Crusades

Starring:Terry Jones, Anthony Smee, Steve Purbrick, Marcello Marascalchi, Robin Sebastian, Kate Binchy, Suheil Zakkan, Christopher Tyerman, David Lazenby, Reinhard Reiner, Norbert Langer, Steven Runciman, Rotraut Ziffer, Victor Cousin, JaromÃr Borek
Director: David Wallace (II), Alan Ereira
Studio: A&E Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
Of all the wars waged in the name of God, none has ever matched the arrogance and conceit of the Christian Crusades. For nearly two centuries (1095-1291), this medieval "holy war" variously raged, sometimes so spiritually misshapen by rapaciousness, murder, and political greed that to think it all had to do with Christian faith is absurd. And really, there is no one better to dramatize such a theater of holy war than Wales-born Terry Jones, host of The Discovery Channel's Ancient Inventions and an accomplished medievalist. Best known for his absurdist contributions to all things Monty Python--he was a founding member of Monty Python's Flying Circus and cowriter of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Life of Brian, and Monty Python's The Meaning of Life, among others--Jones wields an uncanny ability to explain the methodologies and madness of the Crusades while not failing us his sense of humor.

Jones wrote the scripts for each 50-minute presentation in the four volumes of The Crusades, which originally aired on The History Channel. His narration is not without an occasional sardonic air, almost of the roll-your-eyes type, which not only lends a skeptical perspective to a frequently misunderstood era in Western Europe, but also quite frequently editorializes the events that occurred between Pope Urban II's call for liberation of Jerusalem from the "infidels" of Islam and the embarrassing moment when officers of the fourth Crusade are conned out of its divine calling by the Venetians. While Jones's reconnaissance is sometimes oversimplified by casually not mentioning several Crusade sorties after the fourth (there were several, but by the 13th century they had become redolent of ennui and misguided commercial adventure), the technical ingenuity of the production and Jones's use of anecdote backed by academicians and preserved eyewitness accounts cinches a viewer's interest. Medieval "siege machines" are re-created to test their mettle against legends of famous battles, Jones dons real 11th- and 12th-century armor to demonstrate the outlandish appearance of Crusaders in the lands of Mohammed, mosaics come to life with body-painted characters of medieval fable, and computer graphics are deployed to re-create the interior of the great cathedral at Cluny.

All these elements are contrasted with intermezzos of contemporary European and Middle Eastern society and a moving original soundtrack to make The Crusades a thoroughly engaging documentary of the bloodletting of medieval Christian conquests and the ultimate result of Islamic fanaticism born from its crimson tide. In Jones's own words at the end of Volume IV: "It took 200 years for the Crusaders to create [this] Muslim fanaticism. It was the exact imitation of Christian intolerance." To understand the effects of the Crusades is to understand much of today's religious geography, and Mr. Jones and company can fairly lay claim to having helped set the record straight. --Jamie Friddle
Description
This acclaimed productioned worldwide by mystery fans. A & E Home Video presents the second DVD collection, featuring five feature-film adaptations of Miss Marple's greatest mysteries on three discs. It's hour of great whodunits for all ages!

The History Channel Presents The Crusades - Crescent & The Cross
Average customer rating:

Too One Sided - In Favor Of Islam

Indispensable documentary

History on a small budget.

If there were a rating lower than 1 I would give it.

A Collision of Two Great Faiths, the Clash Between the Crescent and the Cross. This was the Crusades.

The History Channel Presents The Crusades - Crescent & The Cross
Starring: Rosa Maria Sardà , Elvira Mínguez , and Ricard Borrás
Manufacturer: A&E Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000BB1520
Release Date: 2005-12-26

Amazon.com

The Christian invaders were regarded as infidels. The Arabs were scorned as lawless pagans. The Westerners saw their quest as literally a sanctified crusade, while the Muslims launched their own holy war, called a jihad, in retaliation. Sound familiar? It should, because although the events depicted in the History Channel's The Crusades - Crescent & The Cross took place nearly a thousand years ago, they are but a distant mirror to what's going on in the Middle East right now. This two-part, three-hour program, released here on two discs (the second includes over an hour of bonus material), impressively details all three Crusades, starting in the late 11th Century, when Pope Urban II dispatched a huge force to reclaim Jerusalem, which had been under Muslim control for some 400 years. For the knights and others who made the journey, it was a noble spiritual quest, not to mention an escape from Europe's petty wars and famines; in the end, the fact that many of them were greedy butchers who murdered Muslims, Jews, and even other Christians indiscriminately (sometimes even eating the flesh of the vanquished) detracted not at all from their conviction that they were acting in the name of God. Of course, so were the Muslims, who, after the bloody first crusade succeeded in seizing the holy city, mounted a massive counterattack under leaders like Nur al-din and his son Saladin, who managed to take back Jerusalem (from whence Mohammed was said to have ascended to heaven) and hold on to it through the failed second and third crusades, the latter led by England's Richard the Lionheart.

All of this is presented by way of techniques that will be recognizable to History Channel buffs. They include modern-day historians, who re-trace the routes of the crusaders and examine the ancient sites where the action took place, as well as actors who portray characters of the time (chroniclers, knights, and others); numerous re-enactments, aided by excellent cinematography and skillful use of CGI (whereby a few dozen extras could be made to look like many thousands), vividly illustrate the battles and other events that took place during this roughly 200-year period. Add to that a bonus documentary about the Knights Templar (the soldier-monks in charge of protecting the Kingdom of Jerusalem) and a decent "making of" documentary, and you have an absorbing, enlightening look at events that prove one thing above all: the more things change, the more they stay the same. --Sam Graham

Product Description

THE CRUSADES: CRESCENT AND THE CROSS presents the epic battle between two Middle Age superpowers, the Christian Crusaders and the Muslims. Fought over two centuries, the conflict decided the fate of the Holy Lands of the Middle East, a tiny strip of land only a few hundred miles long, but containing the ultimate prize - the city of Jerusalem.

