Coca-Cola - The History of an American Icon

Studio: Mpi Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
For more than a century people have refreshed themselves with oceans of brown fluid. Much of this fluid was produced by one Atlanta-based company, and Coca-Cola: The History of an American Icon offers a panegyric to the Real Thing.

The history of Coke is the history of its advertising, and this documentary draws on a rich archive of print, film, and television material to show how John Pemberton's soda recipe became such a potent symbol of American society. Coca-Cola: The History of an American Icon is, unsurprisingly, a one-sided history. There is no suggestion that the Coca-Colonization of the planet might have a downside, and lines like "If the world's having a bad time, it's OK because there's still Coke" are delivered without a hint of irony. Nevertheless, this documentary offers some fascinating insights into the history of Coca-Cola. --Simon Leake

Coca-Cola - The History of an American Icon
Average customer rating:

For the collection

Sip On An Ice-Cold Coca-Cola While Watching This Fun DVD!

Would I Like To Buy The Whole World A Coke?

Mandatory for Coke collectors.

Outstanding DVD on the All-American Beverage!

Coca-Cola - The History of an American Icon

Manufacturer: Mpi Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005M91J
Release Date: 2002-02-26

Amazon.com

For more than a century people have refreshed themselves with oceans of brown fluid. Much of this fluid was produced by one Atlanta-based company, and Coca-Cola: The History of an American Icon offers a panegyric to the Real Thing.

Customer Reviews:

For the collection.......2006-11-05

This should be in everyone's collection of Coca Cola memorabilia, and is very well produced and informative, as well as informatinve and entertaining.

Sip On An Ice-Cold Coca-Cola While Watching This Fun DVD!.......2005-01-27

That most popular of all soft drinks known to man -- Coca-Cola -- was created way back in the year 1886, and it has remained a huge part of Americana every day since that first glass of "ice-cold Coke" was poured. It's doubtful you could find any other single product in history that has permeated each corner of the globe the way "Coca-Cola" has over the last 100-plus years. It might very well be THE biggest success story ... ever.

The following informational blurb taken from Coke's own website gives you an idea of just how BIG this caramel-colored beverage has become during its lifetime ..........

"The Coca-Cola Company exists to benefit and refresh everyone it touches. Founded in 1886, our company is the world's leading manufacturer, marketer, and distributor of non-alcoholic beverage concentrates and syrups, used to produce nearly 400 beverage brands. Our corporate headquarters are in Atlanta, with local operations in over 200 countries around the world."

This DVD from "MPI Home Video" (which sports a complete title of "Coca-Cola: The History Of An American Icon") tells the complete Coke story, from Day 1 all the way through the disastrous introduction of "New Coke" in April 1985, and the following resurrection of the old formula that people demanded that was re-named "Coca-Cola Classic".

Several old Coke TV ads are shown in this documentary program, which will elicit the proverbial nostalgic memories of days gone by, plus lots of rare archival footage released by the Coca-Cola Company.

This documentary also shows us many of the old ad campaigns and slogans that were employed by the Coca-Cola Company down through the ages, along with a glimpse of lots of the artwork, posters, and general signage that were used by Coke to get their message across to the nation and to the world. Some great-looking artwork, indeed, was created by many hard-working artists over the years.

The main program on this disc lasts 1 hour, 45 minutes. Total running time for all segments of this DVD (main documentary plus bonus material) is approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes. The video aspect ratio for all portions of the DVD is 1.33:1 (Full Frame). Audio is 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo. Subtitles for the main program are provided in both English and Spanish.

The back of the DVD case claims this disc offers a "Spanish Language Track". This is incorrect. No Spanish track exists here. It's a mis-print; it should say "Subtitles" instead of "Language Track" on the packaging.

I like the looks of the DVD cover art used by MPI for this release. It is replete with the color red (I guess you could call it "Coke Red", the same color that has appeared in many Coca-Cola print ads). There's a 4-page mini-booklet included in this DVD package as well -- with a lot of "red" adorning it too. The booklet has a Chapter List for the 105-minute main program, plus details about the bonus features.

Here's a look at the individual "Chapters" for the main program...........

1.) "In The Beginning"
2.) "Spreading The Word"
3.) "Container To Icon"
4.) "Boom Times"
5.) "Art For A Nation"
6.) "Coca-Cola Goes To War"
7.) "The 1950s...Coke Time"
8.) "Coke Goes Global"
9.) "Changing Times"
10.) "New Coke"
11.) "Credits"

----------------------------

"Special Bonus Material" included on this disc...........

1.) "Early Bottling Footage (1919)"
2.) "Refreshment Through The Years (1939)"
3.) "Always Tomorrow (1941)"
4.) "Work Safely: Refreshment On The Job (1950)"
5.) "Una Bibita e Una Industria (1957)"
6.) "The Prom: It's A Pleasure (1961)"
7.) "Photo Gallery"

The Photo Gallery runs on a timed track (but can be "paused"), and includes accompanying "Coke jingle" music.

----------------------------

If you want to see a comprehensive documentary program all about the history and marketing of the #1 cola drink in the world (plus a look at some nostalgic advertisements), then this DVD should suffice very nicely (thank you).

Would I Like To Buy The Whole World A Coke?.......2004-04-17

This DVD is great for any Coca Cola fan. It is full of interesting facts and takes us through the history of Coke. Did you know that Coke sent mobile bottling plants to Europe during the second world war? or that the coca cola bottle got its design from the seedpod of a coco plant? The DVD is made by the Coca Cola Company, So I do wonder if they had left out some of the negative details. This DVD is well made, and by the time you have finnished watching this DVD you'll be ready to by the whole world a Coke.

Mandatory for Coke collectors........2004-01-25

It's the real thing. If you love Coca-Cola this is a must own. It has tons of great info on the history of Coke. Lots of old television ads and behind the scenes of the music. You will not be disappointed.

Outstanding DVD on the All-American Beverage!.......2003-04-20

Coca-Cola stands alone in the level of success its has achieved in the world. No brand-name beverage is sold in more countries or in greater volume than Coca-Cola. The history of success it has seen as a company and as a product dates back over the past century. Early on, the creed was written that Coca-Cola would aim to make people feel good about themselves and their country through effective advertising. What you have here is a beautifully done account of that advertising. You see examples of ads that live on in our memory, along with others you may have never seen before. When they are combined over the years, it is easy to see why Coca-Cola was so successful and triumphant through the "cola wars". Buy this DVD as a resource for effective advertising and product design, buy it as a historical account of true Americana, or simply buy it to sit back and enjoy the entertainment value of "feel good" ads. Whatever your reason is, you will not be disappointed!

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