Ring of Fire

Starring:Ring of Fire
Studio: Lumivision
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

stunning imagery, but...
Good Imax Film
Very educational, not so entertaining.

Ring of Fire - IMAX
Starring: Robert Foxworth , Gary Rosenquist , Lawrence Blair , and Dr. Norman Banks
Director: George Casey
Manufacturer: Vista Point Ent
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

National Geographic - Volcano!
The Eruption of Mount St. Helens (Large Format)
Volcanoes of the Deep Sea (IMAX) (2003)
SolarMax (Large Format)
Grand Canyon - The Hidden Secrets (Large Format)

ASIN: B000FI8MNE
Release Date: 2006-06-27

Customer Reviews:

stunning imagery, but..........2007-06-09

Yes, the footage is stunning, huge and colorful. However, the presentation of information is not really compelling. The topic is interesting, but what's its relationship to everything else? I was disappointed. If you're a teacher, and you're teaching about volcanoes, this is a good one for one period, because it's short. But actually not that thought-provoking. For my money, I'd still prefer to show Dante's Peak, even though the filmmakers have taken some artistic license to tell the story.

Good Imax Film.......2001-05-30

I have purchase several Imax DVD'S. I would rank this film better than most(Grand Canyon and Niagra) and below (The Liveing Sea and Alaska. It is more educational but it does not lack spectacular photography. That is one of the reason I buy Imax is to see thing's you do not ordinarely see. Some Imax films try to tell two to four short stories in a film; to me those film's don't work. I do not buy Imax to see pedestrian plot's; I buy to learn and enjoy the photography. This film fits the bill. If your interested in volcanoe's I do not think you could buy a better film.

Very educational, not so entertaining........2000-08-24

The standards for documentaries nowadays are very high. You need to succeed not only in the educational side of the story but also in entertaining the viewer. As an example, Greg Macgillivray's work in The Living Seas, Stormchasers or The Magic of Flight does everything in order to keep you on the edge of your seat without loosing the story's edge. Here, you can learn a lot from the sysmic and volcanic activities that determine most aspects of the people that live inside the Pacific Rim. Nevertheless, you never feel quite engaged and/or commited to the story as you do with the formerly referred work. The story starts with a visit to Chile's newly born Navidad crater and leads us through a journey that involves San Francisco, the Aleutian Islands, the coasts of the former U.S.S.R., Japan, Hawaii and Indonesia. Anyhow, some shots are impressive- like San Francisco's earthquake recordings- some are really dull. The video and audio quality are very good, though not impressive. Unless you want to complete your dvd collection, try other stuff such as the discs referred above or Africa-The Serengetti or Imax-Alaska.

Average customer rating:

The Man is Interesting - The Film is Pedestrian.
Ring of Fire - The Emile Griffith Story
WOW!
A powerful must-see
Superb documentary, powerfully told

Ring of Fire - The Emile Griffith Story
Starring: Emile Griffith , Howie Albert , Bill Gallo , Neal Gabler , and Benny 'The Kid' Paret
Director: Dan Klores , and Ron Berger
Manufacturer: Starz / Anchor Bay
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Unforgivable Blackness - The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson
The Boys of 2nd Street Park
Inside Deep Throat - Theatrical NC-17 Edition
Capote
Grizzly Man

ASIN: B0009UC7NE
Release Date: 2005-09-20

Product Description

In this tender yet haunting story, filmmakers Dan Klores and Ron Berger (directors of THE BOYS OF 2ND STREET PARK) capture a provocative saga of love, violence and redemption. New York City, March 24, 1962: Rival boxing champions Emile Griffith and Benny Kid Paret entered the ring for their feverishly anticipated world title bout. Earlier, Paret had taunted his allegedly homosexual opponent with a shocking slur. That night, as millions of fans watched the fight on live television, Griffith brutally beat Paret to death. The sport of boxing, the life of Emile Griffith, and the innocence of America would be changed forever. Through startling archival footage and revealing new interviews with journalists, historians, champion boxers, Paret s widow, and Griffith himself, experience the Sundance sensation that begins with one tragic night nearly 45 years ago whose impact is still being felt today.

