Secrets of World War II Review

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(More customer reviews)In 11/07 Nucus/Martin Production released three companion DVDs dealing with World War II:
(1) Gladiators of World War II: The fighting forces of the Second World War (1998) (BBC c2007) (2 double-sided DVDs, with 13 48-minute episodes; TT10:50)Gladiators of World War II
director, writer: Charles Messenger; narrator: Robert Powell
(2) Heroes of World War II (2003) and Weapons of World War II (2003) (BBC c2007) (2 double-sided DVDs, with 10+10 24-minute episodes; TT7:55)Heroes and Weapons of World War II
director: Jonathan Martin; writer: Tim Newark; narrator: Robert Powell
(3) Secrets of World War II: Revelations from the Second World War (1998) (BBC c2007) (4 DVDs, 3 double-sided, with 26 52-minute episodes; TT22:32)
director: Jonathan Martin; writer: Robin Cross; narrator: Robert Powell
These four TV series are valuable in treating interesting phenomena of World War II that are less frequently covered on video. Each episode is in stereo, 4:3 format, and vintage B&W (mostly) and vintage color, with modern embellishments (maps, background info, etc.) in color. The quality of the archival footage is variable of course, but all is watchable. The quality of the modern color supplements is very good to excellent (e.g., Bletchley Park). Narration is by actor Robert Powell (born 1944).
CONTENTS--GLADIATORS OF WORLD WAR II (1998) (each episode 48 min):
1. Waffen-SS
2. Special Operations Executive [SOE]
3. SAS [Special Air Service]
4. The Desert Rats
5. The Free Polish Forces
6. RAF Fighter Command
7. The Paras and Commandos
8. Norwegian Resistance Fighters
9. The Kamikaze
10. The Royal Navy
11. The Chindits
12. The Free French Forces
13. The Anzacs
CONTENTS--HEROES OF WORLD WAR II (2003) (each episode 24 min):
1. The Men Who Invented Radar
2. The Man Who Designed The Spitfire
3. The Man Who Stood Up To Hitler
4. The Men Who Cracked Enigma
5. The Men Who Stopped the Bismarck
6. The Man Who Saved Britain's Cities
7. The Man Who Hoodwinked Hitler
8. The Men Who Liberated Belsen
9. The Men Who Lit Up Germany
10. The Men Behind D-Day
CONTENTS--WEAPONS OF WORLD WAR II (2003) (each episode 24 min):
1. Tanks
2. Midget Submarines
3. Gliders
4. Aircraft Carriers
5. Fighter Bombers
6. Heavy Bombers
7. The Battleship
8. Rockets
9. Fast Attack Boats
10. The Machine Gun
CONTENTS--SECRETS OF WORLD WAR II (1998) (each episode 52 min):
1. The Corpse that Fooled the Axis
2. Adolf Hitler's Last Days
3. Secret Mission to North Africa
4. When Hitler Invaded America
5. The Bruneval Raid
6. What Really Happened to Rommel
7. Cracking the Enigma Secret
8. Human Torpedoes
9. The Secrets of the Battle of the Bulge
10. The Greatest Sea/Air Battle in History
11. Above Us - The Enemy (Secrets of the Submarine War)
12. The Secrets Behind the Battle of Guadalcanal
13. The Real Heroes of Telemark
14. They Flew for China
15. How Germany was Bombed to Defeat
16. The End of the Scharnhorst
17. The RAF versus the V Weapons
18. Japan's Last Secret Weapon
19. The Minehunters
20. The Nazi Plundering of Europe
21. Confusion was their Business
22. Merrill's Marauders
23. The Amazing Colonel Doolittle
24. Destroying Hitler's Oil Fields
25. Home Run from Colditz
26. Cruises of the Secret Raiders

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During the chaos and destruction of WWII, ordinary men and women from all walks of life were thrown into fearsome, real-life situations worthy of any Hollywood movie -- the only difference is that this series every story is true. Ordinary GIs and US Air Force and Navy personnel suddenly found themselves flying against the Japanese in China, jungle fighting in Burma and being dropped by submarine on enemy coasts at midnight. Each fifty-two minute story gives the viewer a clear view of the historical context, the strategic objective, and the tactical effort made by flyers, sailors and foot-soldiers - often in the most oppressive and life threatening situations - to win victory from the enemy.

