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This HBO documentary is based on a highly original idea: tell the storyof baseball from the Great Depression era through the late 1950s using footagefrom home-movie cameras shot by fans and players. The result is a marvelous lookat baseball in America as seen from the ground--the culture of stadiums, theritual of afternoon games, the spiritually sustaining rivalries. Among the trulyunexpected sights is color footage of the 1938 World Series, not only frominside the stadium walls but from the street as traffic cops, crowds, andvehicles amassed. It also covers World War II's impact on the game, and, ofcourse, the heroes, often caught in relaxed, unselfconscious moments.

Arguably more defined and even more lyrical than its predecessor, When It Wasa Game 2 moves from a general celebration of baseball culture in America toa specific focus on various facets of the game's history, including the specialrelationship between game announcers and fans and the farm-team system duringthe 1930s, '40s, and '50s. Brooklyn's assimilation of the Dodgers into theircommunity identity is covered quite winningly as is the heartbreak of the team'sdesertion to California. Last, the film takes us on a tour of some of the game'slegends and presents a touching tribute to the extraordinary Babe Ruth. --TomKeogh

When It Was a Game 3 focuses on the 1960s, a time of change for all ofAmerica.Through sharp, incredibly clear color footage of players and fans, thefilm shows how Major League Baseball slowly but surely evolved from pure sportto moneymaking entertainment. Covering the mighty Yankees, the western expansionof both leagues, the increasing inclusion of black players, and the rise of freeagency and increased salaries, the film shows the growth of baseball fromadolescence to adulthood. --Rob Lightner ... Read more

Reviews (2)

When it was a game-3 pack
I have been an avid baseball fan since 4 yrs. old. (1951) I am a collector of baseball sports memorabilia going back to late 20's. The series, "When it was a game" was an absolute delight. It finally placed faces to names I have collected for over 50 yrs. The 8 and 16 mm made the viewing even more spellbounding. It made me feel like I actually took the photos. It is refreshing to see my hero's in everyday circumstances; snapshots of the best of the best as ordinary people. The movies were well-done, I was not able to stop viewing until I have watched all three DVD's. This is the best collection of home movies of hall of famers I have ever seen. I would recommend this collection to any baseball fan who truly wants to reward himself with the very best footage of his favorite leaguer. I will cherish the entire set.

Baseball History on DVD
The when it was a game series is one of the best baseball documenturies that I have ever seen. The extreamly rare footage of baseball's greats with commentation is a very good mix. You'll love to relive the history and remember those great days "when it was a game." ... Read more

Book Description

The companion audiobook to Ken burns's magnificent PBS television series

The authors of the acclaimed and history-making bestseller The Civil War flow turn to another American phenomenon. Their subject is baseball.

During eight months of the year, it is played professionally every day; all year round, amateurs play it, watch it, and dream about it. Baseball produces remarkable Americans: it seizes hold of ordinary people and shapes them into something we must regard with awe. Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, Joe DiMaggio ... truly gifted human beings acting out universal fantasies that, for whatever reason, are most perfectly expressed on a baseball field.

All this and more rings through Ward and Burns's moving, crowded, fascinating history of the game -- a history that goes beyond stolen bases, triple plays, and home runs to demonstrate how baseball has been influenced by and has in turn influenced, our national life: politics, race, labor, big business, advertising, and social custom. The audio covers every milestone of the game: from the rules drawn up in 1845 by Alexander Cartwright to the founding of the Brotherhood of Professional Base Ball Players in 1885, from the 1924 Negro World Series through Jack Roosevelt Robinson's major-league debut in 1947, and Nolan Ryan's seventh and last no-hitter in 1991.

Monumental, affecting, informative, and entertaining -- Baseball is an audio that speaks to all Americans.

Baseball is available in hardcover from Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. ... Read more

Reviews (93)

A DVD All Baseball Fans Should Own
Ken Burns did his usual outstanding job with this documentary. He tells the story of baseball, using a combination of still photos, videos, interviews and quotes quotes. The DVD includes a bonus disc, which includes several great interviews.

He hits all aspects of the game: The development of the game itself and the leagues, the labor history, the stars and great teams and personalities, the great moments in the history of the game, and so on. He also gives us a pretty good look at the old Negro leagues and we get to hear some of the great stories from those days before MLB was integrated.

The only bad thing I can say about this collection of dvds is that by the time it was over I was really sick of hearing different versions of "Take Me out to the Ballgame."

The great stories in this collection more than make up for that one drawback, however. He does more than just interview and quote the players, managers, umpires, owners and sports writers. He includes stories from fans. Doris Kearns Goodwin told about how she grew up rooting for the Brooklyn Dodgers, then after they moved away, she found herself in Boston, becoming a Red Sox fan, just in time to have her heart broken again.

All fans of baseball should see this collection.

this is a 'must see' for people who love baseball
THIS BEAUTIFUL AND METICULOULSY CRAFTED FILM ABOUT THE HISTORY OF BASEBALL, TRACES IT'S ROOTS IN AMERICA FROM THE 1830' TO THE 1990'S. ANYONE WHO HAS SEEN KEN BURN'S CIVIL WAR SERIES KNOWS HOW WELL THE AUTHOR COVERS HIS SUBJECT. THIS NINE TAPE SET LETS YOU SEE THE EVOLUTION OF AMERICAS GAME. THROUGHT A COLLECTION OF STILL PHOTOGRAPHS AND EARLY MOTION PICTURES YOU CAN SEE THE LEGENDS THAT YOU HAVE ONLY HEARD OF IN BOOKS AND FROM YOUR OLDER RELATIVES. CAP ANSON AND 'HOME RUN BAKER COME TO LIFE, TY COBB AND HONUS WAGNER, AND GROVER CLEVELAND DISPLAY THEIR ATHELETIC PROWERESS ON JERKY SPOTTED FILM. THE NARRATIVE IMPECCABLY DONE BY JOHN CHANCELLOR AND A HOST OF WELL KNOWN FANS SUPPLIES YOU WITH A RUNNING COMMENTARY OF THE PLAYERS AND THEIR STORIES OF MOST OF THE HONORED MYTHS. THE STORY IS TOLD IN A CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER SEPARATED INTO ININGS, A TOTAL OF NINE. THEY ALSO COVER THE 1910'S AND THE BLACK SOX SCANDAL. THE 20'S AND THE 'BABE'. THE 30'S AND THE 'IRON HORSE'. ON INTO THE 40'S WITH 'JOLTIN JOE' DIMAGGIO AND TED WILLIAMS. THE WAR AND IT'S EFFECT ON THE GAME WITH THE BIRTH OF WOMEN IN PROFESSIONAL BALL. THE INSPIRATIONAL STORY OF JACKIE ROBINSON AND THE INTERGARATION OF THE 'NATIONAL PASSTIME'. INTO THE 50'S AND THE RISE OF NEW STARS LIKE MICKEY MANTLE,WILLIE MAYS,HANK AARON AND THE TRIALS OF THE BROOKLYN DODGERS. THE SERIES COVERS THE EFFORTS OF PLAYERS TO OVER THROW THE HATED RESERVE CLAUSE WHICH BOUND EVERY PLAYER TO ONE CLUB FOR HIS LIFETIME. EACH TAPE HIGHLIGHTS THE WORLD SERIES OF MOST OF THE YEARS. THE THROWING OF THE SERIES BY 6 SOX PLAYERS, THE PICTURE OF BABE RUTH CALLING HIS SHOT AGAINST THE PIRATES. THE MIRACLE CATCH BY MAYS IN '54' AND THE INVOLVEMENT OF AMERICA IN DIMAGGIO'S INCERDIBLE STRING OF 56 GAMES SAFELY HIT IN. IT ALSO HAS ITS SHARE OF ZANIES AND SHOWS SOME OF THE WARTS OF THIS GREAT GAME. THE CURSE ON THE BOSTON REDSOX BY BABE RUTH AND THE INCOMPRABLE SATCHELL PAGE. THE MIDGET HIRED BY BILL VECK AND THE EXPRESSIONS COINED BY THE LIKES OF CASEY STENGEL AND YOGI BERRA. THE LOVEABLE CRAZINESS OF BILL LEE. IT'S ALL HERE IN ABOUT 10 HOURS OF VIEWING WHICH WILL PASS IN FLASH LIKE THE PICTURES ON THE SCREEN. YOU MUST WATCH THIS DOCUMENTARY IF YOU GREW UP IN AMERICA IN THE 40' AND 50'S LIKE I DID- TO RECALL THOSE WONDERFUL LOSE DAYS OF CHILDHOOD SPENT ON THE BASEBALL FIELD AND THOSE WHO WERE NOT FORTUNATE ENOUGH, TO SEE THE FABLED PLAYERS OF THE PAST.

