New Video Group » History

Ice Road Truckers: Season 5

mthiele — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:51:10 +0000

Huge risks. Huge rewards.

HISTORY continues its huge success story with SEASON FIVE of ICE ROAD TRUCKERS. For two months every year, truckers on the world’s most dangerous tundra make history by hauling vital equipment to remote outposts hundreds of miles north of civilization – over roads briefly built by frozen bodies of water. Hugh, Alex, Lisa and Jack race against time, the elements and each other to transport thousands of loads before the road literally disappears into the sea. This groundbreaking series continues to examine a time-honored profession that dates back almost a century, often through generations of families.

Experience all 16 episodes of this exhilarating series on 4 DVDs.

DISC 1: Pushing the Edge / Ice Road Rage / Wrong Turn & Burned / Fire on Ice
DISC 2: Under the Hammer / The Braking Point / A Banged-Up Job / Meltdown!
DISC 3: Road to Nowhere / Rookie Rebellion / Hittin’ The Skids / No More Mr. Nice Guy
DISC 4: Ice Rogue Trucker / The Heat Is On / Judgement Day / The Last Dash / Bonus

History of the World in Two Hours

mthiele — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:50:19 +0000

Did you know that 1% of the white noise you see on your television is actually background radiation from the Big Bang? From the formation of the earth and the emergence of life, to the advance of man and the growth of civilization, the CGI-driven special HISTORY OF THE WORLD IN TWO HOURS offers viewers a rapid-fire view of 14 billion years of history – an epic story that reveals surprising connections to our daily lives.

Vietnam in HD

mthiele — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:01:50 +0000

Their story is in danger of being lost to history. The men who came home from the Vietnam War represent a second silent generation. These are the men who won every battle in a lost war. Using the same experiential approach to storytelling as WWII in HD, HISTORY gives these veterans a voice. Through a collection of color Vietnam footage never seen by the public from private collections, museums, the US government, veteran’s and news organizations as well as sources from Vietnam, they tell their stories and relive their struggles, courage and fears. This six-hour miniseries spans the massive initial troop build-up in 1965 to the fall of Saigon a decade later. Sound design, using popular music from that era, powerfully evokes the time period and experience.

This film documents the Vietnam War in the words of Americans who served there. It features home movies and rare archival footage collected during a worldwide search and now presented in high definition. Many scenes are graphic in nature and viewer discretion is advised.

WWII in HD, Collector’s Edition

mthiele — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:46:32 +0000

The only people to see the war like this were the ones who lived it. Until now…

Seventy years in the making. Three thousand hours of color footage few knew existed. The first documentary to show original color footage of World War II in immersive HD, the world premiere HISTORY™ series WWII IN HD uses the journals and accounts of those who served in the war’s biggest battles to create a personal, introspective and detailed look at life on and off the front lines. Follow 12 unforgettable Americans, and experience the war through their eyes, in their own words, as it really looked and sounded. WWII IN HD transforms their stirring journey into a tangible piece of history. Culled from rare color film found in a two-year worldwide search and converted to HD with meticulous technique, WWII IN HD provides a picture of World War II as it has never been seen before.

Also included is The Battle for Iwo Jima, an immersive look at the momentous battle using gloriously restored, full-color footage, some of which has never seen before. HISTORY details the entire action of the battle, from the first landing of a crippled B-29 to the conflict’s bloody conclusion in a jungle of lava rocks.

This collection also features WWII in HD: The Air War, the untold story of the American 8th Air Force’s bloody battle to defeat the German Luftwaffe in the months leading up to D-Day. Told through the gripping, first person accounts of three American airmen and Stars & Stripes reporter Andy Rooney, this special showcases breathtaking aerial combat–original, color footage, never before seen by most Americans–of the B-17s Flying Fortresses, P-47 Thunderbolts and P-51 Mustangs on missions such as Regensburg, Schweinfurt and Berlin. The 8th Air Force suffered more than 26,000 combat deaths–more than the US Marines lost in all of World War II.

Disclaimer – Program shot and mastered in High Definition. Presented on standard definition DVD that will play in any standard definition DVD Player

DISC 1: Darkness Falls / Hard Way Back / Bloody Resolve / Battle Stations
DISC 2: Day of Days / Point of No Return / Striking Distance / Glory and Guts
DISC 3: Edge of the Abyss / End Game / Bonus
DISC 4: The Battle for Iwo Jima
DISC 5: The Air War

How the States Got Their Shapes: Season 1

mthiele — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:37:58 +0000

When the founding fathers drew the first map of America, they confronted many of the same challenges that unite and divide us today. HOW THE STATES GOT THEIR SHAPES explores how our borders evolved–and continue to change–in response to religion, transportation, communication, politics, culture clashes and even Mother Nature. This is no textbook-style documentary series. Local experts and everyday folks lead host Brian Unger, a journalist and former Daily Show correspondent, to insights about some of America’s most baffling questions. How are flying fish threatening to re-draw the shape of Illinois? What does the use of cell phones by Pennsylvania’s Amish have to do with the shape of their state? How is the phrase “sold down the river” linked to the shape of what might be our 51st state? Why did the invention of air conditioning change how America picks its Presidents? Unger uncovers the answers, hidden in our map.

DISC 1: A River Runs Through It / The Great Plains, Trains, & Automobiles / Force of Nature / State of Rebellion

DISC 2: Living on the Edge / Use it Or Lose It / Church and States / A Boom With A View

DISC 3: Culture Clash / Mouthing Off

DISC 4: Bonus Special: How the States Got Their Shapes

WWII in 3D

mthiele — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 20:40:38 +0000

WWII IN 3D tells the story of the war from the rise of the Nazis, their sweep across Europe, the Allied counterattack and the fall of Nazi Germany. For the first time, you will see dramatic moments of WWII that were captured in 3D with stereographs and then shuttered away in secret archives and attics, until now. This stunning collection of color 3D photos includes Allied reconnaissance photos, a trove of images that documents the rise and fall of the Third Reich, and photos secretly taken by a civilian in occupied France. WWII IN 3D also features an actual 3D motion picture film shot by the Nazis in 1943 and creates a fully immersive, three dimensional portrait of history’s largest and bloodiest conflict.

Swamp People: Season 2

mthiele — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 20:22:10 +0000

The hidden world of the Atchafalaya Swamp is their Eden. It’s a terrain where nature rules – and history lives. Master gator hunters Troy Landry and Junior Edwards return for a second season of survival Cajun-style deep in the bayous of the Louisiana wilderness. Danger and excitement abound, along with a rich tradition of language, food, music and generations of shared family experience. A colorful cast of characters use techniques dating back to frontier days to live off the land, catching everything from frogs to squirrels and raccoons. Men who make gumbo and snag gators with their bare hands make HISTORY every day on SWAMP PEOPLE.

DISC 1: Gator Gauntlet / Hunter or Hunted? / Shooting Wild / First Mates
DISC 2: Hot Pursuit / Dark Waters / Deadly Skies / Rising Sons
DISC 3: Full Moon Fever / It’s Personal / Beat the Clock / Rising Pressure
DISC 4: House Divided / Two Captains, One Family / 2 Days to Tag Out / Swamp Showdown

Secret Access: The Vatican

mthiele — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:37:58 +0000

What happens inside the Vatican continues to compel millions of people, but few get to see it. SECRET ACCESS: THE VATICAN provides a revealing look at the inner workings of the Vatican, from the secret archives to the Swiss guards, as well as some of the treasures locked inside. Building on the success of The White House: Behind Closed Doors and Secret Access: Air Force One, this HISTORY special provides unique entry into one of the world’s most elusive locations. See what is housed under the 110-acre site as an ongoing excavation of an ancient cemetery that the Vatican was built upon uncovers priceless artifacts, including the bones of St. Peter himself. Go inside the Vatican Secret Archives – a collection of rooms and libraries containing some of history’s priceless documents. And get to know Vatican security: the top-of-the-line procedures and practices utilized by a combination of Swiss Guards (elite guards to the Pope), Vatican police, and Italian police that keep the Pope and Vatican safe.

Pawn Stars: Volume 3

mthiele — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 20:50:00 +0000

The history of money-lending dates back thousands of years. Long before the HISTORY hit series PAWN STARS, pawnbrokers helped people make ends meet by providing loans in exchange for personal items of value. There is no better example of today’s pawnbrokers than the Harrison family’s Gold and Silver Pawn shop on the outskirts of Las Vegas – the modern day Mecca for people in need of quick cash. Three generations of Harrison men clash with friendly camaraderie over items from classic cars to samurai swords. Here, everything has a history, and everything has a price. And you never know what’s going to walk through the door. In this collection, the boys haggle over a penny made by Paul Revere, battle plans for Iwo Jima, a 1939 Allied Forces World War II plane and a human shrunken head.

PAWN STARS VOLUME 3 includes sixteen fan-favorite episodes on two discs.

DISC 1: Trail Breaker / Top Secret / Whale of a Time / Gold Diggers / Aw Shucks! / Deals From Hell / Chumlee’s Dummies / Strike, Spare, BOOM

DISC 2: Message in a Bottle / Rough Riders / Phoning It In / Moon Walking / Peeping Pawn / Ace in the Hole / Double Trouble / Getting A Head

American Pickers: Volume 2

mthiele — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 20:20:19 +0000

In small towns, and along America’s back roads, treasures are waiting to be uncovered— valuable relics from our history that are hidden in junk piles, buried in barns and stacked in garages. It takes experts to find them – and turn rust to riches. AMERICAN PICKERS follows two of the most skilled “pickers”— Mike Wolfe, owner of Antique Archaeology, and his business partner, Frank Fritz— as they hunt down objects with historical, collectible and pop culture value that have been long forgotten by their owners. Along the way, they meet people whose own stories open a window into American lives and history. In this collection, Mike and Frank try to strike a deal with NASCAR Champion Ryan Newman, explore the appropriately named Pickens, South Carolina and try to buy a 300-pound boot.

AMERICAN PICKERS VOLUME 2 includes eight fan-favorite episodes on two discs.

DISC 1: Art of the Deal / Buddy’s Booby Trap / Gordon’s Gold Mine / Smooth Operators

DISC 2: Getting the Boot / Easy Riders / Psychic Pickings / One Pony Town

America The Story of Us, Collector’s Edition

mthiele — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 21:37:09 +0000

A riveting adventure of how America was invented, AMERICA THE STORY OF US focuses on the people, ideas and events that built our nation, covering 400 years of American history in the most extensive and in-depth television series ever produced by HISTORY. From the rigors of linking the continent by wagon trails to the transcontinental railway, the engineering of steel-structured buildings, through to landing on the moon, this epic 12-part series is a grand cinematic vision of how this country was built. AMERICA THE STORY OF US brings this story to life first hand through patriots, frontiersmen, slaves, abolitionists, Native Americans, pioneers, immigrants, entrepreneurs and inventors. Sharing their thoughts on the building of America, and what it means to be an American, are a world-class group of individuals including Meryl Streep, Michael Douglas, Buzz Aldrin, Colin Powell, Donald Trump, Tom Brokaw, John Legend, Melissa Etheridge, Brian Williams and more. This special collection includes a bonus disc with over 100 minutes of brand-new footage as well as a book commemorating the series.

COLLECTOR’S EDITION DVD GIFT SET INCLUDES:
*The Original 12-Part Series
*The Stunning 400+ Page Companion Book, filled with over 200 illustrations, photographs, and historical documents
*A Brand New Bonus Disc Featuring Modern Marvels: The Statue of Liberty

September 11th Memorial Edition

mthiele — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 16:17:43 +0000

New York City, September 11, 2001. The morning everything changed. Ten years after the World Trade Center attacks, HISTORY presents the SEPTEMBER 11TH MEMORIAL COLLECTOR’S EDITION, a collection of specials that document a day none of us will ever forget. The collection includes: the Emmy-Award winning 102 Minutes That Changed America, an intensely personal perspective of the tragedy as it was experienced by people around New York… Hotel Ground Zero, the incredible tale of the 940 tourists, visitors and staff in the Marriott WTC Hotel, located beneath and between the Twin Towers… The Miracle of Stairway B, the story of 12 firefighters, three office workers, and a Port Authority police officer who survived the collapse of the North Tower… The Day the Towers Fell, a riveting special that reveals the never-before-told stories of eyewitnesses, including amateur and professional photographers, caught in the horror of the World Trade Center tragedy.

DISC 1: 102 Minutes That Changed America
DISC 2: Hotel Ground Zero / The Miracle of Stairway B / The Day the Towers Fell

America The Story Of Us Singles

mthiele — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 19:31:17 +0000

AMERICA : THE STORY OF US focuses on how events small and large are intrinsically linked to the exploration and innovation, leading us from the frontier to 21st century cities, from the Mississippi to the moon, from Jamestown to 9/11 up to present day. Moving though time and space linking key events, people and locations, capturing the vast sweep of American history— bringing viewers on a journey through the forces that shaped the destiny of America.

Ancient Aliens: Season 2

mthiele — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 20:37:56 +0000

ANCIENT ALIENS returns in SEASON TWO to explore the controversial theory that extraterrestrials have visited Earth for millions of years. From the age of dinosaurs to ancient Egypt, from early cave drawings to continued mass sightings in the United States, each episode in this new series gives historic depth to the questions, speculations, provocative controversies, firsthand accounts and grounded theories surrounding an age-old debate: Did intelligent life forms from outer space visit Earth thousands of years ago? Do they visit us now? HISTORY ignites this inquiry.

DISC 1: Mysterious Places / Gods & Aliens / Underwater Worlds / Underground Aliens
DISC 2: Aliens and the Third Reich / Alien Tech / Angels and Aliens / Unexplained Structures
DISC 3: Alien Devastations / Alien Contacts

Underwater Universe: Season 1

mthiele — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 19:32:09 +0000

Five deadly forces, four turbulent episodes, one powerful surge of entertainment.

Welcome to the ocean’s dark side. Building on HISTORY’s successful Underwater Universe special, this new limited series goes deep to explore undersea forces that have brought terror and destruction to our planet throughout history. Beneath the surface of our oceans, tides and currents, predators, lethal pressure and killer shockwaves create ongoing and ominous threats. CGI animation, heart-stopping cinematography and submersible expedition footage shed new light on hard science, dramatic historical stories and riveting first-person accounts.

