Description

Barberland is a rich and humorous portrayal of a community phenomenon that is quickly fading into our vanishing Americana. Through quirky tales told by the barbers who were there, we are taken back to a time when a good shave and haircut made all the difference in your day, and people meant more than money. From shaving mishaps to Playboy Magazine, a trip through Barberland is a journey to be experienced before it's gone. ... Read more

Reviews (85)

Brilliant insights
Errol Morris's stunning documentary is about one of the 20th century's most significant players: Robert McNamara, who reprises the highlights of his life and professional career. The movie covers a lot of ground, including McNamara's stint as a Ford Motor Co. executive, his participation as a war planner in World War II, and his crucial involvement as secretary of defense under President John F. Kennedy during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and under Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson during the Vietnam War. There are some stunning revelations, including his role in the firebombing of Japan, as well as the nuclear face-off between the United States and Cuba. This is another brilliant coup for Morris, the inspired documentarian who has made a career out of conversations with the most fascinating subjects. He tells a story that knocks you right off your feet.

Mr. McNamara reveals all...In His Own Words!
While network & cable news television reveal(s) inside political information to its' viewers, they only tell a fraction of the story, and only reveal what the viewer wants to hear at that. Docudramas/biopics, on the other hand, tell the complete & entire story as is, all without leading the onlooker astray in the process. Former U.S. Defense Secretary Robert S. McNamara's account is no exception, of which, during the course of "The Fog of War"'s one hour, forty-five minute run, enlightens its' viewers with a biographical and pictorial collage of Mr. McNamara's hectic and universal life in government. Also contained within the fascinating, as well as extremely personal pages of Mr. McNamara's diary, this "Soldier of Fortune" really gets down to business, and isn't gun-shy in the slightest when discussing issues relating to the Cuban Missile Crisis (including Fidel Castro's reign of power [as well as his reign of terror against the United States Government and its' proud citizens]) and the Vietnam War. McNamara also manages to sneak in a poignant and mesmerizing real-life story pertaining to his frienship with the Kennedy family, as well as standing toe-to-toe with President Johnson and his administration. Robert discusses said wars from a business standpoint as well, including a "lesson" in the economic laws of supply and demand. Even with an I.Q. ranging in the 99th percentile (I.Q. of 140 or higher), McNamara concedes that even he has his faults, and acknowledges that no one's perfect by any means imaginable. By looking at this insightfully provocative and candid account, even I don't have to be a genius (of which I'm not, trust me!), to see that a man of Robert S. McNamara's talents and intellect, has any noticable flaws, of which there are extremely few, I'm quite sure. But, don't just take my word for it, just weigh all the merits of this particular "...Fog...", and see your way clear for yourself (either at an art-house cinema locale near you, or on video or DVD in the not-too-distant future) real soon!

Another Powerful Errol Morris Film
The Fog of War is basically a well-packaged two hour interview with Robert McNamara, the subject of this feature because of his position of Secretary of Defense under Kennedy and Johnson. It is a captivating glimpse into a man who served in America's most important war of the 20th century (WWII) and helped build its most infamous.

While the subject of this film is clearly McNamara's role in and reflection of Vietnam, filmmaker Errol Morris begins his piece by sculpting the life of the now 85 yr old former wiz-kid. The film traces his role as a strategic analyst for bombing raids against Japan, his short stint as President of Ford Motors and his eventual place alongside Kennedy and Johnson. We also get to see some personal moments about him, such as his claim to be the person who selected Kennedy's gravesite at Arlington. But Morris does not get side-tracked giving us too much irrelevant information; his piece is clear and to the point.

The film attempts to place McNamara in the position of a sage-like wiseman, who near the end of his life can educate the rest of us on the lessons that should be drawn from his successes and failures. Make no mistake, the film clearly attacks the logic behind the Vietnam War (and war in general) and even gives McNamara the chance to pass the buck to Kennedy and Johnson. But I find a refreshing attempt at truthfulness in this film that is usually lacking from most political texts aimed at persuasion.

While I disagree with many of the conclusions the film wants its audience to embrace, I can't deny the skill of the filmmaker who has given the world a piece of history that should be cherished forever. Nothing is more historically relevant than to hear tapes of McNamara's conversations with Kennedy and Johnson, two strong-willed men whose fearless determination is noticeably absent from the leaders of their political party today.

It is impossible for me to review any political documentary in 2004 without comparing it to this era's most famous documentarian, Micheal Moore. Errol Morris's The Fog of War is what I consider a true documentary (a claim I cannot make about Moore's works). His film attempts to display the truth of the situation he sees, rather than the tricky way Moore tries to shape the world to fit his views. Moore could learn a lot by viewing the powerful works of Errol Morris. The two men get to the same conclusion about war, but Morris does have to resort to half-truths and outright lies to prove his point. Compared to true documentaries like this, Moore's works are shown to be what they really are: entertainment.

Worth watching with the noted reservations
The Fog of War has received rave reviews on Amazon.com, but this review will not add to that long list. Fog is the word most appropriate for McNamara's discussion of Viet Nam. After two hours of hit and miss questions and answers, we are left with the conclusion that Viet Nam was a mistake and that McNamara was not responsible for it; that honor goes, according to McNamara, to Lyndon Johnson.

McNamara was a statistician/accountant who understood the numbers, but he was not a leader who could translate his knowledge into forceful action. Instead, it appears as if he supported Lyndon Johnson long after he realized that Viet Nam was going to be a war we could not win. Additionally, the information that he received about Viet Nam was sometimes innacurate and misleading. In hindsight he knows that it is unsafe to trust as fact reports given by subordinates. Without a historical perspective with which to judge the data he received, he arrived at false conclusions which resulted in the deaths of 58,000 Americans and millions of Vietnamese.

Not only was McNamara ignorant of history, but he also understood little about ethics. He concludes that it is morally acceptable to do evil in order to arrive at a greater good. Machiavelli, in The Prince, would certainly agree with McNamara, but The Prince should not be a handbook for American foreign policy, even though recently it appears that Machiavelli's recommendations are alive and well in American government today. Torturing and abusing Vietnamese and Iraqi prisoners may provide useful information, but few would argue that the evil of torture is justified by what we learn from it. McNamara would have done well to study Kant's Categorical Imperative. If we approve of torture, or firebombing in the example given by McNamara, we must recommend that all other nations follow our example, at least according to Kant's Imperative.

My guess is that McNamara is a much smarter man than appears to be the case in The Fog of War. Unfortuntely, the director made McNamara appear to be often confused about the facts which were his stock in trade. He is an old man reminiscing about his life in public service and his memory is conveniently selective and self-serving.