This documentary tells the story of the key personalities of the First, Second, and Third Crusades - popes, kings, sultans and knights who, in the name of God, ruthlessly fought for land and power. Experience the murder, treachery and bloodshed of this legendary chapter of history through the eyes of key historical figures such as Richard the Lionheart and Saladin, King Louis VII and Nur al-Din .

With breathtaking CGI-enhanced visuals, heart-pounding re-enactments, and stunning footage from rarely seen locations, CRUSADES: CRESCENT AND THE CROSS brings the first three Crusades alive, offering fresh insight for a new generation in conflict.

System Requirements:

Running Time 180 Mins.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Customer Reviews:

Too One Sided - In Favor Of Islam.......2007-02-25

I am sorry we wasted our money on this as it does not tell the whole story - especially Islam's role leading up to the cause of the Crusades. For instance NOTHING was mentioned about the 7,000 Christian pilgrims ambushed on their way to worship in Jersulem in 1064-1065 BEFORE the 1st Crusade. The Muslims slaughtered many by ripping them to pieces. Christians now had even more reason then ever to go to war to recapture what was taken from them by force centuries ago. Also, what about how the Christians suffered centuries of violent persecution as well as destruction of Christian holy sites at the hands of Muslims prior to the Crusades? The Christians as a result were forced into adopting the Muslim doctrine of "Holy War". History Channel - shame on you for for being so biased.

Indispensable documentary.......2007-01-19

Excellent footage and overview of the history and peoples that clashed so violently. Many lessons to be learned naturally emerge from this documentary.

History on a small budget........2007-01-10

In the era of computer generated armies, dinosaurs, and natural disasters, a fine story deserved a little more umph. It was very obvious that the History Channel did not have the means to duplicate the impact of motion pictures like Kingdom of Heaven. I had a feeling I was watching 20 high school students acting a period piece. The thousands of crusading soldiers attaking Saladin's army looked more like 50 out of work extras doing their best.
Visually a disappointment, but the story remains as relevant now as the year 1097 .

If there were a rating lower than 1 I would give it........2006-12-29

The History Channel's portrayal was disappointing. The Crusader's were portrayed as barbarians, while the Muslims portrayed as victims. The HC fails to mention the hundreds of years of Muslim conquest and belligerence, which the Crusades attempted to stop, or at least slow down. The Christian side was represented by a man, William of Tyre, who appeared to be a lunatic....in a dark cellar....very creepy looking. The Muslims were always shown in beautiful flowing and colorful garments, in bright beautiful palaces. The implications were so obvious and dissapointing. The Christian attacks were "unprovoked and viscious" while the Muslim attacks were defensive.
Re-writing history to appease today's audiance is a terrible injustice. This documentary was such a disappointment because I do enjoy the History Channel. But this makes me wonder what else are they exagerating in the name of policital correctness? I will likely continue to watch the HC, but its reputation, in my eyes, has been tarnished.

A Collision of Two Great Faiths, the Clash Between the Crescent and the Cross. This was the Crusades........2006-12-11

For thousands of years the Holy Lands of the Middle East have run with blood. Here the scars of battle fought between three of the world's great religions are etched into the earth. But, the deepest wound was made by a war between Christian and Muslim began at the close of the eleventh century and fought for 200 years.

Now this Holy War has passed into legend, but there were those who saw it with their own eyes; great chroniclers from two different worlds, Christian and Muslim, who wrote of great deeds, great battles, great warriors and men who would lay down their lives for their God.

This was the collision of two great faiths, the clash between the Crescent and the Cross. This was the Crusades.

"The Crusades: Crescent & The Cross" is a 2-DVD set. The first disc discusses the First Crusade, beginning with the call of Pope Urban II. The second half of the first disc discusses the Second and Third Crusades. As is expected with productions made by the History Channel the story is focused on providing accurate history, yet told in an entertaining manner.

The first disc of the set has a running time of about 180 minutes.

The second disc in "The Crusades: Crescent & The Cross" consists of "History in the Making: The Crusades" which shows how the History Channel went about making the first disc of the set. It shows how the reenactments were stages, and the locations and computer animations used in the production.

Also on the second disc of the set is "The Knights Templar" providing a brief look at the origins and mysteries of the Crusade's mightiest warriors.

When considering the Knights Templar it has long been established that Templars led diplomatic missions to the courts of Arab princes and learned the Arabic language. They may have also had dealings with a fanatical drug taking sect known as Hashashiyyin, whose name passed into English as assassins. The Templars certainly had extensive connections with Islamic and Judaic cultures, and may have absorbed a great deal of their cultures.

It is rumored that the Templar's Muslim and Jewish friends were teaching them the ancient wisdom of the East; secret arts such as alchemy, astrology, and numerology, and some believe they delved even deeper into forbidden rites and knowledge.

What this forbidden knowledge is and how it was used by the Templars is introduced in the second disc of The Crusades Crescent and The Cross.

The second disc in the set runs for about 70 minutes.

Entertaining, Educational, and Highly Recommended.

Islam: What the West Needs to Know - An examination of Islam, Violence, and the Fate of the Non-Muslim World.

