Reviews (22)

Absoloutely necessary.....
Despite all of the negative reviews, these films are among my favorites, and are absoloutely necessary for horror and gore fans to see. Yes, it is fake for the most part, but that is not the point. The films are quite entertaining and despite what other reviews claim, the effects are superb given the time it was made. I promise that if you are a fan of gore, you should be fairly pleased with this collection, each film with the exception of "faces of death 2" has some quite shocking scenes.

The basic point of the films is a doctors personal study into the subject of death. The film is presented in a documentary style, piecing together many clips of people meeting there demise in horrible sorts of ways, and stock footage of accident aftermaths and morgues etc. As I stated earlier, the scenes where people are shown being killed are entirely fake. The fact that everyone thinks the fim is 100% real demonstrates the marketing genius that the director and gorgon video truly are.

Horror and gore fans , buy the collection, buy a case of beer, invite your friends over and have your first annual F.O.D. fest this weekend.

What's all the fuss about?
I saw this "Faces of Death" series a short while ago and I can't even believe that some people class it as "horror"!
To me, it came across as a documentary style series with some doctor narrating about various methods of animal slaughter and tragic human deaths...
To be honest, I found a lot of it rather boring and the film didn't really cover anything that I hadn't seen before - except perhaps, the monkey delicacy, where the animal's brain is bashed in.
I then read the previous reviews and found that most people have said that it's fake! Maybe I'm a bit gormless as I thought they looked real enough! Haha, never mind.
Pretty much a big fuss over nothing and a waste of money, if you ask me. Spend your money on something more interesting!

Why??
I haven't watched any of these, probably because I still have some shreds of sanity. For all the curious teens out there, these films show rabbits being skinned ALIVE, animals being butchered violently while yipping in agony, people being fried in electric chairs, people mangled on the German autobahn, people having their heads sawed off, and baby monkeys being clubbed to death. This isn't America's Funniest Home Videos, people. If you find pleasure in watching this stuff, you need counseling. It's that simple. (...)

You MUST Be Kidding
When I see garbage like this, I finally understand what is wrong with the world. I watched this movie on a dare and was absolutely mortified!!!!! I would have given it negative stars if I could have. As an animal lover and vegetarian, I was especially offended!!! Anyone who is a fan of this series should run, not walk to the nearest Psychiatrist. You are in desperate need of having your head examined. And we as a society wonder why violence and seriel killers have become a part of daily life. Well, ladies and gentlemen I present to you Exhibit A.......

Faces of Death Collections
I first watched this movie when I was ten and could not keep my eyes off of the screen.Now that I'm older I still enjoy it but the fact that most of the scenes were not real really disappointed me but the movie is still off the wall crazy.Enjoy it best alone and in the dark ... Read more

Description

A collection of space documentaries filmed in the expansive IMAX format: Hail Columbia, The Dream is Alive, Blue Planet, Destiny in Space, and Mission to MIR. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Simply beautiful & inspiring!
These DVD's contain some of the finest video of space and of our planet Earth. Taken over many missions and years by the astronauts in high-definition IMAX film, there are some truly georgeous and inspirational shots here.

It's a fantastic collection, and really should be in every video library! I love each tape but am particularly fond of "Destiny in Space". Also includes footage from the Russian MIR space station.

IMAX films are almost always 4:3 format
That's because IMAX theaters are that same 4:3 format. To get widescreen you'd have to either lose picture on the top and bottom, or stretch the screen out over two blocks.

IMAX Space Collection in standard format
I love the IMAX films but was disappointed that these DVD's were in standard 4:3, not widescreen 16:9 or 2.35:1.
Also, the audio naration is often drowned-out by the background music and is hard to hear.
Otherwise, the shots and scenes are outstanding.

disapointing
If you want to get a lot of brilliant space and launch shots, you won't find them here. The best parts of these movies could fit on one disc. "Dream" and "Destiny" are the better ones.
It's kind of creepy watching all of this taking place onboard Challenger.

Space Dome remembered
This is the perfect way to remember our Saturday nights that we spent taking the kids to eat chicken fingers and then to space dome to see destiny in space or the dream is alive. This is one level 2 counselor that wishes the management of the Space and Rocket Center hadn't driven me away. Bring the Duce back!!! ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A magnificent series.
The DVDs faithfully reproduce the videotapes; I see complaints about the quality of the transfer as unjustified. One would think from reading the other reviews that the DVDs are somehow technically defective; this isn't the case. They don't improve on the original footage, but who reasonably expects them to do that?

This is a fascinating documentary series, covering a retracement of the Silk Road from east to west, as recorded by NHK over the course of several years, beginning in 1979. This set contains the first dozen episodes, part I of the series (Boxed Set 1 and Boxed Set 2, which is not to be confused with Silk Road II, the final 18 episodes). It begins in Chang-An and ends in the Pamirs. Part II, alas, doesn't seem to have made it to DVD; that covers the journey from Central Asia to Rome.

Titles of the episodes in this set are:
The Glories of Ancient Chang-An
A Thousand Kilometers Beyond the Yellow River
The Art Gallery in the Desert
The Dark Castle
In Search of the Kingdom of Lou-Lan
Across the Taklamakan Desert
Khotan -- Oasis of Silk and Jade
A Heat Wave Called Turfan
Through the Tian Shan Mountains by Rail
Journey into Music -- South Through the Tian Shan Mountains
Where Horses Fly Like the Wind
Two Roads to the Pamirs

TOO BAD
We have watched the series on VHS--also a very poor transfer but fascinating film. I had hoped the DVD would be a good transfer but sounds as if that is not the case.

Outstanding documentary
The content of this documentary is outstanding. Though the video deficiency is not as bad as previous reviews suggest, the content more than makes up for it. I give it a 4-star rating because of the technical deficiency. If not, this is definitely 5-star material.

Content 5 stars--video 3 stars
Having watched this entire set, I can say that the quality of the content outweighs any qualms about sound or video quality. Yes, the picture looks more like an old VHS tape than a new DVD, but it's not THAT bad. I found it it didn't get in the way of enjoying one of the best documentaries ever made. Bottom line: if you're picky--make that super picky--about video quality, avoid this. If, however, you are really interested in an excellent documentary on the Silk Road, then take the plunge. You won't be disappointed.

thanks for the helpful review
After reading the one star review, I was really glad to have checked reviews before buying it. As a doctor, I really have no problems spending thousands of dollars per month on dvds. But once you get a lemon, you are very very annoyed. I must thank the reviewer for pointing out the poor transfer to dvd. As for myself, I am a Kitaro fan. Hey, how can you do justice to Kitaro with a MONO soundtrack. Joke, right? ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Russia Land of the Tsars
This is one of the best things out of the history channel in my opinion. Russia Land of the Tsars tells the epic story of Russia for its early days when it was controled by the Vikings and the Mongols. To when it became one of the great empires of world history. The DVD specializes in telling the stories of some of the great leaders of Russia including Peter the Great, Ivan the Terrible and many others. The filming is very good with excellent settings and costume and the entire DVD is interesting.