View it as entertainment, not as history
Ken Burns is becoming well-known as much for what he leaves out of his documentaries as for what he tells you and how he tells it. One sees it somewhat in the Civil War documentary (unless of course you are a Lost Cause devotee, in which case you view that series as horribly biased and riddled with errors), and it is definitely (and troublingly) evident in his Jazz documentary, where 40 years of jazz is virtually glossed over in favor of an almost obsessive fixation on Louis Armstrong. In the case of "Baseball," Burns again leaves out huge chunks of the story, although the end result is nonetheless entertaining.

In the case of "Baseball," the unrelenting focus is on New York City, Babe Ruth & Jackie Robinson, and to be fair, there is no way you could discuss the subject of baseball without devoting a great deal of time to these subjects. However, the title of the documentary is "Baseball," not "The New York City, Babe Ruth, and Jackie Robinson Story," and it is possible to watch this documentary at times and come to believe that nothing else was happening out side of New York most of the time.

I recall reading a Sports Illustrated article a few years ago that discussed the Philadelphia Athletics from 1929-1931, and made the case that that team was better than the famed "Murderer's Row" Yankees of 1926-1928, and possibly the best team in baseball history. The article's author crunched the numbers, compared the stats, and made a pretty compelling case. He then asked why so little attention has been paid to the A's over the years, and posited that because most of the nation's important papers and sportswriters were based in New York City; by default the majority of the great sportswriting was devoted to the Yankees, while relatively backwater Philadelphia languished in obscurity. It seems to be the same situation with Burns. While other incredibly dominant teams such as (in the early years) the Chicago Cubs, the A's, the Pittsburgh Pirates & the Detroit Tigers are given passing mention, they are quickly shoved on the back burner in favor of the Boston Red Sox & New York Giants. Then the Yankees & the Dodgers begin to coalesce, and it is all New York, all the time. One gets no feeling for how dominant the 1929-1931 A's (or the St. Louis Cardinals of the mid-1930's) were, because Burns continually focuses on Babe Ruth & the Negro Leagues.

When Burns gets to the 1950's he can be excused, because really it was a New York-dominated decade like no other. However, the other decades did in fact see a more competitive balance, and one would not get this impression from the documentary.

It would have been nice if Burns hadn't crammed the last quarter century of his story into one "inning." Are you telling me that the stories since 1970 aren't as compelling as the early years of baseball. I don't believe that Burns would have had to devote that much more time to the post-1970 era to make it feel less cursory and rushed. This is a somewhat annoying tendency of his that was more griveously evident when he made "Jazz."

Also, I get a little tired of the "poetry of baseball" school of thought. It isn't as though I am some knuckle-dragging troglodyte who gets all his news from sports radio; I am just as likely to go to the opera as to the ballpark. This baseball as metaphor for how the cosmos works gets on my nerves after a while (although I consider Roger Angell's comment "there's more Met than Yankee in all of us" to be priceless beyond description). It's not that baseball doesn't imbue our life with a little extra something special, it's just that some of these talking heads tend to get a little overwrought.

I enjoyed watching the documentary the first time, and I have watched it probably half a dozen times since over the years. By comparison, I have watched "The Civil War" about 15 times, I would guess. I was so disappointed with "Jazz" that I managed only a second viewing. In any case, "Baseball" is very entertaining, and that is what largely accounts for my 4-star rating I would only caution those who don't know their baseball history that this documentary omits a great deal of what is a very good story.

Costas at his best
You don't have to love baseball like I do to enjoy this documentary about Americas pastime. Although I got a little tired of Ken Burns style (I think it's unnecesary to quote someone and THEN state the name of the person being quoted, a Ken Burns trademark) the material is just too great and too American to be disliked. The best part? I was mesmerized by Bob Costas' description of events that took place in the BoSox clubhouse during their 9th inning collapse in game six of the 1986 World Series. When he recollects his "What do I do if they tie it?" remark to his producer it is fascinating, thrilling, and in the end, very sad. Just more proof that baseball is "designed to break your heart". Trust me on this one.

Great documentary but what's the deal?
Has anyone noticed that the times given for each "Inning" (i.e., disc) on the DVD is wildly inaccurate? Am I missing material or what? Almost every inning is under two hours according to my DVD player but the case usually indicates a time of 145 to 155 minutes or more. Are there hidden easter eggs on the disc or is PBS just wrong?
jr ... Read more

Reviews (43)

Unique Masterpiece
Rickson Gracie "Choke" is more than just a fight video - it captures the anxiety, preparation, and visceral intensity behind the competitors as they prepare for competition. View at the Ultimate Fighting Championship with a much deeper background.

The video captures the preparation for, and competition in Vale Tudo Japan 1995, a mixed martial arts competition where almost anything goes. ("Vale Tudo" is Portuguese for "Anything Goes", but the rules are not quite that extreme.)

The video takes an in depth look at 3 of the participants.
1 - Todd Hays is an all around gifted athlete, with a background in kickboxing. His mixture and fear are apparent as he attempts to use this event to pay for his Olympic bobsleading dreams.
2 - Koichiro Kimura is a Japanese amateur shootfighting champion, who wants nothing more than to test himself against the best. You get to meet his parents, who are affraid he'll die in the ring.
3 - Rickson Gracie is the defending champion, as well as the best of the famous Gracie family. It's no suprise that he gets the lion's share of the publicity.

