Dogfights - The Complete Season One (History Channel) (2006) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The History Channel's "Dogfights" series is a huge step forward for air combat documentaries. Rarely can gun camera footage capture what actually happened in a dogfight. Instead you just see the final couple seconds before the target explodes. The "Dogfights" episodes overcome this limitation by adding in computer-generated reenactments of the air battles that make you feel like you are there watching it all unfold right in front of you. You come away with a much better appreciation of the tactics. For archival footage fans, don't worry--there is still plenty of that in these programs. But because they also have the vivid computer imagery, the episodes don't have to rely on showing the same stock footage over and over and over. I especially appreciated this for the jet era battles, where there is generally a short supply of good footage. In particular, I thought the "Mig Alley" episode was a tremendous improvement over previous pre-CGI documentaries about the air war in Korea. And in that episode, the reenactment of Robby Risner's epic mission is the most incredible air battle story I have ever seen.
The whole series is amazing. It is absolutely essential viewing for anyone interested in air combat. That said, let me also offer three minor warnings:
1. Air battles in Europe during World War 2 get surprisingly little coverage in Season 1--only a episode of "Greatest Air Battles" bonus episode and a flashback in the "Air Ambush" episode about Robin Olds. Likewise, World War I air combat is not covered except at the beginning of the "Greatest Air Battles" episode.
2. There is a glitch on the "Greatest Air Battles" episode. When I hit 'play all' or 'introduction' for that episode, it starts with Rickenbacker's mission. It seems like the logical starting point, but that isn't actually the start of the episode. There is a lot of interesting material before that, but you have to manually rewind in order to get the real beginning of the episode.
3. When last I checked, you could get "Dogfights" for much less money from Deep Discount.
Finally, if you want to learn more about the dogfights of World War 2, I strongly recommend VICTORY ROLL by William Wolf. This massive book (460+ pages with over 600 photos) is the most comprehensive history of all the US aces from World War 2 that I have ever encountered.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Dogfights - The Complete Season One (History Channel) (2006)

DOGFIGHTS:COMPLETE SEASON ONE - DVD Movie

Get 68% OFF

Click here for more information about Dogfights - The Complete Season One (History Channel) (2006)

Korea - The Forgotten War (History Channel) (2005) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have been fascinated with the Korean War since a grade schooler in the early 60's. I spent three seperate one year tours in South Korea in the 70's and 80's while in the U.S. Army, and toured some of the battlefields while there.
I purchased this in 1987 on VHS and really enjoyed it then. But, it does lack punch. There are no interviews of surviving veterans on either side. The work only covers the most basic points of the war and never goes into some of the more controversial incidents. (1). The brutality of the Rhee regime (Who the U.S. supported). (2). The poor performance of the U.S. Army combat units (3). The collaboration of U.S. POWs with their communist captors (which resulted in the Code of Conduct). (4). Why such a modern military force as the U.N., with all it's fire power, was forced to retreat from a bunch of "pajama clad" Chinese, who had no heavy artillery or air support. But, as always Robert Stack is an excellent narrator, and the war is presented in chronological order with decent (somewhat grainy) black and white footage.
The DVD is only 100 minutes long, so they did what they could in that amount of time.
There is so much more to that war than is covered here. For some good reading Donald Knox and Max Hastings both wrote excellent books. I give this DVD 3 1/2 stars.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Korea - The Forgotten War (History Channel) (2005)

Item Name: Korea - The Forgotten War (History Channel); Studio:A&E Home Video

Get 52% OFF

Click here for more information about Korea - The Forgotten War (History Channel) (2005)

Gun Camera (2007) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I own dozens of war and aviation related documentaries, many of which are boring and monotonous. This is not one of them.
"Gun Camera" is a very interesting compilation of actual gun camera footage from World War Two, Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf Wars. Historians, analysts, and pilots provide commentary for the footage, which includes strafing trains and bombing ships in WW2, aerial dogfights in Korea, bombing jungles in Vietnam, and using smart bombs to take out strategic targets in Iraq.
My only complaints with the production are, 1) the repetitive aircraft information, which, although interesting, doesn't have a lot to do with the footage (many of the deleted scenes are more interesting), and, 2) the realism that is lost when sound effects (guns firing and explosions) are added to the normally silent footage, with no acknowledgment made.
Regardless of whether those two things bother you or not, I would recommend this DVD. It kept me entertained for its entire 135 minutes.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Gun Camera (2007)

Experience the stunning real-life ferocity and destructive power of air warfare as seen through the "eyes" of military fighter jets flying deadly missions. These films captured by aircraft gun cameras have proved to be powerful witnesses to aerial combat since their introduction during World War II. Intended to record the accuracy and effectiveness of airborne weaponry and to confirm victories against enemy planes, this unbelievable footage of 20th century American attack missions is now available to all on DVD. Featuring: "Moving Targets:" The unwritten rule of war: if it moves, shoot it. From the speeding supply trains of World War II to the desperate convoys of the war in Iraq, discover details of a half-century of war, including a debriefing with a WWII ace and his gun camera footage. "Air Supremacy:" Experience 500-mph dog fights, deadly strafing airfield runs and the gritty 50-caliber hell of helicopter warfare in Vietnam. Also includes unforgettable film from famed WWII B-17 Bomber Memphis Belle -- actual combat footage dissected and analyzed for the first time! "Fixed Targets:" Embark on a search for the three B's: bunkers, bridges and buildings. Experience fixed target aerial assaults, including bombing runs over Europe and fiery attacks on the Vietnam jungle.

Get 33% OFF

Click here for more information about Gun Camera (2007)