Great idea, average (but still pretty good) result
I watched the entire series on TV this week and was really quite impressed. Besides loving history in general I have an odd niche interest in the Tsars of Russia (yeah for spelling it not czar!). I especially like the earlier stuff, entirely bored by the time of Nicholas II and the whole end thing. Just a note, Alexander II is actually my favorite because of a book called The Crown and the Crucible by Michael Phillips & Judith Pella--a favorite hold-over from teen years.

Like I said in the title, I loved the idea behind this series. I realize the trend these days to do "bottom-up" history aka social history of the common man. I like that okay but I am very interested also in the leaders, movers and shakers. Some of the tsars are such larger than life characters who had a lot to do with the direction that the huge Russian empire took in their respective reigns. You can't do history then without mentioning them. Thank you History Channel!

My only problems include some cut corners in beginning title graphics, re-enactment footage run a *few* too many times (at least when watching the whole thing in a row) and a tad too much of a sensationalistic feel to some of the narration.

I do not usually buy dvds of TV series so I can't really say whether this is a good buy or not. I can say though that the producers/filmmakers of this series did a real good job and kept me hooked for 4 hours without too much trouble at all.

Great script -- terrible film
I loved the history presented in this movie. However, I became very tired of the repeated scenes (like the blood flowing on the stone floor or the horse running on the beach of the rivers) over and over again. It became laughable at times. The creators decided to save money by using the same footage repeatedly -- even if hundreds of years had passed. Heck, couldn't they have at least presented a different angle?
If you going to make a movie -- do it right.

A fantastic introduction to Russian history
I found this series to be captivating. It was well produced and entertaining and would be an excellent teaching tool for the high school classroom. I learned some new information on the evolution of Russia's history, and I am inspired to learn more. I am on Amazon today to buy a book on Catherine the Great. I think some of the reviewers below must have seen another series. Their discriptions are so strange and inaccurate.

Please oh please turn down the music!
That, sadly, is what stood out in my mind the most as far as quality goes. The "background" music plays very loudly, and the narrator, at times, speaks rather softly in comparison. There are no subtitles to help you along, so I often had to put up with blaring (and oddly techno) music in order to hear the narration.

The makers obviously love their historical reenactments, which is all well and good, most of the time. However, they do tend to reuse items repeatedly, and not always in the right places. A painting of Ivan the Terrible holding his son's body is also used to represent Peter the Great torturing his victims. A painting of a mother holding a baby is said to show the births of both Ivan the Terrible, and Peter the Great's first son. And so on, in several more instances. Well, which is it?

While the documentaries had nothing new to say to me (because I've done extensive reading on the Romanov dynasty), it is a good introduction to Russian history. The A&E Biographies of Ivan, Peter, and Rasputin were also well done. Let's say, 3.5 stars. ... Read more

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Trinity and Beyond
In the salad days of nuclear-weapons testing, the United States detonated 331atomic, hydrogen, and thermonuclear bombs. Many of those explosions appear inTrinity and Beyond, which utilizes a lot of declassified footage, most ofit in color. Standouts include the United States' South Pacific detonation of anatom bomb 90 feet below the water to study the effects on a fleet of ships.Surprise, surprise, they sink! If that wasn't enough, the navy also loaded thedecks with sheep to study the effects of the blast on life forms. Surprise,surprise, they die! Glowing leg of lamb anyone? This film will alternately amuseand horrify you at the rampant irresponsibility of the Soviets and Americans intheir quest for nuclear domination. The Russians have the honor of havingdetonated the largest nuclear bomb ever at a whopping 58 megatons. The Hiroshimabomb was barely a kiloton. Of course, after the U.S. and Russia ceased theiractivities, the Chinese decided to get in on the act. But that's a differentstory for a different documentary. --Kristian St. Clair

Nukes in Space: Rainbow Bombs
Boasting material that was recently declassified, this documentary presents somestartling information about how the United States detonated a number of atomicbombs in space during a top-secret cold war weapons program. The history ofmilitary rockets is detailed, beginning with the Nazi V2 rockets that attackedEngland late in World War II. The problems encountered in America's cold warrocketry program are dramatically illustrated with a film montage of U.S.missiles spectacularly blowing up on their launch pads. After the Sovietslaunched Sputnik, America's resolve to be able to wage war in space stiffened,and test detonations of atomic weapons in space began. The effects of theselittle-known tests were bizarre and included electromagnetic disturbances thatblew fuses in Hawaii while creating beautiful, if dangerous, artificial aurorasthat gave the tests the nickname of the "Rainbow Bombs." Of particular interestin this documentary are tapes of White House meetings at which President John F.Kennedy and his top science and military advisers discussed the atomic tests inspace. The bomb detonations caused radiation problems in space, damagingfledgling communications satellites, and the government eventually called an endto the program. This is an entertaining and very informative look at a piece ofcold war history that seems like vintage science fiction, yet it's all real.--Robert J. McNamara

Atomic Journeys: Welcome to Ground Zero
Our atomic heritage resides in sites all over the country--from the Trinity testarea to natural-gas wells in Colorado--and many of them are open to the public.Plan your vacation with Atomic Journeys: Welcome to Ground Zero, a blastthrough memory lane narrated by the perfectly suited William Shatner. Never-  before-seen footage of test explosions and top-secret work labs exploresthe history of America's nuclear programs, and interviews with current andformer atomic scientists and engineers give depth to sights such as "the mostbombed place on Earth" in Nevada. Learn about nonmilitary uses of nuclearweapons, the rationales behind the different programs, and where you can findthese strange places. The musical score is a special bonus, performed by theMoscow Symphony Orchestra in a goodwill gesture of post-cold-war cooperation.--Rob Lightner ... Read more

Reviews (9)

The Bomb Set
This set of 3 documentaries is both visually stunning and very engaging. All 3 movies are very interesting, but i would say that Trinity And Beyond is the coolest of the bunch. It is a little more sweeping than the others, and covers a more broad amount of general information on the history of nuclear weapons. It also has the most actual bomb footage, and the DVD extras- like the 3D short movie on a Nevada test site, are fantastic.

Nukes In Space has some startling footage of atmospheric nuclear testing which resulted in rainbow auroras and electromagnetic disturbances. It also dives into the space race and how it was connected to the nuclear arms race, very interesting stuff. Atomic Journeys is pretty cool too, but just not quite as exciting. The movie returns to ground zero at several different nuclear sites, and then proceeds to dive into the history of the site. Both Nukes In Space and Atomic Journeys have great DVD extras as well.

All in all, this set contain 3 great documentaries with some truly spectacular and frightening footage. All 3 DVDs are presented wonderfully- from the way cool DVD menus to all the extras they packed on, Goldhil Home Media and Peter Kuran have presented a wonderful addition to anyones DVD collection.

great documentary
I have only seen TRINITY AND BEYOND straight through recently enough. It is a great movie--fascinating. The background musical score by John Morgan and Bill Stromberg is especially dramatic.