Even so, I can recommend this film with the reservations noted for this reason. No viewer will ever think again that our safety and well being as a nation depend on rationality. McNamara prided himself on being a logical man of reason and often he was. That did not stop us, according to his own testimony, of coming an eyeblink away from the apocalyse during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Luck was on our side then. After watching The Fog of War many viewers will ask: When will our luck run out? This is a question well worth asking. Hopefully some will answer that we must replace evil intentions and actions toward other countries with moral behavior that stands as an example for the world to follow. This imperative puts us on the right if not always the winning side.

valuable retrospective of the decisions of war
In his own words Robert Strange McNamara tells of his early life and his career, notably his service as Secretary of Defense under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. Through his narrative, viewers obtain a unique retrospective on critical international events, including the Cuban Missile Crisis, the bombing of Japan and the Vietnam War.

McNamara sticks to the history. His personality is revealed by the way he speaks about events he found moving, but he dodges the tough personal questions, such as those about his family, his responsibility and his sense of guilt.

Clearly a reflective man, the lessons he provides are worthy of consideration by all, not just government leaders. In seeing some of the same mistakes made in current foreign relations as those McNamara recounts, viewers recognize the cycle of history, and human falliability. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A MUST HAVE FOR JORDAN FANS
One Word: Bestsportsvideoever.

Awesome highlights from his early years. The dialogue from this video and the calls of the announcers will stick in your head. If you play basketball, Every time you touch a basketball you will try to immitate highlights from this video. If you are a Michael Jordan fan, you absolutely MUST have this video. If you aren't a Michael Jordan fan, you still should have it. Best sports video I have ever seen. If you are a Michael Jordan fan, you will not be able to take this tape out of your VCR.

AIR JORDAN'S BEST VIDEO BY FAR!!
This is easily the best NBA video around.I wasn't sure at first but when I watched Jordan's gravity defying dunks and shots it blew me away!It has got more spectacular highlights than any other NBA video I have ever seen.It starts off with Jordans childhood on the baseball field,then his brilliant college days,then to the best stuff...his early days in the NBA where he earned lots of awards.Made before he stunned the world by leading the Bulls to a double three-peat,this tape captures the glory days of both slam-dunk contests,his injury and how he came by it to become the best player ever,all his dunks,lay-ups and game winners,his success in the olympics in L.A,and his own commentary on what it was like to be such a star performer.There is also some footage of his greatness at golf aswell.Only one dissapointment,not enough footage of his All-Star games.I ordered this over-seas because Britain dosent sell NBA videos.Also great service from Amazon.Buy this if you are an NBA fan and want to witness the greatest player ever...AIR JORDAN!

THE BEST SPORTS VIDEO EVER !
This is the number one selling sports tape of all time.

I used to watch this tape everyday and I know the hold tape

by voice threw. This is not even my tape when I moved from

my old neighborhood I kept his Jordan tape from my friend.

Even if you don't like Jordan you will find youself captivated

by his work ethic abilities and achievements. This tape is

addicting you will find yourself watching it late at night for

no reason. This tape can also inspire you to workout or if

you want to get hype for a local church tournament.The piano

part at the very begining is also nice. MICHAEL JORDAN COME FLY

WITH ME THE BEST SPORTS VIDEO EVER .I hope they put this classic

on DVD!

The Best Jordan Video of All
I have seen almost all of the Michael Jordan videos yet Come Fly With me is special. This is the only video that captures the essence of Michael Jordan in his prime. Jordan was definitely most breath-taking to watch when he consistently went for the daring lay-ups and the spectacular dunks. This video was filmed before Jordan was a world icon and doesn't contain all the scrutiny and controversy that is present in such videos as Above & Beyond and Air Time. If you are all about the highlights, this is your video.

My favorite Michael Jordan video
I have a few Michael Jordan videos and "Come Fly With Me" is definitely my favorite. Just about the whole video is full of awesome highlights. "Come Fly With Me" starts out by telling of how Jordan grew up playing basketball and baseball, then it gets to the good stuff. It shows footage from some of his college games all the way to the 1988 All-Star Game and Slam Dunk Contest. It tells about his injury at the beginning of the 1986 season and how he rebounded from it and became an even better player. You'll also hear a lot of insight from Michael's parents and even see some highlights of him playing golf in the offseason.

If you're a Michael Jordan fan and you like seeing a lot of highlights that only Jordan himself could make, then you need to get "Come Fly With Me." It probably has more dunking and other gravity-defying highlights on it than any other Michael Jordan video out there. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

ALL ABOARD! THE MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR BUS...
...will be making stops throughout milestones in the lives of each Beatle. This delightful film is a video version of "The Beatles' anthology" and the story telling combined with the Beatles' own music and the music that influenced them early in their careers "Come Together" nicely.

In watching this video, rare footage such as the pre-Ringo days in Germany and Liverpool (Ringo joined in 1962) and footage of other popular artists of the late 1950s and early 1960s are added treats. Part of what makes this film so effective is the personal effects of each Beatle being included, e.g. John Lennon's high school detention sheet. In watching this delightful video, one gets a feel for, a sense of each Beatle and the people they personally knew who influenced them, e.g. Astrid Kircherr (sp) who gave them the famous haircut.

This is something that is sure to delight most viewers. It is a must have among avid Beatles fans. I give it two thumbs up and a hearty YEAH, YEAH, YEAH!

Please rerelease this video on DVD!
This is a really great 2-hour documentary on the Beatles for those people who do not have the time to watch the entire multi-hour "Beatles Anthology", (which was done by Paul, George, and Ringo), and who want something more serious than the mockumentary; "The Rutles-All You Need is Cash", (which features a cameo by George). "The Compleat Beatles" gives out a great deal of infomation on the Beatles, and includes parts of many of their songs. It deserves to be out on DVD as VHS does not do it justice. I'm positive it would be a very big seller. The Beatles should, (at some future date), also put out on DVD, an all-concert video; i.e. Shea Stadium and/or some other arena they played. There are some all-concert VHS tapes of the Beatles that could be easily upgraded to DVD.

NOW ON DVD!!!!!!!!!!!!
THIS FILM IS NOW ON DVD FOR ALL OF YOU WHO WERE WANTING IT TO BE. THE PICTURE QUALITY HAS NOT IMPROVED TOOO MUCH.
THANKS.

DVD PLEASE!!!!!!
I just blew the dust off this VHS, havent watched it in years....
Now that the 40th anniversary has passed I thought I would watch it, glad I did, forgot how good this film is.... great insight to how all there songs were created, George Martin explains in detail how the songs came about, who wrote what, who sang on which song.... very good. Too bad the Beatles didnt participate in this film for interviews sake that is....would have been a nice touch to have them there telling there stories of how things really went. Guess the anthology series does that.... cant wait for the DVD of this .... will buy in a heartbeat...maybe they will add more material on the DVD...

