Search - The Normans - The Complete Epic Saga on DVD

I liked it a lot

Gary S. Corbett | Mesquite,Texas,USA | 12/09/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Well,I'll have to give this production a big thumbs up.
I enjoyed it immensely.

If you are an avid student of history-which many here are-I doubt you'll learn much that's new to you.
But,if for no other reason,the thing is worth owning for the visuals,which are magnificent.
And yes,this type of production will seem familiar to anyone that watches The History Channel.
They used re-enactment groups for the battle scenes,which of course are never very realistic.No actual heads and arms being lopped off.But the regalia is all authentic,so you get an excellent visual sense of the era.
The Bayeux Tapestry footage is superb.

The disc is actually presented in 3 installments.
It shows the progression from Rollo down through William and on through the end,under John.
The main thing I'd never seen much about was the stuff about Robert Guiscard and Sicily.Never have really looked at that too closely,as my interests lie mainly in the goings-on in Northern Europe.The architecture and artwork shown from each era is all breathtaking.

My main quibble-and I'll probably be in the minority-is the soundtrack.It's like they are afraid of leaving much empty space.I always find it distracting while listening to narration,to have period instruments playing-too loudly-and singers singing-too loudly.It's like-enough is enough,ya know?
But then again,I'd rather listen to Muddy Waters singing Hoochie Coochie Man."

Pretty Good and focused

Merlin99 | New York | 02/19/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As a descendant of these people, I was fascinated by the focused telling of their story. Soundtrack could have been better, though."

Well done with a few caveats

Luis | Chile | 05/29/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"My so far brief reading and knowledge about Normans made me to get a copy of this 3-part documentary. What did I miss? The trilogy begins with the Battle of Hastings (invasion of England in 1066 by William the conqueror) and its immediate causes, but I was expecting a closer look into the previous origins of Normans. While it was not new for me, the second part dedicated to the Normans in southern Italy is quite interesting. Finally, I would say the few words about Richard the lion heart were a bit surprising to me (part 3). Overall then, I would recommend this documentary set as it is well done, with nice photography and entertaining narrative. While no subtitles are provided, the narrative and interviews are spoken in very clear English. Almost forgot, the medieval music used is really nice."