No comments about America's Historic Trails: River & Natchez.

No comments about Wild Alachua.

No comments about Discover Puerto Rico.

No comments about America's Historic Trails: Old Post Road.

1 comments about Jerusalem: Sacred and Profane.

1. Jerusalem, on the fulcrum of the Middle East, is a region of extremes. And this video points the finger, in no uncertain terms, at the enlightened souls who have made it a sacred place, and to the dogmatists who have profaned it for 3,000 years. It is so hard to find any depiction of this region free of an agenda. If there is any agenda in this film, it is to say that those in our world who profess only a single, unbending viewpoint about geography, politics and religion, will always fall and always fail. Pluralism is the lesson which Jerusalem must learn - that all the religions and sects are looking at the same God and calling it by different names. Having said that, this film does a marvelous job of presenting a balanced and respectful - even spiritual - appreciation of Christianity, Islam and Judaism. Those who simply want to learn more about all the Holy sites and see footage of everything from the Western Wall to the Dome on The Rock to The Holy Sepulchre will be very satisfied. But running beneath the surface of this video is a very astute commentary on the short sighted belief that your faith, your country, your tribe must rule over this place that is greater than any one God. Brilliant work.

4 comments about Raise The Bamboo Curtain: Vietnam, Cambodia and Burma.

1. Travel videos aren't really my cup of tea, but as a former resident of Cambodia and Vietnam (1997) I gave this one a try. What a surprise that Bamboo Curtain turned out to be a balanced and realistic depiction of the contemporary cultures in the region, illustrating both its incredibly beautiful and otherwordly sides, and also a very well-informed view of the dark side (pointing out, for example, that the beggars in Saigon are often paid "employees" of local gangsters and that the city's cyclo drivers are frequently English-speaking former South Vietnamese soldiers now forced to the very bottom rung of the economic ladder). I haven't been to Burma yet, but this video sure makes me want to go. And I know from the Cambodia and Vietnam segments that Burma is probably quite similar to the way it's depicted here. This is not a "where to go, what to eat" sort of video, it really *does* provide practical and, I think, realistic insight into the contemporary cultures of these three countries. It is dated a few years by the "Asian Tiger" mentality - Vietnam's economic growth has in fact been stifled by its monumentally backward Stalinist government - but its a small point in an otherwise very well-done introduction to SE Asia. The narration and introduction by Martin Sheen is a very nice touch.



2. As a retired Vietnam era military officer and current 8th grade social studies teacher, I found Rick Ray's documentary of Southeast Asia an absolute necessity for my classroom. His evenhanded portrayal of the former and present situation in Vietnam was remarkable. His all too short segment on Cambodia left me and my students wanting to know more. The odd situation in Myanmar (Burma) was treated with realism and sensitivity. What a great introduction to this area of the world for 8th graders. Honest and beautiful, mysterious but real. This movie helped me achieve my goal in the classroom...The students are now asking important questions about these three countries. Thank you.



3. I am planning a trip to Burma. I found the production quality excellent and the information well presented. I wish that something of this quality was even more recently made. I know Vietnam, having visited in 1999. The Vietnam segment is an excellent view of the people, history, and sights. Much of what is foretold in this 5-year old video is happening today. I can highly recommend this set as part of your learning about these countries.



4. I thought this video presented all three countries quite well. I was watching it for information on Burma so I was a little disappointed that the Burma segment wasn't longer but that's all right. He did a great job showing us their cultures as well as their tough situations they've delt with or are dealing with today. The only bad thing was occasionally Rick would make cheesy comments! All in all..it's a entertaining and informative film.

1 comments about Bali: Life In The Balance.

1. This may be a personal journey, but it is filled with shots and commentary about Rick Ray's family, packing, trouble keeping a sarong on and his baby's participation in a village ceremony. On the other side, he isa very critical of westerners, yet I found his lack of acurate facts about Bali, their spirituality and purpose inexcusable. One segment talked about the importance of dance in their culture - like Legong - but only showed school boys being taught the dance - no actual visuals of the legong, welcome or any other importance dance. I just returned from an extended stay in Bali and Rick Ray did not do the island and its people any great service with this video. I found it interesting that he put down tourists, but his video is mostly about him - quite arrogant.

1 comments about Awow: Mediterranean Magic - Italy & Greece.

1. Having traveled in Italy and Greece, I wanted a VHS that would show my wife just how wonderful and 'Amazing' it is in this part of the world. The film really put her to sleep. Now I'll have to vacation elsewhere. The film is more of a strole down the streets somewhat like a documentary. The film does not show the best of the countrys, the people, the foods, the activities, special places, etc. Enough said.

No comments about America's Historic Trails: Yukon Gold Rush.

1 comments about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart--A Traveler in ITALY.

1. This is a very charming account of Mozart's trip as a young boy accompanied by his father to Italy, which quite naturally he takes by storm. The film's director (Williams) is one of the top travel documentary filmmakers in America and makes young Amadeus' splendid adventure come delightfully to life--set against the breathtaking beauty of Northern Italy and Venice and the warmth of the Italian people. Makes you hungry for pasta and a fine Chianti! Enjoy.