Good video but not all correct
if it was more accurate I would give it more stars, though it is entertaining ... Read more

Amazon.com

Old King Neptune gets mad, and the seas start to boil! From the ancient myths to modern science, Eyewitness: Ocean takes you and your family on an exciting voyage in the safety of your living room. The mind-boggling images and computer graphics blend with the fun, fascinating narration to create a learning experience for all, from the smallest child to the saltiest sea dog. Tiny plankton and the giant whales that eat them, sailors and their ships, and the winds and currents that make our weather are the stars of the show. With a cast like this, you and your family will be sure to chart a course for educational adventure. Don't miss Eyewitness: Ocean! --Rob Lightner ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Not as good as the others but still great....
Eyewitness - Ocean continues the great tradition of scientific family entertainment. This edition: Ocean, focused on Earth's greatest natural resource: the ocean. While I enjoyed Eyewitness - Ocean, I didn't enjoy it as much as Eyewitness -Volcano or Eyewitness - Plant. Most of the information was very general and the visuals weren't quite as clever.

Still, this is a solid installment, sure to entertain those interested in science and the environment.

great sea film. contains footage of the deep ocean.
This film about the sea and it's history is excellent to watch. I love the underwater footage and clips of mysterious and fascinating deep ocean creatures. The pressure down there is scary to think about but, fun nonetheless. This has just the right amount of computor graphics and real footage to make an excellent video!
Take a close look at this Eyewitness nature masterpiece...

not for young children
This Eyewitness video, like the couple others we have viewed with our preschoolers, is interesting for us adults, but not at all entertaining enough for young children. Too much talking! Not enough action!

The sea creatures are covered too quickly and without enough captivating video to hold preschoolers' attention. And many of the creatures are frankly boring, unless you're old enough to understand the wonder and mystery of it all. These videos are really geared to junior high students, at least.

4 and a half,not just for children
This movie,even though short,is very colorful and I am sure it is not designed specifically for children,it is for everybody,but also gives children a look at the deep deep black bowels of the sea and of the land! People should discover this film instaed of terrible cartoons! And,of course after all,people should take this movie as an everybody movie and not as a toddler film! So sit back and enjoy this serious movie and STAY AWAY from cartoons!!end!

Great for Everyone
We bought this video at a discount store in London for 2 pounds, not expecting too much for that price. But this video was great! We learned so much ourselves, but our son loves it even more - he's been watching it since he was 1 year old. It helped with his speech, hopefully he's learning lots of good stuff, and the clips are short and fast enough to keep a small toddler interested throughout. So far we have four in this Eyewitness series, and they are all great. We are so happy he can watch this instead of Teletubbies! ... Read more

Reviews (12)

The King goes to DC!
I saw this movie on Showtime back in 1998, and have been hoping it will break into the DVD market soon. A brilliant account of true events. It gives you an enjoyable experience of the King of Rock and Roll, as he journeys around Haight-Ashbury and then around DC, ultimately visiting with President Nixon in the hopes of becoming a DEA agent to fight the war on drugs. A great insight into the similarities of two totally different characters, Elvis and Nixon!

Elvis at 35 and out on his own
This Showtime movie stars Rick Peters (as Elvis, played with affecting sympathy) and Bob Gunton (as Nixon, played with broad wit). The movie recounts the time in 1970 when Elvis (at 35 and out on his own) traveled from Graceland to the White House, where he met with Richard Nixon and asked to be deputized as a federal agent in the war on drugs. Altogether, it was a stranger-than-fiction encounter between two larger-than-life figures. "I think it's one of the greatest events of American pop culture, that Elvis got in to see Nixon," says the movie's writer and producer, Alan Rosen; while Dick Cavett, the movie's narrator, assures us, "If what you're about to see didn't happen exactly this way, it should have" ... The photo of Elvis shaking hands with Nixon continues to be the most requested item at the Nixon Library in Yorba Linda, Calif. - but you can see that photo and others, along with correspondence from the meeting, at the National Security Archive website ("The Nixon-Presley Meeting: The Documentation").

one memorable weekend
In 1970, in a bid to do his part for the Vietnam War, Elvis takes his first-ever solo plane trip to DC to meet President Nixon to discuss being a federal drug enforcement officer. He usually doesn't carry money or a passport --- one of his entourage does that for him -- but in these pre-Sept. 11 days, he gets past all that.

Nixon has his own turmoil with the Vietnam War protestors -- after all, the war started under Kennedy. Elvis has his own umbrage with those British upstarts, the Beatles. One of the best discussions is when both Nixon and Elvis blame America's fascination with their respective nemesis on "the hair and the accents."

I love that this is a true story, told with some embellishments as no one was actually in that meeting with Elvis and Nixon. It is funny without being a joke. Worth your time!

The Trickster and the Hounddog.
This highly entertaining, hilarious film, that originally aired on Showtime; examines the time that Elvis flew to Washington, D.C. to meet President Nixon to convince the President to make him a federal marshall. The movie is very loosely based on fact and as the film's narrator points out, if that's not the way things happened then it should have been. This movie portrays Elvis and Nixon as two very similar persons on opposite sides of the cultural spectrum. The film also illustrates how very human these two powerful giants were and that besides their power, the only thing that separated them from "the rest of us" were their very odd eccentricies. Highly enjoyable film.

Great Fun! How about a DVD?!?
I started watching this on cable one night with absolutely no expectations. I was pleasantly surprised at how much damned fun this movie was. Quirky, funny & good story. Now how about a DVD??? ... Read more

Amazon.com

"My very excellent memory just stores up nine planets." So you and your kids will be saying, both to help you remember the names of our nearest neighbors (you know, Mercury, Venus...) and to show off to your friends that you've seen Eyewitness: Planets. DK's voyage into outer space is full of amazing footage and special effects that intrigue and educate kids and adults about these "wandering stars." Topics include surface conditions, orbits, and planets' history as objects of curiosity and worship throughout the ages. From Galileo to Voyager, you'll find centuries of learning packed into a half an hour that doesn't wear down over repeated viewings. Eyewitness: Planets is a must for the family that learns together. --Rob Lightner ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Eyewittness Planets
I bought this video many years ago. I love it! It is well narreted and has good footage of the planets.

Fantastic for young and old!
My grandson, who is now 5, has watched this video over and over since he was 3. He practically has it memorized! He has had an interest in space and stars since he was a year old. For anyone interested in fun facts about our universe, this is a great video! Our whole family enjoys it! Well narrated!

not for young children
This Eyewitness video, like the couple others we have viewed with our preschoolers, is interesting for us adults, but not at all entertaining enough for young children. Too much talking! Not enough action!

And the video techniques used (like completely unrelated objects combined with each other in artsy ways; for example video of planets superimposed onto video of museum-style rooms to make it appear as if each planet inhabits its own room in the museum) just confuse literal-minded preschoolers, who believe the planets actually are in those rooms and are undoubtedly getting a really mixed up idea about planet size.

