The Little Drummer Boy

Restoration it is not, those animals were not mute!
The original Christmas special, as shown on television in the late sixties and seventies, and as produced on VHS in the eighties, was a tasteful gem, with a rare, austere beauty, evocative music and a raw, deep emotional core. Sadly, this DVD does not come close to the original viewing experience because so many critical audio bits were not transferred in the conversion process. Most of Aaron's animal friends' bleats and grunts are gone, even at the moment when the lamb is injured he's mute, the yelp has disappeared. And one of the most poignant lines in the special - "and when Aaron looked at the babe, he thought it was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen," has been altered, the original line, as delivered beautifully by narrator Greer Garson, is replaced, inexplicably, by actor Paul Frees. In the final moments of the production, the baby Jesus makes an adorably natural murmuring sound from manger but this CRITICAL sound too is GONE. Obviously, what's been sold a resoration...

Puts the true meaning of Christmas back into the holiday.
This video is not a sugary "warm-fuzzy". Instead, it deals with the reality of life, which is sometimes harsh. Life is not perfect, yet there is strength to be found in the perfect love of Jesus. I recommend it to parents who want their children to appreciate the true reason for CHRISTmas.

One of the BEST Family Oriented Films EVER MADE!
This is a FINE example of what Christmas is ALL ABOUT and not being too preachy. This is the story about Aaron, the Little Drummer Boy, who hates all people because his family was murdered by a group of Desert Thieves. Aaron is kidnapped by Ben Harmed, the greedy and crooked, self proclaimed "Kin of the Desert Showmen". (played superbly by Hosse' Ferrer) and his bubling assistant, Ollie. The story is told by Greer Garason, with a great air of dignanty. I cry every time I watch this story and there is good reason why (not tears of sadness, but tears of joy over the words of the African King about the Christ Child, because he is SO right!) This story was created by the GREAT Romeo Muller, who is the FINEST children's writer who EVER lived! You can't go wrong with a story writen by Romeo Muller. This one, in fact was his most favorite story that he ever wrote for Rankin/Bass Productions (his most favorite he EVER wrote was NOEL, which is also on video.) But I would...

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Little Drummer Boy

Restoration it is not, those animals were not mute!
The original Christmas special, as shown on television in the late sixties and seventies, and as produced on VHS in the eighties, was a tasteful gem, with a rare, austere beauty, evocative music and a raw, deep emotional core. Sadly, this DVD does not come close to the original viewing experience because so many critical audio bits were not transferred in the conversion process. Most of Aaron's animal friends' bleats and grunts are gone, even at the moment when the lamb is injured he's mute, the yelp has disappeared. And one of the most poignant lines in the special - "and when Aaron looked at the babe, he thought it was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen," has been altered, the original line, as delivered beautifully by narrator Greer Garson, is replaced, inexplicably, by actor Paul Frees. In the final moments of the production, the baby Jesus makes an adorably natural murmuring sound from manger but this CRITICAL sound too is GONE. Obviously, what's been sold a resoration...

Puts the true meaning of Christmas back into the holiday.
This video is not a sugary "warm-fuzzy". Instead, it deals with the reality of life, which is sometimes harsh. Life is not perfect, yet there is strength to be found in the perfect love of Jesus. I recommend it to parents who want their children to appreciate the true reason for CHRISTmas.

One of the BEST Family Oriented Films EVER MADE!
This is a FINE example of what Christmas is ALL ABOUT and not being too preachy. This is the story about Aaron, the Little Drummer Boy, who hates all people because his family was murdered by a group of Desert Thieves. Aaron is kidnapped by Ben Harmed, the greedy and crooked, self proclaimed "Kin of the Desert Showmen". (played superbly by Hosse' Ferrer) and his bubling assistant, Ollie. The story is told by Greer Garason, with a great air of dignanty. I cry every time I watch this story and there is good reason why (not tears of sadness, but tears of joy over the words of the African King about the Christ Child, because he is SO right!) This story was created by the GREAT Romeo Muller, who is the FINEST children's writer who EVER lived! You can't go wrong with a story writen by Romeo Muller. This one, in fact was his most favorite story that he ever wrote for Rankin/Bass Productions (his most favorite he EVER wrote was NOEL, which is also on video.) But I would...

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Donna Leon's Comissarrio Guido Brunetti Mysteries: A Sea of Troubles

So true to the books!
I do love this series because I loved the books so much. Brunetti comes alive as does his family and the characters at the station. You feel Venice in the same way that the books portray it. I think the fact that they stay so close to the books ic perfect.

you got to get into the pace
Different than I imagined it from reading the book, a little slow but once you get into the pace of it, it's OK.



