions. i saw some paintings in a completely new light.

Words cannot express how great this interview was to see. It was so exciting to see the great oil painter revealing his technique and views on life in this documentary. If your that interested in Bacon to read this review you should get it.

This video is recommended viewing for all die- hard Francis Bacon fans. You will get to see his infamous hang outs, his friends and foes. He is also quite frank about his likes and dislikes in the art world (i.e. He hated Rothko!). Also, he talks at length about his theories and sources of his art.

If you are thinking about making this purchase...DO IT! You will not be disappointed. This is not a film about U2 although they are prominently featured. This is an outstanding documentary covering all facets of Irish music culminating with the status of Irish Rock circa 2000. Fantastic interviews with a reflective Van Morrison, still intense still burning Bob Geldolf, and a suprizingly humble Bono, along with several pilars of Irish music. I've learned so much about the music I love and discovered more wonderful artists to explore. I'm embarrassed to say that I had no idea who Rory Gallagher was (his name has every right to be mentioned in the same breath with Page, Hendrix, and Clapton...Guitar God? Hell Yeah!) until viewing this DVD. Now I can't get enough of his music. Thanks to Amazon.com for making so much of his catalogue as well as the other artists available. I haven't explored any special features on the DVD and don't even know if they exist at the time I'm writting this...but...who cares! This disc ROCKS! The sound and picture quality are there. Everyone I've shown this to are just stunned by what they are seeing and hearing. The only complaint is that the music clips are too short but again, it's a great way to learn more about not just Irish rock, but Rock and Roll period.
To sum it all up...crack a cold one, pop the disc in, kick back, and ENJOY!!!

Warning, this documentary might be disappointing to the average fan because the performance clips are painfully brief. But if you are more intererested in a deeper knowledge and understanding of Irish rock and it's place in rock..indeed in the full spectrum of Irish music, then this video should be your cup of tea.

The influence of The Beatles as well as such American rock as Chuck Berry is traced along with the influence of traditional Irish music, even that of the legendary operatic tenor, John McCormick. Most important though is the very Irish nature which flavors the music.

All music is interwoven, and the relationship between Irish rock and the dance spectacular, "Riverdance", is brought out.

Performers such as Van Morrison, Clannad (and Enya), The Cranberries, U2, and The Corrs are all highlighted, but performers lesser known or even unknown outside of Ireland are all given their due, and the credit they deserve.

If you want a comprehensive overview of Irish rock, and are NOT looking for the entertainment value of long performance clips, then this video is definitely for you.

One caution...the average rock fan probably would be dissatisfied with this DVD because the music clips, though numerous, are so brief.

But for the person looking for more depth and understanding, this documentary is tops. The very roots of Irish Rock & Roll are explored, including the influence of The Beatles and of Chuck Berry as well as that of traditional Irish music and even the Irish operatic tenor, John McCormick. Foremost of course is the Irish character itself which flavors Irish rock.

Irish rock's place and influence on international rock is spotlighted, as well as the genre's place in the whole spectrum of Irish music.

Performers such as Clannad (and Enya), U2, the Corrs, the Cranberries, Van Morrison are highlighted, but many other notable groups less familiar or unfamiliar to those outside of Ireland are given their dues.

There's even a relationship shown between Irish rock and "Riverdance".

If you are a serious student of rock, and seek understanding of Irish Rock's unique importance, this DVD is indeed for you.

Growing up in Pittsburgh, I always heard stories about the flood, but didn't know anything about it. This movie puts you there and really opens your eyes to the level of destruction that took place. Dreyfuss did a great job as the narrator. his voice holds you to the story. The two best parts of the film are the historic photos and the sound. The photos are interspersed throughout the film and the narration brings them to life and takes the viewer back to Johnstown. The sound is amazing. A great film to watch with the surround sound turned up. Bussler did such a nice job on the sound you will feel like you are about to get crushed by water. I would recommend this to anybody who enjoys historic documentaries with some modern touches added in.

This film successfully handles the enormous historical scope of the Johnstown flood while exquisitely capturing the humanity of the disaster, which is so often obscured by dry facts and figures in many historical documentaries. Bussler treats viewers to a straight-forward, easy-to-follow description of the causes of the flood and its effects on those in its path. However, the abundance of personal narrative, which is taken from primary sources, allows viewers glimpses into the experiences of the people who were there. Re-enactments portraying these individual experiences add color and texture to the history, keeping viewers engaged throughout the film. Richard Dreyfuss as narrator as well as the film's rich sound make a compelling documentary. The film is accurate enough for history buffs while accessible (and entertaining enough) for school-age history students.

I wanted to let everyone know that I am from around the Johnstown, PA area and I went and actually saw this at the J-town Flood Museum. It is intense! Especially when you see it in a movie theater setting. I have relatives who experienced the other J-town floods after this one, but nothing could compare to going to the museum overlooking the dam and seeing the lifelike things there!!! I can't wait to have this for my "home" collection!!