An excellent video for an Astronomy class
Through the use of computer graphics, and photos obtained from outer space, the video presents a "field trip" through the planets that make up the solar system. It is short in length (30 minutes), and retained the student's attention. I would recommend it to anybody who is looking for an economical video that still contains a lot of useful information.

I have used a number of Eyewitness videos to enrich the experience my students have in class, and found them all to be excellent. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

A classic documentary
This superb documentary, despite being criticized for its use of fictitious re-creation scenes, provides convincing proof that a Dallas man was wrongly accused of killing a police officer. The accused man, who had been put on death row for 12 years, was eventually freed because of this film. Comprised mainly of interviews of the people involved in the murder case (including, chillingly, the person believed to be the real killer), the film paints a frightening picture of our justice system gone haywire. The dramatic re-creations, complete with film-noir like camera work and music score, to some violate the rules in documentary films, which traditionally contain only 100% documentary footage. Director Errol Morris' response to the criticism was that, "the re-creations are not supposed to depict the truths, but the LIES people have told. I believe David Harris shot the policeman, but the re-creations NEVER show that."

A bit of injustice was served to this film as well, as it was not nominated for a best-documentary oscar.

One of the damnedest documentaries I have ever seen.
I am a movie buff from Widener University, who bought this documentary on VHS as an afterthought while buying two other critically acclaimed docs, Streetwise and Gates of Heaven (both given 4 stars by Roger Ebert, who's like a second father to me). Although some people might not like the fact that this VHS version was pan-and-scan, the visual impact of the filmed interviews as well as the soundtrack still shines through. Anyone who wonders why so many people oppose the death penalty should see this film. People who have served jury duty (or are considering it) will also benefit. The Thin Blue Line not only shows how justice can miscarry all too easily, it makes its viewers get to know the interviewees all too well. Errol Morris's reconstructions of the different versions of Officer Wood's murder show up the inconsistencies of the witnesses' testimony so strongly that the real murderer, David Harris (who was only sixteen when he shot Wood)confessed to the crime. Of course by then Harris had nothing further to lose; he was already on Death Row for a subsequent murder. I would be surprised if Roger Ebert didn't raise his rating for this doc from 3 1/2 stars to four and include it in his list of "The Great Movies."

Solid Filmmaking.
Errol Morris is one of the few filmmakers who allows real people to speak their voices. One can tell when seeing his documentaries that the people speaking are talking from their hearts and minds, and not reading a screenplay or Q-card. In his movies, one can sense a level of rawness not found from other filmmakers. In 'The Thin Blue Line', Morris tries to aquit an innocent man of murdering a police officer.
The story is told in a breath-taking fashion, with Morris going back to the scene of the crime and telling it from as many viewpoints as possible. When doing this, he also exposes the manipulative nature of people, showing how they will go to great lenghts to save themselves and make a quick dollar. The subject matter might bore some people after a while, but the last interview with the real killler at the end of the film is simply haunting and unforgettable.

Amazing
I watched this film in my film and Lit class, then over the weekend I rented it and watched it several more times, it is truely astounding, as a native Texan I have always mindlessly supported the death penalty, but this movie gave me my doubts.

PS. David Harris is still on Death Row and is scheduled to be executed on 6/30/2004, crazy he's now 44

Not impossible
Another reviewer claims that it is impossible to see this film and still support the death penalty. I guess I am refuting that "impossibility" to a possibility. I wholeheartedly support the death penalty AND this is my favorite documentary of all time. Yes, this film clearly shows through interviews (new testimonials?), visuals, re-enactments, and other evidence that the innocent CAN go to jail and even death row. It is a sad justice system, but it still doesn't dissuade me from the death penalty to those that are guilty and deservant of their crime.

Now this film just needs to be re-released on DVD with an addendum to let know viewers know that Mr. Adams was exonerated. Most people may know already, but some viewers will watch this without knowing the case and the repercussion that this film has caused. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

One of the best children's videos
This tape is excellent. We do not get cable so our PBS channel does not come in very good. I got this tape for my 15-month-old. It combines the action parts of 5 shows on baby animals, so it is non-stop fun! There are over a dozen baby animals, whereas a typical show shows only 3 or 4 animals. This tape looks fantastic and sounds great too. The Kraft brothers look younger then on TV, since I guess they used older shows. Still it is just as fun and entertaining. A wonderful fun animal treat for the whole family, but your toddler will enjoy it most as it was intended. Buy this one and you will not be disappointed.

Zoboo's Little Pals
This tape is typical Chris and Martin. It is great for children and even for adults who love animals. I work with school age children and all kids love it. Their "learning without knowing it" style allows children to have fun and gain knowledge at the same time. Highly recommended!!

My child's favorite
Zoboomafoo is my 2 year olds favorite show. He wants to watch it everyday and would gleefully watch it over and over if allowed. He can now identify so many new animals that he otherwise might not see. Chris and Martin do a great job making the show fun and educational for viewer of all ages.

Zoboomafoo
My nephew LOVES Zoboo and all of his friends, including Martin and Chris. This video, and the other Zoboo ones as well, are wonderful! Not only does he learn from it, but I do too! P.S It's for Big kids (35 year olds), too!

My son LOVES Zoboomafoo
Although this is simply episodes of the PBS series, my son could care less. To him it is simply Zoboomafoo anytime he wants! I hope they release even more! ... Read more

Reviews (9)

good for those who are new to the experience
This is a good "starter" video for those who want an in-depth of the "how's" of the pregnancy process; but there are better videos out there (see BIRTH DAY).

And for the record, regarding the review which said "seems to be among the very rare women who are able to give birth without the aid of forceps or an episiotomy." This is ENTIRELY untrue. Many, many, many women give birth without the aid of forceps or an episiotomy. The reason that they are so often used in this country is that the medical profession rushes the labor process, and doesn't allow a woman's body to do what it needs to do, which negates the need for such medical interventions. Watch Birth Day (or call a doula and ask) if you'd like more information. :)

From Conception to Birth
The video was a nice documentary on human conception and birth, with concentration on the female reproductive system. There are a few graphic shots at the very end of the video, during the actual birth, where "Phillipa" seems to be among the very rare women who are able to give birth without the aid of forceps or an episiotomy. The birth scenes are deceptively quick and painless. Only about 5 minutes of this video is about birth/delivery, which was rather disappointing. They do not describe the 3 stages of labor or say how long labor can last, etc.. I also couldn't figure out why they chose a leech and it's host to describe the fetus/mother relationship (yuck). All in all, this is one of the better videos out there, but I have yet to find one that truly focuses on pregnancy and birth. This will probably be as close as you can get... If you're expecting your first baby... READ BOOKS instead.

Fabulous!
I saw this video on the Discovery channel, and was delighted to learn it was for sale. Yes, it's graphic, but the videography is absolutely stunning. Every couple expecting their first child should see this video!