DISC 1: Killer Shockwaves / Predators of the Deep / Fatal Pressure / Tides and Currents Of Death
DISC 2: Bonus HISTORY Special Underwater Universe

Brad Meltzer’s Decoded: Season 1

mthiele — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 19:59:43 +0000

What if everything you learned in history books were only half true? Best-selling author and history buff Brad Meltzer has studied and written about some of the most revered institutions and documents in human history including the Supreme Court, the presidency, the Secret Service, Wall Street, and the bible. Along the way he’s uncovered countless clues, stories and theories he hasn’t been able to fully scrutinize…until now. In BRAD MELTZER’S DECODED: SEASON ONE, Meltzer separates fact from fiction as he investigates the hidden history and coded truths behind everything from the Statue of Liberty to the dollar bill to the assassination of President Lincoln. Mysteries explored in this captivating HISTORY series include: the real story behind the White House cornerstone, which has been missing for two centuries; the location of the lost Confederate treasury; the hidden messages of the Statue of Liberty; and whether Lady Liberty is anti-religion.

BRAD MELTZER’S DECODED: SEASON ONE includes all 10 episodes:

DISC 1: The White House / Secret Presidential Codes / Statue Of Liberty / The Lincoln Assassination

DISC 2: Confederate Gold / D.B. Cooper / 2012 / The President’s Inner Circle

DISC 3: Secret Societies / Apocalypse In Georgia

Swamp People: Season 1

mthiele — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 17:26:27 +0000

Deep in the heart of Louisiana lies America’s largest swamp–a millio miles of inhospitable bayous, marshes and wetlands where nature rules and humans struggle to tame it. Many of its inhabitants are the hardened descendants of French refugees who were forced out of Canada in the 18th century and settled in this harsh yet majestic environment. SEASON ONE of SWAMP PEOPLE takes you on a journey to a hidden world, the bayous and swamplands of America’s southern heartland, where the folks who dwell here live on the fringes of society and are known as Cajuns. Resilient, self-reliant and fiercely independent, the Cajuns of the Atchafalaya Swamp still carry on many of their ancestors’ trades and traditions.

HISTORY’s SWAMP PEOPLE follows these swampers through a time of year that is crucial to their survival: the 30-day alligator hunting season. At its core, this is a uniquely American story of a proud and skillful people fighting to maintain an ancient way of life in a rapidly modernizing world, despite the many perils and trials that stand in their way.

DISC 1: Big Head Bites It / Houdini’s Last Escape / Troy’s Gamble / Cannibal Gator

DISC 2: Forces of Nature / Family Feuds / Swamp Wars / Gator Voodoo

DISC 3: Final Countdown / The Last Battle / Bonus

The Universe: The Complete Season 5

mthiele — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 16:55:45 +0000

It’s been 50 years since man ventured into the unknown, and the heavens are only now yielding their greatest secrets. Follow in the galactic path of THE UNIVERSE, which this season leads us even further into the world beyond our own.

From robotic rovers on Mars to NASA probes slamming into comets and deep space telescopes capturing violent images of the birth of stars, season five of this illuminating HISTORY™ series explores how these discoveries were made – and who made them. Dramatic CGI and interviews with expert cosmologists, astronomers and astrophysicists bring the history of the heavens down to earth and provide a glimpse into our future.

THE UNIVERSE: THE COMPLETE SEASON FIVE includes all 8 episodes on 2 DVDs.

VOLUME 1: 7 Wonders of the Solar System / Mars: The New Evidence / Magnetic Storm / Time Travel

VOLUME 2: Secrets of the Space Probes / Asteroid Attack / Total Eclipse / Dark Future of the Sun

HISTORY Classics: The Mafia

mthiele — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 16:13:25 +0000

A sweeping saga of bloodshed, betrayal and big business, this comprehensive collection of documentaries from HISTORY offers a cold-blooded examination of organized crime, from prohibition and WWII to the hitmen and women who are currently administering the brutal judgments of the mob. A groundbreaking investigation into the origins – and present-day activities – of the ethnic gangs that turned criminal activities into family enterprises, The Mafia exposes an underworld of danger, money, glamour and murder, covering such notorious figures as Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, Carlo Gambino and John Gotti, as well as topics including the bloody mob wars that have recently scarred Philadelphia, the murky past of the Kennedys, the ordinary, privileged, and at times remarkable women who gained stature in a male-dominated world, and the gangster-turned-informants who make it possible to prosecute the Mafia.

THE MAFIA includes 13 documentaries on 5 DVDs:
*MAFIA: THE HISTORY OF THE MOB IN AMERICA (5 episodes – The Prohibition Years, Birth of the American Mafia, The Kennedys and the Mob, Unions and the Mob, Empire of Crime)
*MOB HITMEN
*AL CAPONE AND THE MACHINE GUN MASSACRE
*AMERICA AND THE MOB: WARTIME FRIENDS
*THE BAMBINOS: FIRST FAMILY OF CRIME
*TAKING OUT AL CAPONE
*THE UNDERBOSS
*MOB LADIES
*MOB RATS

DISC 1: The Prohibition Years / Birth of the American Mafia / The Kennedys and the Mob
DISC 2: Unions and the Mob / Empire of Crime / Mob Hitmen
DISC 3: Al Capone and the Machine Gun Massacre / America and the Mob: Wartime Friends / The Gambinos: First Family of Crime
DISC 4: Taking Out Al Capone / The Underboss
DISC 5: Mob Ladies / Mob Rats

HISTORY Classics: The Real West: Cowboys & Outlaws

mthiele — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:51:42 +0000

Saddle up with the most legendary cowboys and notorious outlaws of America’s western frontier in this comprehensive collection from HISTORY. THE REAL WEST: COWBOYS & OUTLAWS draws the line between the facts and fictions behind the fabled men of the frontier and the myths that surround them. Learn the real story of former rebel soldier turned outlaw Jesse James, his James gang, and the treasure hunt that seeks to uncover the truth behind James’ complicated nature. Reacquaint yourself with anti-heroes Billy the Kid and Doc Holiday, as well as lead-slinging lawmen like Stephen F. Austin and his illustrious Texas Rangers. Then meet the real men behind the show business legends of “Wild Bill” Hickok and “Buffalo Bill” Cody through authentic diary entries, period accounts, rare photos, and expert commentary. And get up close and personal with two of the most dreaded names in Western lore, Smith and Wesson. This is one ride you won’t want to miss.

THE REAL WEST: COWBOYS & OUTLAWS includes 9 documentaries on 5 DVDs:
DISC 1: Buffalo Bill / Wild Bill Hickok
DISC 2: Legendary Cowboys / The Law from Behind the Tin Star
DISC 3: The James Gang / The Texas Rangers
DISC 4: Outlaws: the Ten Most Wanted / The Guns That Tamed The West
DISC 5: Jesse James’ Hidden Treasure

HISTORY Classics: WWII: Unsung Heroes

mthiele — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:02:14 +0000

They persevered in some of the bloodiest battles ever fought, saved their fellow servicemen from imminent danger, and endured the unpredictability of the greatest war of the 20th century.

A stirring collection of bravery and conquest, WWII: UNSUNG HEROES details the horror and heroism of some of the most famous campaigns of military history, focusing on the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines whose courage, quick thinking, and sacrifice helped pave the way to Allied victory. From Marine Red Mike Edson, who invented a new kind of high-mobility warfare that helped win some of America’s earliest ground battles, to sailor/scientist Swede Momsen, who directed the rescue and recovery of the 33 crewmen of the sunken submarine, Squalus, this inspiring assortment of documentaries from HISTORY provides an intimately personal survey of an epic war. Other topics covered include the elite Marine Raider battalions that confronted enemy forces in surprise hit-and-run raids, helping to destroy Japanese supremacy on the ground, and the Tuskegee airmen who, in the face of bigotry and ignorance, shattered racist stereotypes to fight bravely for their country.

WWII: UNSUNG HEROES includes 11 documentaries on 5 DVDs:

DISC 1: Unsung Heroes Of WWII: Red Mike Edson: Marine Raider / Unsung Heroes Of WWII: Swede Momsen: Submarine Savior / Weapons at War: Fighting Leathernecks of WWII

DISC 2: Dangerous Missions: Marine Raiders / Dangerous Missions: Pathfinders

DISC 3: Dogfights: Tuskegee Airmen / Black Aviators: Flying Free

DISC 4: A Distant Shore: African Americans of D-Day / Honor Deferred

DISC 5: Combat Jump / Navajo Code Talkers

Stan Lee’s Superhumans

mthiele — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 20:12:46 +0000

Throughout history, the forces of evolution and genetic mutation have endowed humans with astonishing new abilities and features. It’s a process that continues to this day, and nowhere is it more evident than in the fascinating world of STAN LEE’S SUPERHUMANS.

Co-hosted by Stan Lee, the legendary creator of the X-Men, Spider-Man and the Hulk, the series scours the globe for the real-life counterparts of Lee’s characters – people with unique genetic traits that translate into remarkable powers. In each episode, these “superhumans” undergo tests that may help explain their amazing gifts, while viewers discover the long history of people with extraordinary powers. Daniel Browning Smith, who’s been dubbed the most flexible man in the world, hosts this thrilling journey into the farthest reaches of humankind.

STAN LEE’S SUPERHUMANS: SEASON 1 includes all 8 episodes and over 30 remarkable Superhumans, including: The Human Calculator, Crash Test Dummy, The Human Orchestra, The Man Who Feels No Pain, Ultimate Climber, The Human Bee Hive, Rubber Band Man, Super Memory, Man of Steel, and many more!

DISC 1: Electro Man / Killer Punch / Hammer Head /Human Speed Bump
DISC 2: Human Wolf / Human Crash Test Dummy / Rubber Band Man / Jaw Breaker / Bonus

Reagan

mthiele — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 17:45:35 +0000

HISTORY presents a brand-new special that reveals the President Reagan that few of us knew.

Americans know President Ronald Reagan’s politics, his policies, and his oratorical prowess. But as we approach what would have been his 100th birthday in February 2011, the totality of the legacy of America’s 40th president is still eclipsed by the myth. While some say he’s a hero, and others call him an empty suit, one thing is for certain – President Ronald Reagan made history. But what made him? Using rare archival footage and personal interviews with those who knew him best, REAGAN goes beyond the myth to reveal the epic story of an unforgettable man who, against all odds, rose to the pinnacle of power.

HISTORY Classics: Barbarians

mthiele — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 19:12:44 +0000

History will never forget their reign of terror.

For nearly a millennium, barbarian hordes rose up and swept across Asia, Europe, and Africa, pillaging towns and sacking empires. But who were these barbarians, seemingly devoted only to violence and destruction, their language the battle-axe and mighty sword? In BARBARIANS, HISTORY explores the origins of the Huns, Goths, Vikings, and Mongols. Shot on location, Emmy^® Award-winning documentarian Robert Gardner (Islam: Empire of Faith) uses in-depth interviews, thrilling reenactments, and narration by Clancy Brown (The Shawshank Redemption) to bring to life the powerful leaders, military strength, and overwhelming drive that kept empires on three continents in terror for centuries.

Then, in BARBARIANS II, HISTORY follows four of the most fearsome tribes: the Vandals, the Saxons, the Franks, and the Lombards, as they cut a swath of destruction through the heart of the Roman world. Produced in High Definition, Barbarians II recreates the world of these invaders through even more intense stunts, large-scale battle re-enactments, and a fast-paced, exciting narrative. The whistle of the war axe and the clank of the shield will ring in viewers’ ears as these four programs bring the epochal clash of civilizations to life as never before.

This HISTORY CLASSIC set contains all episodes of both critically acclaimed series, BARBARIANS and BARBARIANS II.

BARBARIANS
DISC 1: The Vikings / The Goths / Bonus
DISC 2: The Mongols / The Huns / Bonus

BARBARIANS II
DISC 3: The Vandals / The Saxons / Bonus
DISC 4: The Franks / The Lombards / Bonus

HISTORY Classics: Dinosaurs

mthiele — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 19:28:40 +0000

For over a century, historians and scientists have been piecing together a history of the prehistoric world. HISTORY Classics: Dinosaurs! examines the ultimate fighters of this unique period – gigantic beasts that stalked the earth millions of years ago. Some of these dinosaurs were larger than seven-story buildings, and hunted their prey with strategy and cunning, transforming the prehistoric world into a battlefield. The temperature, terrain, and innate sense of the opponent’s weaknesses and strengths all played a role in how each dinosaur planned his attack. Today, paleontologists are uncovering these fighting grounds and are gaining startling new insight into how maneuverability, team coordination, and striking at the exact moment meant survival. Blow by blow, each episode will dissect these battles, revealing a predatory world far more calculated – and complex – than we originally thought.

DINOSAURS contains 12 acclaimed documentaries on 4 DVDs

DISC 1: Cannibal Dinosaur / T-Rex Hunter / Gang Killers / Bonus: Additional Footage
DISC 2: Bloodiest Battle / Deep Sea Killers / Hunter Becomes Hunted
DISC 3: Biggest Killers / Raptor’s Last Stand / Ice Age Monsters
DISC 4: River of Death / Raptor vs. T-Rex / Armageddon

HISTORY Classics: The Revolution

mthiele — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 19:20:16 +0000

They came of age in a new world amid intoxicating and innovative ideas about human and civil rights, diverse economic systems, and self-government. In a few short years, these men and women would transform themselves into architects of the future through the building of a new nation unlike any that had ever come before. From the roots of the rebellion and the signing of the Declaration of Independence to victory on the battlefield at Yorktown and the adoption of The United States Constitution, THE REVOLUTION tells the remarkable story of this important era in history. Venturing beyond the conventional list of generals and politicians, HISTORY introduces the full range of individuals who helped shape this great conflict, including some of the war’s most influential unsung heroes. Through cinematic recreations, intimate biographical investigations, and provocative political, military, and economic analysis, THE REVOLUTION breathes new life into one of the most pivotal periods in American history.

THE REVOLUTION contains 13 hour-long episodes on 4 DVDs

DISC 1 (Episodes 1-4): Boston, Bloody Boston / Rebellion to Revolution / Declaring Independence / American Crisis
DISC 2 (Episodes 5-7): Path to World War / Forging an Army / Treason & Betrayal
DISC 3 (Episodes 8-10): The War Heads South / A Hornet’s Nest / The End Game
DISC 4 (Episodes 11-13): Becoming a Nation / Road to the Presidency / A President and His Revolution / Bonus

HISTORY Classics: WWII: The War Chronicles

mthiele — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 19:34:01 +0000

World War II encompassed some of America’s greatest triumphs and most bitter defeats. HISTORY Classics: WWII: The War Chronicles is a comprehensive and intimate survey of this epic war. Take a commanding view of the battles and strategy, the men and machines, and the horror and heroism in eight documentaries that chronicle the war in Europe. And experience the drama and intensity of World War II’s turbulent Pacific Theater through extraordinary footage and intense expert commentary with seven documentaries that comprise the war in the Pacific.