In addition to the gritty reality of the fighting, you're introduced to some humorous back scene footage: Rickson's desire for a belt in addition to a trophy brings some chuckles, as does his last minute desire to hit the restroom. A near blind Yuki Nakai is both valiant and funny when he screams, "Rickson, I'm coming for you!"

If you're looking for a technique video, this is not it. If you're looking for 2 hours of fighting from the best guys out there today, again this is not the video. If you're looking to understand the mind of the fighter, in the context of the ring, this is the only DVD out there. I was rivited from start to finish.

Must buy for any MMA fan!
Any true fan off MMA cannot go without this documentary! Most people when they hear the word "documentary", think "boring". That is the exact opposite though in this case! Choke offers an interesting and entertaining look at the lives of three fighters leading up to Japan Open Vale-Tudo '95. It's main focus is on Gracie family champion, Rickson Gracie. You will get a look at his unique training methods that have made him the man he is today, and he will offer his philosophies of jiu-jitsu and how jiu-jitsu is his life. The movie ends with the tournament, and what can be some rather hilarious backstage happenings.

great movie
great movie gets to the heart of what theiir all about

A Way of Life
This superb documentary shows the why Rickson Gracie is such a
successful and impressive martial artist. An examination of the
lifestyle - including diet, stretching and breathing exercises, meditation,
fight strategy, workouts, and family commentaries - which allow one
to view the day to day preparation of this legendary fighter.
Similarly, we see up close and personal accounts of his opponents
in this particular Pride event. Very revealing and noteworthy the
differences in habits and lifestyle leading to the later results.
Some good fights, some less than hoped for. Yet Master Gracie
never disappoints and displays the true manners as well as talent
that any martial artist should strive for.
A perfect video to have in any martial arts collection.
Enjoy, Laurence

If you do jiu jitsu, buy this DVD
Any self-respecting jiu jitsu student must own a copy of Choke. It's just that simple. Only after you own Choke, and can quote it, can you call yourself a jiu jitsu student. ... Read more

Description

The greatest surf movie ever made. "On any day of the year it is summer somewhere in the world..." Go with Robert August and Mike Hynson as they follow the summer season to Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Hawaii and California in search of the perfect wave. Still the ultimate surf film of all time! ... Read more

Reviews (45)

In Search of that perfect wave.
This classic surfing documentary retains its charm, high quality, humor and nostalgia. Bruce Brown's 1966 Endless Summer was one of the first and remains one of the best documentaries on surfing. It's a laid-back almost relaxing documentary to watch which occassionally features some awesome displays of surfing pioneers hanging ten on perfect, imperfect and very dangerous waves. Tubes, Pipes, perfect waves, surfing towards, and away from the shore, ridin' the wave, wipe out. . . it's all here.

This was a low budget affair, but the camera-work and richness of color is quite impressive. Most of the footage was shot silent with sound-effects and narration and occassional music added later. Don't expect to hear the Beach Boys, or the Ventures or even Dick Dale on the soundtrack--you won't. You won't get MTV fast edits, or occassional messages about pollution, over-population, or politics either.

That's refreshing.

Most refreshing of all is that you won't see a lot of ads for sneakers or cars, or sporting goods plastered all over the surfboards or cars of the surfers either. It was a less chaotic, simpler time.

The movie follows two young surfers Robert August and Mike Hynson as they follow Summer around the world. First after leaving their native California and the crowded beaches of Malibu, Santa Cruz and Newport Beach (the Wedge) they travel to Africa and surf places probably no one has ever surfed before (and have to be careful not to step on dangerous and lethal stone fish). The natives are fascinated by the California surfers and their sport. Soon Robert and Mike are giving surf lessons to the natives. They hitch a ride with an African Game Hunter and travel along the coast with a perfect tour guide. They find the perfect wave. In Australia, Mike and Robert don't have good luck and are told the best time to surf in Australia isn't in the Summer (which is the U.S.'s late fall, early winter), but in the winter. They have a little better luck in New Zealand, and as they go off to Tahiti they are told there is very little to surf in Tahiti. Ah but there turns out to be plenty to surf in Tahiti. Then Mike and Robert are off to Hawaii for two months where water and air temperatures are 75 degrees.

While there will be a few folks who will find Bruce Brown's narration (Bruce an early surfing enthusiast wrote, directed, photographed, edited and narrated this film) annoying, most will find his disarming, tongue in cheek humorous laid back narration utterly charming. And there are no contests or points or organized competitions taking place. It's simply a film about two surfing dudes in 1965 travelling around the world to catch a wave.

28 years later, Bruce Brown would make a well produced sequel to this documentary Endless Summer 2. It's got better production values, more exciting surfing action.... but it lacks the simple purity of this film.

A gem. If I've sparked any positive curiousity in you about this film, you'll enjoy it. ...

The Perfect Wave ---- A Beautiful Journey !
"The Endless Summer" is truly a thing of beauty. Bruce Brown captures so much greatness -- the warmth of the sun, the ocean's vast power and the bond of friendship -- and ties it all up in a humorous and touching tale about surfing. We the audience are swept away to exotic locales -- Hawaii, Australia, and Africa --following the carefree journey of surfers Robert August and Mike Hynson. Undoubtedly the luckiest guys in the world, Mike and Robert goof to the max as Brown's hokey, but oh so funny narration keeps us entertained. In fact, throughout the film, we hear only Brown's voice and some really cool 60's surf instrumentals. I truly love "Endless Summer". It effectively captures a time and, perhaps, an innocence which is forever gone. Most of all, it captures our imagination. Who among us wouldn't trade our stressful lives for a life of endless sun, sand and surf? Until I can capture the peace of mind so beautifully expressed in "Endless Summer", I'll just have to watch the video over and over again. Enjoy it. Surf's up!

Great surfing classic and interesting world view of 1966
Way back in 1966, documentary filmmaker Bruce Brown followed two young surfers around the world in their quest for the perfect wave. It seems as if it were just the three of them - the two surfers and Bruce Brown who filmed that magical year with a hand-held Technicolor camera with no sound. Later, he edited the film and narrated it and his is the only voice we hear in addition to some original music by "The Sandals". There are no sounds of the surf, no remarks from the two surfers and we never hear the voices of all the colorful characters they meet along the way.

The concept was to surf on beaches that had never been surfed before. This led them Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Tahiti. And, naturally California and Hawaii. Sometimes the surf was to their liking. Sometimes it was not. But always it was an adventure, the kind of adventure that I quickly got caught up in even though it all seemed like a home movie and the camera was old fashioned. I remember one spot where there is a long smooth wave to ride and the narrator notes that the wave was so long that he ran out of film, stopped shooting, changed the film, and was able to continue filming the surfer on the same wave.