Great for Expecting Parents
This video is VERY graphic, but facinating just the same (not for people with a queasy stomach). As an expecting father, I found the video wonderful for knowing what is going on with my child and wife. I wish there had been more of the birth, but all of the information about the pregnancy was more helpful. After all, I'll get to see my child's birth, but I can't see what's going on inside my wife now! Wonderful information with a good presentation, especially in terms of the time-lapse photography, inside shots, and graphics.

Needs More to go with Title
I thought it was a very interesting and awe inspiring video. However, I thought that being called the Miracle of Birth there should have been more scenes of actual birth. I don't think there are enough videos available to the general public where they get to see the entire labor and delivery and from the title that's what I expected from this one. Otherwise it was an excellent video. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The most beautiful of insects, the butterfly has long held the attentionof artists and scientists alike. Eyewitness: Butterfly & Moth explores their world (and that of their less glamorous cousins) in the sharp clarity we expect from DK Vision. Watch caterpillars munch through vast quantities of greens, mummify themselves in cocoons, then emerge as glorious heralds of spring. But it's not all about pupation: watching the adults eat, unrolling their long proboscises to claim their drops of flower-food is worth the price of admission. Parents, kids, teachers, and even teens will enjoy Eyewitness: Butterfly & Moth as a fun way to explore these tiny flying gems. --Rob Lightner ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Loved it!
I'm a homeschool mom of 2. My 3 year old and 5 year old loved this. My 5 year old watched it over and over. She kept yelling to me, while I was cooking, all the things going on. Boy, she learned a ton. My son kept yelling to me that a man ate a bug, but he was learning as he was watching. I love the computer graphics, so great for children.

My 4-H groups love it!
Like all the videos in the "Eyewitness" series, this one is fast-paced and hold the attention of children (and adults!) of all ages. It features beautiful photography of butteflies and moths inflight, mating, laying eggs, etc., combined with zany things like how much salad you would have to eat to match the appetite of a caterpillar, some silly folklore (swallow a buttefly to get pregnant? ) Best of all, you get to see a Chinese guy eat a big fat catepillar. Kids might go "yuck" but they never forget this educational video. There's a trailer explaining how they did some of the special effects, too!
... Read more

Reviews (6)

Failure to deliver product
You cashed my check 2 months ago and you still have not sent the video. What is your problem?

Probably the second best way to spend a rainy afternoon
I bought this by mistake, but instead of changing it for the correct title, i watched it and thoroghly enjoyed it.
A great family drama and despite no tipping the velvet scenes this is one i would recommended to everyone, despite a slightly misleading title.

Surviving In The Wilderness
This is a moving story, well produced and enhanced with DVD capabilities. "The DVD feedback option is wonderful for promoting discussion." "The ease of going from scene to scene was a great benefit." Good historical information and author's biography. The kids liked the adventure story. DVD features easy to operate for most. "I liked the way we could go back to different sections, like when they were shooting arrows." "It showed a lot about hunting and building a cabin." "Matt got along with the Indians." Best for ages 8 to 12.

I'll Be Waiting, Pa
Terrific family entertainment and certain to please younger viewers as they relate to the child protagonist, 13-year-old Matt. The young settler has agreed to protect the homestead while awaiting the return of his family but, due to unforseen delays, his short wait turns to months. With assistance from the Penobscot Indians the boy learns the necessary skills to survive and must make the difficult decision whether to continue waiting for his family or depart with the natives as the Maine winter approaches...

I'll Be Waiting, Pa...
Terrific family entertainment and certain to please younger viewers as they relate to the child protagonist, 13-year-old Matt. The young settler has agreed to protect the homestead while awaiting the return of his family but, due to unforseen delays, his short wait turns to months. With assistance from the Penobscot Indians the boy learns the necessary skills to survive and must make the difficult decision whether to continue waiting for his family or depart with the natives as the Maine winter approaches... ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Survivors of the Shoah (Hebrew for Holocaust) Foundation grew out of Steven Spielberg's research for his film Schindler's List. He interviewed many survivors of the Holocaust and found that, despite their similar experiences, each had a unique story to tell. In order to preserve these memories for future generations so that the horrors of Nazi Europe might never be forgotten, Spielberg created the foundation, whose mission involves taping interviews with the remaining survivors. Survivors of the Holocaust provides just the briefest glimpse of the many stories the foundation has collected. The video is broken into thirds by year, so we learn of life before the Holocaust, during internment in concentration camps, and after liberation. The testimonies are powerful, and at times overwhelming. The photos and film clips are frequently horrifying and may be too much for younger viewers. The video opens with a brief presentation, hosted by Ben Kingsley, about the foundation itself. This is the weakest part of the video--at points it seems to serve simply as a reminder of how wonderful Spielberg is for his involvement in this effort--but don't let it deter you . No matter how much you may have seen or read about the Holocaust, the interviews will affect you tremendously. A powerful, powerful experience. --Jenny Brown ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A Teacher's Dream
This sad but powerful video is a must-have for any English or History teacher dealing with the Holocaust. I *do* agree with many Holocaust survivors who urge teachers to NOT begin their units with such a film, but to use it as a tool that complements a balanced discussion of this horrific time period. I begin my unit with a study of poems from the book, "I Never Saw Another Butterfly," recommended by another teacher, and then proceed to this video. Finally, we read the book, "Night," by Elie Wiesel. I feel all the first-hand accounts really hit home the reality of the time, as well as the need to be wary of recurrences in such hatred today.

IF THIS TOPIC INTERESTS YOU....
This was an excellent movie...If you are interested in this topic, you should check out the critically acclaimed books of Dorit B. Whiteman (she is a Holocaust survivor herself as well as a pysychologist): "The Uprooted", a classic which insightfully examines how some Jews (including many Kindertransport members) managed to miraculously escape Nazi occupied countries and describes the emotional aftermaths of their ordeals, and the more recent "Escape Via Siberia", which tells the dramatic story of a Polish boy who surived exile in Siberia and joined the only Russian Kindertransport.

A Teacher's Point of View
I am a 6th grade teacher and I teach the Holocaust to my students. This video is one resource tool that I use. It is quite powerful and the students get so much out of it. Through accounts of survivors, drawings, paintings, and vivid footage, we are taken through step by step the horror of the Holocaust and how it happened, from pre-occupation all the way until they day the war was over. The stories are fascinating, the visual images horrifying. This video is intense, but not on the "sickly" level of "Night and Fog." However, if you are interested in this subject, I strongly suggest getting your hands on this movie.