System Requirements:
Starring: Emile Griffith
Directed By: Ron Berger giDan Klores
Running Time: 87 Min.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Customer Reviews:

The Man is Interesting - The Film is Pedestrian........2006-08-15

I just finished watching this film about the captivating and tortured boxer, Emile Grigffith. Luckily, his story (which I won't reiterate since other reviewers say what it's about) is a compelling one that saves this rather mundane approach from being too dull to watch. I also feel the filmmakers gloss over certain subjects, like Mr. Griffith's sexuality, far too much. For those who say his sexuality is his business (and to a certain degree, it is), I say it's such an integral element of the story that it needs more prominence in the film. It feels too much like an afterthought, mostly because Mr. Griffith appears entrenched in denial. The filmmakers should have pressed more to get at the core of this obviously important issue in his life. However, having said that, I still recommend the film to anyone interested in this tragic and ultimately redemptive story.

Ring of Fire - The Emile Griffith Story.......2006-02-17

I was eleven in 1962 and my family was among those who were regular television fight fans. I'm sure that we were in from of the set for this fight. I enjoyed the archival footage and the interviews with all of the participants. Of course, like others, I became weepy in parts of the footage.

I thank Misters Klores and Berger for giving me a chance to relive, not a tragic moment, but a joyous era when American enjoyed the art of boxing, fathers and sons could share moments. Long live Emile Griffith, Archie Moore, Sugar Ray Robinson, Gene Fulmer and the gladiators who entertained us with the sport of boxing during the golden days.

WOW!.......2006-02-09

I asked my mom if she was aware of the Emile Griffith controversy, and if she knew of the documentary that was made. I watched this documentary, and I was sobbing at the end of it. 1st, I am a gay male. 2nd, I am a sport fanatic. I used to go to all the Eagles games when I grew up in Philly. I now go to Ohio State and enjoy every football and basketball game I go to.
So this story hit a little close to home. I can't imagine what Griffith went through being a gay male, in the boxing profession, and being called a "faggot" by another fighter.
What happened was tragic. I have to ask this question though. What if Griffith had died? Would the outrage have been as great. Anyone who says it would, is being completely dishonest.
Still. Watch this film. It is well worth the time.

A powerful must-see.......2005-11-28

Having not yet been born when this tragedy happened, and never having been a fan of boxing, I was nonetheless very moved and touched by this well-done documentary. The filmmakers explore the impact of this accidental death on the lives of Emile Griffith, Benny Paret's widow and son, the referee, trainers, promoters and sportswriters who witnessed the event, and the millions of Americans who watched it on TV. This is a very balanced film that does not shy away from, and does not let its subjects shy away from, the gritty details of this tragedy and its aftermath. It's clear that no one was really to blame, but neither is anyone really let off the hook by the filmmakers. The film's message is still relevant to fans of sports, reality television and news programs of today. Have a box of tissues handy for the ending--it's a heartbreaker. A must-see for any fans of boxing, sports, or general fans of documentaries and quality films.

Superb documentary, powerfully told.......2005-07-27

I was eight years old the night I saw the third and final fight between Emile Griffith and Benny (Kid) Paret on national television. My father, who learned how to fight in rural mid-Michigan shortly after its lumbering years, was a fight fan who appreciated skilled fighters and a good, fair fight. That night, my eight-year-old eyes witnessed perhaps the most spectacular knockout I had ever seen; my father saw something else.

My mother was away that night --- rare for us --- and my father climbed into bed with me after the fight, and held my hand. Both these events were unheard-of. At the time I thought he was trying to comfort me, and maybe he was, but looking back on it, I am quite sure now that he was trying to comfort himself, to hold on through my hand to a young life that was precious and could be snuffed out with almost no warning.

"Ring of Fire" follows the surviving fighter, Emile Griffith, into and through his fight career and into a career as a trainer, and then picks him up in the present as a prison guard (or is he retired?) living a simple and modest life in Queens, New York. He was beaten nearly to death in the mid-1990's, apparently by a gang of homophobes, from which he suffered some mild but discernible cognitive damage. He takes public transportation "like everybody else," he says, instead of the limousine he used during the height of his boxing career.

