From the Alps to Sicily, tour all of Italy from a spectacular vantage point. Italians call their home Il Belpaese, The Beautiful Country, and it has never looked more breathtaking than in this unique aerial tour. Shot in h... more »igh definition from a helicopter-mounted camera and planned with precision for optimum lighting and angles, your tour is enhanced by an informative narrative and a score of evocative regional music. Take an emotional visit to your family?s homeland, revisit favorite sights, or realize your dreams of discovering Italy for the first time--whatever your inspiration--you'll never have a better view. "Gorgeously filmed" --The Wall Street Journal Includes these programs:
Visions of Italy: Northern Style: The Alps, Lake Como, Portofino, Pisa, Siena, Florence, Venice, and more
Visions of Italy: Southern Style: Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast, Calabria, Rome, and more
Visions of Sicily: Cefalú, Términi Imerese, Palermo, Marsala, Siracusa, Catania, and more.
With more than an hour of footage not seen on public television!« less
I rented this movie from the library and The visions of Sicily video is beautiful. We use to live there it is so wonderful to see all the places we visited. They look exactly the same!
Movie Reviews
A beautiful video of Italy
Dane Argentini | Arlington, Texas | 02/26/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This aerial video footage of Italy was shot in HD and transfered to this DVD in widescreen anamorphic format. The DVD video quality is very good (unfortunately not excellent) with fine color and good detail overall. Contrary to the statement of the previous reviewer, this DVD is indeed in widescreen format. HD source material is by nature widescreen. The audio is in Dolby Digital 2.0 and the soundtrack is well recorded.
I saw some of this series on PBS in HD when it was first broadcast and WOW was it beautiful. Unfortunately I later bought the VHS version of the shows as the DVD version was at that time a $100 plus special purchase. Of course, I was disappointed in the VHS quality but had litle recourse. Now with the release of this reasonably priced set of DVD's I'm again enjoying this wonderful video of Italy, maybe not in HD but much better than my old video tapes. Recommended to all lovers of Italy."
Its like being there!
The Lawman | 03/19/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This DVD set is superb. The video and sound quality is excellent. It's much better than it looks on PBS. The pannoramic views are stunning, the narrator enchanting and the music is really nice. If you enjoyed this on PBS, then you will love this DVD set. If you've never seen this on PBS, but have been to Italy, you will reminisce at the places, monuments, etc. this DVD adventure takes you on. I highly recommend this."
"Il Belpaese.."
J. Anderson | Monterey, CA USA | 03/23/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Northern style, Southern style, Sicily - these are magnificent DVDs! Nothing's lost by not being at street level wandering through each town, and real richness is afforded by the incredible vantage point. The approach is immediate, pristine and measured. Even as the HD camera sweeps patiently across land and sea, you find yourself down in the heart of a particular town, then you move on. The adventure purrs along! A favorite moment comes the early part of the Southern Style film, the camera moves across the waters of a bay and Connie Francis sings Ritorna a me. It's a moment ripe with memories of Italy - and an hypnotic mind bender! Some reviewers have said narrator Franca Barchiesi's voice is too soft. I'd say seductive rather than soft, and it's good she underplays the narration, because watching Visions begets a listening mind, and the rewards increase in proportion. The music selections are crucial, and handled with care. Beyond the visuals, Visions makes great music for working at the computer. PBS plays these gems nearly every pledge, and I watch them every time they show; now I dont have to wait. For sheer thrill, you cant go wrong with this set. The Sicily video is less interesting, a male narrator seems to read without much engagement, but the visuals are fine, especially the lingering over churches."
Visions of Italy takes me back there.
J. T. Berry | Texas | 09/19/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"My wife and I spent 5 years in Italy and when we really get
homesick for Italy we watch Visions of Italy. The scenery from the sky is excellent. The DVD covers both Northern and Southern Italy and is very well done. The music that accompanies the DVD is very relaxing and after about 5 minutes of watching and listening, we are there..I highly recommend this set."
Beaitiful images of Italy's cities, monuments, and people
His Girl Friday | Northern California USA | 08/18/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I purchased this DVD in anticipation of trip to Italy. If you have never been to Italy or don't have a trip planned, this collection will provide the inspiration to visit.
Most segments include a narrative describing the history, culture, and geography of the region. Having said that, Visions of Italy is more of a pictoral essay versus a guide to the region. The images and narration are set to tasteful music, modern and classical.
Disc 1, Pt. 1 (Northern Sytle)
The first covers regions north of Rome. This includes the larger cities of Florence and Venice, plus smaller towns like Genoa, Stresa, Portofino, and Siena. This segment also provides beautiful images from Lake Como and the Carrara Quarries.
Disc 1, Pt. 2 (Southern Style)
The segment covers Rome and regions to the south of the mainland. In addition to showing beautiful shots from Naples, Sorrento, and Rome, there are views of the Amalfi Coast and Mt. Vesuvius and several smaller towns.
Disc 1, Pt. 3
This is a bonus segment of images not included in the main narrative.
Disc 2, Pt. 1 (Sicily)
The second disc covers the island of Sicily, including Palermo and smaller towns like Messina and Cefalu. After growing accustomed to the narrator on the first disc, it was a mistake to watch this one immediately after. The narrator is very good, just different from the one used on the previous disc.
Disc 2, Pt. 2
Bonus material not covered in Disc 2, Pt. 1.
The four star rating is really meant to be 4.5 stars. I think the same narrator should have been used for both DVDs and the division of the country seems somewhat arbitrary. Why devote generous time to Sicily without providing any images from Italy's second largest city (Milan)? At the very least, Milan's Duomo and La Scala could have been included in the bonus footage. These are minor complaints, it is a beautiful DVD to watch. Well worth the money."