A work of maturity and discernment
what emerges is a redifine understandig of the holocaust as experienceby those who lived it..those of us priveileged to see this work (or as i think this piece of art) will come close to understanding what it was like to be there. I can thinkl of no work that brings us closer. not even anne frank wich i particulary hate. ... Read more

Amazon.com

French documentarian Pierre Schoendorffer served as a combat soldier in Vietnam in the 1950s during France's quagmire. In the fall of 1966, he returned with a cameraman and spent six weeks with an American infantry platoon. This film, which won a 1968 Best Foreign Documentary Oscar, is stark and riveting. Commanded by a West Point graduate, Lieutenant Joseph Anderson, the 33-man platoon Schoendorffer traveled with was a cross-section of America. Perhaps as the film was shot relatively early in the war, the soldiers still seem motivated and even naive, though it seems to be dawning on everyone that their task may well be hopeless. Exhausting patrols to hunt the Viet Cong turn up nothing but deserted camps, and at one point when the platoon is taking heavy gunfire, you can hear an American yelling that he can't tell where the shooting is coming from. Schoendorffer refrains from making any political statements and offers only the most minimal narration to the black-and-white footage, none of which appears to have been staged for the camera. When the body of a young soldier killed in an ambush is loaded aboard a helicopter, the pain of the scene is palpable. At one point the platoon is shown getting a detailed briefing on a mission, only to have the plans abruptly change and the helicopters drop them into a battle where they have virtually no idea what their role is supposed to be. The Anderson Platoon doesn't tell you, it shows you, and this remarkable film resonates deeply. --Robert J. McNamara ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Not a Hollywood production...
Going through some reviews, I understand what their disappointment might be. This is not a documentary produced by Hollywood or by a major movie Cy. This is the result of 6 weeks shooting, on the field, with the troop, in the very conditions the soldiers lived then and there, a completely accurate picture of what their lifes really were. Some point out the low camera angle in some parts, but I guess the cameraman couldn't simply stand up and record whereas the Vietcong were shooting at them ! Risk was there and the movie team (three people) could be killed every moment...Just to show what the soldier's life is. Not more, not less. The american awards it received are simply telling how people liked it then, in 1966. This documentary is simply human. A must see.

Not Exactly a Documentary
Indeed, as a "This is what the entire Vietnam Intervention was like in its entirety" documentary, this falls far short. However, remove the "entirety" part, (which was probably never the goal, anyway) and "The Anderson Platoon" is revealed to be a brilliantly straightforward and nonjudgemental microscopic view of "a pawn in a much larger game." If one is beginning a collection of Vietnam Intervention nonfiction, don't start here; still, make sure to include this before the finish.

Six weeks with an infrantry platoon in Vietnam circa 1967
This documentary from 1967 won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Director Pierre Schoendoerffer focuses on an integrated American combat platoon of African-American and Hispanic troops in Vietnam commanded by Lt. Joseph B. Anderson, an African-American graduate of West Point. Schoendoerffer had served his own time in Vietnam, having been a veteran of France's Indochina war against the guerrillas of Ho Chi Mihn. Schoendoerffer spent six weeks with the platoon filming their search and destroy combat missions, interrogations of prisoners, life at the front, and visits to a local city on R&R. Narrated by actor Stuart Whitman, "The Anderson Platoon" provides a first hand record of what the war was like for the grunts, where nothing is more important that survival, not even friendship or completing your mission. What it shows us is often more mundane than profound, but the goal here is clearly to preserve a documentary record of what it was like in that time and place. The best thing I can say about "The Anderson Platoon" is that it provided a much better sense of Vietnam than "Platoon," or any other dramatic film I have seen. This may have to do with the shortcomings of Hollywood, which always seemed to be recycling World War II films to set in Vietnam, but I think it has more to do with the cinema verite of the documentary. No, it is not a great documentary, but it is a compelling record of simply what it was "really" like, more than most of us ever got to understand from the evening news or million dollar movies.

Highly Dissapointed
Although it was somewhat interesting seeing actual footage of an infantry platoon, I was very dissapointed with this film. It was far to short, however it seemed to drag on endlessly. There is only one action scene in the documentary at the very end, which is it's highpoint...as low as it was. I found it quite pointless to film a platoon in vietnam and then say, this person died two weeks from now...this person died four days from now..." I know that people died in vietnam, unfortunately, I still don't know how they fought.

Disappointing
I ordered this video based on the overwhelmingly high marks other viewers gave, but I cannot concur. Although some of the action scenes were enough to evoke strong emotion, overall the video is replete with irrelevant scenes like the ankle-level footage of the soldier's footsteps; bad music and nearly indecipherable narration. English subtitles would be a plus. I can't decide whether the high point was the soldier buying his "girlfriend" a guitar while on R&R, or the urination scene. ... Read more

Description

Barberland is a rich and humorous portrayal of a community phenomenon that is quickly fading into our vanishing Americana. Through quirky tales told by the barbers who were there, we are taken back to a time when a good shave and haircut made all the difference in your day, and people meant more than money. From shaving mishaps to Playboy Magazine, a trip through Barberland is a journey to be experienced before it's gone. ... Read more

Reviews (1008)

The Partisan
I'm no fan of Michael Moore, but my roommate talked me into seeing this film a few weeks ago, and I have to admit being fairly impressed with it. "Bowling for Columbine" is, among other things, quite enjoyable. Moore has grown considerably as a filmmaker, and here he shows a keen eye for pacing and indulging his viewers' sense of mystery. For the most part, he also manages to counterbalance the need for moving and amusing the audience with the danger of making light of a very serious matter. If you want to spend two hours thinking about dark, politically-charged subjects in an entertaining manner, this movie will do the trick.

However, Moore remains prone to all of his old, annoying habits. Self-righteous sarcasm? Got it. Manipulative, callous grandstanding? Got it. Playing fast and loose with the facts? Yes -- but it could be worse.

What "Bowling for Columbine" does best is bury most or all of the "single-answer" explanations for American gun violence. Over the course of the film Moore explores many of the typical, and not-so-typical, scapegoats. These include gun makers, race relations, Hollywood depravations, paranoid minutemen, video game violence, the news media, the NRA, our unravelling social safety nets, and Marilyn Manson -- but no one cause ever stands out as central. The movie makes a very strong, though understated, case that the true root of gun violence is the social and economic breakdown of American communities, and that only by developing a more vibrantly interreliant and nurturing society will we be able to turn the tide of that breakdown.

Unfortunately, though every piece of evidence points Moore towards that conclusion, in the end he throws his anti-gun allies a bone and goes after gunmakers and the NRA with both barrels blazing. It's ironic, because while both those villains certainly have blood on their hands, Moore's partisan tactics reveal him to be as enmeshed in our violent culture as those he would demonize. Welcome to America, old buddy. Maybe we can shoot our way out.