Average customer rating:

This is what the west needs to know!!
A MUST SEE!
Balanced and fair documentary
Peaceful Religion?
Political Correctness is killing America

Islam: What the West Needs to Know - An examination of Islam, Violence, and the Fate of the Non-Muslim World.
Director: Quixotic Media , and Gregory M. Davis & Bryan Daly
Manufacturer: Quixotic Media
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

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Religion | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

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The Truth About Muhammad: Founder of the World's Most Intolerant Religion
Because They Hate: A Survivor of Islamic Terror Warns America
The Politically Incorrect Guide(tm) to Islam (and the Crusades) (Politically Incorrect Guides)
America Alone: The End of the World as We Know It
Religion of Peace?: Islam's War Against the World

Product Features:

*** trailer at YOUTUBE.COM and Google Video ***
98 min documentary movie
biographies
additional resources
www.WhatTheWestNeedsToKnow.com

ASIN: B000H0UPKI

Product Description

"Islam: What the West Needs to Know" opened in select US theaters in July 2006. /// "This documentary sets out to investigate the notion that Islam is a 'religion of peace' and explore the widely circulated idea that those who commit violent acts in the name of Islam are a fanatic few. The filmmakers try to hold Islam's own sources to the light to make the controversial claim that the religion is actually driven by a violent, expansionary ideology that seeks to conquer any contradictory religion, culture, and, ultimately, government." --Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide /// "The film is quietly persuasive in its arguments and if half of what these experts assert is true, the world is in for decades of bloody strife..." --Richard Knight, Jr, www.knightatthemovies.com /// "What they have to say is very interesting and, on occasion, nothing short of mind-blowing." --Gwinnett Daily Post /// "Sept. 11, 2001 triggered a genre of films and books that all ask: why do they hate us? Because they are Muslims following in Mohammed's footsteps is the answer given by first-time producers-directors Gregory M. Davis and Bryan Daly in this alarmist documentary." --Chicago Sun-Times /// "...even those who don't share the perspective of the filmmakers will find themselves face to face with some disconcerting and thought-provoking suppositions, sure to fuel lively discussions about religion, politics, terrorism and war." --Atlanta-Journal Constitution /// "...if their central thesis is true -- and it's worth considering -- then this is the most horrific film of the 21st century so far." --The Charlotte Observer

Customer Reviews:

This is what the west needs to know!!.......2007-07-09

A couple of years ago I decided I needed to become informed regarding Islam, so began. All told I guess I've read about 40 books and now have a pretty good idea about what it is. The first book I went out and bought and read, was the Koran, because I thought l may as well go to the source and get the info straight.

Contra earlier reviewers - `Ehab M. Omar "Newman"', `Dr Saleem Ahmed', `Sky Lion "SkyLion"' - reading the Koran did not convert me, nor was it a magic bullet, knock over evidence in favour of Islam. In fact, to quote Thomas Carlyle as quoted in the excellent book `Secrets of the Koran' by Don Richardson, the Koran is "A wearisome jumble, crude, incondite [with] endless iterations [and] longwindedness...Nothing but a sense of duty could carry any European through the Koran.' And so it was with me. I slogged through it, not because it was brilliant, gripping, diverse literature - it most certainly is not, rather drab and uniform from beginning to end - nor because despite its hell fire and damnation on virtually every page, it had the ring of truth and the divine about it - it most certainly did not. It is the most turgid, boring, incomprehensible writing I have ever read. And according to Richardson, it is even more incomprehensible in Arabic! It is more comprehensible in translation because at least in a translation, the translator tries to make what is being translated comprehensible! But then of course, a translation is not THE Koran, as only the Koran in Arabic - the holy tongue - is the Koran, so I never really read the Koran did I, and no one who does not know Arabic can do so!

(Saleem; where did you get that ridiculous statistic that 3 out of 4 people who read the Koran accept Islam? I'm sure that huge numbers of Westerners have read the Koran in the last few years, though have not been converted but repulsed by it. I imagine like me they read it so as to become informed.)

Well...in my reading I came to cut through all the baloney being put out by idiot PC Western leaders who to this day keep assuring us that Islam is a `religion of peace', and that it is only a few disaffected Moslems who have hijacked the `great religion' who are a threat to the West. It became abundantly clear, that it is Islam itself, built on the explicit teachings of the Koran and Hadith's, and on the example of the Islamic `perfect man', Mohammed, which is the threat. 1400 years of these explicit teachings and example being followed has wreaked death, destruction, and slavery on an mind numbing scale, over vast areas. And today the same is occurring all around the world. When a bomb goes off somewhere, you can almost guarantee, 99 times out of 100, Moslems planted it.

The talk today about moderate/peaceful Moslems and radical/jihadist/terrorist Moslems, is I think a false dichotomy. Rather what you have are inconsistent Moslems and consistent Moslems - and the consistent, orthodox ones are the radicals/jihadists because they follow the Koran and example of Mohammed, and the others, for whatever reason, don't. The only place it appears you can have `reformist' Muslims is in the West because in Islamic countries, reformists end up dead as heretics. But then in the West you have the out-working of `taqiyya' - Muslim lying to further the Islamic cause. At the end of the day, can any Muslim in the West be trusted? With taqiyya as a Mohammed established/authorised doctrine, I don't see how they can be.

So...when I heard that `Islam: What the West Needs to Know', was available, I purchased it immediately, and it confirmed what I had already discovered. It is not entertainment, nor can be called a nice dvd, but never the less should be required viewing. It has no razzamatazz or glitz whatever, but is solid information from beginning to end. The jutaposition of Western leaders making their starry-eyed public statements, with blunt statements of Islamic authorties contradicting them was most enlightening. (Where do Western leaders get their information from? Muslims practising taqiyya?) The technical quality could be improved, but that should not get in the way, nor be allowed to. The content is clear and unemotional, coming from people who know the subject inside out. And, with it simply examining the actual words of Islamic authorities, and avoiding secondhand or adversarial sources, it plays the strongest hand possible. I highly recommended it.

(I would suggest to the makers of it - perhaps they are already planning or working on this - that they put out a second version with upgraded illustrations and more of them. When anything can be illustrated it should be. This would make it more accessible for more people and be more visually interesting.)