We see no hint of regret over Griffith's present, modest, circumstances. His comments and demeanor throughout the film --- he is charmingly candid and unassuming --- suggest that he need never have been a fighter at all. Like Ferdinand the Bull, he would have been content to continue working in the fashion industry creating something beautiful. Fortunately or unfortunately, his employer noticed his exceptionally well-developed body, brought him to a gym, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Paret's death at his hands has haunted Griffith these past 43 years, undoubtedly far more than it has haunted me and perhaps millions of others who saw the fight. For years, Griffith imagined, but feared, meeting Paret's family. Paret's son, now in his forties, relates his mother's struggle (she never remarried) to rear and provide for him. The meeting between the two at film's end is moving and powerful. The young Paret approaches the meeting somberly but with a certain emotional detachment; but when he looks into Griffith's eyes he realizes that it is the old fighter who desperately needs consolation and forgiveness. They are instantly given, and in that instant, the young son who was deprived of his father at the age of two becomes the older man's emotional caretaker.

Many will find the fight scenes difficult to watch. However, the tragedy of Griffith-Paret III is only the jumping-off point for this marvelous documentary, which lets the participants and the events tell the story. Unlike most Amazon reviewers, I am stingy with my stars, but this little gem rates a *****.

Average customer rating:

Ring of Fire 3: Lion Strike
Starring: Don 'The Dragon' Wilson , Jim Kline , Marcus Aurelius , Cash Scot Casey , and Chris Nelson Norris
Director: Paul G. Volk , Jacobsen Hart , and Rick Jacobson
Manufacturer: Platinum Disc
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Ring of Fire 2: Blood and Steel
Ring of Fire
Xtreme Fighter
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Bloodfist 8 - Hard Way Out

ASIN: B000BYY0U6
Release Date: 2005-12-27

Average customer rating:

Max Havoc: Ring of Fire
Starring: Dean Cain , and Christina Cox
Manufacturer: Westlake Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Dead and Deader

ASIN: B000LC4Y5Y
Release Date: 2007-09-25

Product Description

Max Havoc is on a new assignment staying at a luxury hotel in the heart of a big city only to discover that the classy hotel owner is a vicious mob boss heading up a crime ring full of unwanted teenagers in the nearby slums. Not only this, but Max recognizes the hotel owner from his former life as a world champion kickboxer. Once again, Max, who is there to photograph a new tennis sensation, Suzy Blaine, is forced to rely on his natural instincts and abilities after he unexpectedly becomes involved in an increasingly sinister plot when his luggage is stolen the moment he arrives at the hotel.

Average customer rating:

stunning imagery, but...
Good Imax Film
Very educational, not so entertaining.

Ring of Fire (Large Format)
Starring: Robert Foxworth , Gary Rosenquist , Lawrence Blair , and Dr. Norman Banks
Director: George Casey
Manufacturer: Sling Shot
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

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Nature & Wildlife | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video

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( R ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: 6305222444
Release Date: 1998-12-29

Customer Reviews:

stunning imagery, but..........2007-06-09

Good Imax Film.......2001-05-30

Very educational, not so entertaining........2000-08-24

Average customer rating:

not as good as the first installment
Fun... popcorn on the couch kind of movie.
Too bad Don wasn't a real doctor 'cause then he could have
And the winner is.......
Just Leave Your I.Q. At The Door

Ring of Fire 2: Blood and Steel
Starring: Don 'The Dragon' Wilson , Maria Ford , Sy Richardson , Dale Jordan , and Vince Murdocco
Director: Richard W. Munchkin
Manufacturer: Madacy Records
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Ring of Fire
Ring of Fire 3: Lion Strike
Don "The Dragon" Wilson: Dragon Pack
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Bloodfist 8 - Hard Way Out

ASIN: B00009Y3OL
Release Date: 2003-07-22

Customer Reviews:

not as good as the first installment.......2007-04-22

Ring of Fire 2 goes in a completely different direction than the first Ring of Fire, concentrating more on fight action than story. The best thing about ROF2 is many of the retruning cast members from the first movie, and this time, all fighting on the same side instead of against each other.

Here is an example of some of the martial arts cast list in this movie, enough of a reason to own ROF2:

Don Wilson (Bloodfist series)
Dale Jacoby (No Retreat No Surrender, Bloodmatch)
Vince Murdocco (Kickboxer 2, To Be The Best)
Ron Yuan (To Be The Best, White Tiger)
Eric Lee (Talons of the Eagle, Fists of Iron)
Ian Jacklin (Death Match, Kickboxer 3)
Evan Lurie (Tiger Claws 2, American Kickboxer 2)

The story is so simple, that the action pretty much is the story. Bad guy gang (led by the Ian Jacklin and Evan Lurie charcaters) take Johnny's girl (Maria Ford) to the underground, and the good doc and his 4 buddies from the first Ring of Fire movie, go in to find her. From there on out its one action scene after another, battling their way through. The only positive element of the story I found was the Sy Richardson character, ex army man, who explains his views and opinions of the world above while trying to survive in the world below.