WWII: THE WAR CHRONICLES contains 15 acclaimed documentaries on 4 DVDs

THE GREATEST CONFLICT
NORTH AFRICA… THE DESERT WAR
THE BEACHHEAD AT ANZIO
D-DAY… THE NORMANDY INVASION
PURSUIT TO THE RHINE
THE BOMBER OFFENSIVE: AIR WAR IN EUROPE
THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE
THE BATTLE OF GERMANY
ISLAND HOPPING: THE ROAD BACK
JUNGLE WARFARE: NEW GUINEA TO BURMA
AIR WAR IN THE PACIFIC
THE BLOODY RIDGES OF PELELIU
THE RETURN TO THE PHILIPPINES
OKINAWA… THE LAST BATTLE

DISC 1: The Greatest Conflict / North Africa…The Desert War / The Beachhead At Anzio / D-Day…The Normandy Invasion

DISC 2: Pursuit To The Rhine / The Bomber Offensive: Air War In Europe / The Battle Of The Bulge / The Battle Of Germany

DISC 3: Island Hopping: The Road Back / Jungle Warfare: New Guinea To Burma / Air War In The Pacific / The Bloody Ridges Of Peleliu

DISC 4: Return To The Philippines / Okinawa…The Last Battle/ Admiral William “Bull” Halsey: Naval Warrior

HISTORY Classics: Ancient Mysteries: Lost Cities

mthiele — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 19:38:28 +0000

Take a journey across the globe and through time with HISTORY CLASSICS: ANCIENT MYSTERIES: LOST CITIES. Marvel at the power and glory of ancient Rome… discover the enchanting secrets behind the mystical Forbidden City… take to the high seas to learn the grim and gritty history of legendary pirates… behold the wonder of Machu Picchu… embark upon the odyssey of Troy… visit the remarkable city of Pompeii… search for the hidden utopia that is Shangri La… explore the crown jewel of the Roman Empire. This collection offers you an unprecedented look at these archaeological, historical and cultural wonders of the world with expert interviews, extensive location footage and stunning reenactments.

ANCIENT MYSTERIES: LOST CITIES contains 8 acclaimed documentaries on 4 DVDs

DISC 1: Ancient Rome And Its Mysterious Cities / The Forbidden City: Dynasty And Destiny
DISC 2: Lost City Of Pirates / Machu Picchu: City In The Sky
DISC 3: The Odyssey Of Troy / Pompeii: Buried Alive
DISC 4: The Search For Shangri-La / The Sunken City

Our Planet: The Past, Present and Future of Earth

mthiele — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 18:40:48 +0000

Journey through the past, present and future of Earth as HISTORY explores the very real beginnings of our planet, the potentially catastrophic results of our own behavior on it, and the possibility of a world wiped clean of humanity in this stunning collection of HISTORY’s most Earth-centric and informative series. Contents include:

HOW THE EARTH WAS MADE:
HISTORY goes back in time, from 4.5 billion years ago to today, to reveal the mystery of geology across the world. Spectacular on-location shooting, evidence from geologists in the field and clear, and dramatic graphics combine to show how the immensely powerful, and at times violent, forces of geology have literally shaped the world we live in.

A GLOBAL WARNING?:
Arctic ice is melting, sea levels are rising, glaciers are shrinking at alarming rates, and the Earth is getting unmistakably warmer. Is this vast, potentially catastrophic, climate change the result of human behavior? HISTORY offers an in-depth study of the science behind this controversial, hot-button issue.

LIFE AFTER PEOPLE:
What would happen if every human being on Earth disappeared? This isn’t the story of how we might vanish – it is the story of what happens to the world we leave behind. Each episode examines how the very landscape of planet Earth would change in our absence, using cinematic CGI to reveal – in scientific detail – the fate of every aspect of the man-made world.

Third Reich: The Rise and Fall

mthiele — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 17:12:51 +0000

For the second half of the twentieth century, the Third Reich has been deliberated and dissected. Now, as the “Greatest Generation” fades into history, the image of 40,000 uniformed Nazis goose-stepping in perfect synchronization represents all most Americans know about history’s most dangerously successful totalitarian government. Dig deep beneath the surface of our collective understanding of the Third Reich as HISTORY unearths what we don’t know about the individuals who comprised one of the most fascinating and complex regimes of recent history. THE THIRD REICH uncovers familiar anecdotes and fascinating details about the people who comprised the Nazi Party, and raids the treasure trove of archives the Nazis left behind, including rarely-seen German newsreel recordings along with other unique footage carried home by Russian troops.

DISC ONE: THE RISE
DISC TWO: THE FALL

The President’s Book of Secrets

mthiele — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 20:27:10 +0000

What secrets have been passed down to each United States president? Why does Air Force One always appear with its left side facing the public and how much does the president know about activating the on-board flares to repel missiles? What other secrets are available to the president, and what information is so highly classified that even the commander in chief can’t gain access? HISTORY™ uncovers the fascinating truths behind some of the most confidential secrets in American history in THE PRESIDENT’S BOOK OF SECRETS. Interviews with former intelligence operatives, renowned historians and archivists show how classified information is treated in the highest circles of political power, how it’s preserved throughout history, and who ensures continuity when a new leader is elected.

HISTORY Classics: Mega Disasters

mthiele — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:57:10 +0000

What would happen if a major catastrophe struck the United States? Using past natural disasters as an example, this detailed – and disturbing – collection from HISTORY examines tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes and even an asteroid impact, to see what disasters could be coming our way. The same geological forces that ripped apart the ancient world still roil beneath the surface today. Will history repeat itself? What are experts doing to avoid a landslide of death and destruction in the event of an eruption at Mt. Rainier? Would the people – and skyscrapers – of present-day Chicago survive a high-speed tornado like the one that hit in 1967? And what would happen if a Category 3 hurricane were to hit New York City? Computer animations, models, and re-creations providing a jaw-dropping view of what a storm like this could do to the Big Apple. HISTORY CLASSICS: MEGA DISASTERS examines it all – quakes, droughts, freezes and eruptions. They’ve happened before; will they happen again?

MEGA DISASTERS includes 10 documentaries on 5 DVDs:

DISC 1: Asteroid Apocalypse / Atlantis Apocalypse
DISC 2: American Volcano / The Next Pompeii
DISC 3: Windy City Tornado / New York City Hurricane
DISC 4: LA’s Killer Quake / Yellowstone Eruption
DISC 5: Mega Drought / Mega Freeze

HISTORY Classics: UFOs and Aliens

mthiele — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 17:03:55 +0000

From unidentified flying objects and otherworldly underwater vessels to alien life forms and the UFO hunters who seek to prove their existence, explore some of the most puzzling paranormal incidents and the most credible evidence of extraterrestrial life in this revealing collection from HISTORY. Through exhaustive research and revelation, UFOs AND ALIENS takes viewers from the fringes of the galaxy to their own backyards in search of proof of life beyond this world. Tracing the long, elaborate history of both UFO and alien encounters, HISTORY opens new windows into a controversial field, covering topics including the tragedy of Heaven’s Gate and the remarkable number of people who currently belong to UFO groups, the aftermath and repercussions of the 1947 Roswell incident, tales of governmental intervention with the unearthly, and Hangar 18, a top-secret facility in Dayton, Ohio where some experts claim UFO crash wreckage – and the pilots involved in them – are hidden.

UFOs AND ALIENS includes 10 documentaries on 5 DVDs:

DISC 1: UFO Files: UFOs and the White House / UFO Files: UFO Hunters
DISC 2: UFO Files: Day After Roswell / UFO Files: Deep Sea UFOs
DISC 3: UFO Files: UFOs of the ’70s / UFO Files: Hangar 18 – The UFO Warehouse
DISC 4: The Unexplained: UFOs: Testing the Evidence / The Unexplained: Extraterrestrial Life
DISC 5: The Unexplained: UFO Cults / The Unexplained: UFOs vs. the Governments

HISTORY Classics: The First Days of Christianity

mthiele — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:19:04 +0000

The events of Jesus’ life and the lives of his Apostles occurred over a few short decades but generated ripples that have driven the course of history for two thousand years. THE FIRST DAYS OF CHRISTIANITY unites popular programs from both A&E and HISTORY in an enthralling exploration of a crucial turning point in Western culture. Join host Roger Moore for a journey In the Footsteps of the Holy Family, a compelling mixture of science, history, faith and scholarship that examines the perplexing Biblical mysteries, ancient texts and sacred places touched by the Holy Family. And from conversions to missions to martyrdoms, The Story of the Twelve Apostles and The Story of Paul the Apostle introduces viewers to the believers who began the epic mission of spreading the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus: Holy Child offers a riveting investigation into the life and times of Jesus Christ, while Mary of Nazareth presents the amazing story of the woman hailed as the Blessed Virgin and Mother of God.

THE FIRST DAYS OF CHRISTIANITY includes 5 documentaries on 5 DVDs:
DISC 1: In the Footsteps of the Holy Family Part 1
DISC 2: In the Footsteps of the Holy Family Part 2
DISC 3: The Story of the Twelve Apostles
DISC 4: The Story of Paul The Apostle
DISC 5: Jesus: Holy Child / Mary of Nazareth

The People Speak (extended edition)

komra — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:15:18 +0000

THE PEOPLE SPEAK is a beautiful and moving film inspired by Howard Zinn’s books A People’s History of the United States — first published in 1980 and one of the bestselling history books in the United States — and Voices of a People’s History of the United States, the primary-source companion to A People’s History of the United States, edited with Anthony Arnove.

The film features the actual words (in letters, songs, poems, speeches, and manifestoes) of rebels, dissenters, and visionaries from our past — and present — including Frederick Douglass, Susan B. Anthony, Bob Dylan, Langston Hughes, Chief Joseph, Muhammad Ali, and unknown veterans, union workers, abolitionists, and many others never featured in high school textbooks. These dramatic moments from our history are brought to life by a group of remarkable musicians and actors.

Like Howard Zinn’s work as a whole, THE PEOPLE SPEAK celebrates the extraordinary possibilities for creating social change that ordinary people have realized throughout the course of our nation’s rich but often ignored history of dissent and protest.

THE PEOPLE SPEAK is produced by Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Chris Moore, Anthony Arnove, and Howard Zinn, co-directed by Moore, Arnove and Zinn, and features dramatic and musical performances by Allison Moorer, Benjamin Bratt, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Chris Robinson, Christina Kirk, Danny Glover, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, David Strathairn, Don Cheadle, Eddie Vedder, Harris Yulin, Jasmine Guy, John Legend, Josh Brolin, Kathleen Chalfant, Kerry Washington, Lupe Fiasco, Marisa Tomei, Martín Espada, Matt Damon, Michael Ealy, Mike O’Malley, Morgan Freeman, P!nk, Q’orianka Kilcher, Reg E. Cathey, Rich Robinson, Rosario Dawson, Sandra Oh, Sean Penn, Staceyann Chin, Van Dyke Parks, and Viggo Mortensen. Narrated by Howard Zinn.

I Am Alive: Surviving the Andes Plane Crash

mthiele — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 17:40:21 +0000

On Friday the 13th of October 1972, a plane carrying 45 rugby team members crashed in the Andes Mountains. For 72 days, the world thought they were dead. But what 16 survivors endured was far worse than death, driven to what would become headline-making acts of cannibalism in their struggle for life.

I AM ALIVE: SURVIVING THE ANDES PLANE CRASH presents one of the most remarkable human survival stories of all time as it has never been told before: through the first person, on-camera account of survivor Nando Parrado, the best-selling author of Miracle in the Andes. Nando’s simple yet powerfully evocative storytelling allows viewers to experience the 72 days of heroism and tragedy through the eyes and memories of a man who lived it.

Nando’s account is accompanied by new, high-resolution imagery of photos shot by the survivors throughout their ordeal, rarely seen footage of the crash site, and re-creations of the crash and their struggle for survival.

The Last Days of the Civil War

komra — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 06:24:58 +0000

It was the gravest crisis in American history. For four bitter years, Union and Confederate troops battled to determine the fate of a divided nation, with the outcome unclear until the very end.

THE LAST DAYS OF THE CIVIL WAR explores this critical period through five original programs. April 1865: The Month That Saved America, based on Jay Winik’s bestselling book, chronicles the remarkable succession of events leading from the fall of Richmond to Appomattox. Civil War Combat: The Tragedy at Cold Harbor details the brutal, 10-month battle many feel was the war’s turning point. And in-depth profiles from the award-winning BIOGRAPHY and Civil War Journal series illuminate the personalities at the heart of the conflict: Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, and Robert E. Lee.

Explore the forces, figures and events that defined the end of a tragic era–and shaped the nation that emerged.

DISC 1: April 1865 / The Tragedy at Cold Harbor
DISC 2: Abraham Lincoln / Jefferson Davis/ Robert E. Lee / bonus

A Global Warning?

komra — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 06:02:37 +0000

Arctic ice is melting, sea levels are rising, and glaciers are shrinking at alarming rates. And the Earth is getting unmistakably warmer. But is this vast, potentially catastrophic, climate change the result of human behavior? Or is it simply the Earth’s natural cycle of warming and cooling periods that have occurred since the planet formed? THE HISTORY CHANNEL offers an in-depth study of the science behind this controversial, hot-button issue.

Scientists explore the skies to examine the warming effects of the sun and dig deep into the Earth to study continental movement and the volatile activity at the planet’s core. Experts speculate on how natural events, including volcanic eruptions and massive meteor impacts, have affected temperatures and weather systems over the planet’s 600-million-year history.

Shot on location at some of the most breath-taking locations on the planet, and filled with dynamic special effects, A GLOBAL WARNING? is a captivating look at the Earth’s climatic evolution and a study of the longevity of our planet — and man’s future on it.

The Presidents

komra — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 06:25:08 +0000

THE PRESIDENTS is an unprecedented eight-part survey of the personal lives and legacies of the remarkable men who have presided over the Oval Office.