A MUST SEE!.......2007-05-17

No one should miss this. Educated info. NO scare tactics. Just info!

Balanced and fair documentary.......2007-04-11

Since Islam is in the media so often, it is important to become acquainted with an acurate history and representation, or else succomb to various distortions within our society.

This documentary is very well balanced and fair, judging from all the history I have read in the past couple years from my curiousity of Islam. Distortions about Islam are discussed, as well as an explanation of Islam using its own sources, and some historical examples for context.

It is documentary style, not "Hollywood", so don't expect superb graphics. For the specific focus of the documentary, it is well done. Indeed, I strongly recommend this documentary because there are things that our western society needs to understand about Islam, that are not compatible with our values, and we cannot afford to be deceived in this respect.

Peaceful Religion?.......2007-04-05

There are many peaceful Muslims but the religion is not peaceful. Islam in its radical form seeks world domination through violence if necessary. World peace will be achieved after Islam dominates and non-Muslims are subjugated to second-class status (dhimmis). This is what I learned after viewing this DVD. I would like to see wide spread viewing of this DVD through the Western world.

Political Correctness is killing America.......2007-04-04

This is a must see DVD that all of our politicians, mainstream media, professors, teachers, pastors, priests, rabbi's, etc., really to see to better understand the threat to the World by the followers of Islam.

Wake up America before it is too late!

The Cecil B. DeMille Collection (Cleopatra/ The Crusades/ Four Frightened People/ Sign of the Cross/ Union Pacific)

Average customer rating:

only applies to 2, but watch them all
Great Fun from a Master
Cecil B. DeMille Collection
Interesting Mix
DeMille's baths were a very real contribution to the sexuality of the screen...

The Cecil B. DeMille Collection (Cleopatra/ The Crusades/ Four Frightened People/ Sign of the Cross/ Union Pacific)
Starring: Cecil B. DeMille , Loretta Young , Henry Wilcoxon , Ian Keith , and C. Aubrey Smith
Director: Paul Sotoff
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000E8JO32
Release Date: 2006-05-23

Amazon.com

One of Hollywood's greatest showmen gets a worthy showcase in The Cecil B. De Mille Collection, consisting of five of the legendary producer-director's most characteristic films. As noted by David Thomson in his influential book A Biographical Dictionary of Film, "De Mille's movies are barnstormers, rooted in Victorian theatre, shamelessly stereotyped and sentimental, but eagerly courting 20th-century permissiveness, if only solemnly to condemn it." That's an apt description of the films included in this nicely packaged box set, which offers no extras beyond the films themselves. Thomson is equally accurate in calling De Mille's films "simple, raw, pious, and jingoistic," but as these five well-preserved films make abundantly clear, De Mille was always a consummate entertainer. One of Hollywood's foremost pioneers, De Mille cut an iconic figure, single-handedly defining the archetypal image of the dictatorial director, complete with boots, jodhpurs and an ever-present riding crop to enforce his domineering authority. After failed attempts to work independently and, later, for MGM, De Mille found a permanent home at Paramount in 1932, and it's there that he made these five films (now owned by Universal as part of their pre-1948 Paramount library), which represent the glorious clash of Christian virtues, epic-scale production values, lurid sexuality, and self-important grandiosity that make De Mille's films so curiously (and in many cases hypocritically) enthralling.

The Sign of the Cross (1932) is quintessential De Mille, now famous for its pre-Code (i.e. pre-censorship) scene of peep-show nudity as Claudette Colbert (playing Poppaea, wife of Charles Laughton's Roman emperor Nero) takes a tantalizing bath in goat's milk, daring DVD viewers to freeze-frame "the naughty bits" while Roman prefect Marcus (Frederic March) struggles to reconcile his loyalty to Rome with his forbidden love for the Christian maiden Mercia (Elissa Landi), who's destined for the lion's den. Full of outrageous spectacle (including dwarves in the Roman arena), this blood-and-guts epic is pure De Mille compared to the more conventionally formulaic adventure of Four Frightened People (1934), also starring Colbert as one of the four titular characters shipwrecked on a remote Malay island (filmed at Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, in Hawaii) and forced to fend for themselves. It's a stodgy but frequently amusing adventure, with Colbert's uptight schoolmarm growing sexier and less inhibited with each passing scene. Colbert returns (De Mille obviously adored her) in the title role of Cleopatra (1934), easily seducing Marc Antony (played by De Mille favorite Henry Wilcoxon) in a film as lavishly appointed as it is melodramatically extreme. Wilcoxon pairs with Loretta Young in The Crusades (1935) with De Mille once again mixing piety with prurience in a religious epic that promises plenty of sex but, in classic De Mille fashion, remains steadfastly chaste. Union Pacific (from Hollywood's golden year of 1939) is a grandly entertaining Western that mangles history (specifically, events surrounding construction of the transcontinental railroad) while casting gunslingers Joel McCrea and Robert Preston in a contest for Barbara Stanwyck's affections.

Choosing a favorite among these five films is purely a matter of personal taste, but for all of his weaknesses as a director (not the least being a condescending and self-righteous arrogance toward his audience), De Mille was never, ever boring. These films helped to make Paramount the most profitable studio of the 1930s, and they hold up remarkably well. Despite the complete absence of bonus features (Universal once again taking the low-cost option with no-frills packaging), each film is presented in pristine or near-pristine condition, ripe for first-time viewing or nostalgic rediscovery by vintage film buffs everywhere.--Jeff Shannon

Description

Legendary filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille earned a place in cinematic history when he helped create Hollywood's first feature-length film, an event that established Hollywood as the motion picture capital of the world. A master of spectacular epics, his films garnered unparalled acclaim for their scope and grandeur. Now, for the first time ever, five of his most popular films are available in one premium DVD collection. Experience the breathtaking dangers and delights of ancient Rome in The Sign of the Cross; trek through a perilous jungle with Four Frightened People; thrill to the passion, suspense and intrigue of Cleopatra; journey back in time with the glorious story of The Crusades; and see how the West was really won in the explosive Union Pacific. With a glamorous roster of screen legends, including Claudette Colbert, Charles Laughton, Barbara Stanwyck, Anthony Quinn and many more, this 5-disc collection is a phenomenal reminder of the innovator who made moviemaking what it is today.