Most of this movie is cheesy as heck, with underground garbage gangs and shadow warriors dressed in costumes from the carnival. The only entertaining fights are those in the Ring of Steel (yes Steel, no Fire in this movie) put on by the villains. Don Wilson gets to fight Evan Lurie in the ring, and then finally a several minute final showdown against Ian Jacklin above ground that is basically an average fight.

Lots of action is the theme of this movie and a good cast, but no story and the fights are just average. Unfortunately, the skills of some of these guys - Ron Yuan and Vince Murdocco for ex. - are not used to their fullest.

Fun... popcorn on the couch kind of movie........2005-10-11

Well... what can I say? It's fun... if you let it be fun. It's filled to the brim with well-choreographed fight scenes that are executed to perfection by professional martial artists... That seems to be the most true and innate value of this romp. The story seems to have been put in place primarily as a vehicle to get from one fight scene to another. Some moments of decent acting by the supporting cast will sneak up on you... as will some comedic moments provided by the comic relief. (The comic relief - physically - the smallest martial artist in the movie and naturally... portrayed in the film as the MOST girl-hungry!)

The score is fine but the film has a very fun soundtrack that winds up being featured on an underground radio station within the parameters of the story.. If you like this genre of movies you'll like this one as much as you would any other...

Too bad they didn't sell the soundtrack!

Too bad Don wasn't a real doctor 'cause then he could have.......2005-05-02

Too bad Don wasn't a real doctor like the one he plays in this "movie" 'cause then he could have pulled the cord on this braindead vegetable.

Basically a rip-off of "The Warriors" with the Don 'the dragon' running through 'underground' L.A. fighting various losers who apparently have nothing better to do than lay hiding in piles of trash, in homemade outfits, waiting to jump the first person who walks by.

Much like "TC 2000" no one likes put on cozy pajamas and watch "Alf" reruns while eating macaroni, while instead opting to fight all day. Too bad 'cause that Melmacian sock puppet delivered lines more believably than "the dragon" and his backup gang of NKOTB rejects. Maybe I shouldn't be so harsh...after all we are talking about a movie where a carphone is actually a housephone sitting oh so obviously in the driver's lap.

Kudos to the attempt at political commentary with the 'Nam vet Ernest confessing his loss of direction in life only to return near the climax to mercilessly blow away 3/4 of the un-armed (unless you count leather wrist guards and collars a la Mad Max) bad guys.

"I didn't learn much from the army but what I did learn I learnt well" says the misguided Ernest. Too bad I didn't take basic training, then I wouldn't have known to duck and cover from this bomb.

And the winner is..............2005-01-19

RING OF FIRE II: BLOOD AND STEEL is without question Don "The Dragon" Wilson's best film ever. Those disappointed by the fact that he only had one major fight in RING OF FIRE will find that he more than makes up for it here.

In fact, so does everyone else. While I was disappointed that Gary Daniels was not in BLOOD AND STEEL, most of the rest of the kickboxing cast from RING OF FIRE are back, and it is evident that everyone was determined to make a kung fu maovie so action-packed that it would be almost impossible to dislike.

And as far as I'm concerned, they have. Don particularly shines in the film. Never has he been faster, tougher, or more determined to kick ass. And everyone one of his martial art compadres (Eric Lee, Ron Yuan, Vince Murdocco, Dale Jacoby) get their oppurtunity in the spotlight as well, and they do not disappoint.

And to top it off, the film's head villian, Kalin, is played by non other than everyone's favorite kickboxing tough guy, Ian Jacklin. He and Don have a fantastic climactic duel that will blow you away.

If you hated every single other movie that Don "The Dragon" Wilson has been in, RING OF FIRE II: BLOOD AND STEEL is the one to see. If you loved all of his other movies, RING OF FIRE II: BLOOD AND STEEL puts them all to shame.