From George Washington to George W. Bush, THE PRESIDENTS gathers together vivid snapshots of all 43 Commanders in Chief who have guided America throughout its history–their powerful personalities, weaknesses, and major achievements or historical insignificance. Based on the book To the Best of My Ability, edited by Pulitzer Prize-winner James McPherson, THE PRESIDENTS features rare and unseen photographs and footage, unexpected insight and trivia from journalists, scholars, and politicians such as Walter Cronkite, David Brinkley, Wesley Clark, Bob Dole, and former President Jimmy Carter. Viewed within the changing contexts of each administration, the Presidency has never seemed more compelling and human.

Narrated by Edward Herrmann (The Aviator), this three-DVD set is a proud addition to the award-winning documentary tradition of THE HISTORY CHANNEL^®.

JFK: A Presidency Revealed

komra — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 06:24:57 +0000

He was a young hero who brought the promise of a new era to the Oval Office. But the dream of “Camelot” was extinguished by an assassin’s bullet just 1,000 days later. Forty years after his death, the legacy–and mystery–of John F. Kennedy continues to grow.

From secret liaisons to the details of cabinet deliberations during the Cuban Missile Crisis, JFK: A PRESIDENCY REVEALED provides the most in-depth look at the man and his administration ever filmed. Peabody Award-winning producer David Taylor (The Johnson Tapes) and host Frank Sesno draw on an extraordinary array of never-before-released source material, including JFK’s White House audiotapes and Soviet footage from Kennedy’s sole superpower summit, to write new chapters in the story of America’s 35th president.

FDR: A Presidency Revealed

komra — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 06:24:48 +0000

For twelve years he stood as America’s 32nd President, a man who overcame the ravages of polio to pull America through the Great Depression and WWII. From his legendary Fireside Chats to his sweeping New Deal, Franklin Delano Roosevelt revolutionized the American way of life.

FDR: A PRESIDENCY REVEALED examines one of history’s most compelling figures. Inspired by his cousin Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt rose to the nation’s highest office during the depths of one of its darkest periods. A man of few words, he brought a nation together through his revolutionary Fireside Chats. He introduced vast reforms like Social Security and work relief for the unemployed. At the same time, his administration hid a dark underbelly teeming with covert maneuvers, spy rings, and powerful enemies.

Featuring never-before-seen home movies, rare audio recordings, and interviews with FDR’s grandson Curtis Roosevelt, the nation’s leading academics, and Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, this original program from THE HISTORY CHANNEL^® reveals the full story of FDR’s remarkable 4-term presidency.

How the Earth Was Made: The Complete Season 2

mthiele — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 19:31:03 +0000

Spectacular on-location shooting, evidence from geologists in the field, and clear, dramatic graphics combine in SEASON TWO of this stunning series from HISTORY™ to show how immensely powerful, and at times violent, forces of geology have formed our planet.

This season, HOW THE EARTH WAS MADE goes back in history – from 4.5 billion years ago to today – peeling back layers of rock, filling up river canyons, parting the oceans, and leveling mountains and volcanoes to investigate the origins of some of the most well-known locations and geological phenomena in the world. With rocks as their clues and volcanoes, ice sheets and colliding continents as their suspects, scientists launch a forensic investigation that will help viewers visualize how the Earth has evolved and formed over millions of years.

Experience all 13 episodes of this landmark series on 4 DVDs.

Volume 1: Grand Canyon / Vesuvius / Birth of the Earth / Sahara
Volume 2: Yosemite / The Rockies / Ring of Fire
Volume 3: Everest / Death Valley / Mt. St. Helens
Volume 4: Earth’s Deadliest Eruption / America’s Ice Age / America’s Gold

Teddy Roosevelt: An American Lion SET

komra — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 06:25:18 +0000

“The course I followed, of regarding the Executive as subject only to the people… was substantially the course followed by both Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln.”–Theodore Roosevelt

He was the living embodiment of the nation, a powerhouse politician whose straight-ahead style and penchant for delivering a “square deal” made him one of the most influential presidents in American history.

From his days as a Dakota cowboy to the White House and beyond, TEDDY ROOSEVELT: AN AMERICAN LION explores every aspect of Theodore Roosevelt’s remarkable life. Scholars like Edmund Morris (author of Theodore Rex) trace his meteoric political ascent, which included stints as New York City Police Commissioner and Assistant Secretary of the Navy. Rare photos, interviews with descendants and detailed re-enactments illuminate his vibrant family life. And President Clinton reflects on Roosevelt’s towering legacy.

Richard Dreyfuss gives voice to TR’s words in this definitive chronicle of the first modern president.
(Note – program broadcast as “TR: AN American Lion”)

The Founding of America Megaset

komra — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 06:25:23 +0000

The inspiring early days of America — the personalities, the battles, the bravery, the losses, and even the romance — spring to life in spellbinding detail in this sweeping 14-DVD set from A&E Home Video.

FOUNDING FATHERS and FOUNDING BROTHERS examine the relationships of the very human men who risked their fortunes and lives for independence. THE REVOLUTION recounts great battles, devastating losses, and miraculous victories. BEN FRANKLIN and BENEDICT ARNOLD: A QUESTION OF HONOR look at the critical roles played by both men — one a hero, the other a traitor — while WASHINGTON THE WARRIOR and THE CROSSING pay tribute to the soul-stirring leadership of our first president.

With performances by Kelsey Grammar, Aidan Quinn, and Jeff Daniels, rare archival material, and commentary by leading historians, THE FOUNDING OF AMERICA presents historical programming at its comprehensive best.

The Universe: 7 Wonders of the Solar System 3D Blu-Ray

mthiele — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 17:27:57 +0000

We are in the midst of the greatest era of space discovery. Twenty first-century spacecraft and sophisticated imaging technology are venturing into uncharted territory every day, and much of the extraordinary phenomena are happening right in our own cosmic backyard.

Take an exhilarating, unprecedented 3D tour of the seven most amazing wonders of our solar system, beginning with a trip to Enceladus, one of Saturn’s outer moons, where icy geysers spout from its surface. Then venture to Saturn’s famous rings, which contain mountain ranges that rival the Alps; dive into Jupiter’s Great Red Spot, the eye of the biggest storm in the solar system; soar through the Asteroid Belt, made of millions of rocks left over from the formation of the solar system; trek up Mount Olympus, the largest volcano located on Mars; have a close encounter with the searing surface of the sun; and finish the journey by exploring our very own home – planet Earth.

The World at War, Blu-Ray Edition

mthiele — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 15:50:55 +0000

More than 35 years after its initial broadcast, THE WORLD AT WAR remains the definitive visual history of World War II. Unsurpassed in depth and scope, its 26 hour-long programs feature an extraordinary collection of newsreel, propaganda, and home-movie footage drawn from the archives of 18 nations, including color close-ups of Adolf Hitler taken by his mistress, that present an unvarnished perspective of the war’s pivotal events. Penetrating interviews with eyewitness participants—from Hitler’s secretary to Alger Hiss to ordinary citizens who stood outside the battle lines—add spine-tingling, first-hand accounts to an already unforgettable viewing experience.

Informative and unbiased, THE WORLD AT WAR is the recipient of numerous accolades, including an International Emmy^® Award, The National Television Critics’ Award for Best Documentary, and knighthood for its creator, Sir Jeremy Isaacs. Narrated by Academy Award^® winner Sir Laurence Olivier and painstakingly restored in 1080p high-definition (with newly-created 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio tracks), this is epic history at its absolute best.

America: The Story of Us

mthiele — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:16:52 +0000

A riveting adventure of how America was invented, AMERICA THE STORY OF US focuses on the people, ideas and events that built our nation, covering 400 years of American history in the most extensive and in-depth television series ever produced by HISTORY™. From the rigors of linking the continent by wagon trails to the transcontinental railway, the engineering of steel-structured buildings, to landing on the moon, this epic 12-part series is a grand cinematic vision of how this country was built. AMERICA THE STORY OF US brings this story to life firsthand through patriots, frontiersmen, slaves, abolitionists, Native Americans, pioneers, immigrants, entrepreneurs and inventors. From the revolutionary war that birthed the nation to the civil war that divided it, and to the making of the modern world, AMERICA THE STORY OF US is an epic, dramatic, heartbreaking and triumphant journey that reminds us that American history truly belongs to we, the people.

Sharing their thoughts on the building of America, and what it means to be an American, are a world-class group of individuals including Tom Brokaw, Michael Douglas, Meryl Streep, Buzz Aldrin, Colin Powell, Donald Trump, John Legend, Melissa Etheridge, Brian Williams and more.

DISC 1 (Episodes 1-4): Rebels / Revolution / Westward / Division / bonus
DISC 2 (Episodes 5-8): Civil War / Heartland / Cities / Boom / bonus
DISC 3 (Episodes 9-12): Bust / WWII / Superpower / Millennium

Also available on Blu-ray here.

World War II 360: Blu-Ray Edition

mthiele — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:42:35 +0000

It was a war—and a series of military campaigns—like no other. HISTORY™ puts viewers in the middle of the action with two revealing programs that use cutting-edge computer graphic animation and the latest technology to bring a 360-degree view of the Second World War. In Battle 360°, follow the only carrier to be front and center in every major sea conflict in the Pacific. The USS Enterprise and its men fought saw some of the fiercest multi-front battles ever witnessed in modern combat as they fought off the enemy from the air, the sea, and underwater. Then, travel with Gen. George S. Patton, Jr. as he leads his heroic soldiers in North Africa, in the invasion of Sicily, and in the charge across Europe to defeat Hitler’s Third Reich. Patton 360° weaves a mix of CGI battle scenes, interviews with historians and men who fought under Patton, and commentary by modern-day military experts, offering a dramatic analysis of the brilliant strategy and leadership Patton exemplified as he beat back the Nazi tidal wave in WWII.

BATTLE 360: For nearly a decade, the legendary World War II aircraft carrier USS Enterprise held a pivotal place on the turbulent seas of war, engaging in some of the fiercest multi-front battles ever witnessed in modern combat. The only carrier to be front and center in every major sea conflict in the Pacific, the Enterprise and her crew’s battles were marked by intense firepower, instinct, and a 360°-coordination between surface ships, the aircraft above, and the submarines below. In each episode using incredible CGI visualizations, BATTLE 360° follows the Enterprise and its men through another conflict of WWII as they fight off the enemy from the air, sea, and underwater. BATTLE 360°: THE COMPLETE SEASON ONE includes all 10 original episodes on 3 discs:
DISC 1: Call to Duty / Vengeance at Midway / Jaws of the Enemy / Bloody Santa Cruz
DISC 2: Enterprise vs. Japan / The Grey Ghost / Hammer of Hell
DISC 3: D-Day in the Pacific / Battle of Leyte Gulf / The Empire’s Last Stand / Bonus

PATTON 360 uses cutting-edge computer graphic animation and the latest technology to bring viewers a 360-degree view of World War II. Patton, a complicated, colorful, and ferociously determined officer known as “Old Blood and Guts,” springs to life with the aid of archival footage, personal diary quotes, and commentary from historians and veterans. With insight into the forces he commanded and battles he led, you’ll be there for all the drama, from lightning-fast armored assaults to the Battle of the Bulge and the final battles inside Germany after crossing the Rhine.

DISC 1: Blood & Guts / Rommel’s Last Stand / Baptism of Blood / Rogue General / American Blitzkrieg
DISC 2: Leading the Charge / On Hitler’s Doorstep / Siege Warfare / Battle of the Bulge / Crushing the Third Reich

Earth and Space Blu-Ray Edition

mthiele — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:05:56 +0000

Watch as history and science, earth and space collide in this epic collection of episodes from the premiere seasons of two landmark HISTORY series: The Universe and How the Earth Was Made.

A groundbreaking miniseries, The Universe employs cutting-edge CGI and stunning NASA footage to take viewers on an exhilarating voyage through the cosmos. From the farthest reaches of distant galaxies back to the familiar face of our moon, the mysteries of the heavens are brought down to earth.

How the Earth Was Made travels the globe to reveal the physical processes that have shaped some of the most familiar locations and geological phenomena in the world. From the Great Lakes to Iceland, the San Andreas Fault to Krakatoa, this stunning series demonstrates how immensely powerful, and at times violent, forces of geology have formed our planet.

EARTH AND SPACE contains all 26 episodes from the first seasons of both The Universe and How the Earth Was Made on 6 discs.

HOW THE EARTH WAS MADE (13 episodes): San Andreas Fault, The Deepest Place on Earth, Krakatoa, Loch Ness, New York, Driest Place On Earth, Great Lakes, Yellowstone, Tsunami, Asteroids, Iceland, Hawaii, The Alps

THE UNIVERSE (13 episodes + bonus): Secrets of the Sun, Mars: The Red Planet, The End of the Earth: Deep Space Threats To Our Planet, Jupiter: The Giant Planet, The Moon, Spaceship Earth, The Inner Planets: Mercury & Venus, Saturn: Lord of the Rings, Alien Galaxies, Life and Death of a Star, The Outer Planets, The Most Dangerous Place in the Universe, Search for ET

HISTORY CLASSICS

mthiele — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 21:32:15 +0000

Ancient Aliens: The Complete Season 1

mthiele — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 16:39:06 +0000

Is it possible that intelligent life forms visited Earth thousands of years ago, bringing with them technology that drastically affected the course of history and man’s own development? Presented in the 1968 bestselling book Chariots of the Gods, by Erich von Daniken, the theory of “ancient aliens” rocked people’s beliefs in mankind’s progress. Ancient cave drawings of strange creatures, remains of landing strips in Peru, and Indian texts that describe the “flying machines of the gods” were just a few of the odd archaeological artifacts cited by von Daniken as proof that ancient astronauts were well known to our ancestors. Produced with the exclusive cooperation of von Daniken himself, ANCIENT ALIENS launches all-new expeditions to seek out and evaluate this evidence, with a concentration on discoveries of the last 30 years, including unusual DNA findings on man’s evolution and newly decoded artifacts from Egypt to Syria to South America. It is a balanced investigation into a theory some believe cannot be true, but many agree cannot be ignored.

Includes all five revealing episodes.

DISC 1: The Evidence / The Visitors
DISC 2: The Mission / Closer Encounters
DISC 3: The Return / Bonus

American Pickers: The Complete Season 1

mthiele — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 20:08:36 +0000

In small towns, and along America’s back roads, treasures are waiting to be uncovered–valuable relics from our history that are hidden in junk piles, buried in barns and stacked in garages. It takes experts to find them…and turn rust to riches. Season One of AMERICAN PICKERS on HISTORY follows highly skilled “pickers” Mike Wolfe, owner of Antique Archaeology in Iowa, and his business partner Frank Fritz, as they hunt down objects with historical, collectible and pop culture value that have been long forgotten by their owners. From a vintage Harley to a one-of-a-kind Ferris wheel, each treasure hunt uncovers weird and wonderful Americana, offering a glimpse into a little-known side of the antiques business. Along the way, Mike and Frank meet people whose own stories open a window into American lives and history.

