The History Channel Presents The Crusades - Crescent & The Cross (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)I received this advanced review copy from the promotional company working for the History Channel. I must admit that they sent me a very nice package and a bonus disk. This is an eight sided box, like a two pound box for candy - lovely print job. The two disks are contained in a book inside the box, along with a CD disk of photos - some from the production, others are historical pictures of either the key players or events/places. A very nice package, though it will not fit on your DVD shelf. Also, one of the pages in my book was stapled in upside down. Still, a nice presentation. Not sure if this product will be the same when released.
Apart from this, the work itself is very interesting. I sat through the entire production and was never bored or antsy. Actually, I found myself marveling at what the History Channel has done here.
The program covers the First Crusade on the first disk. There is an examination of the causes of the initial conflict, examining cultural issues, Religious issues, European social and political unrest, Church influences, financial issues and points of conflict in the Moslem and Byzantine world. While Religion is acknowledged as the primary cause of the conflict, they also do not ignore key issues that lead to these conflicts. There is also discussion of Urban's "selling of the Crusades". Very well put together and an in depth examination of the events leading up to the First Crusade.
Included also are maps of the areas, modern day images of the cities today as well as places that have survived, and those that have not.
There is a lot of information to sift through here. While the story is carefully laid out and well developed in order of events, the program purposefully comes across as a story woven by an expert story teller. Even the added discussions by such noted scholars as Dr. Thomas Asbridge, Tariq Ali, Prof. John France and Dr. Taef el-Azhari, to name a few, comes across as additional parts of the storytelling.
There are the usual added "tidbits" thrown in by the History Channel, like uncovered bits of text to give clarification to some accounts and the discovery of a location of a famous battle that up to now had been unknown.
Emphasis appears to be on key battles, as these are reenacted for the viewer. These are provided by Lion Television, and are nice additions to the material. They keep the viewer interested as this material could get rather dry if not for points of interest like this.
The second disk covers the Second and Third Crusades. Again, social and political climates are discussed and examined. Again, the story is covered in a "timeline" of events from the vantage point of the chroniclers.
We are presented with the fall of Edessa, the calling of the Second Crusade, the rise of Nur-el-Din, the battle for Damascus, Egypt and Sal-al-Din and the arrival of Richard the Lionheart in the Holy Land for the Third Crusade.
Again, key battles are reenacted, strategies discussed, failures noted and by the end of the film we are looking at a very good wrap up of the entire program.
Conflict, social upheaval, cultural differences, battle strategies, religious zealots and the lust for war and violence all comes through as the story of the Crusades unfolds in this production. We see the heroes, and the vile nature of the event itself. Nothing is left glossed over. There is some romanticism here, as the chroniclers tended to be very bias towards their benefactors, but on the other hand, we also see the social and political issues that were key to the events that took place. And while not shown, there is discussion of the atrocities and barbarism that was prevalent during these events.
This is a good overview of the events that took place starting 1099 and which continued for about 200 years. There are some events that are more examined than others, and some key figures that are discussed in some detail. It was, however, very entertaining, factual and well worth, I felt, the time I spent watching it.medievalcrusadesbabe

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THE CRUSADES: CRESCENT & THE CROSS presents the epic battle between two Middle Age superpowers: the Christian Crusaders and the Muslims. Fought over two centuries, the conflict decided the fate of the Holy Land of the Middle East. Only a tiny strip of land, just a few hundred miles long, it contained the ultimate prize, the city of Jerusalem. The documentary is driven by the key personalities of the First, Second and Third Crusades, the popes, kings, sultans and knights who, in the name of God, ruthlessly fought for land and power. Experience the murder, treachery, and bloodshed of this legendary chapter of history throuth the eyes of key historical figures such as Richard the Lionheart and Saladin, King Louis VII and Nur al-Din. With breath-taking CGI-enhanced visuals, heart-pounding reenactments, and stunning footage from rarely-seen locations THE CRUSADES: CRESCENT & THE CROSS brings the first three Crusades alive for a new generation in conflict. DVD Features: Timeline; Behind-the-Scenes Featurette "History in the Making: The Crusades"; Bonus Documentary "The Knights Templar"; 16:9 Widescreen Format; Interactive Menus; Scene Selection

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WWII in HD: The Air War Review

