The History Channel Presents D-Days in the Pacific (2006) Review

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(More customer reviews)Although this is not a in-depth study of the Pacific war, it goes into areas usually not covered by other videos of this genre, such as Victory at Sea, et al.
The program begins with the first American island invasion at Guadalcanal and covers the major invasions in chronological order as we battled our way to the Japanese homeland. What is interesting is that as it begins to cover a battle it displays a small info of text giving the date and the distance from Tokyo where the invasion is takng place. It's a nice reference to the viewer.
What differs this from most of the other similar programs is that it also mentions the blunders made by the American forces in this campaign, such as the Higgins boat landing craft being grounded on reefs 1,000 yards from the beaches of Tarawa Atoll that caused the unnecessary deaths and casualties of hundreds of Marines - a problem they could have avoided if they hadn't been so reluctant in using the tracked and armored LVT's which could have crawled over these barriers. It shows the growth in the knowledge and proficiency of the American forces as they went from being novices to seasoned veterans in these island invasions.
It also gives due credit to the role of the U. S. Army in the Pacific theater, an often overlooked and undermentioned chapter involving the brave soldiers of this proud branch of our U.S. military.
The quality of the sound and video is very good and a large percenatge is in color, I'm not sure if it is original color film or colorized afterward but it adds a nice dimension to the program. There are also alot of snips I have not seen before, and being a WWII buff have a nice collection of programs.
The narration is done well and the additional commentators are very knowledgeable and informative. It is very entertaing and even though each program runs only about 45 minutes I find myself taking over an hour to watch each one.
A nice addition to the library of any student of WWII or those who just want to learn something of the Pacific theater.


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Though most people associate D-Day with the massive invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, few are aware that "D-Day" is actually military code for any amphibious operation--and few theaters during World War II saw as many battles as the waters of the Pacific, where more than 100 D-Days were waged. The ultimate guide to the epic campaign orchestrated by American forces, THE HISTORY CHANNEL® PRESENTS: D-DAYS IN THE PACIFIC includes the following documentary features: Death at the Tideline examines dozens of the more than one-hundred D-Days waged in the Pacific. Closing the Jaws focuses on America's rapidly improving tactics, while The Final Graveyard brings the war to a close as Japan's defenses are finally pierced. A sweeping overview based on eyewitness accounts, THE HISTORY CHANNEL® PRESENTS: D-DAYS IN THE PACIFIC rounds out the whole of the Pacific struggle with two A&E BIOGRAPHY® programs featuring Admiral Chester Nimitz and General Douglas MacArthur, and a documentary about one of the deadliest battles of World War II, The Bloody Hills of Peleliu. DVD Features: Interactive Menus; Scene Selection

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Poldark, Series 1 (2010) Review

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(More customer reviews)I challenge anyone to watch this series and not be moved, amused, intrigued, and glued to the screen. Faithful retellings of Winston Graham's unforgettable characters, coupled with a setting that makes me feel as though I am in Cornwall in reality, make this production of POLDARK an absolutely unmissable story. I chanced upon the series years ago (I wish PBS would rerun it) and had the forethought to tape some, but not all, of the episodes. The quality of my tapes, however, is not exceptional, and I've been hoping the DVD would come along.
Robin Ellis as Ross Poldark, Angharad Rees as Demelza, Jill Townsend as Elizabeth, Ralph Bates as Warleggan, and others make this fully-fledged epic of Cornish history and the people who made that history come alive in a story at once part soap opera, part action adventure, and all wonderful. Demelza is fiery, vulnerable, intense, steadfast in her love for Ross; Ross is headstrong, volatile, proud, but highly intelligent; Warleggan is everyone's imagined perfect villain, who actually had promise at one time but now is eaten away by jealousy. Jud Paynter, played with wicked, hilarious understanding by Paul Curran, was one of the most memorable side characters in the production; he has me laughing on the floor at nearly every appearance. The interweaving of all the lives in this tale - Ross, a member of landed gentry who has the odd trait many of the overlords don't - compassion for the working class - is so intricately done that it is hard to believe they aren't the actual characters. The accents are just right (it is almost worthy of a college course to try to unravel what Jud is saying sometimes) and the heartfelt performances by everyone in the cast are amazing. This series is at the top of my list of BBC productions, and instilled a need in me to absorb every book in the series as well (many times by now). I felt almost related to the people onscreen.
If you enjoy English period histories, superbly acted and staged, I cannot recommend anything higher than this series. I am looking forward to it coming on DVD. Even dated, it rings true and fresh. Now I want to go to Cornwall.