DISC 1 (4 episodes, approx 180 min): Big Bear / Super Scooter / White Castle on the Farm / Invisible Pump

DISC 2 (4 episodes, approx 180 min): Back Breaker / Mole Man / Frank’s Gamble / 5 Acres of Junk

DISC 3 (4 half-hour episodes, approx 92 min): Bigfoot in Alabama / Know When to Fold / Fill’er Up / Leland’s Cafe

Ax Men: The Complete Season 3

mthiele — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 20:03:49 +0000

The Ax is back for another season of heart-stopping excitement as rival logging companies race against time and nature to bring timber to market using skills passed down from their fathers and grandfathers.

As AX MEN enters its third season, it’s the dead heat of summer and the stakes are higher than ever. From mountaintop to river’s bottom, from the Pacific Northwest to Florida to Louisiana, six crews take on work as unforgiving as the terrain, as fickle as the weather, and as dangerous as any job in history. Time is money on the mountain. These are the proving grounds where four generations of men have battled for green gold – and tried to get out alive.

DISC 1: Ax To Grind / Deeper Into the Swamp / Diving for Dollars / Boiling Point

DISC 2: Surviving the Swarm / Showdown / Chopping Block

DISC 3: Assault By Air / Crash and Burn / Curse of Kalina

DISC 4: End of the Line / Eleventh Hour / King of the Mountain / Bonus

Gangland: Season 5

mthiele — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 19:25:16 +0000

Delve deep into the rich and often brutal bloodlines of gangs across America, from New York City to Chicago, Houston to Nashville, as SEASON FIVE of GANGLAND paints a violently accurate and compelling portrait of gang life in America. Exclusive interviews, rarely seen footage, and unique access to the lives of gangsters provide solid insight into why gangs exist, how they operate, their increasingly destructive methods, and the alarming rate at which they’re spreading to suburban and rural areas.

GANGLAND: SEASON FIVE gains access to 11 of the country’s most dangerous gangs on 3 DVDs.

DISC 1: Klan of Killers / Machete Slaughter / Blood River / Hustle or Die

DISC 2: Gangsta Killers / The Death Head / Circle of Death / Dog Fights

DISC 3: Evil Breed / Hunt and Kill / Deadly Blast

Instant Expert

mthiele — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 15:51:09 +0000

Pawn Stars: Season 2

mthiele — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 19:43:03 +0000

The hit HISTORY™ series returns to the only family-run pawn shop in Las Vegas, where three generations of men carefully assess the value of items brought in by an array of quirky customers in need of fast cash.

Long before banks, ATMs, and check-cashing services, pawnbrokers provided monetary loans in exchange for personal items of value, and are still helping people make ends meet today – while bringing in a sizable profit for themselves. Watch in PAWN STARS as the Harrison family attempts to find the gems and bust the fakes, all in hopes of making the biggest profit possible. Grandfather, father and son use their sharp-eyed skills to assess the value of items ranging from the obscure to the historic. There isn’t much the Harrison family hasn’t seen or heard, making Richard, Rick and Corey experts in rare collectables – and negotiating.

Each episode of PAWN STARS features an array of characters attempting to sell, purchase or pawn items that the Harrisons must carefully appraise, and determine if they’re real or fake before revealing the often surprising answer to “What’s it worth?”

PAWN STARS: SEASON TWO contains 32 episodes on 4 DVDs.

DISC 1: Fired Up / Sharks and Cobras / Old Man’s Booty / A Shot and a Shave / Hot Air Buffoon / Steaks at Stake / A Christmas Special / Secret Santa / Pawn Shop Pinot

DISC 2: Bikes and Blades / Rick’s Bad Day / Chum Goes AWOL / Wheels / Shocking Chum / Pezzed Off / Guns and Rangers / Tattoos and Tantrums

DISC 3: Pinball Wizards / Chopper Gamble / Spooning Paul Revere / Off The Wagon / Fortune in Flames / Backroom Brawl / Big Guns / Flight of the Chum

DISC 4: Bumpy Ride / Helmet Head / Bow Legged / Hell Week / ZZZZZZ / The British Are Coming / License to Pawn / Bonus

D-Days in the Pacific

mthiele — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 21:26:04 +0000

Though most people associate D-Day with the massive invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, a “D-Day” is actually military term for any amphibious operation, and few theaters during World War II saw as many battles as the waters of the Pacific, where more than 100 D-Days were waged.

The ultimate guide to the epic campaign orchestrated by American forces in the Pacific, this two-disc set includes the following documentary features:

(DISC ONE – 137 min)
DEATH AT THE TIDELINE: Follow America’s earliest amphibious invasions, including the ill-equipped landing on Guadalcanal.

CLOSING THE JAWS: America’s forces gain new expertise and power, and Nimitz and MacArthur have the enemy on the run.

THE FINAL GRAVEYARD: Relive the battles that pierced Japan’s defenses and brought the war to a close.

(DISC TWO – 139 min)
THE BLOODY HILLS OF PELELIU: Incredible combat footage documents one of the deadliest battlegrounds of the Pacific.

BIOGRAPHY: ADMIRAL CHESTER NIMITZ: Discover the story behind the man who turned a shattered fleet into a devastating naval powerhouse.

BIOGRAPHY: GENERAL DOUGLAS MacARTHUR: Learn how this fabled General was able to defeat a seemingly unstoppable Japanese war machine.

WWII: The War In The Pacific

mthiele — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 21:43:28 +0000

From the skies of Pearl Harbor to the sands of Iwo Jima, relive the drama and intensity of history’s greatest conflict in WORLD WAR II: THE WAR IN THE PACIFIC. This extraordinary collection is the most complete account of World War II’s Pacific Theater ever created.

Combining graphic combat footage and expert commentary, it’s a commanding view of the battles and strategy, the men and machines, and the horror and heroism that marked this epic conflict.

DISC ONE (approx 90 mins)
ISLAND HOPPING: THE ROAD BACK–The epic story of the Allies’ island-by-island Pacific campaign, using massive amphibious assaults.

JUNGLE WARFARE: NEW GUINEA TO BURMA–In the steamy jungles of the Pacific, soldiers battled not only the Japanese, but malaria, heat exhaustion, and swarms of parasites.

AIR WAR IN THE PACIFIC–From the war’s first days, to the suicidal Kamikaze attacks and the bombing missions that brought the war to the Japanese homeland.

THE BLOODY RIDGES OF PELELIU–From the opening Naval bombardment, to the hand-to-hand combat and vicious guerrilla warfare, this is the complete story of this brutal and historic battle.

DISC TWO (approx 95 min)
THE RETURN TO THE PHILIPPINES–From MacArthur’s strategy to the heroics of the gound, naval, and air troops, it’s a stunning story of unstoppable determination.

OKINAWA…THE LAST BATTLE–Witness the desperate, suicidal resistance of the Japanese in the final battle of the Pacific campaign.

ADMIRAL WILLIAM “BULL” HALSEY: NAVAL WARRIOR–Sail into battle with one of the most celebrated naval commanders in American history.

Paranormal Cops: The Complete Season 1

mthiele — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 19:57:06 +0000

PARANORMAL COPS follows a group of larger-than-life cops who walk one beat during the day as real-life Chicago-area police officers and another at night when they apply their forensic and investigative expertise to paranormal casework.

Responding to the pleas of people who are victimized by distressing and inexplicable activities in their homes and workplaces, these cops bring their no-nonsense approach to hunting ghosts, and their real-life police skills to separating fact from fiction – and often happen upon results much scarier than the paranormal.

DISC 1: Casa Madrid (one-hour) / Victim’s Revenge / Stirring Up The Dead

DISC 2: Dead Man Walking / Meagan’s Ghost / Messages from Beyond / Bonus

Pawn Stars: Season 1

komra — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 05:15:17 +0000

It’s one of the oldest forms of banking, and until the 1950s, it was the leading form of consumer credit in the U.S. See the fascinating past and present of the pawning business in PAWN STARS, an inside look at the only family-run pawn shop in Las Vegas, where three generations of men – grandfather, father and son – use their sharp-eyed skills to carefully assess the value of items ranging from the obscure to the historic.

From a 15th-century samurai sword to a Picasso painting, there isn’t much the Harrison family hasn’t seen or heard, inevitably making Richard, Rick and Corey experts in rare collectables – and negotiating. Each episode of PAWN STARS features an array of quirky characters attempting to sell, purchase or pawn items that the Harrisons must carefully appraise, determine if they’re real or fake and then reveal the often surprising answer to “What’s it worth?” Everything and everyone has a story and it’s the Harrisons’ job to decipher fact from fiction, because in this business the customer isn’t always right.

PAWN STARS: SEASON ONE contains 14 episodes from the debut season on 2 DVDs.

DISC ONE (7 episodes, approx 154 min): Boom or Bust / Confederate Conundrum / Sink or Sell / Knights in Fake Armor? / Gangsters & Guitars / Damn Yankees / Brothels & Busses

DISC TWO (7 episodes, approx 154 min + bonus): Time Machines / Rope a Dope / Rick’s Big Bet / John Hancock’s Hancock / Plane Crazy / Peaches & Pinups / Old Man’s Gamble / Bonus

Gangland: The Complete Season 4

komra — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 05:15:17 +0000

They’re known for killing and terrorizing, and they’ve left their violent mark on our nation’s history. Delve deep into the rich and often brutal bloodlines of America’s gangs, from Memphis and St. Louis to Dallas, Charlotte, and Detroit, as SEASON FOUR of GANGLAND goes to the darkest corners of the country to infiltrate some of the most dangerous terrain in the world.

Unprecedented access to the inner workings of the country’s most feared gangs, incisive historical analysis, and interviews with law enforcement specialists paint a violently accurate and compelling portrait of gang life in America, and provide insight into why these gangs exist, how they operate, their increasingly destructive methods, and the alarming rate at which they’;re spreading to suburban and rural areas.

GANGLAND: THE COMPLETE SEASON FOUR gains access to 12 of the country’s most dangerous gangs on 3 DVDs.

VOLUME 1: Highway to Hell / Devil’s Fire / Divide and Conquer / Kill ‘Em All
VOLUME 2: Kill or Be Killed / Boys of Destruction / Aryan Terror / Silent Slaughter
VOLUME 3: Killing Snitches / Everybody Killers / Dead Man Inc. / Biker Wars 2

MonsterQuest: Season 3, Set 1

komra — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 06:25:03 +0000

Throughout history there have been countless sightings of mysterious creatures, from Megladon, the father of the great white shark; to gators in the sewer, a result of the rising gator populations clashing with human encroachment; to the Snow Beast of the Colorado Rockies that is thought to be hunting the elk population while fleeing man.

Most of what we know of these creatures comes from campfire stories, blurry films and grainy photographs. In SEASON THREE of MONSTERQUEST, HISTORY brings science and technology to bear on these creatures of legend and seeks confirmation of their existence. Combining open-eyed historical research, state-of-the-art equipment and high-tech expeditions, each episode examines the best evidence available, from pictures and video, to hair and bones, to actual eyewitness accounts.

From pilots to policemen to ship captains, a number of seemingly credible people have seen things they can’t explain. One part history, one part science and one part monsters, MonsterQuest discovers the truth in these sightings, and the legendary creatures behind them.

This set contains the first 8 episodes of season 3:

DISC 1 (approx 188 min): Death of Loch Ness / Cattle Killers / Swamp Stalker / Devils In New Jersey

DISC 2 (approx 188 min): Gators in the Sewers / Snowbeast Slaughter / Mega Jaws / Monster Close Encounters / Bonus

JFK: 3 Shots That Changed America

komra — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 06:24:57 +0000

Just hours before his death, John F. Kennedy appeared before a crowd in Fort Worth, Texas to honor the freedoms of America in what would be his final speech. Though the Zapruder film, a silent, 8mm home movie of the presidential motorcade through Dealey Plaza, is the most complete visual recording of JFK’s assassination, it is just part of a vast record of sights and sounds captured on camera that day.

This three-hour special from HISTORY™ uses unique, rarely seen and heard footage to document the Kennedy assassination and the nearly 50 years of speculation and controversy that changed America. Home movies from eyewitnesses, Dallas police dispatch radio recordings, and raw news footage provide a shocking, unflinching look at the assassination of the president and the days that followed while examining the aftermath, and the enduring controversies, that emerged as succeeding generations of Americans struggled to comprehend the sudden murder of an unforgettable leader.

Marked, The Complete Season 1

mthiele — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:53:42 +0000

Travel to some of the most menacing places in the world for an inside look at modern-day societies whose ultimate symbols of acceptance are tattoos earned through unique rites of passage.

From outlaw bikers to hardcore prison gangs, HISTORY™ uncovers the culture and customs of these fringe societies, taking the viewer into the minds of its members as they explain what the mysterious ink decorating their bodies means on the street, inside prisons and to them personally. Tattoo artists and cultural experts explain the technique and history behind these “marks” and the groups they adorn, putting the experiences of the main characters into perspective, and detailing a world in which initiation rites, turf wars, and the fierce pride of belonging to an outlaw family are all part of the territory.

From prison and street gang marks to U.S. military tattoos, MARKED: THE COMPLETE SEASON ONE unravels the meanings behind these secret symbols on 2 DVDs.

DISC 1: The Devil’s Cage / Death Ride / Barrio of Blood

DISC 2: Pure Evil / The Kill Zone / Death of the Yakuza

Cowboys & Outlaws

komra — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 06:24:44 +0000

They were the quintessential American heroes: the embodiment of rugged individualism and independence. For 30 years, cowboys ruled the frontier, settling the American West and carving their way into American mythology forever.

The Golden Era of the American Cowboy was a powder keg of history–a period of conquest, war and money. In these brief but tumultuous years following the Civil War, men and women endured astonishing hardship and danger, from battles with Indians and outlaws, to nature’s own brutalities. Yet for a few extraordinary individuals, it was a time of incredible opportunity. Cowboys drove millions of steers from Texas along cattle trails to northern railroad heads. Their daring but solitary journeys established cowboys as heroes whose strength and character made them the ultimate icons of their time. But the hazardous frontier, where the law often amounted to little mor than a man with a badge and a posse, also bred some of America’s most infamous outlaws, whose reputations still inspire awe.

