Search - National Geographic: The Lost Fleet of Guadalcanal on DVD

Disappointing

I. Chiang | Silicon Valley, CA, USA | 02/04/2007

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Just like "The Battle for Midway" and "The Search for the Battleship Bismarck" by NG, this film stays the same tone as the two. They gather survivors from the Guadalcanal talking about the war while searching for warships in this campaign. Of course, the combat footages interweave during the running time.



This campaign was fought so intensively for six months on the ground, at sea and in the air. It turns the tide of the Pacific theater. Before it, the Japanese always advance. After it, the Japanese always retreat. This film doesn't give me the feelings of the significance. In addition, it narrows the scope of this campaign and many important battles are not included. The well-known "Tokyo Express" is never mentioned in this film, which is another disappointment.



To conclude, this film doesn't give you the whole picture of the lengthy Guadalcanal campaign. Another DVD "Guadalcanal: The Island of Death" is the very choice."

Enjoyable

Max W. | Oklahoma City, OK USA | 04/07/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"My review is based on the VHS tape version that was released years earlier.



Given the magnitude of Guadalcanal and the number of important battles fought on and near it, the relatively short running time of this documentary can only begin to touch the surface of the overall story. Instead, it deals heavily with the emotions of the men on both sides who fought the battles and in that regard I think it does an admirable job of conveying to the viewer a little of what they felt.



I've shown this video to a number of WWII veterans and they have unanimously given it high marks. Those wanting a more precise historical account of the Guadalcanal campaign may be somewhat disappointed and might be better served by reading one of the many excellent books published on the subject including the companion book to this video."