Search - Churchill's Bodyguard on DVD

Much more than the title suggests

it | Sunnyvale, CA USA | 07/23/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The title may lead you to believe that this is a biography of an obscure Scotland Yard detective. The videos are much more. They are a unique biography of Winston during his adult life with emphasis on his 1920-1945 period. They also contain large amounts of history of the countries occupied by Britain. It contains hours of newsreel coverage of his activities with narative which describes things that are not mentioned by book writers. I prize this set of DVDs with the same passion for my book collection of Gilbert biographies.



Some more information to improve your appreciation of the program series, back around 1990 the US government released the Venona code word decripts of the code breaking efforts in the war. It was revealed that the top three advisors to president Roosevelt were Soviet agents. This explains how the US encouraged the Soviets to occupt Eastern Europe as they would not be challenged."

Poorly produced

J. Zartman | 01/11/2008

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Interesting information spread out over too many sessions. The first two episodes in particular have a paucity of story line and pictures to work with and the hype for what we we're about to be told amounts to way more than the telling itself. In every session, the modern color footage interspursed with the black and white original is all blurred so that it makes your eyes ache to watch it. We are shown the legs and feet of two actors walking along the street a number of times in every session, as well as a pen writing the last lines on a piece of paper (it is supposed to be Walter writing in his memoirs.) Occasionally we get a map with a journey shown in a snaking red line, which is sometimes helpful, sometimes confusing, and often repeated. When we are shown an old photograph, the camera usually focuses on the person's stomach and slowly pans up to the face, and really their stomachs are not at all interesting. Sometimes confusing newsreels are included that are connected to Churchill only in a round-about fashion, such as riots in India when he was in New York. The subject matter deserves better treatment."

Churchils Bodyguard

Anthony Bowler | 03/25/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Good watching and interesting. Probably need to view it again to gain full impact. Best to watch the various segments at intervals, rather than all at once. Otherwise, there can be a "sameness" about the whole thing."

A little disappointing

T. Richards | Belleville IL | 12/18/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"This documentary shows me I've become spoiled with modern production value, but you can't blame the producers here. This thing is really old. It is mildly interesting for Churchill buffs, has some neat film cuts, but it is otherwise very over-dramaticized and superficial. Not a real historical record, I learned very little about Churchill and the time period. I'm sorry I bought it."