Discover the legendary qualities of these amazing men in this visually stunning series from HISTORY™. Combining dramatic reenactments of some of the era’s most revealing moments, with forensic evidence and surprising new documentary twists, COWBOYS & OUTLAWS unveils the true tales and characters of the American West.

DISC ONE: The Real Lonesome Dove / The Real McCoy / The Real Billy the Kid
DISC TWO: The Real Wyatt Earp / Range War / Frontier Hitman
(approx 141 min per disc)

The Real Wolfman

komra — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 06:25:27 +0000

In the mid 1700s, a mysterious beast viciously attacked and killed 102 villagers in the French village of Gevaudan. The victims, mostly women and children, were mauled and decapitated, their naked bodies all bearing the bite marks of a non-human creature. The killings mark the largest number of alleged werewolf attacks in history and are the basis of the Hollywood “Wolfman” legend. Venture deep into the mythology and folklore of werewolves with renowned cryptozoologist Ken Gerhardt and veteran criminal profiler George Deuchar as they investigate this reviled creature that brutally kills when the moon is full. In their investigation, they uncover intriguing paranormal transformations, diseases that make men look and act like animals, strange but true stories of children raised by wolves and, eventually, the dark side of human nature in the horrific truth behind the Gevaudan werewolf attacks.

Holy Grail in America

komra — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 06:25:59 +0000

HAS THE HOLY GRAIL BEEN IN AMERICA ALL ALONG?

In 1898, a Minnesota farmer clearing trees from his field uprooted a large stone covered with mysterious runes that tell a story of land acquisition and murder. The stone allegedly dates back to 1362. Initially thought to be a hoax, new evidence suggests the find could be real, and a clue that the Knights Templar discovered America 100 years before Columbus, perhaps bringing with them history’s greatest treasure… the Holy Grail. Follow the clues as experts use erosion studies on the rune stone and match symbols in Templar ruins all over Europe to support this theory. Stones with similar markings have been found on islands across the Atlantic Ocean, and in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Is it possible the Knights Templar, long thought to have been massacred, escaped on an incredible journey and were leaving clues to the whereabouts of the stone? Find out in the HISTORY feature-length special, Holy Grail in America.

Life After People Blu-Ray Edition

komra — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 06:24:58 +0000

If humans were suddenly to disappear, what would happen to our planet — the structures we’ve built, the everyday items we take for granted, animals domesticated and wild, plants, trees? What would become of the things that define our species and leave our mark on this Earth?

Visit the ghostly villages surrounding Chernobyl (abandoned by humans after the 1986 nuclear disaster), travel to remote islands off the coast of Maine to search for abandoned towns that have vanished from view in only a few decades, then head beneath the streets of New York to see how subway tunnels may become watery canals.

HISTORY takes you on an amazing visual journey in LIFE AFTER PEOPLE, a though-provoking adventure that combines movie-quality visual effects with insights from experts in the fields of engineering, botany, ecology, biology, geology, climatology, and archeology to demonstrate how the very landscape of our planet will change in our absence.

WWII in HD

komra — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:15:19 +0000

DISC 1: Darkness Falls / Hard Way Back / Bloody Resolve / Battle Stations
DISC 2: Day of Days / Point of No Return / Striking Distance / Glory and Guts
DISC 3: Edge of the Abyss / End Game / Bonus

Life After People: The Complete Season 1

komra — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 06:24:59 +0000

What would happen if every human being on Earth disappeared? This isn’t the story of how we might vanish – it is the story of what happens to the world we leave behind.

Building off the success of the HISTORY feature-length special, Life After People, this series continues the exploration of a world wiped clean of humanity, in even more vivid detail. Each episode is a stunningly graphic examination of how the very landscape of planet Earth would change in our absence, using cinematic CGI to reveal – in scientific detail – the fate of every aspect of the man-made world. What happens to the millions of animals that supply our food? The chemicals stored in industrial complexes? Which animals take over subways? Do satellites fall to Earth? When does Mt. Rushmore wither away?

From animal outbreaks to structural collapses, building to a unique visual finale, all 10 episodes in the 3-DVD set reveal what happens in the hours, days, months, and years after people disappear. Welcome to Earth, population zero.

VOLUME ONE (4 episodes, approx 188 min): The Bodies Left Behind / Outbreak / The Capital Threat / Heavy Metal

VOLUME TWO (3 episodes, approx 141 min): The Invaders / Bound and Buried / Sin City Meltdown

VOLUME THREE (3 episodes, approx 141 min): Armed & Defenseless / Roads to Nowhere / Waters of Death

Dogfights: The Complete Season Two

komra — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 06:24:46 +0000

High above the ground, at speeds reaching thousands of miles per hour, fighter aircraft face off in some of the most intense battles in the history of warfare. HISTORY^® brings these battles to life in DOGFIGHTS, a riveting documentary series that follows the development of air combat from the planes of the First World War to showdowns between the most cutting-edge aircraft flown today.

The second season of this wildly popular series features first-hand accounts of the flying aces themselves, combined with rare archival footage and state-of-the-art CGI graphics. Each air battle is recreated in stunning detail, putting viewers in the cockpit, facing the enemy. From Fokker triplanes and SE5s dueling over Belgium and F86s and MiG-15s battling in the skies above North Korea to World War II’s P-51 Mustang and the American F-15s that fought in Operation Desert Storm, DOGFIGHTS: THE COMPLETE SEASON 2 puts viewers right in the cockpit to relive 17 of modern history’s greatest battles.

Gangland: The Complete Season 2

komra — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 05:15:17 +0000

Get even closer to the truth about America’s gangs in Season Two of GANGLAND. Rarely seen footage and unique access to the lives of both former and current gang members provide a solid insight into why gangs exist, how they operate, their increasingly destructive methods, and the alarming rate at which they’re spreading to suburban and rural areas.

Delve deep into the rich and bloody history of gangs in America, from the long-stretching tradition of the Asian Triads, to the full-blown motorcycle gang war between the Outlaws and the Hells Angels, to the growing occurrence of girl gangsters, as this season of Gangland goes to the darkest corners of America to infiltrate some of the most dangerous terrain in the world. Other gangs featured in Season Two include the Maniac Latin Disciples, the Texas Syndicate, Los Angeles’ 18th Street, and the Mongols. Witness the raw reality of gang life with all 12 episodes on 3 DVDs.

DISC ONE: Maniacal / Deadly Triangle / Biker Wars / Texas Terror
DISC TWO: Crip or Die / Murder By Numbers / Lords of the Holy City / Mongol Nation
DISC THREE: Gangster Inc. / One Blood / Sin City / From Girl to Gangster

Ice Road Truckers: The Complete Season 3

komra — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 05:15:17 +0000

Just when you thought trucking couldn’t get more dangerous…the new season of ICE ROAD TRUCKERS brings you to the most treacherous landscape on earth: northern Alaska.

In Prudhoe Bay (250 miles north of the Arctic Circle), a network of ice roads in the tundra crisscross river systems and open ocean to connect America’s booming North Slope oil fields to dry land. Every winter truckers have less than three months to shuttle critical supplies over the ice. The only problem is that there’s just one way to get to this remote location: 400 miles of ice-covered, mountainous terrain known as the Dalton Highway. The Dalton is the lifeline to Alaska’s oil industry. It’s also the most dangerous road in North America and has claimed the lives of more than 400 people since it was built just 30 years ago. The next chapter in the hit HISTORY™ series returns this season with veteran drivers Hugh Rowland and Alex Debogorski, new drivers – including the show’s first female trucker – and more heart-stopping adrenaline than ever before.

Volume 1 (4 episodes, approx 188 min): Deadliest Ice Road / Rookie Run / Canadian Invasion / Blinding Whiteout

Volume 2 (3 episodes, approx 141 min): Accident Alley / Arctic Ice / Wicked Weather

Volume 3 (3 episodes, approx 141 min): Killer Pass / Turn and Burn / Ocean Run

Volume 4 (3 episodes, approx 141 min): Busted Parts & Breakdowns / Race for the Finish / Arctic Thaw / Bonus

Gangland: The Complete Season 1

komra — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:15:16 +0000

Gangs have been in existence since the dawn of humanity. Now, follow HISTORY™ with this shocking investigative series for a rare look inside some of the most notorious, deadly gangs in history. In each episode, the stories behind America’s most important gangs show how they’ve helped to shape this country’s history, from the gangs of Boston and the Mafia to a “super gang” made up of multicultural, multinational, and multi-state street gangs.

Through rare footage and exclusive interviews of gang members and police officers, this 13-part series is a must see for anyone concerned with this growing threat to American life.

Volume 1: American Gangster / You Rat, You Die / Code of Conduct / Behind Enemy Lines
Volume 2: Race Wars / Kings of New York / Stone to the Bone
Volume 3: Hate Nation / Gangster City / Blood In, Blood Out
Volume 4: Basic Training / Blood Oath / Root of All Evil

Cities of the Underworld: The Complete Season 3

komra — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 06:24:42 +0000

Every city has its secrets – but who could imagine how many linger below ground, sometimes for thousands of years? Secret passageways, combat tunnels, buried palaces, Mafia escape routes and ammunition depots are just a few of the subterranean surprises you’ll discover in CITIES OF THE UNDERWORLD: THE COMPLETE SEASON THREE, a fascinating look beneath the surface of some of the world’s major cities.

Ever wonder how Las Vegas casinos keep their cash safe? Or where Roman gladiators learned to fight? How about what’s beneath Egypt’s first pyramid or San Francisco’s scenic hills? Host Don Wildman returns once again to answer these questions and explore other buried secrets from London to Sicily, Okinawa and Ethiopia. Part history buff, part urban explorer, Don uses state of the art surveillance equipment to help investigate places often known only to archeologists and local residents. Walk in the footsteps of history but be careful – it’s dark and dangerous down there!

CITIES OF THE UNDERWORLD: THE COMPLETE SEASON THREE is an all-access pass to 13 secret worlds buried beneath our city streets on 4 DVDs.

This set will contain the 13 episodes of Season 3:

DISC ONE: City of Blood / Tunnels of Hell / Real Mafia Underground / Secret Sin City

DISC TWO: Hitler’s Trenches / Barbarians’ Lair / Land of Manson

DISC THREE: Gladiators: Blood Sport / Secret Holy Land / Under the Rock

DISC FOUR: Tomb of the Lost Mummies / Gods of War / Alcatraz Down Under / Bonus

Ice Road Truckers: The Complete Season 2

komra — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 05:15:17 +0000

Ice Road Truckers™ returns for a second high-tension season, but this time around, the job takes them even farther north–100 miles inside the Arctic Circle. The adventure takes off in Inuvik, a small town where freak blizzards, polar bears, -50-degree C temperatures, and isolation are all too common. Most dangerous of all are the new ice roads, built not only on rivers, but miles out into the Arctic Ocean! Even slight miscalculations in speed can force the frigid water to crash up through the ice with catastrophic consequences for man and machine. Just how punishing are the conditions? One of the team members quits before he makes it to the ice!

You’ll be right beside the truckers as they face mountains of ice, deadly cold, extreme hardship, and equipment that collapses under the strain of the elements.

It’s a treacherous, bone-numbing job – just the kind of challenge that keeps this special breed of driver coming back for more.

The Universe: The Complete Season 3

komra — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 05:15:18 +0000

Immerse yourself in more spectacular space exploration with SEASON THREE of this epic series from HISTORY™. A virtual collision of astronomy and history, each enlightening episode utilizes strikingly realistic computer recreations and animations to provide unprecedented insight into the mysteries of our universe, and beyond.

From bizarre clouds to the hypothetical Planet X, from space disasters to space sex and the possibility of terrifying cosmic collisions, experience space in a whole new way — not through a telescope or textbook, but firsthand. With THE UNIVERSE, you’ll feel like you’ve traveled to the edge of the unknown.

THE UNIVERSE: THE COMPLETE SEASON THREE includes all 12 original episodes on 4 DVDs:

DISC ONE: Deep Space Disasters / Parallel Universes / Light Speed
DISC TWO: Sex in Space / Alien Faces / Deadly Comets and Meteors
DISC THREE: Living In Space / Stopping Armageddon / Another Earth
DISC FOUR: Strangest Things / Cosmic Phenomena / Edge of Space / Bonus

HISTORY Classics: Conquest of America

mthiele — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:02:00 +0000

After Columbus came conquest. From all corners of the world, explorers reached the shores of the New World to reap untold riches, seek new routes to the Far East, and gain the most elusive glory of all – a place in history. CONQUEST OF AMERICA brings a stunning four-part series from HISTORY^® to DVD. A sweeping saga of bravery, cruelty and pure folly, these are the stories of adventurers who stopped at nothing to conquer an unknown land and its people. Led by legendary cities of gold and mythical passages to China, foiled by international intrigue and mutiny on the high seas, men like Francisco Vasquez de Coronado, Henry Hudson, Jean Ribault and Vitus Bering left an indelible mark on a vast new continent. Straight from the explorers’ journals, European diaries and oral histories of Native Americans, CONQUEST OF AMERICA presents an amazing, region-by-region account of extraordinary times and men. Expert commentary and vivid on-site reenactments complete this epic course in history. Also included in this special DVD set are four bonus documentaries exploring the dramatic rise and fall of Christopher Columbus; the untold story of the Pilgrims’ desperate journey across the Atlantic; and the infamous struggles of the pioneers of Jamestown, the first permanent British settlement in North America.