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(More customer reviews)One of the best accounts on the American air war over Europe, as seen from the perspective of the brave men of the "Mighty Eigth" Air Force who helped wage it. Amazing color footage of the daytime bombing and straffing missions that helped the Allies gain supremacy of the skies, grind the Luftwaffe resistance down to nothing in a war of numbers and attrition and eventually soften up Fortress Europe for the D-Day invasion. Dignified, almost reverent, interviews and first hand accounts from surviving veterans are woven into the storyline for maximum impact, adding immediacy and poigniancy. These men still view themselves as nothing more than average guys, swept up by events, who felt an obligation to do their duty and rescue the world from the darkness of tyranny and oppression. Their courage in that cauldron that claimed so many thousands of their commrades, the way they quietly went home afterwards and with humility, raised families and built a better, stronger, America and the pride they feel at this accomplishment is palpable.
One cannot help but be left with the realization that the exceptional men of this generation are far more than "ordinary". We owe much of our freedom and prosperity to them and their legacy. Their sacrifices should never be forgotten and this documentary does a first rate job of helping to keep their story alive for generations to come.
If you are captivated by the heroic actions and exploits of the daring bomber and fighter pilots of the US Army Air Force in the skies over Europe, this DVD is not to be missed.

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The untold story of the American 8th Air Force's bloody battle to defeat the German Luftwaffe in the months leading up to D-Day. Told through the gripping, first person accounts of three American airmen and Stars & Stripes reporter Andy Rooney, this special showcases breathtaking aerial combat--original, color footage, never before seen by most Americans--of the B-17s Flying Fortresses, P-47 Thunderbolts and P-51 Mustangs on missions such as Regensburg, Schweinfurt and Berlin. Never-before-seen 8mm footage of the airmen on the bases, the devastation in Germany, and the Luftwaffe perspective is also highlighted. Flying 25,000 feet above the earth in oxygen-devoid air, and temperatures as low as 50 below zero, the 8th Air Force fought a war unlike anything ever before experienced. By the end, they would suffer more than 26,000 combat deaths--more than the US Marines lost in all of World War II. Narrated by Emmy nominated actor, Rob Lowe.

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The History Channel Ultimate Collections: World War II Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a great ten disc set showcasing what the History Channel always did best in my opinion - document World War II. I haven't liked how the History Channel has "mainstreamed" its offerings over the last few years, and thus this set is a real treat for long time viewers. It's also great for your kids to watch if they think that history is boring - it will change their minds. The following are the set's contents:
DISC ONE:
World War II: The War in Europe - Part 1
This disc contains four episodes from War Chronicles, a multiple-episode series of war documentaries written and directed by Don Horan, and hosted and narrated by actor Patrick O'Neal. Running about 26 minutes each in length, the episodes included on this disc were produced in 1983 and 1985. They feature no interviews, just O'Neal and at times, an anonymous narrator who, inexplicable, drops in additional voice-over material explaining in detailed narration over the graphic archival footage, the various battle campaigns. Primitive visual aids are used to highlight the action which at times consist of just O'Neal, pointing at a map. The episodes included are:
The Greatest Conflict: From the German Blitzkrieg to the Allies' bloody battle for Berlin.
North Africa...The Desert War: Details the German attack on Kasserine Pass, where the British 1st Army and untested American troops faced the full force of Germany's seasoned Afrika Corps.
The Beachhead at Anzio: Follow the story of the Allied landing, the brutal German counterattack, and the final Allied offensive that would turn the tide of this historic battle.
D-Day...The Normandy Invasion: discusses the largest amphibious assault in world history.
DISC TWO:
World War II: The War in Europe - Part 2
A continuation of disc one material. The episodes included are:
Pursuit to the Rhine: The Allies thrust forward under tactical air support to break through German lines, and the enemy resistance ultimately crumbled.
The Bomber Offensive: Air War in Europe: The Allies launched this historic raid on a German munitions factory and ultimately paid an extraordinary price in men and machines, but this battle would prove to be a turning point.