Justice to complexity
Michael Moore has produced a brilliant film in "Bowling for Columbine," beginning to examine the question of gun violence in America. What makes me appreciate this film the most is that it does not provide empty platitudes or draw simple conclusions, simultaneously keeping the level of conversation easy to understand and approachable. Seeing Moore's work mature to this level is uplifting and encouraging, and we see it develop even further in his "Fahrenheit 9/11." He asks more questions than he answers, and does justice to the complexity of the topics (within the confines of a documentary film). Whether you agree with him or not, Moore's gift is to get us talking and to ignite the flashpoints that will catalyze this country's continued growth.

Merciless film of Michael Moore!
This film plays hard. Moore has become in the rebel voice and one of the most irreverent personalities in USA . His brave position deserves him many admirers . The dramatic documental turns around a lot of things but he emphasizes the cruelty , the insanity and the corrupt atmosphere in certain minds .
The handle camera goes from the catoon to the awful drama in just a second . The inquiring position lets to many interwiewed without much to say . He makes himself the questions and tries to find the answers . Mostly the answers simply don't exist and other you deduce for yourself . Even I don't agree in all his opinions, this documental is an important reference for the future of the story in USA.

Extreme Disappointment
I admittedly saw Fahrenheit 9/11 before I saw Bowling for Columbine and that may skew my impressions, but this movie is no where near as good as its reputation would have you believe. The central theme of Bowling for Columbine is gun control and ownership, yet Moore's thesis has nothing to do with guns. Rather he states we are a country gripped by fear, and then spends 2 hours talking about nothing but guns. This disconnect between point-to-be-made and evidence ends up giving viewers no idea what Moore's final point really is. And as a result people walk away from this movie picking and choosing what points they like to back up their own personal beliefs without having any clue what Moore was actually trying to tell them.
As a result this is first and foremost a bad documentary. Its certainly educational but poorly thought out and poorly executed. Also Moore's style of gotcha interviews are all unnecessary and seem extremely forced on his part. They attempt to make him look like a moral deacon, but are more corny than compelling. I miss the Moore of TV Nation, where he stuck it to people who deserved it and caused havoc for havoc's sake. Now he's more concerned about himself and acting emotionally affected over other people's plight (key word: acting).
Even though this is a poor documentary, it is still enjoyable to watch and most people will find it educational as to the state of the country. So even though I give it two stars for dishonest and disjointed execution, I still would recommend at least viewing it once.

To the nay-sayers...
I'm not going to proselytize; my feelings on the quality of this movie have already been adequately expressed by previous reviewrers. However, to those who criticised the movie; a couple of suggestions.
Firstly, the name-calling; it doesn't give a very flattering representation of those who call him names, and indicates a lack of any valid criticism of the film. And considering that the majority of name-calling comes from statistically the most obese nation on Earth, the insults of 'fat pig' etc come across a bit hollow. He's fat- get over it. It doesn't make the film any different.
Secondly, the claims of it being a 'lie-fest.' There are several innacuracies, none of which were vital to the film's meaning and message. While this is inexcusable, if the 'huge' errors were so damaging, why hasn't Moore been sued?
Thirdly, to those who claim Moore is anti-American; the anger and disrespect he shows for the Bush Administration does not indicate a hate for America. Rather, it indicates that he believes the current administration is bad for America, and wishes for a more competent President. The fact that he was compelled to make a film about these matters actually shows how much he loves his country.
Fourthly, to those who calls it liberal propaganda; yes, it is, inescapably, propaganda. An idiot could see that it is unashamedly partisan, and is therefore not a documentary in the strictest sense of the word. However, I am sick and tired of people using the outdated 'left-right' political spectrum to disagree with issues they feel uncomfortable about. If you forget the liberal/conservative labels, you'll actually find that there is a lot of common ground.
Finally, to those people who say 'Guns don't kill people, people kill people,' that is incorrect. A better maxim would be 'People with guns kill people.' ... Read more

Description

An exhilarating journey into the mind and spirit of a remarkable man, a legendary teacher, and a masterful storyteller, conducted by TV journalist Bill Moyers in the acclaimed PBS series. Includes The Hero's Adventure, The Message of the Myth, The First Storytellers, Sacrifice and Bliss, Love and the Goddess, Masks of Eternity.360 minutes. ... Read more

Reviews (98)

Will Add Incredible Depth to Your Views on Religion and God
This series of videos is a true eye-opener and life-changer for anyone who is serious about seeking after the Divine, no matter what religion you may practise. Joseph Campbell examines the sacred symbolic stories that have existed in every culture, all over the world, with respect for all of them and denigrating none. At the same time he also strives to drive home the idea that these links to the Divine are not divine in themselves but are paths to knowledge and enlightenment. One segment, Masks of Eternity, talks about the many ways in which God speaks to us or appears to us-- some of them silly, some of them scary, some of them profound-- all of them simply masks. The mask of God, or our perception of Him, is often the hardest thing of all to get past in a true search to touch the Divine. In a sense it gives us permission and encouragement to study and appreciate all forms of religious practise, without ever asking one to give up one's deeply-held beliefs. Indeed, no matter what where one goes to worship or what label one claims to denote one's religious philosophy, this series will help you appreciate your own beliefs even more. Watch this series and free your mind; remember that God is infinite and none have grasped His Magnificence in all of its myriad forms-- setting your attitudes free will make Him visible in more ways than ever before. Prepare for an incredible journey.

The Power of Myth
In The Power of Myth: The Hero's Adventure the show's host, Bill Moyers, interviews Joseph Campbell in Northern California on the set of George Lucas' Skywalker Ranch. Campbell is considered to be the mastermind of modern mythology. The way he expresses mythology just touches my heart with passion.

The interview is conducted at Skywalker Ranch because of one of the main themes of this movie, which is how George Lucas' Star Wars movies can link to some of the world's oldest mythological accounts. The movie shows many clips from some of the best Star Wars movies. These clips give us examples of the ideas of mythology used to make the Star Wars movies. Campbell does a good job of showing how the myths he told about in the interview relate to the Star Wars Clips.

In the movie, Campbell shows how many religions are very similar. He talks about how Jesus, Moses, Jonah (when he is inside of the whale), and Buddha are very similar because they are all people that have to be proven as heroes through a number of events or tests. He does a good job on the explanation of how religions can be very alike.

The movie is very informative in the educational values of mythology. It shows how Joseph Campbell does very well in knowing and helping others in trying to learn about the key points of mythology. Campbell sounds like he is a man of great knowledge of the mythological perspectives of life.

Over all, the movie seems to be very informative, but boring. It is very repetitive in its information. I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone if they were just going to watch it for pleasure. I would mainly use this movie for educational purposes inside of the school or in any other way possible.

The Greatest Story Ever Told!!!
I believe that Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth was a very insightful tool that has taught me about the needs of and purposes for myths. I never really considered why we had myths and to be true I never really cared. But after I watched Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth, I was stunned by the connections I could draw from the movie to my own life. This movie really opened my eyes in the purpose and course of action of human behavior. The analogies and real life situations Joseph Campbell gave in his explanation of what it is to be a hero showed me that there is a bit of hero in us all.