Recommended!
If atomic bomb explosions fascinate you, then this is a must-have collection. There are three DVDs:

1. Trinity & Beyond
2. Atomic Journeys
3. Nukes in Space.

Trinity & Beyond documents the history of the A-Bomb tests from
July 16 1945 (Trinity test) to the last atmospheric Test (by China in 1964)

Atomic Journeys visits numerous US & a few Soviet Test sites and there is plenty of footage of explosions at each site.

Nukes In Space deals with among others the Rainbow series of space atom tests - some of which knocked out communications (and worse) in the USA for many hours afterwards.

This collection would have gotten five stars from me but for a couple of minor niggles.

1. Particularly in Trinity & Beyond, the DVD could have done with being an extra half-hour longer to allow longer footage of the various A/H-Bomb tests. As it stands some of the sequences appear very hurried. For instance, the footage of the first H-Bomb test (Ivy Mike) is butchered to hell and the superb original soundtrack is ruined, which IMO spoils some of the most spectacular footage of a nuclear test ever shot. And on occasions the original footage of some tests has been dubbed with CGI enhancements which don't enhance but detract from the viewing experience.

2. There is a heavy USA bias and at times a slightly nauseating USA patriotism portrayed in the DVDs. Understandable I suppose considering they are made in the USA!

But don't let these gripes put you off buying. This is on the whole a well-made, informative and strangely compelling set of DVDs which contain a lot of atom test footage that has never been shown elsewhere. The collection comes highly recommended!

Essential Viewing
This collection is essential viewing for anyone interested in this subject.

I live in England and had heard of these DVDs but was never able to find them. I finally found them... and ordered them. Boy was it worth it.

The images of the detonations are spectacular, beautiful, and absolutely terrifying. Couple this with superb narration, research, and extra features, and you have probably the best all-round documentary on the history, science and politics of nuclear warfare around.

The definitive story of our atomic weapons program
In what is probably the most dramatic look ever at the U.S. atomic weapons program, the Atomic Bomb Collection is a stunning and oftentimes frightening realization of what man can create. Using declassified footage from government archives, you can now view material never shown or reported to the public.

The material shown on all the discs is remarkably clear, well defined, and visually impressive. The audio for all programs are in Dolby 5.1 surround sound and, believe me, will give your home theater system a serious workout. Each disc also contains a large amount of special features that make this set a very worthwhile value.

Trinity And Beyond is the starting point of it all. You are treated to the inside story of our atomic program from it's infant stages at the Trinity site in Alamagordo, New Mexico and continuing on to designing, making, and producing hydrogen thermonuclear weapons. The footage of hydrogen bomb testing in the Marshall Islands in the Pacific ocean is truly astonishing and disturbing both at the same time.

Atomic Journeys: Welcome to Ground Zero is probably the most outstanding of the lot showing dozens of bomb detonations in startling detail. Much footage is relegated to the Nevada Test Site which was openly known in those days to conduct such tests. What wasn't widely known to the public is that subterranean detonations were also performed in Mississippi and Alaska and some other areas. This footage is featured also and is quite unbelievable. One subterranean detonation in Alaska was so large (incredible footage here), it permanently changed the landscape of the surrounding area.

Lastly, we have Nukes in Space: The Rainbow Bombs. This is the least interesting of the 3 discs but still has good material to offer. You are shown nuclear detonations, performed by the U.S. and Russia, in our upper atmosphere. Whatever the intentions were by our scientists, this was probably not the best of locations to test atomic weapons especially considering the bombs affected radiation belts around our planet. Pretty scary.

If you're interested in the entire history of our atomic program from start to finish, look no farther than here. This is the premier collection that won't ever be matched. Highly recommended to everyone. ... Read more

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The Story of the Twelve Apostles
This documentary from the History Channel does a fine job examining the lives ofthe 12 disciples chosen by Christ to carry his teachings to the world. Beginningby providing an historical overview of life in Jerusalem under Roman rule, itgoes on to cogently explain the circumstances by which Jesus, having becomerecognized as a teacher, was able to recruit his apostles. Intelligently handledreenactments provide dramatizations of significant events in the lives of thedisciples, and their diverse personalities and individual relationships withJesus, as well as their lives following the crucifixion, are covered in somedepth. Biblical scholars, including university professors and priests, appearthroughout in interview segments to offer their insights, and the narration byactor Martin Sheen is understated but always interesting. The issue ofseparating fact from myth is dealt with at some length, and a discussion of howsome accounts of the lives of the apostles came to be judged as the Apocrypha isof particular interest. The Story of the Twelve Apostles is a commendablelook at some of history's most intriguing figures, 12 men who were consideredoutlaws but whose influence is today felt around the world. --Robert J.McNamara

The Story of Paul the Apostle
The impassioned life work of the devout Jew who persecuted Christians until heheard the voice of God is thoroughly examined in this 66-minute History Channeldocumentary. Drawing on the biblical writings of his friend Luke, his ownEpistles, and the meager additional writings of the time, this film begins withPaul's conversion and follows his three decades of traveling missionary work,imprisonment, trials, and eventual martyrdom in Rome. Biblical scholars andhistorians augment Martin Sheen's narration of this secular look at his life.Lavish illustrations include artwork (stained glass, mosaics, paintings,sculpture), old black-and-white movies, contemporary reenactments, and footageof today's ruins of many of the temples and landmarks where Paul preached fromIsrael to Turkey to Athens. Always controversial in his day, Paul gets his duehere, being credited as the single most influential person in takingChristianity from a fledgling sect to a worldwide church. --KimberlyHeinrichs ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Simply a Powerful Historical Angle
I completely disagree with Robin E. Simmons (a.k.a. "Top 1000 Reviewer") review of 3/24/03; I believe she has become bias in all her "reviewing"; perhaps you need to slow down Robin. I did not see ANY political or religious bias in this AT ALL - that's what, not only made this fascinating, but very informative. It is raw and it is very powerful; I felt it cuts straight to the heart of the history surrounding the Apostles. It certainly put the flesh on the skeleton for me. Definitely check them out!!