Just Leave Your I.Q. At The Door.......2004-11-25

Wow! "Ring of Fire 2" takes an entirely different route than the original. The first installment was a Romeo and Juliet type of romance set against a backdrop of a cross-culture martial arts fued. Don "The Dragon" Wilson was the romantic lead and left most of the fight scenes to his capable co-stars.
The sequel, on the other hand, is a non-stop action film. Don, reprising his role of Johnny, and his buddies go underground(literally!) in search of the gang leader who kidnapped his fiance(Maria Ford, reprising her role- but with a different hair color!).
The plot is totally contrived, but this is just such a likable knucklehead of a movie that it's hard not to like it. Don the Dragon gets plenty of fight scenes this time around. Wise move.
"Ring of Fire 2" is solid action entertainment. Just remember to leave your I.Q. at the door and you'll love it.

Average customer rating:

needs a little more gasoline to light the fire
"Have some of Bruce Lee's favorite drink-WAAATAAHHH!!!!!"
Another Great Don Wilson flick!!
AT LONG LAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
great movie, great fights, EVEN A GOOD PLOT!

Ring of Fire
Starring: Don 'The Dragon' Wilson , Maria Ford , Vince Murdocco , Dale Jacoby , and Steven Vincent Leigh
Director: Rick Jacobson , and Richard W. Munchkin
Manufacturer: Madacy Records
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

Ring of Fire 2: Blood and Steel
Ring of Fire 3: Lion Strike
Don "The Dragon" Wilson: Dragon Pack
Bloodfist 8 - Hard Way Out
Bloodfist II

ASIN: B000094FE2
Release Date: 2003-04-29

Customer Reviews:

needs a little more gasoline to light the fire.......2006-08-19

Ring of Fire is more of a love story than a martial arts film, set in the cheesiest tradition of Romeo & Juliet. In L.A., the Chineese and Americans are constantly at each other's throats, fighitng both in and out of the ring. Don Wilson plays a doctor (Johnny) with martial arts skills, romancing the Maria Ford character (Julie), whose brother Brad (played by Dale Jacoby: Bloodmatch, No Retreat No Surrender) is obsessed with getting in the ring with Johhny's cousin - Terry (played by Steven Vincent Leigh: Deadly Bet, To Be The Best). Eventually, the 2 show off in a literal ring of fire, a short but good fight in the movie, fighting Thai style with broken glass (seen also in Kickboxer's 1 & 2). There is not a whole lot of fighting in the movie, but most of the fights are pretty good. Most of the move time is devoted to the building relationship between Johnny and Julie. Unfortunately, Don Wilson only has one fight in the movie, at the end. Other decent martial art stars featured in the film are Eric Lee and Vince Murdocco (Kickboxer 2, To Be The Best). One of the best lines of all time comes from this movie. Hands down to "I have some of Bruce Lee's favotie drink - WAAATAAAAH!
Overall, Ring of Fire is an average martial arts movie that throws in a decent love story, though very cheesy. There isn't a whole lot of action, but if you enjoy these on screen actors (for their skills of course), you will enjoy Ring of Fire. It is the best one in the trilogy.

"Have some of Bruce Lee's favorite drink-WAAATAAHHH!!!!!" .......2005-01-19

RING OF FIRE is one of Don "The Dragon" Wilson's best movies. It features also some of the biggest legends in professional kickboxing- Eric Lee (a frequent collaborator of Don's), Ron Yuan, Dale Jacoby, and Vince Murdocco(FLESH GORDON).

It is true that Don has only one major fight in the film. The rest of the time, he does a bit of sparring with his cousin and finds time to romance Maria Ford.

But his one fight in RING OF FIRE is still damn good, and by itself is worth the rent/buying price. Check it out.

Another Great Don Wilson flick!!.......2003-07-09

Don "the dragon " Wilson is a kick boxing legend. Winning 10 different world championships and proving his dragon style kung-fu was affective in the ring. Ring of Fire is one of my favorites. The plot is very well put together unlike some of Don's other films. Don only had one fight scene lasting a maximum 7 minutes. It has some great fights between what I like to call, "the asians" and the " white boys", Ring of Fire is a prety good martial arts/kick boxing film that gives you a action packed time!