As the film was made in 1966, it expressed a view of the world that is not politically correct today. For example, there are a lot of little jokes about the "natives" in an African tribe. But in spite of the words, it was obvious that everyone in the tribe enjoyed watching the surfers. Later, with the help of our surfers, these "natives" tried it themselves and soon were improvising their own surfboards.

There are a lot of beaches in the world. But the sport was perfected in Hawaii as pure recreation. That's the way the Hawaiians lived for centuries. Our two surfers came from California, a place very much influenced by Hawaiian surfers.

Other details about 1966 stood out and made me smile. For example, a luxury hotel in Senegal cost $30 per night, which they thought was outlandishly expensive. Gas cost $1.00 a gallon in Africa, a very high cost. And the hairstyles of the two light-haired and sometimes sunburned surfers were short and slicked back with lots and lots of grease. Also, the bodies of the surfers did not look like the surfers today. The two men had narrow chests and the musculature in their arms and legs was just enough to handle their surfboards. Obviously, they never worked out in a gym. They just rode those waves. And loved every minute of it.

This is a film that was made with the pure love of the sport. It is indeed a classic. And a "must" for anyone interested surfing.

The Big Kahuna
This movie captures a time and a place, or should I say places, as Bruce Brown follows two surfers around the world in an endless summer of exotic locales including West Africa and the perfect wave in southern Africa, which never seemed to end. Surfing was a new thing in Cape Town and many would-be surfers flocked to see Hynson and August, but the best moments are the more candid ones such as in Senegal, when they turn over their boards to the locals and are amazed to see the chief get up on his first wave. The adventure takes in Australia, Tahiti and Hawaii as well, bringing them back to Malibu to close off what has to be the quentessential surfer's movie. Brown followed it up with Endless Summer II, but it lacked the spontaniety of the original as he went back to many of the same places many years later. This movie captures the romance of the big wave like no other movie, and is one you can watch over and over again.

The ultimate surfer movie
Wow, this is one of those movies that those of us who watched it in 1966 when it was released are now proud to show to our own children - giving them an example of what a REAL surfing movie should be.
Shot as a documentary by Bruce Brown, it follows two surfers as they trek around the world, looking for the perfect wave. Do they find it? Contrary to our love of the ambiguous ending, yes, they do find it, down in South Africa on a beach where the wave starts at the tip and seems to go on and on and on, following the coast long enough that you think, by the time the surfers beach themselves, they'll probably need a taxi or a train to take them back to their point of origin.
There's not a huge story line, but that's an advantage. It allows Brown to focus on subtler themes: the sun, the ocean, friendship, travel, and a period of innocence which is gone forever.
This is definitely one to buy and to watch over and over and over. ... Read more

Description

TREK was released from the documentary film studio Cirque Productions.As Cirque's most recent release, TREK runs an hour and forty minutes, and is the most accurate and up to date portrayal of the life of a Thru Hiker and the Appalachian Trail as it is today. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Wonder no more
I've been interested in the Appalachian Trail, mainly thru-hiking it, for over 10 years now. About two years ago I made the commitment of starting a journey of my own from Springer Mt., GA after finishing school. Since then I've spent hour after hour reading guidebooks, searching the internet, talking to people who had been on trail and trying to get a feel for what I was getting myself into. Then I saw TREK. Any question, doubt or apprehension I may have had was erased.

This movie is the end-all be-all of AT insight.

If you're interested in the trail (maybe you've had your heart set on hiking it "someday") or you just like the outdoors, watch this movie; that "someday" may not be too far off.

What a wonderful story
The video is very interesting, entertaining, and thought-provoking. It tells the real life experience of four hikers in their endevour of hiking the Appalachian trail (over 2000 miles) in one summer. The best part is the actual physical and mental changes these young men go through during the trip. They meet many challenges along the way, at times question their sanity for undergoing such a trip but eventually triumph by overcoming the obstacles. The friendships that are made along the trip and the wonderful, real people that are introduced make you realize that this world is a good place.

Reminded me of my thruhike!
I started my AT Thruhike a month before these guys, and finished three days after them. While I never met them (they passed me sometime in Maine), I knew almost a dozen people who finished the same day they did. Watching this video really brought back some memories!

Most other AT books/videos try to hype a thruhike as some sort of mystical/magical vision quest. Yes, a thruhike is a great journey, filled with adventure, excitment, and time for quiet introspection. But it is also full of physical discomfort and tedium. If "PF from Raleigh" (below) ever manages to do a real thruhike, he/she will learn that this video captures the essence of a thruhike far more accurately than any other video out there.

I've watched several thruhike videos, but this is the first one I've seen that managed to capture the reality of a thruhike as I experienced it.

Note: I watched the DVD version, which is not listed on Amazon as of 2004/06/10, but Brian from Cirque Productions assured me earlier today that it will be listed soon.

Tennessee lady
I loved this film. I wanted to see what it was really like to go through the entire trail day after day for 5 months. The ups & downs of the trek. On one hand you have the spectacular scenery from the mountaintops, the wildlife,the wildflowers, waterfalls but you have to contend with rain, cold, blisters, your whole body aching. But it looked like it was worth it when they finally reached the end of the trail everyone was so happy. Happy at what they had accomplished & happy in a way that it was over. I recommend this film to anyone who loves the great outdoors. It is truly inspiring.

Helping me plan my dream...
Get out your notepads and take some notes because this documentary ISN'T your typical scenic documentary that tells nothing of what trail life is really like. While TREK does include some beautiful scenery, the footage mainly serves the purpose to describe the terrain one would encounter. Although the scenic documentaries might inspire the recluse or Throeau-like hiker to hit the trail, TREK gives a real account of what it's like to complete the AT in its entirety.

Having hiked some of the more difficult portions of the trail in New England, I could relate to the hikers mental and physical ups and downs. But watching them surmount much adversity and work together as a team to accomplish their goal made me want to quit my job today and start hiking!

I would like to hike the entire AT one day and TREK also provided great instructional tips for before and during the hike like mail drops and shedding backpack pounds. I also appreciated the more human element present in the film that culminated in a great summit finale with a lot of the friends they met along the way. ... Read more

Description

Fasten your seatbelt and get ready for the ride of your life! Super Speedway puts you in the driver's seat of an Indy-type race car tearing up asphalt at speeds of over 230 miles per hour. Follow the excitement and drama of championship auto racing with narrator and celebrated actor Paul Newman, and join racing star Michael Andretti and his legendary father, Mario, as they craft a state-of-the-art race car. Then, follow the pulse-pounding action of Michael's high-speed quest for victory as he pushes the limits of the new car at the PPG CART World Series. So start your engines - Super Speedway is about to begin! Ever wonder "how did they do that?" The Making of 'Super Speedway', shot on High-Definition Video, takes you behind the scenes. ... Read more

Reviews (65)

Not just for racing fans
I was initially put off by the title and the artwork on this DVD, believing it was aimed at hard-core racing fans. After reading numerous reviews praising the quality of the sound and images, I decided to buy it as a "show me why DVD is so great" disk. And in that regard, I certainly wasn't disappointed; it is a spectacular showcase DVD.