CONQUEST OF AMERICA contains 8 acclaimed documentaries on 4 DVDs

BONUS FEATURES: Behind-the-Scenes Featurettes; Outtakes

DISC 1: Conquest of America, Volume 1: Southwest / Southeast / Bonus – Behind-the-Scenes “Conquering The East”

DISC 2: Conquest of America, Volume 2: Northeast / Northwest / Bonus – Behind-the-Scenes “Conquering The West”

DISC 3: Christopher Columbus: Explorer of the New World / Godspeed to Jamestown / Secrets of Jamestown

DISC 4: Desperate Crossing: The Untold Story of the Mayflower / Bonus: Behind-the-Scenes Featurette; Outtakes

HISTORY Classics: The Nostradamus Collection

mthiele — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:56:51 +0000

Nostradamus, history’s greatest prophet, is credited with predicting some of the world’s most shocking events hundreds of years before they took place. Now, HISTORY^® brings to life Nostradamus’ words and the cryptic illustrations contained within the recently discovered book Prophecy of the Roman Popes, which had been secretly hidden in Rome for 400 years, to reveal new details about his most famed predictions. With state-of-the-art animation, dramatic reenactments and forensic analysis, The Lost Book of Nostradamus explores both Nostradamus’ singular life and the journey of this enigmatic book. Nostradamus 2012 continues the story, with a series of seven strange drawings that have been interpreted to point to an apocalyptic event – a massive cosmic collision, a global environmental disaster, an Armageddon-like religious showdown, or a more subtle transformation – a prophecy shared by many cultures, including most famously, the ancient Maya of South America. The Nostradamus Effect investigates and deconstructs these mysteriously similar doomsday warnings from the Hopi Indians, the Hindus, the Bible and other ancient texts, as well as from Nostradamus, to identify remarkable correlations between them and the crises of our contemporary world. HISTORY takes viewers back to the future with this classic Nostradamus collection.

THE NOSTRADAMUS COLLECTION contains 14 acclaimed documentaries on 5 DVDs

BONUS FEATURES: Additional Footage

DISC 1: The Lost Book of Nostradamus
DISC 2: Nostradamus 2012 / Bonus Additional Footage
DISC 3: The Nostradamus Effect, Volume 1: The Third Antichrist? / Da Vinci’s Armageddon / 2012 Extinction / Hitler’s Blood Oath
DISC 4: The Nostradamus Effect, Volume 2: The Apocalypse Code / Son of Nostradamus / Secrets of the Seven Seals / Fatima’s Secret Prophecy
DISC 5: The Nostradamus Effect, Volume 3: Satan’s Army / Doomsday Hieroglyphs / Armageddon Battle Plan / The Rapture

The Universe Season 6

mthiele — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:45:13 +0000

SEASON 6 of the pioneering series THE UNIVERSE takes viewers further than ever, to the extreme edges of our solar system where chaos and catastrophe bring epic drama to the planets – including some of the most horrifying days on Earth. Through stunning CGI, witness the birth pangs of the solar system, shocked into existence by a nearby supernova, and enduring over 700 million years of brutal bombardment by deadly asteroids; colossal cataclysms that shaped the planets and transformed their climates forever; and startling new scientific discoveries revealing a hellish history of continuous devastation on Earth. And travel to the system’s very fringes to explore the possibility that the Sun has an evil twin, a monstrous star known as Nemesis suspected of causing every mass extinction in Earth’s history. In signature cutting-edge style, THE UNIVERSE features astounding NASA footage and the opinions of leading astrophysicists to probe even more deeply into the billion-years-old story of the world beyond Earth.

DISC 1: Catastrophes that Changed the Planets / Nemesis: The Sun’s Evil Twin / How the Solar System Was Made / Crash Landing on Mars
DISC 2: Worst Days on Planet Earth / God and the Universe / UFO The Real Deal / How Big, How Far, How Fast
DISC 3: Our Place in the Milky Way / Alien Sounds / Deep Freeze
DISC 4: Microscopic Universe / Ride the Comet / When Space Changed History

Top Shot: The Gauntlet, Season 3

mthiele — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:55:42 +0000

HISTORY’s hit competition show is back with a gauntlet of all new extreme challenges and eager marksmen ready for a shot at greatness. 16 competitors chosen from across the country vie for the $100,000 prize and the title of TOP SHOT. A national revolver champion, two homeland security agents, a former Navy SEAL, firearms instructors, a restaurant owner and a camp director must demonstrate their skill using the most diverse weapons, from state-of-the-art firearms to rocks. This season also stars some of the biggest weapons ever featured on TOP SHOT such as the Gatling and Hotchkiss Mountain Guns. Colby Donaldson returns as host for the competition that takes a page from history.

Includes all 12 episodes on 4 discs, plus Contestant Bios and Behind the Bullet!

BONUS FEATURES: Contestant Biographies; Behind the Bullet

DISC 1: The Gauntlet / Down and Dirty / Slug it Out / The Bulldog Gatling
DISC 2: Throwdown Showdown / Turn the Corner /Tricked Out
DISC 3: Ramp It Up / Stacked / Odd Man Out
DISC 4: Wheel of Fire / Season 3 Finale / Season 3 Behind the Bullet / Bonus

Titanic: The Complete Story

mthiele — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:38:17 +0000

The “unsinkable” Titanic was a dream come true: Four city blocks long and a passenger list worth 250 million dollars. But on her maiden voyage in April 1912, that dream became a nightmare when the giant ship struck an iceberg and sank in the cold North Atlantic. More than 1,500 lives were lost in one of the greatest disasters of the 20th century. Now, the complete sensational history of the premier liner is recounted in TITANIC: THE COMPLETE STORY. Using newsreels, stills, diaries, and exclusive interviews with survivors, TITANIC: THE COMPLETE STORY charts the fateful history of the ship and its passengers as well as providing an overview on the popular culture phenomenon that this tragedy has become.

The definitive story in 3 feature-length programs:
DEATH OF A DREAM–The largest ship ever built is Christened in Ireland before a cheering crowd of 100,000. Witnes the disaster this trek becomes as numerous iceberg warnings go unheeded and the ship sinks in the icy North Atlantic.
THE LEGEND LIVES ON–Overpacked lifeboats edge away from the crippled liner as futile SOS signals flare into the night–leaving 1,500 passengers to a watery grave. Also, witness the courageous deep sea expedition to unearth Titanic’s secrets.
TITANIC’S ACHILLES HEEL–Elite divers explore the explosive theory that the doomed liner may have had a fatal design flaw–using advanced CGI technology, archive documents and photographs, as well as footage from modern-day HISTORY expeditions.

HISTORY Classics: Biblical Disasters

mthiele — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:29:57 +0000

Wrath of God, or Nature’s fury? HISTORY^® travels thousands of years back in time with a fresh investigation of the most infamous and devastating catastrophes in the Bible. From the epic floods in the time of Noah, the fire and brimstone that beset Sodom and Gomorrah, and the calamitous Ten Plagues of Egypt, BIBLICAL DISASTERS explores these legendary tragedies to illuminate their essential humanity and to compare them with the cataclysmic natural disasters of more recent times. With hurricanes, earthquakes and mudslides on the rise globally in recent years, these moving tales of woe, loss, death and supreme judgment couldn’t be more resonant, or more timely. This four-disc DVD set includes this original acclaimed HISTORY special, as well as fascinating programs from other Biblically-themed HISTORY series like Mysteries of the Bible. So take time to journey deep into our religious past for the cautionary tales that once shook the world – and could shake it once again.

BIBLICAL DISASTERS contains 6 acclaimed documentaries on 4 DVDs

DISC 1: Biblical Disasters
DISC 2: Biblical Disasters II
DISC 3: Sodom and Gomorrah / Noah’s Great Flood
DISC 4: Apocalypse: The Puzzle of Revelation / A Violent God

HISTORY Classics: The Ten Commandments

mthiele — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:13:13 +0000

It is the most famous document in all of Western history. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS are the words of God carved into stone. But what did they really mean, and what do they mean today? In this two-part special, HISTORY unearths the answers to these questions, featuring insights from a distinguished group of scholars who examine how the Commandments have been interpreted throughout thousands of years and how they have challenged, changed and transformed human society. Discover what sort of punishments were handed out to those who broke these sacred rules, and why; whether the original document, said to be preserved in the Ark of the Covenant, could actually still exist; and just why the Commandments form the backbone of Western civilization. This comprehensive documentary is joined in this four-disc DVD collection by selected episodes from the classic series Mysteries of the Bible, and much more.

HISTORY CLASSICS: THE TEN COMMANDMENTS contains 7 acclaimed documentaries on 4 DVDs

DISC 1: The Ten Commandments
DISC 2: Mysteries of the Bible: Moses at Mt. Sinai / Secrets of the Ancient World: Moses and the Ten Commandments
DISC 3: Biography: Moses
DISC 4: Ancient Mysteries: Secret Life of King Ramses II / Ancient Mysteries: The Lost Ark

Ancient Aliens: Season 3

mthiele — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 20:36:35 +0000

Another season of alien intervention belongs to HISTORY. ANCIENT ALIENS continues to examine 75 million years of the most credible alien evidence here on Earth. SEASON 3 explores new directions, including sightings and phenomena from ancient times to the present. From the age of dinosaurs to ancient Egypt, from early cave drawings to continued mass sightings in the U.S., each episode gives historic depth to the questions, speculations, controversies, firsthand accounts and grounded theories surrounding an age-old debate. Did intelligent life forms from outer space visit Earth thousands of years ago? Do they visit us now? HISTORY ignites the inquiry while exploring possible connections between UFO phenomena and information decoded from ancient texts and artifacts.

DISC 1: Aliens and the Old West / Aliens and Monsters / Aliens and Sacred Places / Aliens and Temples of Gold

DISC 2: Aliens and Mysterious Rituals / Aliens and Ancient Engineers / Aliens, Plagues and Epidemics / Aliens and Lost Worlds

DISC 3: Aliens and Deadly Weapons / Aliens and Evil Places / Aliens and the Founding Fathers / Aliens and Deadly Cults

DISC 4: Aliens and the Secret Code / Aliens and the Undead / Aliens, Gods and Heroes / Aliens and the Creation of Man

King Arthur and Medieval Britain

mthiele — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 20:33:00 +0000

For centuries, the adventures of King Arthur and his fabled court of heroes, the Knights of the Round Table, have dominated the imagination of the western world. This special collection presents five original specials that will help separate fact from fiction.

Quest for King Arthur examines the tantalizing historical facts behind the story of King Arthur and his band of deathless heroes and illuminates the contemporary quest by researchers to establish if the 6th-century warlord truly existed.

King Arthur: His Life and Legends offers stunning recreations and abundant images from centuries past, to explore the social, political and emotional factors that have made Arthur’s story so dear to Western culture.

Ancient Mysteries: Camelot takes the viewer on a magical quest through England and Wales in search of Lancelot, Guinevere, Merlin, and Excalibur in an attempt to uncover evidence that Arthur’s battles really took place.

Knights and Armor traces the history of arms and armor with an up-close look at the world-famous Graz collection of Armor in Austria and recaptures the chivalry and grandeur of a legendary, by-gone age.

Quest for the Holy Grail wonders if it is possible this sacred relic has survived as a hidden treasure or could it be one of the ancient vessels displayed in museums throughout the world.

DISC 1: Quest for King Arthur / King Arthur: His Life and Legends / Ancient Mysteries: Camelot
DISC 2: Knights and Armor / Ancient Mysteries: Quest For The Holy Grail

Frozen World: The Story of the Ice Age

mthiele — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 20:28:29 +0000

This special collection features four specials, each examining a different aspect of the Ice Age. It’s a remarkable journey from the primitive man who inhabited the planet to a volcanic eruption and its devastating impact, to a fascinating look at a changing world and the cost of survival, to an exploration into the possibilities of another Ice Age.

We start with Clash of the Cavemen, which compares the Neanderthals with the Cro-Magnons and follows them through a bone-chilling Ice Age winter, ending with the extinction of one species. Next, Volcanic Winter goes back 75,000 years to trace the impact of a volcanic eruption – how it may have pushed the planet into an ice age and how it could have brought humanity to the edge of extinction. Then, take a Journey to 10,000 BC for the real story of life on earth during that time to unravel the geologic mystery surrounding the first environmental crisis faced by man. And finally, Mega Freeze asks if an Ice Age could happen again and if, in fact, it may already be too late to prevent a global disaster.

DISC 1: Clash of the Cavemen / Volcanic Winter
DISC 2: Journey to 10,000 BC / Mega Freeze

HISTORY Classics: History’s Mysteries

mthiele — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:34:31 +0000

Pick up where the textbooks leave off with HISTORY’S MYSTERIES and explore the stories, events, legends, and myths that have aroused curiosity, inspired wonder, and incited debate throughout the ages. From ancient history to modern subjects, this ground-breaking series investigates everything from conspiracy theories to unexplained incidents and folk legends to infamous police cases. In 1947, a strange object fell from the sky near Roswell, New Mexico, and the lives of many civilians and military personnel would never be the same again. Now, Roswell’s secrets will be revealed. Voyage onto the seven seas to investigate the stories of supernatural phenomena that have proliferated around the ancient art of seafaring. Hear from the survivors of a 1944 Nazi Ghost Train bound for Germany that was thwarted by the Resistance. Visit one of the most mysterious spots on earth–Devil’s Triangle–where an unusual number of unexplainable tragedies occur time and again. Are sea monsters figments of the imagination or living relics of prehistoric times? Learn the story of a search for thousand-year-old mummies of an obscure Andean culture in Peru who thrived between about 700 AD and 1500 AD and believed they possessed eternal life. HISTORY’S MYSTERIES delves beyond common assumptions and scrutinizes the hard evidence and testimony of experts to uncover the truth about those subjects that haunt people to this day.

HISTORY CLASSICS: HISTORY’S MYSTERIES contains 8 documentaries on 4 DVDs.

DISC 1: Roswell: Secrets Unveiled / Crop Circle Controversy
DISC 2: Ghost Ships / Nazi Ghost Train
DISC 3: The Devil’s Triangle / Monsters of the Sea
DISC 4: America’s Psychic Past / Cliff Mummies of the Andes

HISTORY Classics: Mysteries of the Bible: The Bible’s Greatest Heroes

mthiele — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:31:27 +0000

After thousands of years of debate and question, MYSTERIES OF THE BIBLE explores many of the greatest tales of Scripture. Filmed on location throughout the Holy Land, and utilizing modern scientific techniques and newfound archaeological discoveries, MYSTERIES OF THE BIBLE reveals surprising facts and theories behind the legendary figures and fabled stories of the Bible. Ten full-length programs from the acclaimed Mysteries of the Bible series are featured in this collection including: a journey from the lands of Mesopotamia and Canaan to Jerusalem’s holiest sites to discover if Abraham really existed; a dramatic investigation into what remains one of the Bible’s most intriguing chapters – the story of Joseph; an extraordinary discovery indicates that King David–poet, warrior, and slayer of the great giant named Goliath–was not just a mythical figure; an inspiring portrait of the life and times of Jesus Christ with answers to some of history’s most enduring questions; and much, much more.

MYSTERIES OF THE BIBLE: THE BIBLE’S GREATEST HEROES contains 10 documentaries on 5 DVDs.