Customer Reviews:

only applies to 2, but watch them all.......2007-06-11

Cleopatra, 1934 - (****) - forget liz & dick! this is the version to see: all the excesses of de mille (how that man could cover up smut with righteousness, lol) and a tour-de-force performance by claudette colbert in the eponymous role, not to mention warren william and de mille stalwart henry wilcoxon as julius caesar and marc antony, both gleefully chewing up the over the top scenery. once you see that barge sequence (what ARE they doing there???) you will never forget it. first rate fun, and until "the ten commandments", arguably the directors best.

The Crusades, 1935 - (***) - henry wilcoxon is a fine richard the lion hearted, and ian keith a fine saladin, in cecil b de milles plea for tolerance. unfortunately, apart from the usual spectacle, the movie falls rather flat, probably victimized by the bland righteousness of leading lady loretta young: surely one of the more deservedly forgotten stars of hollywoods golden era. watch it for the size of the thing, but you might want to have a book handy during the dialogue sequences.

Great Fun from a Master.......2007-03-09

Cecil B. DeMille will never be viewed as a master of cinema along the lines of a John Ford, a Howard Hawkes, an Alfred Hitchcock, or a John Huston. But he did know how to delivery the goods. I do believe that anyone who love movies from the '30's and '40's will enjoy this collection.
For me the highlight of the collection is Claudette Colbert. She is so much fun to watch in both CLEOPATRA and SIGN OF THE CROSS. She is truly magnficent!!! And you can see why she was such a popular star. She may have won her Oscar for IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT, but her all-knowing performance as Cleopatra probably help cinch the award for her.

Cecil B. DeMille Collection.......2007-01-12

most of the movies in this collection where good and one i didn't like at all. it was a romance movie and i don't like those movies. I bought these movies because of the movie Cleopatra but it wasn't the movie i wanted, my mastake. you live and learn form youe mastakes.

Interesting Mix.......2007-01-10

I was never a De Mille fan but purchased this box set for "Union Pacific" (which I feel is his best film) and the restored "The Sign of the Cross" a film which is okay as a whole but very entertaining in certain sections and for Laughton's Nero. I was also impressed with this film's presentation of the Christians going into the arena not with brave smiles on their faces but rather with absolute terror. It's a very moving sequence. "Four Frightened People" is a curio; okay to see once but that's it. "Cleopatra" and "The Crusades" are ponderous and boring. The boxed sets have their downside in that the titles one wants might have to be purchased along with films that wouldn't normally be desired for one's collection. At least the unwanted films, whichever ones they may be for you, don't take up valuable storage space.

DeMille's baths were a very real contribution to the sexuality of the screen..........2006-12-24

Of the many screen incarnations of the romantically foolish, politically shrewd Egyptian queen, this was Cecil B. DeMille's... His Victorian puritan's approach to the sex and scandals surrounding Cleopatra's throne reflected her continuing appeal to the imagination - even if that imagination were really a childhood fantasy of adult desires...

Authenticity, except as decorative embroidery, took second place to his desire to capture her timeless appeal on film... Facts and figures may vary, fashions and desirable objects may be ever changing, but sex, sin and punishment make up a triangle of eternal allure...

Travis Banton's wardrobe transformed Claudette Colbert from a flirtatious star into a splendid, seductive woman with fanciful art direction... The film had the opulence, the barbarity, the epic sweep and shocking decadence of certain books and paintings that were at the heart of so much of this film...

The French-born, American-raised Claudette Colbert made three films with Cecil B. DeMille, but felt more comfortable in contemporary comedies, for one of which, 'It Happened One Night,' she won an Oscar, and in all of which she identified herself with the most American of American secretaries, sweethearts, wives and mothers...

Colbert's popularity lasted well into the fifties... but her magic rests with 'Cleopatra'.

Average customer rating:

Holy Hell
Warfare Goes Pythonesque
The Crusades: Falsehoods, Mispercetions, and Reality
The good, the bad, and the ugly, portrayed with impish humor
A Good Choice

Crusades
Starring: Terry Jones , Anthony Smee , Steve Purbrick , Marcello Marascalchi , and Robin Sebastian
Director: David Wallace (II) , and Alan Ereira
Manufacturer: A&E Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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The History Channel Presents The Crusades - Crescent & The Cross
Christianity-The First Two Thousand Years
Rome - Power & Glory
In Search of History - The Knights Templar (History Channel)
Empires - Holy Warriors: Richard the Lionheart & Saladin

ASIN: B00005U8F3
Release Date: 2002-01-02

Amazon.com

Of all the wars waged in the name of God, none has ever matched the arrogance and conceit of the Christian Crusades. For nearly two centuries (1095-1291), this medieval "holy war" variously raged, sometimes so spiritually misshapen by rapaciousness, murder, and political greed that to think it all had to do with Christian faith is absurd. And really, there is no one better to dramatize such a theater of holy war than Wales-born Terry Jones, host of The Discovery Channel's Ancient Inventions and an accomplished medievalist. Best known for his absurdist contributions to all things Monty Python--he was a founding member of Monty Python's Flying Circus and cowriter of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Life of Brian, and Monty Python's The Meaning of Life, among others--Jones wields an uncanny ability to explain the methodologies and madness of the Crusades while not failing us his sense of humor.