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Elvis Presley - In The Movies

Elvis Presley In The Movies Review
The overall reason I liked this video is because Elvis is in it. Can't go wrong there. Very interesting and entertaining, just ask any Elvis fan. I love that the younger generation has welcomed him into their lives as well as those of us who were there for him "way back when it all began."

I would recommend video who loves Elvis or those who want to learn more about him. I am enjoying Amazon's Instant Video movies very much for I can always find something entertaining in the line-up.

Elvis is the King!
Great look into his life. I always learn something new every time I watch movies and books about his life.

Okay
This was okay. Would like to have heard more on the leading ladies. Just when you thought the details were going to be revealed the next movie was being talked about.

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Audrey Hepburn - In The Movies

Billy Wilder: "God kissed the face of Audrey Hepburn, and there she was"
This program is a lovely montage of movie trailers and still photos with narration showcasing Audrey Hepburn. If you've been thinking about watching some of her films, it's a great place to start. The program ends with a sweet quote from the famous director, Billy Wilder: "God kissed the face of Audrey Hepburn, and there she was".

Back to memory lane
I have always loved movies starring Audrey Hepburn. It was that sweet innocence that have always captivated me with each movie I watched of hers. I have not see all her movies only the most well known ones. I hope to see her other movies if I can find them.

Most enjoyable
I've started to rewatch all the movies mentioned! These (now old!) movies can't help but bring a smile to your face.

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Episode 2: Reaping the Whirlwind

Masterful
I was fortunate enough to see a preview cut of The Dust Bowl last week in an event hosted by PBS and it's typical Ken Burns. Burns revolutionized the documentary format in 1990 with The Civil War. His style and technique changed the way stories are told now by historians and filmakers around the world through film. So it should come as no surprise that The Dust Bowl is yet another great work by the masterful director. The film documents the Dust Bowl through iconic pictures and film as Burns usually does, but it is told through the eyes of the survivors in a way that makes the experience even more powerful. I would describe the film as The Worst Hard Time comes ALIVE! If you enjoyed the book by Timothy Egan you will no doubt love this film. If you have not read the book by all means do yourself a favor and do so. Egan is a major contributor of course along with other historians as they are used to frame the events of the era, but it is the "survivors" that truly make the film special...

Bluray Review: Great story, Fabulous characters but a bit repetitive
What John Ford attempted (and, in my opinion, succeeded) to do in the 1940 feature film "The Grapes of Wrath" - to put a human face on those farmers and their families who survived the challenges of the deadly dust storms, as well as the Great Depression in the "dust bowl quadrant" during the 1930s - Ken Burns has succeeded with his latest four-hour documentary that aired on PBS in November 2012 and was released by PBS Home Video on Blu-ray with some bonus features. If you've seen Burns' documentaries on the Civil War or World War Two, you will have an idea of what to expect. Actor Peter Coyote is back as narrator and Burns chose specific families whose members are still alive to tell their own stories. When Burns planned the film he took out ads in the four-state area which comprised the "dust bowl" seeking survivors. He received over 70 responses and - through a process of elimination, chose more than two dozen to interview at great length. These were individuals who were children...

Tales of the Black Blizzard
It starts with a few words: "Let me tell you how it was." In the space of four hours, Ken Burns tells you how it was on the great wide plains of America, in the 1930's, in the Dust Bowl.

Ken Burns' real talent is his focus on the average man and woman. Rather than focusing on the famous, the politicians and celebrities (though they do come into play at times), he introduces us to names from history that we never knew. So, in 'The Dust Bowl,' we get the story of the college-trained writer who set up a homestead in no-man's land, finding her husband there. We hear the story of the family with nine children, and the ambition to pass on a square mile of fertile land to each of them. We hear the stories of children born into a world of blowing dust and dirt, of some who survive, and some who didn't make it.

Make no mistake, this is a story of struggle and human endurance stretched to the limit, of hopes raised and then dashed again, year after year. It's a story of...

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Detective Montalbano: Episode 17 - Wings of the Sphinx

Funny and entertaining
Whether or not you are a fan of the books, the TV series is engrossing and very entertaining. Subtitles are legible and easy to read and story moves quickly. Highly recommended. Looking forward to more episodes for Prime members.

The characters, the actors, the casting,
Luca Zingaretti - I want to meet him! All the characters are great - and a beautiful place too - Vigata in Sicily. And the food -

All of it. Great stories, excitement, intrigue, humor,humanity...

Superb entertainment

Great Mysteries, great characters, grogeous location!
I stumbled across the Montalbano books after watching the Zen series (which i also highly recommend). This is another one of those rare shows that are as good as (and sometimes better than) the books they are based on! The acting is great, and the cast of characters are diverse and engaging. Also, the show is set in one of the most beautiful regions of Italy. My only regret is that I don't speak enough Italian to watch without subtitles and that there aren't more of these available on instant watch!

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