Today, when TV from the Space Shuttle and ISS is broadcast, it has a near crystal clear quality. There is hardly any "snowing" of the picture and the colours are as vivid as can be..."picture perfect" means just that nowadays. However, 34 years ago colour TV was in it's infancy (do you remember when TV stations had the words "In Colour" on the captions before a programme?!!, perhaps I am getting old!). I am, honestly(!), too young to remember the Apollo era, and so was extremely pleased when this Dvd set was produced and made available. The trouble for all us "space fans" has always been that the only way to see this historic footage has been on spaceflight documentaries (which usually have footage and audio from different missions dubbed together or show only brief snippets). "Raw" footage is what we have always wanted, and here, finally, it is!

From the launch day TV coverage, to the TV transmissions on the way to and in orbit above the moon, the 1st moonwalk (which includes different angle views from the black and white TV downlink and the automatic 16mm colour film taken from the Lunar Module), to lunar liftoff, more TV transmissions and re-entry operations this Dvd set has it all (and all without a single narrative or spliced/dubbed sequence). There is also footage of the astronauts training, assembly operations of the launch vehicle and multi-angle views of the launch itself. All in all, a fantastic package.

The pictures aren't always clear and the colour isn't always "true colour", but THAT is the whole point. The footage is seen as it was sent back to Earth nearly 4 decades ago. Because of that, it has attained near magical qualities. If we went to the moon today (and let's hope we do soon!) the pictures the astronauts sent back would be clear and snow free! It wouldn't have the same impact that this footage has or had.

This is a historic record of mankind's first steps on another world and is well worth, in my opinion, buying. These and other titles are available, although Amazon.com only sells the Apollo 11 and 15 sets at the moment (and only from the USA site so PLEASE Amazon.com, sell them at the others!) but I would highly recommend them to you.

To put it in a nutshell.....The real life drama of this footage knocks any (and I mean any) science fiction or computer generated space type footage to it's knees. This is the real thing, as it happened and you just cannot simulate this!

Being 4 years old at the time Apollo 11 landed on the moon I don't remember to much about it. Growing up I wanted to be an astronaut. Well that didn't happen but I'm still a big space buff. I had always wanted to watch all the Apollo 11 mission footage. Producer Mark Gray has wonderfully transferred for the "armchair astronaut" the original "raw" NASA Apollo 11 television transmissions, 16mm film & Hasselblad 70mm camera images onto a 3-disc DVD set. I have spent hours watching this. If you're into space & history you'll enjoy & treasure this DVD set very much. I highly recommend it.

the best thing about any Documentary is when it goes the extra mile to fully capture not only the subject matter but also the time period&this Dvd collection hides nothing&comes correct on the time period&the creative people behind the music&the powerful element it took.the Music is a Heaven for the Oppression that was happening at the time.you feel the Notes&the strength all rolled into one here.the Blues means different things to people but this Dvd gets it right from start to finish.School is in Session here&it's time to take notes.

This documentary does what so many others on Black Music failed to do, it discusses the music in the context of black struggle in America. The reason this DVD was such a breath of fresh air to me is because I purchased it after returning a documentary (American Roots Music) that did the exact opposite. Where American Roots Music teases the viewer with one or two seconds of it's "rare footage", Blues Masters shows rare sessions with Son House, Leadbelly, Bessie Smith and many more virtually uncut. Where American Roots Music attempts to handle the music as if it exists in a vacuum; Blues Masters doesn't separate the music from the people who created it. The latter even makes mention and shows footage of self-determined Black leaders such as Marcus Garvey and Father Divine, who both were very influential among common Black folks of the time. It discusses the "Racist Regime of America" and it's deep mistreatment of Blacks and alludes to the fact that this deep seated oppression and pain had to be an element of what actually drove Black folks to create the blues in the first place. This DVD is a must have. Buy two copies, just in case one of your friends decide to borrow it and never give it back.

You can not mess with this/domination on the floor.You wanna
battle?

I grew up in the 80's, on both coasts from the streets of Queens, Ny to San Fran, Cali. I saw firsthand b-boy culture from what i saw on the streets and my interactions with cousins who were in a west coast b-boy crew. This documentary brings you into that world and you are like a silent witness to the birth of something wonderful. Young, old, white, black..it doesn't matter...breakin can be for anyone willing to put in the time and sweat and tears to express themselves through music. Definitely worth checking out.

The first time I saw this, my mind was blown. Seriously, this is by far the best break dancing I have ever seen. Everyone I show this to agrees. This DVD should be mandatory viewing for anoyone claiming to be down with Hip-Hop. If you want to be educated, enthralled, and entertained, buy this now! You will not be disapointed. When I teach my Hip-Hop 101 class. This film, 'Scratch', and 'Style Wars' wills be shown. I am utterly fascinated by this movie. It is an excellent product, outlining the evolution of the B-boy...going back to early 70's NYC, with some incredible archival footage of hot breaking and B-boy battles (including the legendary Lincoln Center battle b/t Rock Steady and Dynamic Rockers in '81!)...You must buy this now. I assure, you will not be disapointed...these really were the 'Freshest Kids'.

