Going beyond being a mere travelogue, this ambitious documentary from the Discovery Channel seeks to portray the character of the Italian people. The focus is on representative Italians, including the artistic engineers ... more »who craft the Ferrari sports cars, a fashion designer, and fishermen in a small seaside village. The locations vary greatly, with the camera visiting the trendy cities of Rome and Milan, the gorgeous Mediterranean scenery of Sicily, and the astounding and stark beauty of the soaring Italian Alps. Narrated by actress Linda Hunt, this is an atmospheric view of Italians, and it probably wouldn't be very practical for those seeking an instructional travel tape. However, the locations visited in this video are, for the most part, beautiful, and the photography is often stunning--and just the spectacular camera work would make this documentary a treat for the eyes, if nothing else. But the interviews with Italians seek to provide a sampling of the national character, with the emphasis on exuberant and artistic living, national pride, and timeless family traditions. As one interview subject puts it, Italians always strike "a rare blend of art and life." This production serves up a sumptuous sampling of Italian life. --Robert J. McNamara« less
"A beautiful production from Discovery Channel - it might seem like Ferrari picked up the tab, but is that a bad thing? Divided into segments on various aspects of the Italian "mystique", you first get a quick and colorful history of Ferrari, followed by excellent and thoughtful looks at fashion, a Sicilian fishing village with its traditions threatened by modern life, a reknowned photographer in Cortina, and a capsule look at Venice through the eyes of a local. Beautifully filmed overall, with some choice nuggets. I am anxious to show this to many friends who know and love Italy - I'm sure it will please both the sophisticated Italophile and the initiate."
The italians
Dharma Tellez | Washington | 04/01/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This DVD goes beyond the everyday travel documentary which this is not. This film takes you into the spirit and the soul of the italian people. It's characters como alive and make you feel this wonderful country. It must seen but everyone who has been or going to Italy for the first time. This is a diferent look of Italy."
I think the other guy missed the point
Loye W Miller III | Washington, DC USA | 02/09/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Personally speaking I have a deep love for this film and I have watched it many times. Perhaps the other person who offers a review here missed some of the essential elements of Italian culture and style that are permeated through this film. I think that this program offers more than a little insight to the country and the people there, their ways of life and phliosophy of living. I also believe that the the cinematography is stunning and that the DVD is a great value. Even if you remove the Ferrari sections (which do say a lot about the country for those who might get it), this is a great film and should be seen by all who love this great country.I'm happy to pay $15 just to be able to view the Venice scenes over and over. I've never seen another film that comes close to the richness of the photography in "The Italians"."
You will fall in-Love with this dvd
David Jalali | Arlington, Virginia | 02/06/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I bought this dvd just to get a feel for Italy, since it had been a few years since my last visit there. I was very happy with this dvd. Its a very high quality done story with a GREAT section on Ferrari!!! I bought this dvd not even knowing it had a very cool backround on Ferrari and the making of the 550 Marranello(sp?). In fact, this is the single BEST video I have ever seen on Ferrari!!! If your a die hard car fan - you MUST see this dvd. The other stories on Italy and being Italian are done very well too! In short I was really blown away by this well done video. You won't regret buy it. I am proud to say it sits in the top shelf of my dvd video collection."