AT LONG LAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2003-05-18

After almost 12 years of looking hopelessly for this edition of Ring of Fire on VHS and DVD, and even asking people online and searching the web to see if someone taped a copy off of TV, the real deal is finally here on DVD! If you don't know what I'm talking about, there was about 4 minutes of sex and nudity cut out of all versions of this movie on VHS and DVD and was only shown on premium channels back around 1991 or 1992. After almost 12 years they finally decided to release it with the nudity. Even if you already own a previous edition on DVD or VHS this is still a MUST BUY for Maria Ford fans. You won't be disappointed and the movie's (finally) great now!!

great movie, great fights, EVEN A GOOD PLOT!.......2000-06-11

This is one of the very few movies of dons that I like. It shows great fight scenes keeps the action pumping has good dialouge and the training sequnces really stick with you! It shows the true athletisism af the masters because dispite his performance in his other movies don is a phenominal fighter. this movie gives his name some meaning.

Wagner - Gotterdammerung / Bonnema, DeVol, Iturralde, Kapellmann, Bracht, Westbroek, Zagrosek, Stuttgart Opera

Average customer rating:

Disappointing
FANTASTIC! A BREATH OF FRESH AIR.....
GUTTER-DÄMMERUNG!
Great Singing and Stunning Modern Production

Wagner - Gotterdammerung / Bonnema, DeVol, Iturralde, Kapellmann, Bracht, Westbroek, Zagrosek, Stuttgart Opera
Starring: Hernan Iturralde , Roland Bracht , Lothar Zagrosek , Luana DeVol , and Sue Patchell
Director: Albert Bonnema
Manufacturer: Tdk DVD Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

( W ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Wagner - Siegfried / West, Gasteen, Göhring, Schöne, Waag, Jun, Herrera, Zagrosek, Stuttgart Opera
Wagner - Das Rheingold / Zagrosek, Probst, Schuster, Indridadottir, Ruuttunen, Stuttgart
Wagner - Gotterdammerung
Wagner - Die Walkure / Gambill, Denoke, Rootering, Behle, Jun, Vaughn, Zagrosek, Stuttgart Opera
Wagner - Gotterdammerung / Treleaven, Polaski, Salminen, Struckmann, Matos, von Kannen, de Billy, Barcelona Opera

ASIN: B00022I7PQ
Release Date: 2004-06-15

Description

A bleak wind chord of E flat minor opens Götterdämmerung and establishes the dominant atmosphere of the piece from its first bar: twilight, a deceptive half-light, prevails. Shadowy figures stumble towards the abyss. The last evening of the Ring is one of plotting and betrayal, of ominous oaths, a chilling lust for power, abuse and humiliation - and, also, of a superbly staged apocalypse, when the beings and things destined for destruction shine brightly for one last time. This production is presented on its own terms, ignoring the wider myth-bound associations, concentrating on the immediate motivations, emotions and obsessions of the characters. Here. the director has dispensed with all the paraphernalia of the gods awaiting nightfall in their imposing hall, and sets the action on the simple wooden stage of a touring theatre company. The characters are uncommonly lifelike here, solid yet at the same time shimmering with vibrant colour as horror and comedy jostle each other.

Picture Format: 16:9 anamorphic • Subtitles: GB, D, F, I, E • Sound Format: LPCM Stereo, DD 5.1, DTS 5.1

Customer Reviews:

Disappointing.......2004-07-24

The Stuttgart -- seven DVD -- version of Richard Wagner's four opera Ring cycle, has made its somewhat disappointing 2004 premier.
An ambitious project conceived by Klaus Zehelein, the plan was to turn the Ring tetralogy over to four separate Designer/Director teams giving us four very personalized and single focused operas - the first time in the Ring's history that this has been done.
Theoretically, it was probably hoped that each team would be creative and not follow any preconceived model of what the Ring should look like, but instead, operate independently of each other and give us something that would be stylistically different while maintaining the thematic continuity and cohesiveness envisioned by the composer. The overall concept sounded promising, but a fault line ran through this cycle and ultimately consumed the idea and doomed it, giving us considerably less than what would be expected from such a grand and promising undertaking. The complete review of this seven disk set appears in the August 1st 2004 edition of OperaOnline.us

FANTASTIC! A BREATH OF FRESH AIR............2004-06-29

Having seen this production in Stuttgart, I have been waiting for this DVD for years! Not only was this "Production of the Year" for 2000 (Operwelt Magazine), it also features Opernwelt's "Singer of the Year", Luana DeVol, who nails the role of Brunhilde vocally and with her grand stage presence (can you say Immolation Scene!!!). I am generally not a fan of modern productions and I understand those who are shocked by something "different", but somehow Konwitschny takes a lot of interesting ideas and blends them into an extremely entertaining interpretation that moves along quite well. Bits of humour are refreshing but absolutely never take away from the seriousness of the great work and, in fact, make for a very refreshing appreciation of Wagner. I have seen a few of Konwitschny's productions through the years and this is his best work yet.