The Battle of the Bulge: It was the largest pitched battle in American military history, the last major engagement of the European campaign, and the scene of some of the war's fiercest fighting, leading to a final blow against the Nazis.
The Battle of Germany: The final campaign of the European theater unfolded in the aftermath of the Battle of the Bulge with the British and Canadian offensive, the historic crossing of the Rhine at Remagen, and Eisenhower's final drive to Berlin.
DISC THREE:
World War II: The War in the Pacific - Part 1
Again, this is just O'Neal explaining in detailed narration over the graphic archival footage, the various battle campaigns. The episodes included are:
Island Hopping: The Road Back: Follow the epic story of the Allies' island-by-island Pacific campaign in which they utilized massive amphibious assaults.
Jungle Warfare: New Guinea to Burma: In the jungles of the Pacific, soldiers battled not only the Japanese, but malaria, heat exhaustion, and swarms of parasites.
Air War in the Pacific: Chronicling the war's first days through the suicidal Kamikaze attacks and the bombing missions that brought the war to the Japanese homeland, this documentary utilizes extensive air combat footage.
The Bloody Ridges of Peleliu: From the opening naval bombardment, to the hand-to-hand combat and vicious guerrilla warfare, this is the complete story of this brutal and historic battle.
DISC FOUR:
A continuation of disc three. The episodes included are:
The Return to the Philippines: From MacArthur's strategy to the heroics of the ground troops, the 7th Fleet's naval forces, and the pilots of the Air Force, the saga of the Philippines is a story of unstoppable determination.
Okinawa...The Last Battle: Winston Churchill described it as the most intense and famous battle in military history. Witness the desperate, suicidal resistance of the Japanese in the final battle of the Pacific campaign.
In addition to the two War Chronicles episodes, this disc contains a 1995 episode of the Biography series, hosted by Jack Perkins. Perkins, who seemed to pop up on A&E every half hour in the 1990's, was a genial host with a trademark AM radio voice delivery that hooked people into watching his shows. Here, Perkins narrates a 45 minute tribute, with help from interviews with military historians, to Admiral William Halsey who led the Battle of the Bismarck Sea and helped neutralize the Japanese offensive.
DISC FIVE:
Biography: General Douglas MacArthur: Return of a Legend
This disc contains another 50 minute A&E Biography episode, hosted by Jack Perkins, discussing the life and career of General Douglas MacArthur. This episode is narrated by noted actor Fritz Weaver:
General Douglas MacArthur: Return of a Legend: General Douglas MacArthur was one of America's greatest and most complex commanders, a warrior so tough and determined that he helped win World War II with a simple promise: "I shall return." Featuring rare footage and interviews with MacArthur's comrades, family, and friends, this Biography program reveals the man who remains a hero to millions.
DISC SIX:
Okinawa: The Final Battle
This disc contains a 50 minute documentary made in 1995, narrated by Fritz Weaver again, exploring the bloody battle in the Pacific.
Okinawa: The Final Battle: At Okinawa, over 250,000 people fought a desperate battle for control of the island, in which nearly half of them died. Dramatic footage, much of it unseen for decades, captures the chaos and destruction of this battle, and military historians probe its lasting legacy.
DISC SEVEN:
Empires of Industry: War Planes of World War II
This disc contains a 50 minute documentary, narrated by Peter Thomas, exploring the planes that were used during WWII. This 1998 documentary is part of the popular A&E Empires of Industry series:
War Planes of World War II: Flight was born in America at the turn of the century. But World War II saw more planes built in a single year - 300,000 - than had been built in the previous forty. Modern shots of restored aircraft, historic footage ranging from factory floors to dogfights, and interviews with pilots and designers recapture the aviation industry's finest hour.
DISC EIGHT:
Nuremberg: Tyranny on Trial
This disc contains a History Channel 1995 50 minute documentary, narrated by Paul Sparer, giving a detailed look at the war tribunals in Nuremberg.
DISC NINE:
Great Blunders of World War II - Part 1
This disc contains four, 21 minute episodes from The History Channel miniseries, Great Blunders of World War II. These compact little docs from 1998 are fascinating looks at the fatal mistakes made by the Axis powers, that aided the Allied victory:
The German Blunder at Dunkirk: The 1940 Blitzkrieg upon Europe drove the British Expeditionary Force into the sea at Dunkirk, but the reckless plan of attack turned the chance to destroy the British into history's greatest escape.
Hitler's Declaration of War on the U.S.: Even with Hitler's forces ravaging Europe, America hesitated to join the fight against him. All that changed, however, with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and a foolish decision by Germany to ally with Japan.
The Pilot who Bombed London: One lost and confused German pilot mistakenly dropped his bombs on London, igniting what became known as the Blitz and pushing Britain's durability to its furthest limits.
Hitler's Flying Blunders: The Luftwaffe's lighting-fast, short-range fighter-bombers were used in support of highly mobile ground forces, a strategy which ultimately went horribly awry.
In addition to these four episodes, two additional episodes of Great Blunders of World War II are included: The Battle of the Bulge and A Bridge Too Far.
DISC TEN:
Great Blunders of World War II - Part 2
A continuation of the material on disc nine.
Japan's Mistakes at Midway: On June 4, 1942, the fanatical and efficient Japanese war machine wanted to finish off the U.S. Pacific Fleet, but their blind arrogance and underestimation of American willpower led them to disaster instead.
The Failure of the Kamikaze: Steeped in the ancient code of the Samurai, Kamikaze forces on land, sea, and air sacrificed themselves in battle in a desperate bid for victory that spelled ultimate doom for the Japanese Empire.
Death at Stalingrad: In Hitler's quest to take Stalingrad at all costs, he underestimated both the Russian winter and the steadfastness of the Russian people in the face of the Nazi threat.
Operation Sea Lion: In the wake of the British army's flight from France, the British were all but beaten. But a Nazi invasion of England was inexplicably postponed, diverting certain triumph and ultimately leading to the Allied victory.
In addition to these four episodes, two additional episodes of Great Blunders of World War II are included: The Bomb Plot to Kill Hitler and The Scattering of Convoy PQ17.