THE MEN WHO MARKETED CHRISTIANITY
A two disc set from the History Channel, THE APOSTLES includes "The Story of the Twelve Apostles" and "The Stoy of Paul the Apostle." Narrated by Martin Sheen, it's hard to disassociate the material from his high-profile Catholic and political bias. That said, the material is an OK primer on Jerusalem under Roman rule 2000 years ago and the fascinating identity of the men who promulgated what was to become the Christian religion, now embraced by well over a quarter of the world's population. St. Paul's message was simple: The free gift of God's grace to a broken world that needs healing and that "all are one in Christ." Look around; it's still a volatile message. ... Read more

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The four programs from the History Channel in this set profile America's Founding Fathers, noting right at the outset they were a "mismatched group of quarrelsome aristocrats, merchants, and lawyers." The story of how these disparate characters fomented rebellion in the colonies, formed the Continental Congress, fought the Revolutionary War, and wrote the Constitution is told by noted historians, and the production is enhanced with beautifully photographed reenactments as well as intelligent use of period paintings and engravings. The story begins with Samuel Adams and John Hancock in Boston, whose protests against British taxation led to the Boston Tea Party. Moving on to the Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia, the brilliant delegates from the South, particularly George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, appear on the scene, and the story is told of how an improbable cohesion between the colonies began. Other main characters, including Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, appear in turn, and each of the major participants is portrayed in a biographical profile. How these men all came to act together, despite the stark differences in their backgrounds and temperaments, becomes the main thread of the story. They were all quite human, as the historians who appear in interviews remind us. Some of them drank too much, some had illegitimate children, some owned slaves, and some could hardly get along with anyone. Yet these men with complicated private lives worked together and performed heroically. This is an intelligently rendered and captivating look at the men who formed the American nation. --Robert J. McNamara ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Well worth watching despite the annoying commentators.
This DVD offers an interesting and useful perspective on the Founding Fathers. It is a relatively painless way to learn a great deal about these men, their ideals, and some of the things that gave rise to the American Revolution.

I personally thought that the historian-commentators were largely mouthy and annoying. The narration was pretty good, and in fact I wish there were a way to simply edit out the commentators while leaving the narration. It is possible to present the Founders both as the human beings they were without losing sight of the fact that America was extraordinarily fortunate to have brought forth such men at this critical time. At times I thought that this series missed the mark in this regards, and went out of its way to focus on minor personal quirks that frankly are of no importance and only minor interest. The Founding Fathers were, after all, giants.

Nevertheless, at least this piece deals with the American Revolution and the Founders, which are underrepresented topics.

History, As Good As It Gets-Pure & Simple
We often think of historical documentaries as a bunch of boring pictures with a cracked voice describing events like a list. This is however something very different. It tells the story of how we (USA) became a country through independence and the formation of a constitution as a true yet still continiously fasinating story. The history channel does that by telling the COMPLETE BACKGROUND (like how Franklin was a womanizer, or John Hancock was kind of a rich playboy, Patrick Henry's recitation of Church sermons that developed his speaking and ablities & much more that I encourage you to find out by buying this video) and from that they show you how those past personal experiences influenced all the actions of our founding fathers that resulted in the founding of America. By doing that the history channel allures any viewer to hold there breath and feel the amazement of how as humans such different yet all bright men found a country. And with that along with the hollywood style of clear, realistic-like voices of our founding fathers and with broadway like re-enactments that makes watching this movie feel like watching Braveheart. By shows end any viewer will be off better informed about the true founding of America (I learned so much, I even stumped my 9th grade teacher) and have this great feeling of how lucky we are to be Americans thanks to the amazing contributions of human people (for those overseas, the feeling of how extraordinary America is).

Good Cover, No Meat
What a waste of time. I wanted to learn about the founding of America, instead I am force-fed moronic "professors" obviously chosen for their willingness to say stupid things. One said he was surprised the Founding Fathers were able to function because they were so drunk, using about four different descriptive slang terms rather than "intoxicated." Another said that John Adams was a candiate for Prozac and implied that the first child he had with his wife may have been illegitimate despite being born 9-10 months after the wedding (married in October, baby born in July).

I am so sick of the tripe A&E and the History Channel release. The History Channel used to seem more legitimate than A&E, now it's just the same nonsense. Something calling itself "The HISTORY Channel" should do more than try to revise it.

Don't waste your money.

Great way to learn.
This helped to shine an unexpected new light on our heritage.... Definetly more real than the way it was presented to me in my youth.
A good additional learning tool.

Brings intellectual history to the masses
Recently, I viewed and purchased the sequel to this, "Founding Brothers". I found this series, focusing on the start of the revolutionary spirit to the creation of the Constitution, a bit better.

It is very rare indeed that any video (let alone something for the always mainstream 'History Channe') focuses on the intellectual history of our nation. Usually, the physical aspects of the revolutionary war is focused on. The subject matter here, the revolutions intellectual fire, is not only interesting; it's host of characters: Patrick Henry, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Thomas Paine, etc. is a great "cast".

There are two problems. First, the documentary, like its sequel (see my review) is very one sided towards the federalists. Alexander Hamilton, George Washington and John Adams are treated as saints whereas Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson are written off as purely self-motivated hacks. Similarly, James Madison is focused on AS a federalist but his later anti-federalist leanings are not even MENTIONED.

The second flaw is that some of the voice-overs do not seem quite right. Burt Reynolds as Patrick Henry, James Woods as John Adams, Hal Holbrook as Franklin, these are fine. But imagine my suprise when I found country singer Randy Travis reading for James Madison. And whoever did Thomas Jeffersons voice had equally little passion.

Ryan Setliff's review below may well be a typical reaction to a DVD like this. No, it does not paint the founders as perfect noblemen, but it is accurate. Patrick Henry had a monstrous temper, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson were flirts. John Hancock and Alexander Hamilton were greedily ambitious, John Adams was disagreeable in most senses of the word and Thomas Paine was a drunk. Strong statements but I would challenge Mr. Setliff or anyone else to find citations to disprove them. many of the scholars, contrary to Mr. Setliffs contention, have proven themselves. Jack Rakove anyone? ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Visually Stunning Historical Document
This is by far the best and most comprehensive documentary series on world war II in the pacific I have seen thus far. It covers the pacific war meticulously on the land, air, and sea campaigns. It was not made to entertain, but rather to inform. It covers the entire pacific theater in authentic reel films. One should not be dissappointed with the black & white and grainy quality of most of the DVDs. They are after all transfered from sources of a bygone era. But the images are often fascinating to watch. They are absolutely indespensable in the recordings of history. Where paper documents alone may fail to inspire younger generations about the desperate struggles against the brutality of Imperialist Japan, this set of visual documents could project an everlasting memory of the Allied heroism that must be remembered for life. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Important and entertaining
Edited by Edward Norton, this PBS series takes a look at the ways in which man has unintentionally altered his environment for the worse.Some examples include hermaphrodite frogs resulting from water pollution, out of control plant life which threatens the survival of ecosystems, and overfishing and its relation to coral reef degradation.

While this series is quite informative, it is also entertaining.Norton lends a good, serious narrative to the series, and though the series presents the audience with disasterous (or potentially disasterous) scenarios, the segments usually end with a success story or a glimmer of hope.For instance, one scientist engineers a plant to absorb, or "eat", the mercury which is polluting the waters.Another segment ends with a private farmer demonstrating environmentally-friendly farming techniques to preserve local water integrity.

Highly recommended.I doubt this series has the entertainment value to hold a young teenager's (or younger) attention for long, but anyone with even a passive interest in biology and/or the environment should be pleased with this series. ... Read more

Reviews (40)

provocative viewing
This series was excellent. It is well worth the time and money. As a registered nurse, I once worked at Parkland. I found the revelations about falsified documents and autopsy records, altered post mortem photographs, illegal removal of the body from Parkland for an autopsy at Bethesda, missing forensic evidence, and information from the funeral home and Bethesda autopsy personnel very disturbing. Dr. Wecht is more than justified in calling for a 21st century forensic investigation of whatever evidence remains.
The lack of Secret Service protection of the president is appalling. The lack of documentation or "lost logs" is egregious at best. Why hasn't the Secret Service been held accountable? The only plausible explanation is that a conspiracy existed in which the organization was duplicitous on some level.