I am in an honors English class and we were supposed to watch this movie to find out what a true hero really was. I was expecting a dull, boring movie that would make you want to fall asleep. What I got was an amazingly emotional film that made me think about my surroundings and my future.

Mr. Campbell describes the life of a hero as a cycle of going away and coming back. He says that the hero starts his journey with a certain sense of consciousness and at the end of the journey he gains a greater sense of consciousness and understanding. That is what all myths deal with, the transformation of consciousness by trials. The hero shows his purity through his determination and, if necessary, the sacrifice of his life to something bigger than himself.

Joseph Campbell's ability to make people stop and think about the myths on which their lives are composed of is unbelievable. Mr. Campbell is an amazing man, I am very impressed with the unfathomable amount of information on myths he has consumed over his very extensive carrier.

Once again, I would like to salute Joseph Campbell on his beautiful explanation of what it is to be a hero. I am truly a different person after watching his video.

An incredible documentary and interview!!
I watch this program whenever it appears on PBS, it was an incredible program, as one viewer stated it is a movie - that is wrong, this was not a movie. It was documentary/educational exploration of the myths of many cultures. Mythology is humanity's universal method of seeking the transcendental, and "follow your bliss" is the timeless formula for spiritual satisfaction. Campbell himself is the embodiment of these themes, an erudite scholar and quintessential storyteller, recalling a wide spectrum of myths from throughout history (Japanese, Native American, Egyptian, Mayan, and many more) to illustrate humankind's eternal quest to grasp the mysteries of creation. Historical artifacts and illustrations bring these timeless stories to life. Bill Moyers is an excellent, skillful interviewer. I own the DVD and have purchase it for family members, so they may experience new thoughts, new ideas, and also the incredible art of interviewing. Enjoy it and watch if frequently, it does put life and mythology into perspective. It is an aincredible expeience. I highly recommend it.

A profound and beautiful view of existence
In this brilliant series of interviews (vividly illustrated by film footage of rituals and artwork from the world over), Joseph Campbell invites us to transcend ordinary activities motivated by fear, greed, and societal constraints in favor of more heartfelt modes of being and thinking that connect us with the divine, by which he means the awe and mystery of the universe. He has the prodigious breadth of knowledge to see universal themes where many see only bizarre cultural differences. He discusses what the cave paintings at Lascaux have in common with Chartres cathedral, why the paintings of Picasso and Klee, and the writings of Joyce and Mann, serve the same role in society as the rituals of Native Americans and Australian Aborigines, and how western society has become largely estranged from nature and thereby from authentic culture, mythology, and ritual. His central point is that all genuine myths lead us to an understanding of the divine; that the divine is perhaps best defined as the experience available to each one of us of the sheer rapture and existence; and that each moment of consciousness is also an experience of eternity. He doesn't pretend to have all the answers, but he asks the profound questions about human nature and the universe, and discusses them as intelligently as anyone I've ever encountered. ... Read more

Description

" His pacifist philosophy brought one of the world's great powers to itsknees.He proved that violence is not the only road to change. Mahatma Gandhi's lifewas a study in contrast and paradox.He saw himself as doing God's work, yetrecognized only personal conscience as the highest authority.He was a charismaticleader of millions who confounded intellectuals.He took a vow of abstinence, but in oldage welcomed young women into his bed!BIOGRAPHY profiles the small man whotook a great nation on his shoulders and changed the world.Trace his rise to power andfearless campaign of truth, non-violence and non-cooperation with injustice that defeatedthe British Empire.Biographers offer insight into his surprising personal life, whilehistorians explore his remarkable accomplishments.Hear from his grandson, ArunGandhi, and, in a rare interview, the Dalai Lama reflects on Gandhi's incredible life andenduring legacy. From the formation of his philosophy to changing the face of the world,this is the complete saga of the Pilgrim of Peace Mahatma Gandhi." ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Reveals the Mahatma for the human being he was
I enjoyed BIOGRAPHY - MAHATMA GANDHI because it shows Gandhi in both his greatness and his humanness. I believe that Gandhi's legacy is best preserved by remembering that he was, after all, only human. The sense I got from viewing this documentary is that the liberation of India from the British empire was just one aspect of Gandhi's quest for truth, almost an outgrowth of his inner spiritual battles. I don't think he set out to be "the Mahatma." He even writes in his autobiography THE STORY OF MY EXPERIMENTS WITH TRUTH that the title "Mahatma" (meaning "great soul") often caused him pain because he didn't want to be seen as above others in stature or spiritual enlightenment.

There are several people interviewed in BIOGRAPHY - MAHATMA GANDHI, reporters, biographers, politicians, even the Dalai Lama provides some brief comments (he mentions that deep conviction is necessary in order to maintain a nonviolent movement). But the two interviews that make the strongest impact are those with Arun Gandhi, Grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and founder of the "M. K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence" headquartered in Memphis, TN., and Lady Pamela Hicks, daughter of Earl Mountbatten (the last Viceroy of India). Both Arun Gandhi and Lady Pamela Hicks comment on something the Mahatma is not often known for: a sense of humor. Hicks says that his humor was almost "wicked," and Arun comments that the Mahatma got a good laugh out of the fact that some reporters made fun of him for supposedly looking like a monkey. "'Here's your monkey,' Grandfather would say."

Disappointing -- Other Gandhi Material is Much Better
I consider myself a serious student of the life of Mahatma Gandhi, and to some extent, a formal researcher... I loved Attenborough's movie -- though sentimental in spots, I believe it captured the essence of Gandhi, based on everything else I have studied about him. This documentary seemed a bit obsessed with the "journalistic" need to balance out their overview of Gandhi by outlining semi-deprecating hearsay alongside accolades. Gandhi wasn't perfect -- but please, be sure your facts are straight when reporting! For instance, Gandhi is alleged to have "slept naked with young Hindu girls" later in life to test his commitment to celibacy. Personally, I don't care who or what Gandhi slept (or whatever) with, or didn't (and I believe it was "didn't", per his celibacy vow), so I don't see this as a "slur" per se -- it's just as far as I know, it's simply inaccurate. In several other well-known volumes on Gandhi, his true nature of complete asexuality was expressed both by himself and close associates, and based on his entire life, it's unlikely he would "test" himself in this manner. Still, if you are unfamiliar with Gandhi, this could be a good introduction -- but again, I recommend the movie by Attenborough as being much better, and ironically (for a studio release) more accurate!!

A classic of its time!
This film on Gandhi's life is a classic. Mr Attenborough did a fantastic job in bring this 'documentary' to the screen. Ben Kingsley who plays 'Gandhi' could not