What I didn't expect is how much I enjoyed the human interest story of the Andretti family. The movie takes you into their world, and places racing in perspective: technological, historical, and social. The story arc gently draws you to the racing track, immerses you in the raw excitement of driving at over 200 MPH, and then eases you back out to the real world, your heart still pounding. While the cars are unquestionably exciting, this isn't just about sitting in the cockpit. It's really about the people who do this, from the driver all the way back to the car's designers.

In the "Behind the Scenes" video (an outstanding piece in its own right), the director points out that you couldn't invent a story like this, that no one would believe it. Without giving away anything, the finale of Super Speedway is more touching, more emotional than any Hollywood fiction. Highly recommended.

A waste of money and time.
Boy was I disappointed when I watched this! IMAX films are generally designed to wow viewers in their exclusive massive theaters with hundreds of speakers and a monster sound system. But the story-line, dialog and every other aspect of the films are are pretty sterile, contrived and basically boring. Well take away the big theater and what you get is the lame story and only a glimpse of the films visual and audio impact. (Yes, I've got all the cool stuff, 42" TV, DTS, 200W/channel...blah blah blah). There lots of IMAX-y shots that start at a distance then slowly zoom in. In the IMAX theater the crowd goes ooh and ahh. At home you go huh? And don't expect any real racing excitment. They show a few random clips of a race, then wha-la the winners are spraying champagne. The dialog is presented as if it's genuine, but it's obviously scripted. The test track footage is pretty cool and the engine sounds are good but inconsistent,they have to turn them down so you can hear the lame dialog. Mario Andretti is of course way-cool, he can't help it. And if you're into it (I'm not) there's a handful of old clips of horrific crashes, most of which someone was killed (neat huh). These are not filmed in IMAX. I haven't watched the making-of bit yet but I'm sure it's more interesting than the main feature.

Simply Amazing!
This DVD is a must have for your home theater. I bought it on the recommendations here on the website and was not disappointed. The clarity is amazing. I am using an Optoma H56 projector onto a 92" Da-Lite screen and it is one of the sharpest programs I have ever seen. Nearly HD. The sound is even more mind boggling. The music and the sound effects are great.

Incredible footage...
This is an incredible DVD. The images are absolutely the cleanest. As clean as you can get on an HDTV without an actual HDTV signal - almost 3D. The racing and testing footage was spectacular. I have an Hitachi 65" HDTV(WS) but the DTS and 16:9 function would not work on this DVD - each time I selected 16:9 WS and DTS it would lockup the DVD. I watched it in 4:3 fullframe in the 16:9 std mode on the TV and the audio in DD 5.1 EX with no problem. That is the beauty of Hitachi WS televisions. They will take a fullscreen 1.33:1 and expand the image without distortion in the 16:9 std mode - although I prefer movies in WS. Do not use the 4:3 expanded mode - it creates distortion. I have no idea why the 16:9 WS function would not work along with the DTS audio and I tried it several times. I am returning it for another. I know there is nothing wrong with my system because we watched Cheryl Crow - Rockin the Globe in DTS before watching SuperSpeedway and the Eagles Hell Freezes Over in DTS after that - it must be the DVD disk. If you like racing - it gives an incredible feel - at times "almost" as if you were actually driving...

Simply Awesome!!!
This is a must see DVD. It's everything the previous reports have to say about it. It's simply AWESOME if you do indeed want to show off your HD surround sound system get this DVD NOW. The visual and audio propertys are breathtaking. Every audio visual dealer should be required to use this DVD as a selling point for its products. Very highly recommended. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Great Film
This is one of my favorite films. I watched it after I started riding dirt bikes, however, I can understand how it would have inspired many people people to start riding motorcycles. In all of his films, Bruce Brown has the unique ability to portray that "you shoulda been there" feeling. Never in my life have I wanted to travel back in time more than when I watched this movie. I can only imagine what it would have been like racing across the SoCal desert atop a 500cc Husqvarna, riding right next to Steve McQueen. Buy this DVD.

On Any Sunday - A movie that can be enjoyed by anyone!
On Any Sunday is an outstanding effort by Burce Brown. It combines motorcycle action, humor and an indepth look at the exciting and sometimes dangerous world of professional motorcycle racing. Having recently seen it again for the first time in almost 30 years, I was inspired to write a letter to Mert Lawwill thanking him for some wonderful memories of my own dirt bike riding days and the Harley I owned. In turn, he wrote me back and included an autographed copy of him hanging it out sideways on a flat track in his hay day. What a great deal. My wife even enjoyed it enough to watch it with my twice in the two days we rented it. Rent it, buy it, watch it. You'll enjoy it!

Wow.
This movie needs no explaination. Easily one of the greatest movies about a sport of all time. BUY THIS MOVIE!

A bit out-dated, but still packs good info.
This is a good video by Bruce Brown Films. I Purchased this because I was allready getting into motorcycles and recently purchased a Honda Shadow. Music was a bit out-dated, but strangely enough, I now hum some of the musical themes from the movie. (Very Carpenderish type 70's music). I enjoyed the movie and found myself replaying it over 10 times and it is always nice to come back to it again. I especially liked the last bit at the end where all three bikers are riding around what appears to be a desert area near the coast of California. The music meshed nicely with this part and that old Hammond B3 Organ. The video is a good history account of racing in late 60's early 70's. The theme of the movie appears to be that Motorcycles are both fun and dangerous, and shows the variety of racing approaches to the sport.

Ohhh! Can't wait to get on a bike
That's what I was thinking as I watched this movie. Sure, the music is corny, but the footage is fantastic! It had me itching to get my bikes out of the garage. The movie awakens that urge to compete! A really superb film-if you love motorcycles, then you'll love this! (Just don't watch it when you can't ride, I did and had spring fever big time from it!) ... Read more

Product Description

The Dogtown and Z-Boys skateboarding DVD chronicles the overnight impact of the Zephyr team on skateboarding in the early 1970's and the eventual collapse of the team later in the same decade. This DVD is directed and co-written by skateboard legend-turned-filmmaker Stacy Peralta and narrated by actor Sean Penn. The DVD features bonus material including commentary, extended raw skate footage, deleted scenes, and more. ... Read more

Reviews (73)

Exceptional Documentary
This is an exceptional documentary of a group of guys in blue-collar south Venice Beach, CA that revolutionized skateboarding. As a 50 year old who grew up in Southern California in the mid-60s skateboarding in the "uncool" manner that they portrayed in the first skateboard tournament, I was absolutely mesmerized by the evolution to vertical skateboarder, ie, "airtime".

This film narrated by Sean Penn interviews the members of the Zephyr Surf Shop skateboarding team from the 70s. Sean Penn does an excellent job as voice over and the teammates and shop owners are very honest and forthright in sharing the evolution through the skateboarding where they were first seen, to the urban guerilla boarding in empty swimming pools, to skateboard stardom, and finally to grown-ups.