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Studio: A&e Home VideoRelease Date: 11/28/2006

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The History Channel Presents The War of 1812 (2004) Review

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(More customer reviews)I had hoped, before I got a look at the contents listed on the back of the box, that this might be a miniseries, similar perhaps to the History Channel's "Founding Fathers," dealing with this all-too-often forgotten conflict. What you get instead is a single program about the war, plus several ancillary items going into (slightly) greater depth on specific aspects of the conflict. (There's also one program that has no business at all in this set, but more on that in a moment.)
The centerpiece of this set is "First Invasion: The War of 1812," an engaging overview (running roughly 80 minutes) of the entire history of the war. It's a typical History Channel affair: brisk narration, interesting input from a handful of scholarly talking heads, the customary "reenactments," and so on. (Unfortunately, the reenactments feature a comically inappropriate James Madison: in place of the small, thin, withdrawn Madison of history, we get a robust, portly young man with his hair dyed grey. Nobody watches these shows for the actors, naturally, but this poor fellow was so flagrantly miscast that I found it a little distracting.) The content of TV programs of this sort is nearly always very watered down, but this one is relatively informative. The account of the defense of Fort McHenry -- which inspired Francis Scott Key to pen the words to our national anthem -- is very effective and actually rather moving.
The set also contains an hour-long program on the Battle of New Orleans, which despite its length doesn't really add too much to the coverage of this remarkable engagement offered in "First Invasion." In addition, there's a very good episode of "Biography" covering the life of that battle's hero, Andrew Jackson, from which the controversial president emerges as a complex and fascinating figure, and unquestionably (whether you love or hate him) a great American. There's also an OK program about "The Star Spangled Banner" -- meaning the poem written by F.S. Key, the song to which his words were set, and the actual flag, flown over Fort McHenry, that inspired those words in the first place. There's a recap of the events that led up to the composition (again adding fairly little to the presentation given in "First Invasion"), a history of the poem from then until it became our official national anthem during the Hoover administration, and a parallel history of the flag itself, including recent efforts to prevent its deterioration. Competently done, but these topics didn't hold as much interest (for me anyway) as most of the other items in the set.
Roger Daltrey is on hand for an episode of "Extreme History" describing life on an 1812 battleship. This is entertaining enough (thanks mainly to some surprisingly off-color humor from Mr Daltrey), if pretty light on actual information.
Finally (and bizarrely), the set includes an episode of "The Great Ships" entitled "The Ironclads," which the box calls "a revealing look at the battleships put to sea in the War of 1812." Actually, the War of 1812 is never so much as mentioned: this program deals with the bizarre iron-clad warships used during the American Civil War, some fifty years later! It's actually quite an interesting program, but what on earth is it doing in a collection dealing with the War of 1812? The only thing I can figure is that somebody confused "ironclad" with the 1812-era nickname given to the U.S.S. Constitution: Old Ironsides. This is a pretty embarrassing mistake, though, if you call yourself "The History Channel."
The set is pretty good as far as it goes. But it would be nice if somebody would put together a good three-or four-hour miniseries about this very interesting, and ultimately crucial, period in American history.