Jones wrote the scripts for each 50-minute presentation in the four volumes of The Crusades, which originally aired on The History Channel. His narration is not without an occasional sardonic air, almost of the roll-your-eyes type, which not only lends a skeptical perspective to a frequently misunderstood era in Western Europe, but also quite frequently editorializes the events that occurred between Pope Urban II's call for liberation of Jerusalem from the "infidels" of Islam and the embarrassing moment when officers of the fourth Crusade are conned out of its divine calling by the Venetians. While Jones's reconnaissance is sometimes oversimplified by casually not mentioning several Crusade sorties after the fourth (there were several, but by the 13th century they had become redolent of ennui and misguided commercial adventure), the technical ingenuity of the production and Jones's use of anecdote backed by academicians and preserved eyewitness accounts cinches a viewer's interest. Medieval "siege machines" are re-created to test their mettle against legends of famous battles, Jones dons real 11th- and 12th-century armor to demonstrate the outlandish appearance of Crusaders in the lands of Mohammed, mosaics come to life with body-painted characters of medieval fable, and computer graphics are deployed to re-create the interior of the great cathedral at Cluny.

All these elements are contrasted with intermezzos of contemporary European and Middle Eastern society and a moving original soundtrack to make The Crusades a thoroughly engaging documentary of the bloodletting of medieval Christian conquests and the ultimate result of Islamic fanaticism born from its crimson tide. In Jones's own words at the end of Volume IV: "It took 200 years for the Crusaders to create [this] Muslim fanaticism. It was the exact imitation of Christian intolerance." To understand the effects of the Crusades is to understand much of today's religious geography, and Mr. Jones and company can fairly lay claim to having helped set the record straight. --Jamie Friddle

Customer Reviews:

Holy Hell.......2007-05-14

Since seeing this back in the 90's there has not really been a better way to show biggest holy mess in time itself.

Terry Jones is a class act at taking us though those dark years. Along with France & England and others we see our great knights & local folk take up arms and ride off or walk to destroy all. Really in the end it was mass murder in a scale unseen. Eating babies and drinking horse blood are just some of the tales of wow.

The fine details I leave to Mr Jones to tell you but as history goes it's a must know.

Warfare Goes Pythonesque.......2007-05-11

Bringing in Terry Jones to take a look at the Crusades was a bit of good casting. Jones' quirky humour, pleasant presentation skills and somewhat humorous outlook on things make this an informative and entertaining DVD.

Some have accused the series of being "anti-Church" or biased against the Europeans to an unnecessary degree. Let's face it, the church and Europe probably deserves some bagging over its actions concerning the Crusades. Also, considering that the series uses some very well-respected experts in the field, the accusations are not entirely well-founded. Yes, most of the Crusaders were violent people and more than a little superstitious. Also, while good at warfare, they still lost. The reasons for losing were possibly the disastrous political decisions the leaders made at times, among other things.

Along with the interviews with different experts, the re-enactments of some of the aspects of the Crusades made for some interesting and entertaining viewing. There is also some presence of the primary sources, quotes from people who were there and saw what was happening, (albeit with the characteristic "miraculous element").

The documentary is well presented, accurate from what I have read and know of the Crusades themselves, (I am not an expert, however), and very enjoyable to watch. It is not all that detailed, but serves well as an easy introduction to an intriguing period in history.

The Crusades: Falsehoods, Mispercetions, and Reality.......2006-11-05

Terry Jones is proably best known for his participation in the Monty Python troupe. The present Broadway musical about King Arthur demonstrates the ability of this British comedy to attract audiences. Not so well known is the serious side of this actor. Mr. Jones is an amateur historian about the Middle Ages and especially the Crusades. Although there were a number of "crusades" such as against the Slavs in the Balkans or the Cathars in southern France, most Westners think of the struggle between Christians and Muslims from the end of the 11th century to the end of the 13th century. Jones gives a sweeping view of this struggle--entertaining as well as informative. Drawing upon actual locations, contemporary documents, and recognized experts in the field as Sir Steven Runciman, Jones illuminates this time period to the general public. Many will be surprised about the revelations that Jones presents. With subtle and sometimes not so subtle humor, viewers will remember tidbits as a "divinely inspired goose" leading a crusade or that Peter the Hermit looked like his donkey. The ordinary comes to life as Mr. Jones poses questions as how does one walk in soft leather shoes thousands of miles? Or what it must have been like to wear a suit of armour? One cannot help but come away with a greater appreciation of what it must have been like to be on campaign in Syria or Palestine in the 11th century. But, Mr. Jones goes beyond the entertainment level to address the sinister aspects of the Crusades. Each Crusdae often began with pogroms against the local Jewish population as in Germany. The journey to Constantinople was marred by fighting, pillaging, and killing. Once in Asia Minor, the Western knights commited acts of barbarism and cannibalism. The taking of Jerusalem was accomplished with the wholesale slaughter of Muslims and Jews. Just as disturbing, Jones does not gloss over the capture of Constantinople by Western knights and the three days of mayhem that followed. Jones includes wonderful vignettes as the high level of Islamic culture compared to the West in the Middle Ages or the observation that Muslim and Jew fought alongside one another in defense of Jerusalem. Perhaps due to production constraints, there were occassions when history was a bit garbled. One of the most glaring was Mr. Jones reference to the Mamluk warrior Baibars. The video gave the impression that Baibars completed the destruction of the Cursader states when in fact his successors did. The most important note of this video is when Mr. Jones sees the relevancy of the Crusades to what is happening in the world today. The misperceptions of the West in the 11th century has not much altered in the 21st century. As we portray the Muslims as fanatics that threaten us, Westen armies and their surrogates occupy Arab-Muslim lands. Mr. Jones comment about unleashing a people's fury is as telling for Reynauld, Guy, or Richard I then as it is for Blair and Bush today.