Many reviewers mention the braggadocio of the participants since the director was also a Z-Boy. Also many complained that they were just a bunch of skateboarders. But I didn't view it that way at all. I found their reporting to be very balanced and in fact, I thought the director somewhat downplayed his stature in the skateboarding world vs. say, Tony Alva. Also as a former skateboarder of a previous generation, I found it absolutely fascinating watching the evolution of the sport. Whether true or not, following that evolution to airborne makes fascinating history. Now, skateboard/wakeboard/surfing/in-line skating have merged into extreme sports. Did these guys invent it? Of course not. But they were substantial in its evolution.

My wife who has never lived outside Southeast US viewed this also and while the subject matter was not familiar, she found it interesting. I recommend this for people wanting to study 70s culture, Southern California or pop culture.

Henry Hester
Although it's been out for a number of months, it took me way too long to get to a theater to see it. I can't tell you how important this film is. As this ground breaking documentary starts to unfold, Stacy and Craig give you a bird's eye view of their 70's concrete playground, complete with historical reasoning for why Dogtown ever existed (and where, exactly, it existed). The editing style is incredible. At one point, Sean Penn makes a verbal mistake yet keeps on going through his description. Any other editor would have cut it and retaped the audio but keeping it in made the whole thing way more real, like Sean was talking to YOU. In addition some of the skaters, in their interviews are "Fast Forwaded" on screen. Very slick way of clipping the bull and getting to the meat.

This movie is a cultural document that should be played in schools, design studios, city halls and to every youngster who ever thought he knew everything about skating, the X games, Bob Burnquist and Tony hawk. Thank God someone caught as much 70s "film" as they did and thank God these guys got this important era of our American culture on DVD. Buy it. Show it to your kids. Make them watch it. Then... take them out, loosen their trucks and make them do berts until they get it down.

Beautiful film
I'm not a skateboarder--I never have been. So my review of this film is from a truly "outsider" position. I'll skip making comments about the wonderful aspects of this film as a documentary about skateboarding, because to me what makes this a truly remarkable work of art has to do with being a documentary about life and truth and beauty and all that.

This movie is about hope. It paints a picture of young kids growing up in an incredibly harsh environment (the film goes out of its way to portray Venice of the early '70's in practically post-apocalyptic images) who see in the concrete wasteland nothing but ocean waves of endless promise. They craft, as artists, a new ballet amidst the rubble. They are obsessed with skating the perfect run, not necessarily to be better than their friends, but just for the sake of perfection. In this pursuit of perfection, I see hope. I see a vision of a recreated world where there are no barriers based on class or empty swimming pools surrounded by fences and patrolled by police. But there's also an irony in the hope, in that the Zephyr boys have an exclusivity about them--they are fiercely elite in their rejection of conventionality.

The story of one of the top two skateboarders, Jay Adams, provides the heart to this film. His story provides a balance to the narrative of corporate greed, which ultimately destroyed the Zephyr team (but which also made the film possible and the story relevent). He is shown as a very young and, though violent and utterly contemptous, innocent boy oozing with natural talent. He's interviewed several times as an adult who, we find out, is doing time for heroin-related charges in Hawaii. Next to the brilliance of the Jay Adams the boy, in Jay Adams the man we see a dark shell of regret and pain. His fellow riders lament the fact that Jay's life is so tragic and unfair--there's a sense of complete injustice "he should have had it all" "Jay's had the hardest life of anyone I know who's still alive" "you only get one shot at this...once it's gone it's gone." So within this movie about beauty and hope, we meet Jay Adams and see tragedy and injustice. There's an absolutely beautiful and haunting scene at the end of the Jay Adams excurses in which the beautiful young Jay, maybe 12 years old, with long sun-bleached hair, is skating in an empty pool and falls on his way down one side. His board continues through the bottom of the pool, up the other side, and straight up into the air about 10 or 15 feet. The scene is in slow motion and freezes the board mid-air. Then, there's a fade to a still of Jay at about 25 years old holding a picture of himself as a cute, innocent boy of about 7. Then another fade to Jay as a hard, broken man in his 30's, with a crew but, what seems to be a black eye and bruised nose, and tattoos running up his throat. Eyes like empty holes. This is the filmmaker's art at its finest. A scene like this says so much more than words ever could.

Some of the reviews on this film have complained that the film was too short--that it left too many questions unanswered. I couldn't disagree more. This film is all about the questions, not the answers. As a Christian, I see this film as a commentary on humanity and our longing for beauty--our hope for a future that includes a recreated world where architecture is no longer purely utilitarian, where there are no longer divisions between north Malibu and the southern beaches. Where everyone has access to a perfect wave. A future in which greed no longer robs us of our innocence, and Jay Adams is once again that strikingly charismatic and beautiful blond-headed boy writing profound poetry with his skateboard, poetry that destroys the walls of violence and drugs and elitism, that opens his soul to ours and ours to him. In the words of U2, a future "where the streets have no name." Our souls groan for a better place, and this film captures that emotion as well as any I've ever seen. This is an amazing film!

GREAT FILM
great film simple as that well edited great story great music and great skating watch it rent it buy it I saw it in theaters three times and have seen it dozens of times on video

Coulda been longer though...
I have to say this movie was quite enjoyable...and that's an understatement. I enjoyed the "punk" editing, the cool photos, and especially the soundtrack (soundtrack shoulda had all the songs!). I wished the documentary dug a little deeper into the crew's backgrounds though (i.e. family life, school [some dropped out of high school], drug use, aftermath of the '70's skateboard craze, etc.). It left me hangin' a bit; so many unanswered questions. I wanted the "low-down"! Too many skeletons I guess...all style, less substance.

Overall it's still a good film (in a flashy "video" sorta way!)... ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Great for little horse lovers
I got this video for my girls (3 and 1). They both love it! It's great how this the story is told from the horse's point of view. It's also wonderful as an adult to watch, I've even learned a few things! Both my girls are glued to the tv when it's on.

Educational
My 5 1/2 year old daughter is a huge horse lover and enjoyed this video a lot. It follows a young woman as she cares for her horse and enters various competitions. It's very educational and informative--More of a documentary style. It's a great way to let your child know that horses are fun, but they involve a significant amount of dedicated work too!

Great horse video !
This is the best horse video I've ever seen ! My horse-crazy 4 year old loves it so much she wants to watch it every day. I enjoy watching it as well. It is the story of a three-day event horse. It covers basic horse care, training, planning for events, and actual participation in two events. A winner.

More for the 5+ crowd
It's difficult for my toddler to appreciate this video. The sheer size and complex mechanics of the machines featured in this video are fascinating to adults and older children. But not enough action and variety for those under 5. The same song is repeated throughout the video; variety of songs would have been better. Not bad, but not one of our favorites.

