Search - America Stories of War on DVD

100 hours of military history documentaries

Annie Van Auken | Planet Earth | 01/17/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"AMERICA: STORIES OF WAR from MILL CREEK ENTERTAINMENT is a 24 disc war documentary set-- a total of 100 hours of programming. All DVDs are single-side, dual-layer recorded. Several of the documentaries included here are licensed exclusively to this manufacturer. Audio and video transfer quality is generally quite good, but does depend in some cases on condition of vintage stock footage.

This package is also available in combination with the COMBAT CLASSICS 50 MOVIE PACK in the AMERICA: STORIES OF WAR 36 DVD COLLECTION. This unique set comes stored in a sturdy replica ammo box, along with a 40-page contents booklet.


Overview of DOCUMENTARIES--

AMERICA DIVIDED (2008) - Includes vintage maps, photos, newspapers and art, plus re-enactor footage and animated break-downs of troop movements during battle. Narration: Ray Foushee. Superior transfer quality.

THE WAR TO END WAR (2008) - Rare vintage films and photos, plus animated maps tell the story of the first global conflict of 1914-18. Narrator: Fred North. Good quality transfer.

GREAT BATTLES OF WORLD WAR II - Various contemporary U.S. gov't and studio shorts report the war's progress. Most show actual battle footage captured by Signal Corp and other cameramen. With contributions from Hollywood actors, directors and crews. Most films are in remarkably good condition for their age.

WAR IN EUROPE and WAR IN THE PACIFIC - "Europe" consists of 26 chapters while "Pacific" has 24. Certain segments appear dark. Some include modern narration. Hard to identify these as none have original credits. "Mill Creek" logo appears on-screen occasionally.

VICTORY AT SEA - Award-winning half-hour series first broadcast on the NBC-TV network in 1952. Scored by Richard Rodgers, with narration provided by Leonard Graves. Original films are well-preserved. Audio is muffled on some episodes.

THE FORGOTTEN WAR - Includes chapters of TV series "The Big Picture" that originally aired beginning in 1953, plus a John Ford-directed color documentary (that's blurry), Some titles have muffled sound, other appear grayish.

AMERICA'S CONFLICT - Color and b&w government-produced films of varying transfer quality are quite interesting overall. Famous actors contribute narration for some.


FOR CHAPTER TITLES ON ALL DOCUMENTARIES, SEE COMMENT #1
(Link for this is located directly below)"