As mentioned, I have been waiting a long time to see this production again and I am happy to say it made me smile as I did a few years ago in Stuttgart when I was blown away by it's freshness and and strong performances by all.

GUTTER-DÄMMERUNG!.......2004-06-27

Meine Damen und Herren/Ladies and Gentlemen here it is:THE GUTTER-DÄMMERUNG.Folks,please brace yourselves for quite a ride!
After all the series of childish shananegans and the codswallop we witnessed in the previous three installments here comes the apocalyptic conclusion which crowns Richard Wagner's 25-years most monumental composition,whose production,I must confess is definitely the best of this whole bleak Stuttgart cycle.
In spite of the chichat and the fighting of the three Norns over the brown purse before the music of the prologue starts,the current time suit and tie attires of the characters,including Siegfried's sort of Fred Flintstone-like fur garment worn in the prologue and first act and the natural landscapes'projections shown in act III scene I,Konwitschny's conception of the piece,I must appallingly confess is the only one that makes a tiny tad of sense compared to the previous three of this anti-Ring,bearing in mind the old adagio that:"The one-eyed reigns in the land of the blind"...
We also have much better singing,particularly from the three principals:Bass Roland Bracht is a convincing Hagen(special fun
when he kills Gunther with a vicious karate chop!),dutch tenor Albert Bonnema,whom we've already heard as Giovanni De'Salviati and the Lay Brother in Schilling's MONA LISA navigates through the harsh work of his role with much more easiness than
Jon Frederick West in SIEGFRIED,not forgetting that lyrical Siegfrieds are the only ones available nowadays and finally soprano Luana De Vol,far away from being an ideal Brünnhilde does a satisfactory job,her voice of course much more suited
to the roles she performed in Franz Schreker's operas,like Eva in IRRELOHE and Lisa in the Vienna 1991 performances of his superb CHRISTOPHORUS ODER DIE VISION EINER OPER.
But in a world where Flagstads and Nilssons are icons from the past she's quite bearable,much deeper than for instance,Kupfer-Barenboim's lyrical soprano Anne Evans.

Another brushstroke of nonsense is the conception of Alberich,the agent of evil and selfishness dying is Hagen's arms at the end of scene I,act II,if we compare with Kupfer's much more logical rendition of making the character the
only survivor at the end of the cycle.Pure reality:EVIL NEVER DIES.
Now we cut down to dessert topped with confetti,and this is Konwitschny's major gaffe:a brechtian address by Brünnhilde in her final immolation,while the curtain descends and Wagner's scenic indications are projected verbatim on a screen...
Now if the director wanted us to "just listen to the score"(quote)why not stay home and listen to any of the immortal classic versions?
Overall we will witness a much more interesting production,but always bear in mind that this is just experimental,far from the composer's will,perhaps more suited for an opera house like Bayreuth's,with a narrow repertoire of 10 works alone,rather than to establishments who have millions of other possibilities.
Like its predecessors,although to a lesser degree,it falls extremely short from being likable.
I think we've reached a point where lunacy equals common sense.
Sorry fellows...Only two stars and I think I'm being quite kind and magnanimous!!!

Great Singing and Stunning Modern Production.......2004-06-24

I love the singing, the conducting, and the acting = I would rate this 6 stars however, the ending (the final immolation scene) was super disappointed...after brunhilda last note, the curtain falls and that's it! the music continue for another 5 minutes or so with text scrolling explaining of what is happening...no action what so ever. The world "zuruck vom ring" is amplified and again, with the curtain closed, there was no action.

Average customer rating:

Burning Live in Tokyo 2002
Starring: Ring of Fire
Manufacturer: Import
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

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needs a little more gasoline to light the fire
"Have some of Bruce Lee's favorite drink-WAAATAAHHH!!!!!"
Another Great Don Wilson flick!!
AT LONG LAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
great movie, great fights, EVEN A GOOD PLOT!

Ring of Fire
Starring: Don 'The Dragon' Wilson , Maria Ford , Vince Murdocco , Dale Jacoby , and Steven Vincent Leigh
Director: Rick Jacobson , and Richard W. Munchkin
Manufacturer: Studio / Sterling
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video