If you are not familiar with the assassination or this series, buy it! I have viewed it several times. Each time I become more outraged that something of this magnitude could have occurred. The medical and Secret Service information was enough for me to conclude a conspiracy existed.

The newest tapes "The Final Chapter" were equally amazing.
Information from Judy Baker regarding her affair with Oswald was very interesting. Her knowledge of New Orleans, cancer research, and Jackson State Hospital appeared credible. The information about alleged human subject cancer tests performed on Angola inmates at Jackson State Hos[ital was sickening. I have never seen this information presented anywhere other than this series. Information about LBJ wasn't that shocking to me. As a native of Louisiana, I can remember discussions that occurred at the time of the assassination and Shaw trial regarding LBJ. He wasn't perceived as an "honest broker", and many thought that he was involved on a deep level.

Great tapes!! If you are a history buff don't miss them.

provocative viewing
I thought these videos were provocative. I am a native of Louisiana, lived in Dallas for several years, and was a nurse at Parkland. Among the most disturbing allegations for me are the disputed autopsy records and photos, the lack of proper Secret Service protection, Oswald's intelligence connections (alleged), the disappearance of forensic evidence, and significant unaccounted for amounts of time during which Oswald's activities are in dispute. The interviews with Drs. Wecht, Peters, McClelland and funeral home personnel are very important and disturbing from a medical perspective. I can not fathom Parkland physicians and nurses falsifing critical assasination documents. I feel certain the opposite would be true, especially involving a presidential assasination. Even for routine terminal events extensive documentation is and was required. For a problematic case, it would been more detailed. Dr. Wecht discussed the benefits of a thorough 21st century forensic examination of the case. I believe that the American public deserves this and an investigation about the lack of secret service protection for the president. I think the newest tapes regarding the alleged affair Oswald had with Judy Baker were spellbinding. She put alot of disputed time into focus. She is not an ignorant woman, naive and foolish, but not stupid. She seemed extremely knowledgable about cancer research, New Orleans, and the ramifications of testing medications on human subjects. The testing of prisoners from Angola in the Jackson State Hospital turned my stomach. Today, this action would land a person in jail or on death row.

I think this tape series is well worth one's money and time.
I am certainly no "expert" in the assasination, but many of those interviewed are. The JFK assasination remains one of American'a greatest murder mysteries.

Not a hysterical piece... Serious material...
This 1988 British documentary is loaded with important "real person" interviews that cannot be viewed and just dismissed lightly as "conspiracy hogwash"... Yes, there are flaws, naturally: Beverly Oliver may not be the essence of credibility, and the Corsican hitmen theory smelled a bit over-ripe even if the 2 surviving "hitmen" hadn't allegedly threatened to sue (and successfully had their names removed from the piece, although that's still a controversy in itself)... And much of the data (though not all) is circumstantial and mixed all around, it cant really be ignored upon viewing.

And the 1995 "sequel" chapter ("The Truth Shall Make You Free"), though also worthwhile and very disturbing, seems in places to be infected with some of that latter-day media mindset of 'well-if-we-have-to-admit-that-maybe-there-was-a-conspiracy-then-let's-make-the-Kennedy-brothers-seem-like-they-essentially-brought-it-on-themsleves', which I don't appreciate.

The recent "Final Chapter" was pulled from distribution and is not available for purchase because it implicates LBJ as complicit--- which caused an uproar and, in the mood of 2004, even very old information that would never raise the eyebrows of "students" of this subject, can get suppressed all too easily. (Until it's ever released, a seance with Madeliene Brown will have to suffice).

Nevertheless, despite what you may have heard "TMWKK" is a very serious, chilling documentary, if an imperfect one.

Very Provacative
What's there to say about TMWKK that hasn't been said so many times before? This is one of the most ground-breaking documentaries of our time. By the way, if anyone reading this can tell me where I can get a copy of "TMWKK: The Final Chapter" (which includes "The Smoking Guns", "The Love Affair", and "The Guilty Men"), I would greatly appreciate it. I don't care if it's DVD, VHS, or Bootleg. E-mail me at Quarryman88@yahoo.com
Thanks.

Detailed Review
This DVD is a good overview of the assassination of Kennedy. True, it does focus on the conspiracy theories and it is not an unbiased look at the evidence; however, the interviews with people who have a lot to say are engrossing and the "evidence" produced is thought provoking.

There is no doubt that evidence exists to dispute the findings of the Warren Commission report on the assassination of President Kennedy. This DVD presents a lot of that evidence in a organized fashion. It is good to actually see the people interviewed who say the shots were coming from the grassy knoll. I liked looking at the photographic evidence that critics claim show a person (badge man) shooting from the knoll (I don't see anything). The DVD at least allows you to see the people and the evidence and make a lot of judgments for yourself.

A lot of the witnesses are not convincing to me, and a lot of the so called evidence just looks like junk. I have a natural tendency to distrust testimony from strippers (or former strippers) and I don't see what others say is clearly present in certain photographs. I am a lawyer (not a trial lawyer) so I suppose I look at evidence a little differently than most and probably take a more skeptical view, but I still like to see it myself and not let someone else tell me what something shows or who to believe.

I think the DVD does raise significant questions about the killing of the President as presented by the Warren Report on the assassination. I have read portions of the Warren Report and I have read a few books on this subject authored by both the critics and those who support the Commission's conclusions. While I would say this DVD does contain some speculation that is impossible for the viewer to make an independent decision on, and it contains a lot of language that is less than clinical, it does present a lot of solid evidence. Actual interviews with the Dallas police officers who were there and who talked with Oswald and Ruby are just invaluable. So are a lot of the other interviews. Just a list of those who have been sent to an early grave that had facts to support a shot being fired from the grassy knoll is unnerving. To see some of those same people on screen telling their story near in time to the killing of the President is compelling. If you believe what they have to say a lot of the Warren Commission's findings are not accurate.

If you are not interested in mysteries this isn't for you. In the end there are a lot of theories that can be supported depending on which set of facts you find to be most important. The assassination of President Kennedy is a mystery because so much is left unexplained. For example, there is no doubt the evidence in the National Archives has been corrupted. The brain is missing and at least some other evidence has disappeared. Once evidence has been tampered with a person is allowed to believe it is all under suspicion. The evidence is the foundation of analysis, and when that is gone mystery remains.