The good, the bad, and the ugly, portrayed with impish humor.......2006-07-24

Some people can't look at history objectively, and have to try to find "their" side in struggles that took place thousands of years ago. If they don't see "their" side portrayed in a good light, they cry fowl.

Terry Jones does not suffer from this problem. His history is both accurate and humorous, and how else can one approach the sheer absurdity of many of the events which took place, whether it is the parading of religious figures around the walls of beseiged cities, the military blunders, or the crazed fanatacism of the rank and file. Contrary to some other reviews, the series is not anti-European and looks under the robes of many Islamic heroes just as thoroughly as it does the Crusaders. Sure the Christian armies of the first Crusade are depicted in all their brutal glory (using direct quotations from direct sources, the Crusaders themselves) but so are the Mamelukes. Reynard de Chattillion comes across as the psychotic jerk that he was, but many Muslim leaders including Nur Adin and Baybars are shown warts and all, while other Crusader leaders are much more sympathetic. And while Crusader myths are abolished, so are many Muslim myths, such as when Terry himself simulates an amphibious landing in mail armor contrary to Muslim claims that it was impossible.

From the undiminished mystery of Crusader miracles at the Siege of Antioch, to the strange terror of the Assasins, the sheer wonder of this amazing era comes across, in many cases in beautiful scenery shot on location often in the words of those who lived through it, the Crusaders, the Byzantines, and the Arabs themselves. The delivery is excellent and the history, is accurate... if some people are upset that Terry Jones does not try to rationalize such atrocities as the Massacre of Jerusalem or the Cannibalism in the First Crusade any more than he does massacres by Saladin or Baybers, thats there problem. The facts speak for themselves. My only complaint is that the series while very strong on the first Crusade, somewhat glosses over the other important reiterations of the next 150 years. I for one would like to see more of this type of documentary, showing every aspect history as it really was, good bad and ugly.

A Good Choice.......2006-06-21

It's difficult to find a documentary that is informative and engaging. This one manages to pull it off. It is filmed partly on location and includes interviews with historians as well as reenactments. Jones, not surprisingly, narrates---and even recreates some incidents---in a witty and entertaining manner.

While attention is paid to the whys and wherefores of the Western perspective, the program is sympathetic to the Muslim perspective. This will not sit well with all viewers. I, however, fail to see how a neutral documentary about a subject as complicated as the Crusades could be anything other than a dull, wish-washy mess. The Muslim slant is sympathetic but not blind or sentimental; this documentary is NOT four hours of Christian-bashing. This program is clearly aimed at Western audiences, and I think that it's important that we learn to see history from a different perspective; learning and questioning are not PC acts.

As other viewers have commented, the program is long and there are a few inaccuracies and some broad generalizations. However, on the balance it is overwhelmingly accurate and certainly engrossing. Obviously, the Crusades could not be fully covered in a four-hour program, but this show gives a good overview. It's a great choice for the amateur historian or for someone who'd just like to know more about the Crusades.

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Crusade in the Pacific (4 DVD Set)
Starring: Crusades in the Pacific
Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Victory at Sea
WWII - Road to Victory
War in the Pacific
They Filmed the War in Color: The Pacific War
Kamikaze: War in the Pacific

ASIN: B00096S3ZY
Release Date: 2005-05-17

Description

America At War 24 STUNNING EPISODES The entire history of WWII is tackled here in this highly informative collection of documentary films. Never before has it been possible to study this dramatic time in world history with such quality archive footage and with such totality. Meet the leaders behind the war, learn the reasons behind the actions, experience the battles, and witness the bravery. If you are serious about WWII, then this DVD set is a must have for any collector.

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Hammerfall : Templar Renegade Crusades
Hammerfall Rocks
Lack of dvd technical expertise;

Templar Renegade Crusades
Starring: Hammerfall
Manufacturer: Nuclear Blast Americ
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

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One Crimson Night
Renegade
One Cold Winter's Night
Hell on Earth IV (3pc) (W/CD)

ASIN: B00005RCG8
Release Date: 2002-07-23

Description

Sweden's premier metal band Hammerfall in their latest release. With a running time of over 2 1/2 hours, this video is packed with exclusive footage, documenting several Hammerfall highlights from the last three years, including backstage footage from their multiple world tours and surprise footage.

Customer Reviews:

Hammerfall : Templar Renegade Crusades.......2002-11-24

First off, I haven't been into Hammerfall all that long, maybe a year or two. I own two Hammerfall CD's {Legacy / Crimson}. This DVD is very good IMO. It's got a little bit of everything...

It's not your perfect DVD as far as production is concerned, but what's inside makes it very enjoyable. I also think some of the low production "home video feel" is what makes it so cool. It's got plenty of average to excellent live footage, and behind the scenes stuff while on tour, which is very cool in my opinion...

Some special, and most surprising footage of the late "FATHER OF DEATH METAL" Chuck Schuldiner himself. Very special and most deserving I must say. I am also a hugh Death fan, and the loss of Chuck was a big one inside the world of Metal. It was very cool to see him on home video having fun behind the scenes....RIP CHUCK!!!

I think this is a very cool DVD. Hammerfall are a very talented live band, and this proves it. On stage, they kind of brought back some old great memmories of Iron Maiden.

What I liked the most about this DVD is that it gives you an up close and personal feel with band members. I don't consider Hammerfall the best Heavy Metal band around, but they can certainly hold their own. Check it out....I was impressed.

UP THE IRONS!!!!

