Reviews of Documentaries & Biographies »

Superb documentary that has never been rivalled

Advantages: Fantastic pooling of archive footage, interviews with eyewitnesses and no sensationalism
Disadvantages: Occasionally, Laurence Olivier's excellent commentary can be a little hard to hear

The World at War was first broadcast in 1973 and ever since then has stood as the benchmark for Second World War documentaries. Composed of archive footage (mostly black and white) and interviews with some of the eyewitnesses from both sides of the conflict, it avoids the annoying modern trend in documentaries of repetition and pointless and/or endless reconstructions that cannot capture meaning or emotion. It will never be bettered in the sense ...
...It is also narrated by the excellent Oscar-winning Laurence Olivier, whose sparse narration has just the right level of sombre gravitas to provide a fitting frame for the events the documentary relates. It's a very thorough, comprehensive series. There are twenty-six original episodes and this box set also includes eight special presentations and a three hour 30th Anniversary disc with includes previously unseen interviews and retrospective interviews ...

Robs86 13.06.2009 · Read full review
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Review of The World At War (Box Set) (DVD)

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World War 1 In Colour

Advantages: It Is In Colour
Disadvantages: None

The First World War in Colour accomplishes all it says on the box, covering the Land Sea and Air War with no particular bells or whistles. As previous reviews suggest, the same footage is repeated several times over, and the shot of the guy carrying a wounded soldier through the trenches as he looks towards the camera is shown in every episode, sometimes two or three times an episode. Branagh does a decent job with the narration, however, the best ...
...the old veterans telling their stories, in what was probably the last time they will ever appear on camera talking in depth of their experiences. Just seeing and hearing their tales of horror on its own makes the series worth watching, and it is primarily because of them I gave it a three Star rating, otherwise it would have been two. The programme as expected does rely heavily on footage of the land war, and I was rather disappointed at the short ...

g-sus 15.02.2009 · Read full review
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Review of The First World War In Colour (DVD)

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THE WORLD AT WAR.

Advantages: DIVIDED INTO SECTIONS.
Disadvantages: NONE

...as i did not buy the box set and got the world at war in 5 seperate parts. I have combined my review. THE WORLD AT WAR DVD COLLECTION This is the definitive collection of documentaries from WWII. Coming to us more than 30 years after it was initially broadcast. It is narrated by academy award winner, Sir Lawrence Olivier. I bought all 5 volumes from retrowarez-promotions on ebay. Priced at £6.79 each with £2 postage. Volume 1 runs for 417 minutes, ...
...the Nazis in Germany. And the start of the war. It also includes the making of. And more. Volume 2 features archival footage fro 1939 –1944 and documents the Russian victories and the bombing raids in England. It runs for 432 minutes. And more. Volume 3 runs for 416 minutes and documents the Third Reich, Japan, D-day with archival footage from 1933 –1945 and more. Volume 4 has a run time of 260 minutes. Part 4 is narrated by Sir Laurence Olivier ...

stezatois1 26.07.2007 · Read full review
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Review of The World At War Vol. 2 (DVD)

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SAS Survival Secrets - Behind Enemy Lines DVD

Advantages: Very informative
Disadvantages: None

...my favorite would be the SAS (Special Air Service). Inside the DVD, they will reveal all the tricks of the trade including the five S's of camouflage: shape, shine, shadow, silhouette and spacing. From surviving hostage situations to coping with brutal interrogations and torture the team show off their skills. Find out how to set up a covert observation post, learn the secrets of firepower tactics or just pick up some tips on how to escape and how ...
...using a series of mini-dramas and reconstructions on the ins and outs of survival techniques taught to the elite group, which to me, seems really realistic. For those who bought this DVD, I would also recommend you to buy another SAS DVD, the title is "Bravo two zero". ...

Dunstan_Pilang 23.05.2007 · Read full review
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Review of SAS Survival Secrets - Behind Enemy Lines (DVD)

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A Short History Lesson

Advantages: Full of Facts
Disadvantages: Mainly Black & White.

...a short insight into the History of the people, Aircraft and expolits of the R.A.F. With the outbreak of the Great War in 1914 it was soon realised that Air Power would play an important and desicive part in Conflicts . From the Start of the Service with the Royal Flying Corps in 1914 to the Development of the Royal Air force up to the Modern Aircraft and Systems of Today (Well, up to when the Panavia Tornado was new and the Eurofighter wasn't ...
...Great DVD for the short history of an Amazing Fightning Force. Special Features include an Interactive Menu You have 12 Scene Selections 10 Excerpts From Other Titles in the "War File Series" A Stills Gallery Sound: Dolby Digital Stereo Format: PAL 0 (Free) Colour: Colour and Black & White Running Time: 128 minutes You can look at anything from £10 to £14 for this DVD & I haven't seen a VHS Price. ...

SteveMason77 17.02.2006 · Read full review
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Review of History Of The RAF (DVD)

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