So the viewer will not get a solid "we have it all figured out" explanation at the end. No murderer jumps up to confess in the last scene and reveal all. The mystery remains and the uncomfortable feeling that comes with mystery - real mystery - is there. We will probably never figure it out because the list of "oops" or whatever is almost endless. Criminal incompetence on the part of the Secret Service, incompetent medical examiners, missing evidence, incompetent police procedures, consistent failures to follow even the most elemental criminal evidence protection steps, failures to tape or record critical interrogations, failure to follow up important information, investigators ignoring certain aspects of the case (who were the men who displayed Secret Service credentials to the police on the day of the murder), inconsistent statements from important witnesses etc. This is a real mystery.

A lot of people are murdered every year without explanation. The real world can be a messy and inhospitable place. We tend to want to think that the murder of the President of the United States would be different. With some of the best police agencies in the world working on the case we could figure it out and close the file and be at least comfortable with the idea that we know what happened. This film will not allow you to think that way. This was a messy event with a lot going wrong - as it usually does - and this DVD lets you know that. No nice world tied up in a nice package with a bow on it. No...this is reality. And a lot of it.

A very good DVD and well worth the price. ... Read more

Description

He is a living legend, whose book A Brief History of Time became an instant best seller. Now, his genius is fully revealed in this new series that will treat you to the latest and most profound advances in cosmological thought in true down-to-earth Hawking fashion. Encompassing Hawking's matchless point of view, these six programs spin an intergalactic detective story, rich with mystery, unexpected twists and astonishing revelations. Titles are: "The Big Bang," "On the Dark Side," and "Black Holes and Beyond." ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Poorly done.
I thought that because of Stephen Hawking, this was going to be great (I wish I could see more of his direct work on the film). It was pretty bad. First it looked as if it was filmed through a very dark blue filter. It was very hard to see. I thought my tv was broken. Also, the same graphic of an exploding star is used from everything to supernovas and blackholes, it is quite irritating. The information is poor at best, it covered 1/100 of the infomation in A Brief History of Time, a very good book (I never saw the video). Don't buy this, it is not worth it, try to catch it on PBS if you are interested, or rent it from your library.

The unfolding of everything
I come to physics, astronomy, chemistry, biology and geology as a layperson who is fascinated by the big questions of life. For me science fact far exceeds science fiction or fantasy. I cannot get enough.

I come to this whole exploration of science under the influence of Darwin, Nietzsche and Krishnamurti. To learn and understand beyond the narrowness and pettiness of the human experience. I think the human experience is infinitely enhanced, not diminished, when we see outside the box of what we have been told, beyond the truths and reality we accept without any deeper understanding than that this is what has been programmed into our brains and veins from cradle to grave.

This dvd is so layered and complex and filled with fantasic ideas and theories, that I'll surely watch it over and over again. The string theory concept, alone, is worth the price of this dvd. I had, also, purchased 'The Elegant Universe' when I ordered this dvd. The updated and added string theory perspectives add to what was said in Hawking's Universe. For me its the glue and unfolding of everything.

I wish I could be more technical but I'm too much of an infant in this arena. I seem to understand but find the words very difficult to explain the specifics of what was said. Each of the six parts goes into incredible depth. I would imagine even the experienced scientist must wrinkle his forehead when digesting the vast concepts big and small.

For me, the technology of dvd's and computers was made for this type of project. We, the layperson, can now have accessibility to a world otherwise locked up in laboratories or a chance viewing on PBS, Discovery or A&E.

Informative and entertaining - a well produced series!
I must admit that I was a bit apprehensive about the quality of this DVD collection before even seeing it. Being an owner of Carl Sagan's Cosmos series on DVD, and a great admirer of the man and his series, I must admit I had an inherent bias and felt that I would be hard-pressed finding anything else that was in the same league.

I was mistaken. This DVD collection presents the main points anyone should know about the universe. I say "main" due simply to the fact that this collection does not go into great detail on several topics, as does Sagan's Cosmos. It focuses on a limited field of topics (which is understandable, since it is only three discs) and explains them thoroughly. It is not brief, yet Hawking does not waste our time with "waffle". It is concise and does not err in explaining details correctly. Being of a science-trained background, I would like to take the opportunity of adding that I did not find anything questionable or dubious in the subject matter. (It was, after all, written and edited by Stephen Hawking.)

Viewers with no physics, or even basic science education, may find this collection slightly hard to understand in certain sections. That's not to say that the episodes need a Degree in Physics to be able to understand them either! A high-school level of Physics would allow you to comfortably understand everything that is said. Nevertheless, if you have no training in this area, do not fear... you might misunderstand one or two terms or concepts, but whole episodes do not focus on just one point, so you will not find any episode completely bewildering. (I would find this as a positive. The collection then serves as an educational set and may even influence the viewer to take-on personal study or research the topic more thoroughly. This in my opinion, can never be a bad thing, and thus the set becomes a more valuable item in one's DVD collection.)

There are times during the episodes when Hawking attempts to be witty. These are effective attempts and often "soften" the show's theory-based nature. At times, one might even say Hawking takes the opportunity to "brag" about his many achievements and accomplishments, which in my opinion all adds to the enjoyment of the show. The presenter of such a show needs a bit of personality, or else, dare I say, it becomes boring.

There are SHORT role-plays and interesting interviews mainly from American intelligentsia. Do not expect long and entertaining role-plays though. The episodes consist mainly of interviews and people (or Hawking) presenting facts or their opinions. (Those of you who have seen Sagan's Cosmos will know what I mean by "entertaining role-plays".)

Perhaps I AM a little biased when it comes to this type of show. It is always in my mind to keep comparing shows of this nature to Sagan's Cosmos. In this case, if I do, it does little harm. This is a well-produced series and I would give it a high recommendation. This series is best suited to people with a keen interest in the topic, those wishing to "brush-up" on their universal knowledge, or simply those shopping for an interesting (and educational) present to give their friends or relatives.

THE BEST DVD of ALL TIME!!!
What an amazing feat this dvd is. It explains all about the top theories in physics today in an articulate way. It is almost like a translation of Stephen W. Hawking's most famous book: "A Brief History of Time". I recommend Hyperspace for anyone who was interested in this dvd. Dr. Michio Kaku, the author of Hyperspace, is featured in this dvd. He is the guy talking about superstrings.

See Stephen Hawking roll. Roll Stephen Hawking, roll!
This is a very interesting program that is slightly belabored by a couple problems. First, the initial episode covers very familiar ground for anyone who's had a course in general physics, which is pretty much anyone who's been through high school... it's still interesting enough to sit through, but they could have done without it. Secondly, some of the topics are presented somewhat vaguely or are hard to keep track of (for instance, the interviewee presenting the phenomena or describing the breakthrough will do so in an extrememly roundabout way, telling a story... although this is interesting, i wished there had been some segment right before it that clearly explained the idea before going into the details of thought process). Also, ideas such as the superstring theory and quantum mechanics, at least for me, require more in-depth explanation to get a grasp on the concept, and this documentary seems to have a problem because it is balancing the accessibility of a documentary like BBC's The Planets with more scholarly aspects. It also could have used more of a graphic style, both to make it more entertaining and to help explain concepts to those of us who tend to prefer 'big picture' type visual learning.