Hammerfall Rocks.......2002-11-15

Well to be quite honest, I have seen higher quality Concert/Documentary DVDs then this one, but Hammerfall still takes home Four stars from me. Personally I found the DVDs set list to be quite well rounded (songs from 'Glory to the Brave' to 'Renegade' are played) and even the Hammerfall versions of 'I Want out' (sung with Kai Hansen) and 'Breaking the Law' (with a special line up) make an appearance on the DVD. Whats more 'Heeding the Call' has been redone in an acoustic format (which sounds pretty cool i think)
I must say that the guys at Hammerfall are not only great musicians, but are quite funny too (demonstrated by their antics and even more so in the outtakes). The DVD has something for everyone and will certainly at some points make you laugh.

Lack of dvd technical expertise;.......2002-11-02

The dvd has a good material, but it seems hammerfall and producers didn't wanted to keep the METAL in a good shape, but to express it through a low fidelity dvd. The dvd doesn't even have a Stereo Dolby sorround but a poor LCM Stereo, and a excesively beginer video style, with a sony handycam cuality, and a single camera shooting the set.
Its fun to see them play and the concerts and the shows they manage to set. great material but a clear bad organization, and budget.

Medieval Warfare Boxed Set - The Crusades, Agincourt, Wars of the Roses

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Medieval Warfare Boxed Set - The Crusades, Agincourt, Wars of the Roses
Starring: Medieval Warfare
Manufacturer: Kultur Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Leaders in Battle - Julius Caesar, Oliver Cromwell, Duke of Marlborough, Lord Admiral Horatio Nelson
Legions of Rome Boxed Set - Punic Wars, Gallic Wars, Roman Invasions of Britain
Decisive Battles of the Ancient World (History Channel)
Mel Gibson's Apocalypto (Widescreen Edition)
The Good Shepherd (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B000MGBTKC
Release Date: 2007-03-27

Description

This informative and entertaining military history series features an in-depth look at three key events in the history of medieval warfare. .The programs also feature dramatized eyewitness accounts and expert commentary and analysis

THE CRUSADES
For nearly two centuries, generations of knights from England and western Europe marched to do battle with the Saracen hordes who occupied the Holy Land. Bitter and bloody, these great battles are known to history as the Crusades.

AGINCOURT
On October 25th 1415, as the pale dawn of an early autumn day broke over Agincourt, a mighty French Army surveyed the small English force who stood before them ready to battle. The French expected a comprehensive victory, but as a day of great savagery unfolded it was the English led by their charismatic King, Henry V, who would utterly destroy their enemy.

THE WARS OF ROSES
Fifteenth century England saw the turmoil of a bloody struggle for power between the House of York and the House of Lancaster. The Wars of The Roses would culminate in a ferocious encounter on Bosworth Field in 1485.

Product Description

Description

A look into religious beliefs and the fight of the holyland between the Muslims and Christians

Average customer rating:

Missed the mark

Medieval Warfare - The Crusades
Starring: Terry Molloy
Manufacturer: Kultur Video
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Description

For nearly two centuries, generations of knights from England and western Europe marched to do battle with the Saracen hordes who occupied the Holy Land. Bitter and bloody, these great battles are known to history as the Crusades. Perhaps most famous of all was Richard the Lionheart's struggle with the Emperor Saladin on the burning sands of Palestine in 1190.

The Crusades: the Holy Wars features reconstruction footage and spectacular computer effects to tell the dramatic story of the great conflict between Christianity and Islam. The program also features dramatized eyewitness accounts and expert commentary and analyses.

Narrated by Terry Molloy

Customer Reviews:

Missed the mark.......2007-06-14

This DVD could have been so much better. The Crusades were extremely important events whose ramifications are still felt today. This DVD falls well short, both artistically and as a source of information.

I know that one doesn't turn to documentaries to witness high level acting and production values, but both were very weak here. On a positive note, it's so bad that you might find it amusing. Actors portray various participants in the Crusades, such as a knight, Saladin, and Richard the Third. The monologues were very poor, with the award for weakest going to the actor portraying Saladin. In addition to a noncredible reading, this actor attempted an accent that was all over the map, even lapsing into one that was almost a brogue. Makeup was poor. The battle scenes could hardly have been worse.

I did give this DVD two stars because it does have some informational value. Yet even that is incomplete and sketchy. For instance, the narrator tells us that we can only "speculate" as to why citizens signed up for the First Crusade, almost as if this act is a complete mystery. While we can never know why each individual participant joined the mission, we do know that Pope Urban II promised remission of sins to all participants. This would have been a heady incentive in 1096. Add to that the real chance of material gain by plunder, and you have two pretty good motivators. Another example is in the discussion of the Third Crusade, when we are told that Saladin and Richard the Third negotiated an "uneasy" truce, without discussion as to why this truce was "uneasy". The reason it was "uneasy" is the most interesting part. Richard the Third and Saladin were both exceptional leaders. They came to believe that Christians and Muslims could live together in Jerusalem in peace, but that position was met with resistance from the citizens. Who knows where we would be today had the citizens gone along and given peace a chance?

The producers of this DVD also chose to end the discussion with the Third Crusade. Their reasoning, I assume from the narrative, is that this was the last crusade of Christians against Muslims. Yet the rest of the Crusades have extreme historical importance. The Fourth Crusade, for example, saw the Christians of the West lay siege to Constantinople, and slaughter fellow Christians. This event created a division between Latin and Greek churches that still exists today. The remainder of the Crusades were Christian against Christian, with the mainstream Catholic church putting down heretical movements, such as in the Albigensian Crusades.

If you are looking for a quick thumbnail sketch of the first three crusades, and aren't bothered by poor dramatization, you might like this DVD. Otherwise, I suggest that you steer clear.

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