We got "For the Love of World Travel" as a gift and liked it so much, we bought this one as well. We are delighted that it's just as good. My kids are captivated by the art and animation. This is truly one of the best tapes out there. I highly recommend the Baby Laureate series.

Baby Laureate's "For the Love of Art" is an exceptional work for young children (and parents too). They beautifully animated classics from throughout visual art's history. Your children will be intrigued by the use of color and motion and maintain their interest because of quality content including live action video clips, lovable characters, and pleasant music. Buy one for every parent you know today!!!

We own them all -- Baby Einstein, Baby Genius, So Smart -- and Baby Laureate is by far the best baby video out there. The production quality is outstanding. And my kids are mesmerized. It's such great educational content as well. I highly recommend this video! You won't be disappointed!!

The California Zephyr video was exceptionally well-done. I live right next to the Western Pacific Railroad's former Niles Canyon route in Fremont, California, so I have a special interest in the California Zephyr . The color movies of the train were very fantastic to watch and the commentaries of former railroad employees greatly added credibility to this fascinating story. I was especially thrilled to watch the train stop at Fremont station (now the Union Pacific's freight yard), passing by Niles control tower (sadly destroyed by a fire set by an arson several years ago), and passing through Niles Canyon where I live. Another feature of the video I liked was, the names of most of the people that were interviewed in the video were listed on the video's box. Only one person's name was not listed, the wife of one of the people who appeared in the video. I also enjoyed the audio compact disc included with the video. I could hear actual sounds of the train pulled by a diesel locomotive, actual train arrival announcements at both Oakland and Fremont stations and voice of engineer chatting with fireman in locomotive's cab. How ironic that some of the video footage was filmed in 1966, the year I was born. I have special fondness for the F7 which pulled this passenger train. During the late 1970s and early 80s, I saw several of these F unit diesels, pulling freight cars, passing by my house in Niles Canyon several times. It brings back many sentimental memories.

This program is an excellent documentary about the history of the California Zephyr during its 20 years of operation between Chicago and the West Coast. Unlike most railroad documentaries presented on PBS and the History Channel, this one has more depth as it skips much of the dry history and instead focuses on recollections from people who worked on the train.

Coverage of the train is slanted towards the west coast with tons of footage on the Western Pacific Railroad. Highlights that stand out were scenes of the train on 3rd Street in Oakland, through Altamont Pass, and through Feather River Canyon. The DVD also includes a ride in the locomotive cab along with extra scenes of the train trackside.

The producer did an excellent job and I only wonder where he dug up some of the people interviewed in the program. Most notable was Arthur Lloyd who was a railroad public relations person back in the 1950's and 60's. Lloyd gave some spectacular commentary that broke up what could have been a dry program.

I think this program is excellent for anyone who has a passing interest in passenger trains or transportation history. Although this program focuses on the California Zephyr, the general theme is about the death of the Streamliner in America. I regret that I never rode the California Zephyr as we lost a great gem.

What I loved best about this DVD was the 1969 cab ride on the Western Pacific. This program has lots of great views of the Zephyr with footage I have never seen before. There is a great shot of the last train passing by a graveyard! Very fitting and I commend Virgil Staff for taking the time to shoot the film. There is also a neat little piece with Virgil talking about why he shot the film. The added compact disc which comes with the program is a very nice bonus and hearing the locomotive cab interior recordings are worth their weight in gold! I only wish all railfan videos were this nice.

As a high school art teacher, I really appreciate a well-made, engaging art video. This is one that kept my students' attention from beginning to end. One of the best things about this video is that the viewer gets to see Chuck Close in his studio painting and talking about art-making. He is shown working on one of his huge self-portraits from its beginning, when he chooses the large-scale photo reference and lays out a grid on a canvas, through the painting's completion. What a great opportunity to see inside the life of one of our most talented and admired modern artists! I highly recommend this video.

this is a fantastic video. I use it regularly for teaching. It gives a wonderful & sophisticated view of Chuck Close as an individual and an artist, as well as a glimpse of the other artist's work who are interviewed in the video. It is filmed in a very immediate and personal style. There is nothing stiff, boring, or disconnected about it, common faults of many art videos. Anyone who has experienced something similar in their family will find the discussion of Chuck's "event" very moving, and not at all sappy.

this is a fantastic video. I use it regularly for teaching. It gives a wonderful & sophisticated view of chuck close as an individual and an artist, as well as a glimpse of the other artist's work who are interviewed in the video. It is filmed in a very immediate and personal style. There is nothing stiff, boring, or disconnected about it, common faults of many art videos. Anyone who has experienced a similar tragedy in their family will find the discussion of chuck's "event" very moving, and not at all sappy.