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From a seemingly disastrous decision to declare war to the glory of the stars and stripes, THE HISTORY CHANNEL® PRESENTS: THE WAR OF 1812 chronicles of one of america's most defining moments. Only 30 years after gaining independence, the upstart United States found itself once again battling Great Britain. At stake were the future of emocracy and America's Manifest Destiny. Pitted against the world's most powerful nation, victory seemed unlikely. But then Andrew Jackson's brilliant leadership, a lone sniper, and one of the most lopsided victories in military history turned the tide of the war. THE HISTORY CHANNEL® PRESENTS: THE WAR OF 1812 is the authoritative chronicle of one of America's most defining moments. THE HISTORY CHANNEL® PRESENTS: THE WAR OF 1812 contains the following programs: FIRST INVASION: THE WAR OF 1812--President James Madison declares war on Great Britain, a decision that at first appears disastrous. SAVE OUR HISTORY: THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER--The history of the stars and stripes and the poem penned as a tribute. THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS--General Andrew Jackson leads American forces to improbable victory. ANDREW JACKSON: A MAN FOR THE PEOPLE--A&E BIOGRAPHY® unveils the man behind the leader, from General to President. THE IRONCLADS--A revealing look at the battleships put to sea in the War of 1812. DVD FEATURES: Behind the Scenes of "First Invasion: The War of 1812"; "Surviving an 1812 Battleship" Episode From Extreme History, hosted by Roger Daltrey; Interactive Menus; Scene Selection

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Pawn Stars: The Complete Season One Review

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(More customer reviews)This is the only show I watch regularly because I learn about collectible items, about the pawn business, and negotiating. It is set in Las Vegas and is truly watchable and unique. The show is corny and unintentionally funny but the episodes are well constructed and edited which keeps your interest and the characters are genuine.

Rick Harrison is the main character of the show. He is a competent and likable guy who laughs at his own jokes. He has the most screen time each show. Often people have items that he does not know the value of, and they have to call an expert in to appraise it. Rick has a bunch of experts who probably wish they never met him because he constantly calls them, but that is what makes the show interesting. The funniest thing is that the expert then appraises the item right in front of the seller. Rick's negotiation style is to listen to what the customer wants and then counter with 40% of whatever they want. So if they want $100 he offers $40 and then talks about how the item is deficient, how he has to make a profit, blah blah blah. Then whether he buys the item or not they have a cut away interview with him and he'll say, "This time the price wasn't right so we couldn't make a deal."

Old Man is the patriarch of the family and by far the best negotiator. It does not matter what price the seller wants for an item, Old Man acts like he is offended, surprised, and automatically says "no way." He is such a tough bargainer that I don't think I have ever seen him actually buy anything. If it wasn't for Corey and Rick they would have an empty store. Also, he keeps a big calendar by his desk so we know exactly the month of the show, so the Christmas show was going on and his calendar said "October".

Corey is the youngest and likable enough because he has so much disdain for the people who come in his pawn shop. He is perpetually buying things that need massive restoration. A guy will come in with a big block of aluminum with fiber glass sticking out of it and say it was an expensive plane that caught on fire and that if restored will be worth major money and he wants $4000.00 for it. Then Corey will buy it for $5,000 and then we get the drama with his dad, Rick. Then Rick will be in a cut away interview and act upset and be like "Corey needs to learn that he can't buy crap like this." And then Corey will say, "But it will be worth a million dollars once we get it restored." Lulz. I like the restorers though especially if it's a boat because then we see Bill the boat restorer who talks funny. He will say: "Dish boat ish a clashick, back in da day dish was cutting edgish."
Chumlee is reality TV comic relief driftwood. People will bring in an item that is old like a record player or something and he will make the same Old Man is Old joke. "Hey Old Man, this guy has..um... your ... um.. childhood ipod here...huh huh." Anyway, best show on TV, check it out.


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It s one of the oldest forms of banking, and until the 1950s, it was the leading form of consumer credit in the U.S. See the fascinating past and present of the pawning business in Pawn Stars, an inside look at the only family-run pawn shop in Las Vegas, where three generations of men grandfather, father and son use their sharp-eyed skills to carefully assess the value of items ranging from the obscure to the historic. From a 15th-century samurai sword to a Picasso painting, there isn t much the Harrison family hasn t seen or heard, inevitably making Richard, Rick and Corey experts in rare collectables and negotiating. Each episode of Pawn Stars features an array of quirky characters attempting to sell, purchase or pawn items that the Harrisons must carefully appraise, determine if they re real or fake and then reveal the often surprising answer to What s it worth? Everything and everyone has a story and it s the Harrisons job to decipher fact from fiction, because in this business the customer isn t always right.

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