It's four stars because its worthwhile coverage of interesting topics, but I have to agree with others that this would have made much better radio program or audiobook, because of the mostly uninteresting, unenlightening visual aspects.

Otherwise, Stephen Hawking's Universe is an engrosing documentary that covers a lot of interesting ground, and is definately worth watching by anyone with a passing interest to the subject matter (astral phenomena, creation-theory, black holes, etc...), although I'd give it a low rating for repeat-viewings, so it's probably best to pick up on your local PBS before deciding to purchase. I think if I had seen this in high school, I would have been inspired to do well and maybe working on physics-type major in university, instead of languishing at home in a dead end job >_< ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Educational
if you have the time to sit through 4 disc of non-stop educational film about lost civilazation,do-it.I found it relaxing and my girlfriend also enjoyed it,even better than the series on lost egyptian tombs.It's international culture references and scenery made it a great series ... Read more

Amazon.com

Edison - The Invention of the Movies is a four-disc treasure trove of 140 of the first moving pictures ever seen, spanning the birth of cinema from 1891-1918. The collaboration between Kino Video and the Museum of Modern Art includes 14-second-long camera tests, early special effects, street scenes, humorous shorts, and "The Great Train Robbery," widely considered the world's first blockbuster. Arranged chronologically, the films gradually improve in technical sophistication and narrative complexity while providing riveting glimpses of American culture 100 years ago. Highlights include the slyly edited "The Gay Shoe Clerk," the phantasmagoric "Dreams of the Rarebit Fiend," and a film of social justice called "The Kleptomaniac." Contemporary sensibilities will be challenged by persistent racial stereotypes in a number of the films, as well as by a horrific short showing the electrocution of an elephant. The educational possibilities represented in this set are vast.

If Kino Video and MoMA had simply released these restored films on DVD, it would still be one of the notable releases of the year, but they have gone further by filling out the set with over two hours of interviews with scholars and archivists. The films can be watched with or without these explanatory interviews, which lend the kind of historical context and thoughtful analysis one finds on the best museum tours. We learn that Edison's first studio was a tar-papered contraption called "Black Maria" that could be rotated to take advantage of available sunlight. Patrick Loughney of The Library of Congress details how many of Edison's films survive on printed paper reels submitted to a copyright office that at the time had no way of cataloging film. Author Michelle Wallace provides insight on how the films represented--and perpetuated-- the stereotypes of the era. If viewers have any energy left after this erudite festival of moving images, there are more than 200 still images from MoMA's Edison Collection to browse. The film history buff's collection is simply not complete without this set. --Ryan Boudinot ... Read more

Reviews (4)

An invaluable piece of film history
This beautifully packaged set of 4 discs is both an education and a real pleasure to watch, thanks to an excellent interface that allows you to enjoy watching the films only, or go in-depth with program notes on each film, as wellas interviews and commentaries on many aspects of the Edison Company's productions.The educational aspect is, of course, the development of movies:from the very first experiments in 1889 which last only a few seconds, to the distinct steps towards telling a story and its evolution into the format we know today.The first disc comprises mainly these early experiments and quick glimpses into the past, lasting from a few seconds to several minutes, and which cover a wide range of subjects.One has to keep in mind that moving pictures were a novelty in those days, and it took some years for the concept of a narrative film for proper entertainment to emerge.Thanks mainly to the innovative pioneering spirit of Edwin S Porter, who directed nearly all of Edison's early short films in the period 1902-1908, we can clearly see how the foundation was laid for what was to follow, such as D W Griffith's Biograph Shorts.In fact, I'm sure that anyone who has enjoyed Griffith's Biograph work will enjoy the bulk of the Edison Company's productions.These shorts (about 10-20 minutes in length) cover a broad range of themes from simple but charming love stories to more involved plots with social and other themes: always interesting but perhaps overall not as intense or dramatic as many of Griffith's Biograph shorts.Apart from 3 or 4 short films that have suffered irreverisible damage, the picture quality is very good overall, and the traditional organ or piano accompaniment is varied and suited to the scenes.My personal favourites are these varied short films from 1905 to 1915, then after a break of 3 years, the final Edison production on disc 4 is a feature film of nearly 90 minutes made during World War I."The Unbeliever" shows how a young man's experience at the front in Europe changes some of his prejudices and makes him a better person, which makes it more than just a war propaganda film.Although the picture quality is not the best here, I still got a lot out of the story, and it is a good end to the entire set which shows all the steps involved in the invention of the movies.

Almost as comprehensive as the Edison Papers project!
What a fantastic set. I'm really only 6 hours into the 12 hours of film material but this some wonderful set! I've been collecting Edison films on video for about 20 years. To not only have them in one place with great prints, but to have the interesting interviews (2 hours worth) is fabulous. If I have one gripe it's the menu. If you are watching a DVd all the way through including the commentary and stop in less than the 3 hours the disc runs, you have to fast forward the next time to the place you were at. There is a film index but if you chose a film from that list it only plays that film and goes back to the index. Well, after watching it through once, I'll be using the index in the future.

Great packaging as well. Bravo to Kino and MOMA!

Steve Ramm

The Rise & Fall Of America's First Movie Company.
While the subject material of this set as well as the price ensures that it will not be for everyone, those with an interest in early cinema or early 20th century history cannot afford to pass this one up. An unprecedented collaborative effort between MOMA, The Library Of Congress, and Kino International, EDISON: THE INVENTION OF THE MOVIES allows us to witness the birth, the development, and the ultimate demise of America's first movie company and one of the most influential companies in cinema history. 140 Edison films are included in this 4 DVD set. Many of the earliest ones from the 1890s are less than a minute long and are time capsules of people and places from over 100 years ago while the mainstay of the collection are the one reelers directed by Edwin S. Porter between 1902 and 1908. Disc 2 in particular shows just how good Porter really was. Films like THE KLEPTOMANIAC, THE WHITE CAPS, and THE TEDDY BEARS are as good as any of the short works done later at Biograph by D.W. Griffith. Ironically as Edison's films got longer and more polished the artistic level of their movies declined as they moved away from their original working class audiences and into the world of the middle and upper classes. The films lost their early edge and became safer and more predictable. In its last years Edison was at its best with non-dramatic pieces like THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CARE OF INFANTS and THE WONDERS OF MAGNETISM although THE PASSERBY is a remarkable dramatic gem of bitter irony. The company did go out in a big way with the World War I feature THE UNBELIEVER which featured a young Erich von Stroheim. While this set gets 5 stars all the way for its historical significance and for its packaging of interviews and extras, I do have a few complaints. There are a few selections such as FIRESIDE REMINISCENCES which are so badly deteriorated that I wonder why they were included considering the wealth of material there was to draw from. I also found the various music scores that accompany the films to be rather bland as a whole. While not unsuitable, they do little to enhance the material which in some cases really needs to be enhanced. However these are minor quibbles compared with the historic value and the surprising artistic achievement of some of these films and I cannot recommend this set highly enough to students of early cinema and to silent film enthusiasts. To be put on the shelf next to THE MOVIES BEGIN and the TREASURES FROM AMERICAN FILM ARCHIVES series.

