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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)

Superb detailed history of the Great War

Advantages: Detailed history of First World War, very educational
Disadvantages: Very long and detailed

...a superbly detailed history of the FIrst World War which takes you from the reasons why the war began in 1914 right through to the armastice in 1918. The disks contain 26 individual 45 minute episodes and describes in great detail the battles and outcomes shown in superb (but grainy) b&w film. The great thing about this series is it tells the story from all points of view (German, English, French etc.) both tactically and from the ordinary "tommy" ...
...and many leading actors from the time the series was made (1960's)voice the parts of the leading generals and politicians. This boxed set is a must for anyone studying the First World War or with an interest in history and gives a valuable insight into the horrors and carnage of this terrible war. I highly reccomend it The Disks : The boxed set consists of seven disks. The first six disks contain purely the episodes from the series there are ...

beejay_1949 04.01.2006 · Read full review
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Review of The Great War (Box Set) (DVD)

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)

The Late Great Townes Van Zandt

Advantages: Archive footage, interviews, live performances
Disadvantages: None

...previous comment on the great Townes Van Zandt, or has heard and enjoyed his music, this DVD is a must see. If neither is applicable to you but you are interesting in an insight into the tragic workings of a genius, this is also a must. This is the an often heartbreaking, sometimes amusing, always fascinating account of the life and times of Townes Van Zandt: Texan troubadour, manic depressive, misunderstood drunk, lovelorn poet and close friend ...
...Everyone who meant anything to Townes (who hadn't passed away themselves) is covered from ex-girlfriend to son to numerous musicians both influenced by Townes and friends of his. All offer insightful and moving accounts of his enigma. Archive footage, some seen for the first time, shows Townes in more relaxed circumstances and at home. This gives the greatest insight into his torment, which you can sense even when Townes is at play. This is most ...

Nixu1980 06.11.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Townes Van Zandt - Be Here To Love Me (DVD)

668: The Neighbour of the Beast!!!

Advantages: Rockumentry!
Disadvantages: The Peter Pan of rock!

...and head of the 'best rock school in Philadelphia' (and the East Coast, according to the maestro), has modelled himself on Jack Blacks manic creation or vice versa, such is the similarity of these two headbanger's. Both, while wanting to teach the kids to find their "inner rock star" when schools out, bring other human qualities to the table, something Mr Barford my old music teacher never did. I was lumbered with the Triangle in primary school to ...
...essential ingredient of being a rock star. You can't help but not secretly admire this guy as he does get the best out of them, but not too shy to say if they have it or not to their face, Gordon Ramsey style! The kids... The Collins twins-two identical five-year-old blonde bombshell surfer boys with floppy fringes-don't seem to have much talent but just enjoy shouting a lot into the microphone, encouraged by their mum who also wanted to be a lead ...

thedevilinme 31.10.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Rock School (DVD)