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As seen on Masterpiece Theatre "Romantic adventure, complete with raging ambition, terrible betrayals, frustrated loves, daring deeds, and a marvelously dashing hero" —The New York TimesHailed as a British Gone with the Wind, Poldark created a sensation on PBS's Masterpiece Theatre with its dashing, romantic hero and his infamous exploits. Based on the novels by Winston Graham, this classic miniseries demonstrates the enduring appeal of a gripping storyline and unforgettable characters.Returning to Cornwall after the American Revolution, Capt. Ross Poldark (Robin Ellis, The Good Soldier) finds his life at home has fallen apart. His estate is in disarray. His former flame, Elizabeth (Jill Townsend, Cimarron Strip), is engaged to his cousin. And his family's copper mines have become targets for the Poldarks' bitter rivals. Duels, smuggling, and attempted murders unfold as Ross strives to resurrect his fortunes and find true love. This spellbinding saga dramatizes the deep rifts in British society on the brink of industrialization, played out against the rocky, ruggedly beautiful Cornish coast. 16 episodes; approx. 821 min.; 4:3 full screen; color; British drama; not rated; SDH subtitles

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Poldark Review

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(More customer reviews)All those viewers who loved the popular, epic BBC production of "Poldark", which was shown on Masterpiece Theatre in the mid to late nineteen seventies, will be more than disappointed with this film. They will be outraged. There is nothing epic about this film. The Poldark family saga is done an injustice by its very release, so very bad is it. It is with absolute justification that this film was pilloried by the critics.
While none of the same actors of the original BBC production appear in this film, and they should thank their lucky stars that they do not, the fault lies not with the actors cast in this film. Mel Martin is a credible Demelza, and John Bowe is an adequate, though uncharismatic, Ross Poldark. Unfortunately, they cannot compare to Robin Ellis and Angharad Rees in those respective roles. Ioan Gruffudd, lately of Horatio Hornblower fame, is fine as Jeremy Poldark, and Kelly Reilly gamely acts the role of Jeremy's beautiful, high spirited sister, Clowance. Michael Atwell is excellent as George Warleggan, Ross Poldark's arch enemy. Still, their innate abilities are not sufficient to overcome the poor direction, the bad screenplay, and the inartful editing of this film.
This is a film that, quite simply, should never have been released. The direction by Richard Laxton is ham handed and has all the drama of day old bread. The editing of the film leaves it incomprehensible at times. The screenplay is startling in its ineptness, as the film abruptly, though mercifully, ends with absolutely no closure of any of the story lines in the film. Perhaps, the director had high hopes that it would be continued as a sort of miniseries. If so, he was decidedly mistaken. This hellish screenplay, based upon Winston Graham's novel "Stranger From the Sea", is sure to have Winston Graham turning over in his grave over the indignity of being associated in some way with this complete travesty. Not even a viewer who loves period pieces, as I do, can sanction this mess. Do not waste your money. This film is a turkey.

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I, Claudius (1977) Review

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(More customer reviews)Many important scenes have been cut (censored?) from the original Masterpiece Theater version including the contest between Claudius' wife and the prostitute, Caligula's horse Incitatus being made senator, and others. These omissions sacrifice the overall continuity and flow. These omissions are unnecessary and unforgivable given the DVD format. A general disappointment for those who remember the original version. Other than the above this is highly enjoyable.

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Roman history comes alive in this magnificent 13-part series. "I, Claudius" (1976, 668 min.) ranks among the most acclaimed productions in BBC history. Tracing the lives of the last of the Roman emperors, it's an epic of ruthless ambition, shocking debauchery and murderous intrigue set in one of history's most fascinating eras. Bearing witness to the saga is Claudius, whose stutter and limp have marked him a fool--yet whom prophesies have foretold will one day rule Rome. This collector's edition set includes a unique documentary feature, "The Epic That Never Was" (1965, 71 min.), a remarkable behind-the-scenes look at Alexander Korda's ill-fated 1937 screen adaptation of "I, Claudius." Starring Merle Oberon and Charles Laughton, the chronicle of this uncompleted masterpieces is an unforgettable coda to one of the greatest stories ever told.

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