Great for what it is
If you love film history, this is the best collection of Edison films available. Kino does its usual great job with the extras (but where is Edison's "Frankenstein"?). Those looking for entertainment, and not history, will find this tough to get through, though. Having seen most of these films on earlier video releases, let me warn you that these films are the earliest and the crudest of all films ever made. Film was not in its infancy here; it was embryonic. The invention was fresh out of the lab and no one was quite sure what to do with it. The result was two decades of clumsy plodding along, trying this and that, and coming up with only a very, very few films that still interest anyone but historians. You may find watching these films an endurance test. The historical commentaries is waht these films are all about and Kino delivers. ... Read more

Description

They were born in the foothills of Sicily. By 1924 their growing numbers and criminal activities had attracted the attention ofMussolini, who went about purging Italy of their secret society. America became their escape. In this stunning overview of the phenomenon known as La Cosa Nostra, THE HISTORY CHANNEL, RAI International and BIOGRAPHY present five programs that fully unveil the origins, the personalities, and the inner workings of the Mafia. Using never-before-seen footage and rare interviews with mob insiders and the agents who pursued them, THE GODFATHERS COLLECTION presents a gripping tale of greed, power, crime and betrayal. With in-depth portraits of crime bosses like Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky, Bugsy Siegel, and Carlo Gambino, this is the definitive, eye-opening account of organized crime in America. Volume 1: Godfathers
Godfathers investigates the mob lke no other documentary before it. From the mass immigration of Italians at the end of the 19th century to money laundering on the New York Stock Exchange in 2000, this up-to-date, feature-length production offers a unique perspective on the history of the Mafia as seen through the eyes of an Italian journalist. With newly discovered footage from Italian archives and rare interviews from both sides of the law, Godfathers probes the psychology, the sociology, and the economics behind this powerful yet secretive society. Some of the biggest names in mafia history are introduced, and the ways in which their political savvy helped them orchestrate many of history's major events is explained.

Volume 2:
*LUCKY LUCIANO: CHAIRMAN OF THE MOB: He ran the Mob like a corporation--diversifying rackets, organizing gangs and running his own political candidates--and his top-secret war efforts earned him parole from a 50-year sentence.
*MEYER LANSKY: MOB TYCOON: From the pogroms of Eastern Europe to the heyday of the Vegas Mob, rare footage and interviews reveal the double life of the man known as the Mob's financial leader.
*GENOVESE: PORTRAIT OF A CRIME FAMILY: A soldier breaks the sacred mobster's oath of silence (omerta) and the Genovese family hits the headlines. From Joe the Boss to Vito Genovese to the "Odd Father" himself, every personality and gripping detail in this ongoing saga comes to life.
*BUGSY SIEGEL: Handsome, glamorous and the most vicious crime boss of all, Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel began as a hit man on the streets of Brooklyn and died the victim of a mysterious murder, but not before turning a desert mirage into a Las Vegas dreamland. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

High Quality DVD Set
This is a very good Mafia DVD set. It shows alot of pictures and footage that are rarely seen elsewhere. Very entertaining and keeps your attention throughout. The individual profiles are good, although they all seem to lead back to Lucky. You receive nice background information in the individual profiles and overall, the DVD set is very well made. This is definitely worth having in your collection. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

One of Masterpiece Theater's best
I originally saw Lost Empires on public broadcasting and it became one of my favorites, right up there with I Claudius and The Duchess of Duke Street. The cast is exceptional especially John Castle as Uncle Nick (why oh why do we so little of this wonderful, sexy actor?). The entire production is glorious, taking the viewer right back to the days of pre WWI.

Lost Treasure is more like it.
What a pleasure to watch these dvds. The story flows and moves gracefully through each chapter. Firth is magnificent. Awards should have been given for this production. All the actors put so much into their performances. And to have Colin Firth narrating the entire story was music to my ears. We need more Colin Firth.

a "must-have" for Firth fans
This one ranks up there with "Pride and Prejudice" for the true Firth fan! You must have it in your collection. Colin Firth is young in this one..but there are definite signs of the smoldering Darcy we all know and love. Best of all, he is in almost every scene...hours and hours of hot, hetero FIRTH! (By the way, when is somebody going to realize this guy sells movies to woman of all ages? Get him some good roles!!)

Lost Empires Brings Characters, English Stage to Life!
Granada Television's 1986 "Lost Empires" is a series that proves that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Starring a sullen young Colin Firth, this eight-hour, three DVD set has held a place in my heart for the last 16 years. It was with much anticipation then that I opened this package and watched it anew with my family. Would it stand the test of time? Was it as great as I recalled?

Based on the novel by JB Priestley, LE chronicles the adventures of young Richard Herncastle (Firth), an aspiring landscape painter, who in 1913 accepts an offer from his hard-nosed Uncle Nick (John Castle II) to join his magic act and tour the great 'empire halls' on England.

Uncle Nick promises "I'll show you the world lad!" In the process young Richard gets more than he bargained for in the way of life adventures. . Firth's Herncastle finds himself thrown together with magicians, dwarfs, sad-sack comedians, flirty torch-song singers, suffragettes and aging Sir Lawrence Olivier. And he also quickly becomes the lightning rod that somehow touches all their lives.

The first half of LE, featuring Sir Lawrence Olivier as pathetic comedian Harry Barrard, Carmen du Sautoy as sultry Julie Blaine, John Castle's riveting Uncle Nick and Beattie Edney as love interest Nancy Ellis is where Lost Empires shines! We feel the whole world opening up for Richard as he is torn between Nancy and Julie. Every night this travelling company performs authentic song and dance numbers as we see World War I looming in the background.

Of special note is John Castle. Playing master illusionist "Ganga Dun" Castle's Nick Ollanton creates a character so vivid and steely that he virtually steals the DVD.

The second half of LE slows down a bit after young Richard has learned a few life lessons the hard way. The vibrant personalities of first half give way to more outrageous, less believable ones.

The DVD transfer is what you'd expect from most Granada product of the 80's: film grain is a bit much, but the colors are good, and I quickly "saw beyond" the grain of film. The sound is actually quite clear and vibrant with a large dynamic range. I frequently was "riding" the volume control to back off the volume when the director cut from quiet dialog scenes to the Empire performance scenes. There is no info booklet to speak of with the three discs which was a bit of a letdown (Brideshead Revisited ships with a rather informative booklet by contrast.) ...

If however you are looking for a group of clearly drawn characters desperate to hold onto a way of living, performing and loving as "The New World" is about to crush them under war and the onset of "talking movies" then LE is for you. If you've got the dough to spare, get it. If you're unsure, pick up Brideshead Revisited instead.

Me, I'm happy now that my "Masterpiece Theater" DVD shelf contains the three things I've always wanted: Brideshead, Prime Suspect and now Lost Empires.

Colin Firth is wonderful!