I Dig it again and again and again...
My (at the time) 16 month old son received it as a loan from a friend. They're not getting it back. Previously, he had been into the Baby Einstein series off and on, but never quite got into Teletubbies or Elmo or Barney (thank goodness from Mommy's perspective.) He has always been fascinated by trucks and machinary. The first time he saw this he was mesmerized. After a few days, he would point at the box or pick up the tape and try to put it into the VCR himself. (No oatmeal in the VCR for this one - knows it might prevent him from seeing his favorite). The theme song is catchy and tends to stick in your brain for weeks. (Grandma left from a visit and said she could still here it a week later.)

It mixes actions of kids playing with construction equipment (an insufficient warning at the beginning says don't do this at home) and real narration from real construction workers, without any silliness or patronizing tone, make it a palatable tape to sit through again and again and again... ... Read more

Description

Inspired by Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods, director Douglas Morse and producer Heide Estes traveled to the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia. They became fascinated with all of the hikers they met. From Jack, who got stuck with an angry dog, to Malice and Kentucky, the Cheech and Chong of the A.T., to Matt and Angie, who planned to get married on the trail when they reached Pennsylvania. On the first day out, Estes and Morse met Chad, an easy going guy in excellent shape who found himself tempted to walk off the trail after just a few days. Hikers like Chad become our eyes and ears on the six month journey to Maine’s Mount Katahdin, more than 2000 miles from Springer Mountain in Georgia. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

everything but the hiker smell....
i had first heard of this documentary last october (at the Gathering), and couldn't wait to see it! like many people, i've been bitten with the hiking bug...and enjoy sharing the perspectives of other hikers.

this movie did not dissappoint! it gave a concise history of the appalachian trail, and those individuals that attempt to 'thru-hike' it in one season. the film maker introduced us to several hikers, each with different mind sets, and expectations of trail life.

it does not take long to realize the magnitude of the appalachian experience, and the importance of the people you meet along the way.

ultimately this film maker captured the essence of any long distance hiking experience: there will always be (pointless) 'ups and downs,' sometimes there will be rain, and most importantly you have to feel fortunate to simply experience this adventure.

This engaging DVD has the ring of authenticity
I played it through three times in two days to fully get the flavor of it. I haven't walked the Appalachian Trail, but after reading White Blaze Fever, I thought I had a feel for it. Maybe, but the visual really drives it home.

The opening music of this DVD got me in a good frame of mind for the trials and triumphs of these Appalachian Trail thru-hikers. The photographer and interviewer start in Georgia at Springer Mountain, the AT beginning, interviewing starting hikers. The hikers look unseasoned; some think they will make it but we are not so sure.

The filming jumps ahead from point to point on the trail, showing other hikers and some of the initial ones. This must have been a wet year (2002). There are a lot of scenes with fog thru the trees. One scene I remember vividly where my first impression was the sound of rain, then the rustle of wet ponchos. Some of the hikers you see again and again, initially at some low points, and then getting more and more confident - "feeling bulletproof" as one hiker put it.

The stories within stories capture your attention i.e. Will and his dog. How wide the Kennebeck River is. The segment where Jessie talks about the trees and she rolls her eyes. The interactions at the shelters.

At the end, as hikers are reaching Mt. Katahdin, I am feeling suspiciously sentimental.

To wrap it up, I would recommend this to any long distance hiker, and particularly AT hikers or their friends. This reminds me of the PCT documentary WALK - if you like one, you will like the other. ... Read more

Description

Manchester United Football Club started life as Newton Heath, a team founded by workers from the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway in 1878. This is where this program starts, recounting the history of Manchester United. Honors soon followed and the first of seven First Division titles was won in 1908. With an FA Cup win the following year, and another league title two years later, Manchester United were firmly establishing themselves as a force in English football. The era of great success and tragedy under the inspirational management of Sir Matt Busby and the Busby Babes. Charlton, Best and Law won the European Cup. Sir Alex Ferguson built the team of the nineties that have gone on to win seven premiership titles over the last ten years. Built around home-grown talent and inspirational signings (such as Eric Cantona), Manchester United moved into an era of unrivalled success which culminated in the remarkable treble of 1999. But Manchester United's history does!not stop there. Further championships followed in both 2000 and 2001 and this program finishes at a time when Ferguson, through the signings of Ruud van Nistelrooy, Juan Sebastian Veron and Rio Ferdinand is building another team worthy of success at home and in Europe. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

I Love The Red Devils
I have been a true Manchester United fan since i was seven,i have learnt much through the DVD for example,the man u history since the 18th century,signing of new managers,transfer of players,and massive winning of trophies all through.Manchester united enjoys 75% support in kenya.Fans watch man u matches through DVDs,DSTV,and local broadcast.To finalise up,Manchester United is the best soccer team and also the best club in the world under Sir.Alex Fergerson.God bless Man U.

Man United smorgasbord
I've been a United fan for almost 30 years and I thought this was a delicious treat. Good portion of history for starters, excellent main course of some more modern clips (1970s to the present), and some wonderful extras for a dessert that just about put the main feature to shame. Best goals ever, best players ever, best games ever--how could you argue with that? In not so many words, I think it's a hit.

3 hours is not enough for over 120 years
Don't let me put you off by only giving this DVD 3 stars, It is a very good DVD, but the 3 hours may seem a lot to a few people but it only seemed to brush over a lot of the history. For someone has been watching and loving Manchester United for the last 20 years, there just wasn't enough on the field action, even the Treble year was not more than a few goals, I know you have to cut a lot out to fit to three hours but maybe they could have split it into more than one DVD. But saying that I still liked it as a documentary...... But I need more Action!!! ... Read more

Description

Welcome to Massillon, Ohio, where high school football is nothing short of religion.For the 33,000 people who live there, football is life--a veritable "cradle to the grave" experience that begins in the maternity ward where coaches make visits to scout ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Terrific documentary on high school football
I bought this DVD in part because it was recommended to me by a fellow fan of H.G. Bissinger's magnificent book, "Friday Night Lights" who described this documentary as "FNL in movie form."

While I still found it inferior to FNL, "Go Tigers" is a suberb documentary in the vein of "Hoop Dreams."

Go Tigers follows the Massillon High School Tigers football team through the 1999 season. The Tigers are a legendary team in the state of Ohio. In fact, in 1951, a newsreel was put together chronicling the enormous success of the program - "11 state championships in the last 15 seasons, more college players and captains than any other school in the nation, etc." However, in 1998, the Tigers were a lackluster 4-6, a losing record almost unheard of in the program's long and storied history. The 1999 Tigers are not only playing to recapture the respect due their inheritance, but to convince the citizens of Massillon to approve a school levy that will bring in much needed funds to their deteriorating school. The players, coaches, boosters, parents, and everyone else associated with the team understands that the riding on the success of their team is not only community pride and bragging rights, but perhaps the fate of their school and thus, their football program as well.

The documentary mostly focuses on the Tigers' tri-captains: Their star quarterback, middle linebacker, and defensive tackle. These three are the core of the team, and on their young shoulders ride the hopes and dreams of an entire community.