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'Allo 'Allo - The Complete Series Seven Review

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(More customer reviews)After several delays, "'Allo, 'Allo!': The Complete Series 7" is due to be released in January 2008 as a two disc set with small Rene & large Officer Crabtree caricatures on the cover. The 'Complete Series Seven' features the return appearance of Capt. Hans Geering [Sam Kelly], a replaced Monsieur Ernest LeClerc [Robin Parkinson], a replaced Captain Alberto Bertorelli [Roger Kitter, in the character's last series], the last series of Lt. Fairfax [John D. Collins] & Lt. Carstairs [Nicholas Frankau], & should include interviews with Richard Gibson [Herr Otto Flick] & John Louis Mansi [Herr Engelbert Von Smallhausen] as special features.
Finally, 'official' titles for Series 7!
Prepare to order!
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[All episode lengths = 30 minutes]
Episode 7.01
-Unofficial titles: Forged Papers; Von Flockenstuffen in Command
Episode 7.02
-Unofficial titles: Exploding Candles; Free at Last
Episode 7.03
-Unofficial titles: Flying to England; Eloping to England
Episode 7.04
-Unofficial titles: René In England; Hello Hans
Episode 7.05
-Unofficial titles: Telegraph Poles; Lines of Communication
Episode 7.06
-Unofficial title: The Spirit of Nouvion
Episode 7.07
-Unofficial titles: Wine Barrels; A Barrel Full of Airmen
Episode 7.08
-Unofficial titles: A Mixed Marriage; Stuck
Episode 7.09
-Unofficial titles: Ice Cream; The Ice Cream Truck
Episode 7.10
-Unofficial titles: Gypsies; The Gypsy Carnival

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Poor Rene. His only desire is for a peaceful life in his quiet cafe in Nouvion, France. The only difficult decision he wishes to make is which waitress to sneak off to the broom closet with for a quick cuddle. But ever since the war started, nothing is simple. As if it wasn't bad enough to be shot dead by the Germans, now the resistance wants to shoot him also and he must flee to, of all places, England! But first, he must rescue his mother-in-law, who was last seen in her bed with Leclerc attached to a hot air balloon heading due south at 500 feet, and he must also smuggle food to the British airmen, who have gotten themselves stuck down a drain in the middle of the town square, all while attempting to evade the deadly singing voice of his wife Edith! Will this war never end?

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The First World War - The Complete Series Review

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(More customer reviews)This series is to the First World War what the classic World at War series was to the Second World War. It is shorter but excellent nonetheless.
Although the First World War gets less attention than its successor, it was really the watershed event of the 20th century. This conflict shaped the world that came after to this day. It was the catalyst for the rise of soviet communism in Russia, whose unravelling less than a decade and a half ago continues to affect worldwide diplomacy and economics. Germany's defeat provided the opportunity for fascism and Hitler to come to power there, causing the Second World War and its greater destruction. The defeat of the Ottoman Empire during the First World War and the diplomatic and political morass that followed was the precursor for the reconstitution of Israel and eventually brought the Middle East into center stage today.
This series is based upon the books and encyclopedic knowledge of Professor Hugh Strachan. It examines every aspect of the war, from its causes to the conduct of the war on and behind the front lines to its aftermath. In doing so, it covers the diplomatic, political, military and social aspects, each of which played a role in shaping what happened and why. It does not just present the summary facts but goes in depth in its explanations. For example, instead of simply depicting the spring 1918 German offensive on the western front, it gives detail about how they accomplished it, the attitudes of the troops on each side and the thought processes of the respective high commands.
Not having seen Kenneth Branagh's World War 1 in Color, this reviewer is incompetant to compare the two. However, because this series is thorough and draws upon the professor who may well be THE authority on this era of history, it is likely the best presentation on the subject available today.

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This definitive ten-part series offers insight and analysis to provide a coherent and strategic military narrative of the worldwide conflict that changed history.

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