Go Tigers
Go Tigers was an interesting documentary, following the Massillon High School football team through a season. Overall it was a well made film, blending the sports, social and economic aspects of a small Ohio city. Although I haven't seen any other football documentaries, I have seen other sport documentaries and Go Tigers is very similar in quality. I recommend that any football fan, especially one of high school see this movie.
The reality of the actors in the movie was superb. The team was a very typical type of football team from a small town. The people of the town were portrayed as football crazy and sometimes that took precedent over other issues, or those issues were affected by the outcome of the football team. When the kids got left back in eighth grade to be bigger and stronger for playing football, I found is unethical and immoral from both a social aspect and a sports aspect. When the town had to vote on proposition twenty-two, it was rather ridiculous that the citizens of the town would let the outcome of a football rivalry affect a decision regarding academics. The foremost priority of the town should be on academics and not on a high school sports team.
Coming from a high school without a football team it was hard to identify with the characters in the film. However the basketball team at my school had many of the same pressures as the football players. The players focused too much time on participating in sports, rather then on their academics, which is what should be foremost and primary while attending high school. The athletes in this movie are the typical high school athlete, which one will encounter in any high school.
The main message that is discussed by the director in this film, is the culture of a small town and the effect that high school sports, in particular football, has on the town. Since the film was a documentary, the depiction of teenage life and culture was definitely accurate. The players on the team went through the same problems and quandaries that teenagers go through everyday. Some of the problems were more extreme then others, such as Elery Moore and his time spent in jail. In general, the portrayal of the problems faced by the football players was accurate and the representation of teenage life and culture was precise.

A documentary?
I rented it from all the positive reviews here. I was quite disappointed. It has A LOT, I mean TONS of footage from all the different games throughout the seasons, and not enough interviews. The movie was geared more on 'glorifying' the Massillion High School football team to say the least.

It could've been a lot better.

Passion of the Game
An amazing story which shows how much excitement there is to football. It portrays the game as a lifestyle and not a game. It made me and others that have seen it come aware at what is at stake for high school football. Eventhough i have player college football it makes me want to go back and relive my high school days.

Excellent analysis of sports and society
Go Tigers! features the town of Massillon, Ohio, its citizens and the near cult-like obsession with high school football. What really makes this documentary come to life is how in-depth the producers go to portray local events as critical to the well-being of the town itself. What is also telling is how the camera crews follow the players and other citizens around to official (and not so official) functions, giving the film more creditability in its research pursuits.

On a different level, the story itself has great entertainment value, emulating the common "David vs. Goliath" or in a different sense, the theme of "Rudy." Regardless of the reason for viewing the film, Go Tigers! is a story that is not to be missed; if not for its extrinsic value, then just for its feel-good value and triumph of the community spirit. ... Read more

Description

This is part of a three volume set.This rare video footage contains master technician, Kyuzo Mifune, who for many years was a permanent member of the Kodokan Consultative Group.

Mifune received his 10th dan in 1945 and the speed with which he mastered the techniques of Judo can only be matched by the rapidity of his promotion through the dan ranks.

This three part series shows Mifune both in the dojo, as well as spending some time in his garden.Approx. 36 minutes B/W. ... Read more

Description

Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry have both reached the career milestone of scoring 100 goals for Arsenal. Dennis Bergkamp, a scorer of truly great goals, reached his landmark in an FA Cup tie against Oxford United. A week later the lethal & prolific Thierry Henry thundered two against Birmingham City in the Premiership, joining his 'brother in arms' as an Arsenal Centurion. This double DVD celebrates both players achievements, presenting each and every goal. Two hundred superb goals, captured on two glorious DVDs. ... Read more

Description

As The Wimbledon Championships moved into the eighties, they were greeted by one of the most memorable Gentlemen's Singles Finals ever. 1980 saw Sweden's Bjorn Borg face the promising 21-year-old American, John McEnroe. Borg had four Wimbledon titles under his belt and was the firm favorite. McEnroe however had shown his potential two years earlier, reaching the semi-final from the qualifying stages. Vastly contrasting his character, Borg remained calm and composed, while McEnroe was openly emotional and determined.240 minutes. ... Read more

Description

Masaaki Hatsumi - The Last Ninja

In August of 2003, 72 year-old Masaaki Hatsumi, the GrandMaster of Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu, left his home in Japan and came to the United States to demonstrate the true art of the ancient Japanese Ninja. Hatsumi’s system is called "Bujinkan" and contains elements of classic combat martial arts, as well as, the mysterious art of Ninjutsu.

This DVD contains the incredible techniques and fighting style of the Ninja, including esoteric weaponry and hand to hand fighting.Hatsumi’s teaching style is very conversational and gives insight into the warrior life philosophy of, perhaps, the most mysterious guerilla fighters who ever lived.

Now at an advanced aged, but still remarkable strong and agile due to decades of his Ninja training, Hatsumi has said that he will never teach again outside of Japan.His retirement from international instruction is the end of an era.

Masaaki Hatsumi is truly "The Last Ninja." ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A little piece of history...
This DVD is a great value & I am glad I made the purchase.

You don't find too many training videos at this quality and at such a resonable price. The video has no fluff. It is all quality training footage. Which to me is important when choosing training aids.

It is always great to see Hatsumi Sensei in action. His movement & martial skill is impressive as always. Everything he does appears effortless & his years of training shine through on this DVD.

The 2003 U.S. Tai Kai was particularly special because it was the last Tai Kai being done outside of Japan. So for me, it is like having a little piece of martial arts history.

I have to say, Great job! to those who put this DVD together to chronicle the event. For those of us that weren't able to be there in person we now have the next best thing.

Thanks again!

The Best Martial Arts DVD I've Ever Seen
This terrific three-DVD set chronicles the last training event taught by ninja Grandmaster Hatsumi Masaaki outside Japan. For twenty-one years, Hatsumi-sensei has traveled around the world to teach the nine Japanese martial arts traditions he inherited from his teacher, Takamatsu Toshitsugu. In August, 2003, Hatsumi-sensei came to the U.S. for three days and amazed the participants with his knowledge and skill. Like it says in the product description, Hatsumi-sensei doesn't just show techniques; he gets to the essence and principles of the movement, offering unlimited freedom in dealing with any situation. His understanding of martial arts really comes through on this DVD, providing endless hours of viewing.

One attacker not enough? How about watching Hatsumi-sensei toss around multiple attackers half his age as if they weren't even there? Still not enough for you? Okay, lets add a variety of weapons such as shuriken (throwing stars), daisho (long and short swords), kyoketsu shoge (sickle and chain), and yari (spear), and watch as he effortlessly controls his opponents.

Most importantly, Hatsumi-sensei doesn't teach in a stiff and stern manner. His approachable and charismatic demeanor really comes through, and makes it not only fun to watch but much easier to understand what it is that he's teaching. I highly recommend this DVD set. Anyone interested in martial arts can benefit from the information, and those seeking the true essence of the warrior way will not find a better source! ... Read more

Description

There is no amateur baseball league more prestigous and more storied than the Cape Cod Baseball League.Now for t