DISC 1: Abraham: One Man, One God / Joseph: Master of Dreams
DISC 2: King David: Poet Warrior / Jesus: Holy Child
DISC 3: Jacob’s Ladder / Joshua at the Walls of Jericho
DISC 4: Job: The Devil’s Test / King Solomon
DISC 5: Samson and Delilah / Moses at Mount Sinai

HISTORY Classics: Ancient Discoveries: War in the Ancient World

mthiele — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:25:55 +0000

Each episode of ANCIENT DISCOVERIES: WAR IN THE ANCIENT WORLD explores ancient inventions and engineering that were previously believed to have been created only in modern times. Included in this special collection: the extraordinary ingenuity of the engineers who created some of the largest and most fearsome navies of the ancient world; the basic technologies discovered by ancient civilizations that led to the creation of the tank hundreds—maybe even thousands—of years ago; the mysteries of history’s special agents from Japanese ninja assassins to the Italian genius who wrote secret messages on the inside of eggs; an investigation of the ancient world’s naval technology including lethal grenades, covert attack equipment and toxic biological warfare. Military innovation is consistently at the cutting edge of technological advances, from apocalyptic skyscraper siege machines to ancient landmines and flamethrowers, most of today’s lethal weapons owe their origins to the inventors of the ancient world. Battle through storms snowdrifts to the world’s earliest known ski commandos, journey to Egypt to see how a tiny army beat off a major invasion force using farm animals and find out how the simple stirrup changed the entire course of history. Experts and archaeological digs reveal new evidence into these inventions – inventions which will be then be reconstructed.

ANCIENT DISCOVERIES: WAR IN THE ANCIENT WORLD contains 8 documentaries on 4 DVDs

DISC 1: Ancient Chinese Super Ships / Ancient Tank Tech
DISC 2: Ancient Secret Agents / Ancient Special Forces
DISC 3: Ancient Super Navies / Ancient Mega Fort
DISC 4: Ancient Death Machines / Ancient Commandos

HISTORY Classics: Hero Ships

mthiele — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 17:17:21 +0000

For nearly a hundred years, these steel, grey-skinned battlewagons have fought off everything from Al Qaeda to dive-bombing Kamikazes. Some returned from the hell of war to become major tourist attractions for new generations. Others continue to patrol the world’s trouble-spots in America’s latest war.

HISTORY CLASSICS: HERO SHIPS profiles the complete combat history and evolving technology of a single American ship, often through multiple conflicts. These are the battleships, destroyers, aircraft carriers, submarines, and specialized ships that belong in the warship hall of fame. Archival footage and interviews are punctuated by all-access inspections of the ship’s “battle stations,” conducted by young, active Navy sailors. The series lets us understand the role of each weapon and technology, the dramas that unfolded in different rooms during the heat of battle, and the unique traditions and stories of each vessel.

These ships represent everything that stirs patriotism and reawakens respect for the United States Navy. The stories of the valiant missions, the brave crews that manned them and the indispensable role they played in the defense of the United States will make you stand up and cheer.

HERO SHIPS contains 13 documentaries on 4 DVDs.

DISC 1: LST-325 / USS Jeremiah O’Brien / USS Samuel B. Roberts
DISC 2: USS Arizona / USS Constitution / USS Enterprise / USS Hornet
DISC 3: USS Laffey / USS Nautilus / USS New Jersey / USS New York
DISC 4: USS Texas / USS Yorktown

HISTORY Classics: Weapons at War: Brute Force WWII

mthiele — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:11:59 +0000

From man’s earliest battles to the combat visions of the future, the WEAPONS AT WAR series richly illustrates the history of weaponry throughout the ages – and what weapons will be like in the future. This special collection shines the spotlight on WWII, beginning with Hitler’s elite forces, including an examination of their training, tactics and battle history with footage of them in action. Then it’s on to the advanced weaponry he deployed in the air, on land and in the sea – from the well-trained fliers of the Luftwaffe to the devastating Panzer tanks to the ferocious “Wolf Packs.” Next is a close-up look at the war in the Pacific and the brave men who put their lives on the line to push the Japanese back to their homeland in places like Wake Island, Okinawa, Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima. Finally, a comprehensive look at the events that led up to D-Day, one of history’s greatest battles, from the earliest plans to the tense pre-dawn hours leading up to the monumental attack to the aftermath of the invasion.

WEAPONS AT WAR: BRUTE FORCE: WWII contains 8 documentaries on 4 DVDs

DISC 1: Elite German Forces of WWII / Hitler’s War Machine Part 1: The Luftwaffe
DISC 2: Hitler’s War Machine, Part 2: Panzers / Hitler’s War Machine, Part 3: U-Boats
DISC 3: Fighting Leathernecks of WWII / D-Day: The Total Story: Breakout
DISC 4: D-Day: The Total Story: D -1 / D-Day: The Total Story: H-Hour

American Restoration: Volume 1

mthiele — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:05:35 +0000

AMERICAN RESTORATION features Rick Dale and his crew of loose screws at Rick’s Restorations in Las Vegas, Nevada, as they take rusty, beat-up items and restore them to their original glory. Whether it’s a giant gas pump from the 1940s or a Hopalong Cassidy bicycle from the 1950s, every restoration is a high-stakes business project where worthless rust is transformed into a valuable collectible. However, these restorations aren’t easy. Every project presents unique challenges for Rick and his team, who develop inventive processes to finish each job flawlessly and on time. From old gas carts to timeless slot machines, the items Rick restores are part of the fabric that makes up American culture. Things just aren’t made like they used to be, but at Rick’s Restorations, old becomes new again.

DISC 1: Hopalong Rick / Ice Cold / Lights Out / Buttered Up / Cooler Kings / Knockout / Duck and Cover / Pumped Up

DISC 2: Space Kowboy / Jackpot / Safe Keeping / Suck Up / Rev’d Up / Apples and X-Rays / Hot & Cold / Secret Fan

HISTORY Classics: The History of the Holidays: Christmas

mthiele — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:28:59 +0000

The history of Christmas dates back thousands of years and it has spawned as many traditions as it has questions. This special collection takes a look at the beloved holiday from a number of perspectives. Trace the emergence of Christmas from pagan festivals like the Roman Saturnalia, which celebrated the winter solstice. Learn how Prince Albert introduced the Christmas tree to the English-speaking world in 1841. Take a revealing look at iconic stories including the three wise men and the Star of Bethlehem and see what some modern-day scholars now believe is fact and what is fiction. Learn the history of Santa Claus, from the actual life story of St. Nicholas to modern-day takes on the legend such as “The Santa Clause” and beyond. Finally, discover the amazing history of Christmas celebrations during wartime from the bitter chill of Valley Forge to the blistering sands of Desert Storm. Witness incredible tales of unspoken cease-fires, when enemy troops have discarded their uniforms and hostilities for one night. It’s an intimate, moving look at the way fighting men reconcile the reality of war with the celebration of peace, an unforgettable portrait of humanity at its most human.

HISTORY CLASSICS: THE HISTORY OF THE HOLIDAYS: CHRISTMAS contains 7 documentaries on 4 DVDs.

DISC 1: Christmas Unwrapped: The History of Christmas / Biography: Santa Claus
DISC 2: In Search of Christmas
DISC 3: The Real Story of Christmas / Modern Marvels: Christmas Tech
DISC 4: Christmas at War / The Christmas Truce

The Essential Civil War Collection

mthiele — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 20:10:10 +0000

This special collection shines the spotlight on some of the most intriguing storylines and personalities from one of the bloodiest chapters in our nation’s history. THE ESSENTIAL CIVIL WAR COLLECTION includes: one of the lesser known occurrences in American history – the plot to steal Abraham Lincoln’s body 11 years after his assassination; the manhunt to capture one of America’s earliest assassins, John Wilkes Booth and his co-conspirator David Herold; a profound and insightful meditation on Abraham Lincoln, a man few knew seen through the eyes of the President himself; the personal stories of the men who led Union and Confederate troops into battle; a revealing look at some of the most significant conflicts during the earliest years of the war.

VOLUME 1: Stealing Lincoln’s Body
VOLUME 2: The Hunt for John Wilkes Booth
VOLUME 3: Lincoln / Bonus
VOLUME 4: Civil War Journal: The Commanders, V1
VOLUME 5: Civil War Journal: The Commanders, V2
VOLUME 6: Civil War Journal: The Conflict Begins, V1
VOLUME 7: Civil War Journal: The Conflict Begins, V2

Rulers of the Ancient World: Tyrants, Conquerors, & Heroes

mthiele — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 20:07:33 +0000

They are some of the most famous, and infamous, leaders the world has ever known. Cutting-edge technology, dramatic reenactments and expert commentary deliver their stories in vivid detail. This special collection begins with an examination of eight of the most brutal and feared rulers of the ancient world from Attila the Hun and Julius Caesar to Hannibal and Genghis Khan. Next, it’s a look at the remarkable life and times of Alexander the Great, the King of Macedonia who led a grand army over 20,000 miles to bring all of Asia under his control. Then we travel back to unravel the mysteries surrounding one of the Bible’s greatest heroes – King David. And we’ll join a search for the truth about one of the Bible’s most legendary villains – King Herod the Great. Plus, an in-depth look at the rise and fall of the Roman Empire and an exploration of some of history’s most decisive battles.

VOLUME 1: Ancients Behaving Badly, Volume 1
VOLUME 2: Ancients Behaving Badly, Volume 2
VOLUME 3: True Story of Alexander the Great / Bonus
VOLUME 4: Mysteries of the Bible – King David, Herod the Great, Solomon
VOLUME 5: Rome: Rise and Fall of an Empire – Constantine the Great, Julius Caesar, The Last Emperor, The Soldiers’ Emperor
VOLUME 6: The True Story of Hannibal / Boudica: Warrior Queen / Crassus: Rich Man, Poor Man / Hail Caesar! / Ramses II
VOLUME 7: Ancient Mysteries – The Forbidden City: Dynasty And Destiny / The Queen Pharaoh / Secret Life Of King Ramses II

Great Explorers

mthiele — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 20:01:53 +0000

Get set for adventure with GREAT EXPLORERS. This special collection includes: the perilous catastrophes of one of history’s most epic adventures – the lost voyage of Columbus. The thrilling stories of men like Hudson, Ribault and Bering who stopped at nothing to conquer an unknown land and its peoples. The 20-year journey of Marco Polo through China, India, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. An in-depth portrait of Lewis and Clark and their journey from Missouri to the Pacific Ocean to map the vast new lands Thomas Jefferson acquired. The riveting story of soldier, adventurer, explorer and the first Conquistador – Ponce de Leon. A journey into the vast continent of Africa with Henry Stanley and David Livingstone. Take a ride along the galleons – the greatest ships of the Old World and an expedition with John Wesley Powell into the last unknown territory of the U.S – the Grand Canyon. Join a team of explorers and divers in the hunt for Magellan’s lost fleet. Follow a team of historical detectives as they examine the raiding and plundering of the Vikings. And journey to the bottom of the earth to learn the frozen history of Antarctica. Epic tales of triumph and tragedy lie within.

DISC 1: Columbus The Lost Voyage
DISC 2: Conquest of America, Volume 1
DISC 3: Conquest of America, Volume 2
DISC 4: Marco Polo: Journey To The East / Lewis and Clark: Explorers of a New Frontier / Ponce De Leon: The First Conquistador
DISC 5: Dr. Livingstone, I Presume / The Galleons
DISC 6: Risk Takers/History Makers / Magellan’s Lost Fleet
DISC 7: Lost Worlds: The Vikings / Antarctica: A Frozen History

Engineering an Empire: Collector’s Edition

mthiele — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 19:54:53 +0000

The Parthenon. Chichén Itzá. The Pyramids. Their scale, complexity, and sheer beauty stand as permanent reminders of the indomitable strength and ingenuity of the human spirit.

ENGINEERING AN EMPIRE: THE COLLECTOR’S EDITION circles the globe to reexamine history’s most magnificent civilizations by surveying the architectural and engineering triumphs they left behind. Beginning more than five-thousand years ago with the mind-boggling construction feats of the ancient Egyptians, the 14 documentaries–including two feature-length specials–in this collection revive the spectacular glory of the past, from the great temples of Greece to the majestic and mysterious Tenochtitlan. Cutting-edge CGI graphics and stunning location footage reanimate the ancient streets of such cities as Carthage and Rome, while expert interviews trace the rise of each empire and the technological achievements that paved the way for their gravity-defying masterpieces.

Hosted by Peter Weller, ENGINEERING AN EMPIRE: THE COLLECTOR’S EDITION unites each riveting moment of this critically-acclaimed and Emmy Award-winning series to reveal the innovation and infrastructure behind the world’s most dazzling empires.

This collection features a bonus DVD with four episodes of Where Did It Come From? to see how modern technology’s roots trace back to ancient civilizations.

DISC 1: Engineering an Empire – Greece / Greece: Age of Alexander / The Aztecs
DISC 2: Engineering an Empire – Carthage / China / Russia
DISC 3: Engineering an Empire – Britain: Blood and Steel / The Persians / The Maya: Death Empire
DISC 4: Engineering an Empire – Napoleon: Steel Monster / The Byzantines / Da Vinci’s World / Bonus behind-the-scenes Featurette
DISC 5: Rome: Engineering an Empire / Bonus – History in the Making
DISC 6: Egypt: Engineering an Empire / Bonus featurettes
DISC 7: Where Did It Come From? — Ancient China: Agriculture / Ancient Egypt: Modern Medicine / Ancient Greece: Modern Ship Building / Ancient Rome: The Modern Stadium

The Real Face of Jesus?

mthiele — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 19:27:57 +0000

THE REAL FACE OF JESUS? follows a team of graphic experts as they use cutting-edge 3D software to bring a holy relic known as the Shroud of Turin to life. Many believe Jesus Christ was buried in this ancient linen cloth, which bears traces of blood and the faint, ghostly image of a man. With the help of modern technology, can HISTORY™ finally unlock the secrets of one of the world’s most scrutinized and controversial artifacts?

Secrets of Christianity

mthiele — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 19:23:26 +0000

This special collection attempts to unravel the mysteries of Christianity that have existed for thousands of years. Archeological and historical sleuthing will reveal the details behind the following puzzles: The sea journey Jesus took and why it’s been covered up. How Mount Vesuvius might have been more responsible for the spread of Christianity than Apostles Peter and Paul. What happened to the nails discovered in the tomb of the man who sent Jesus to the cross? Who was Simon of Perea and was he the messiah before Jesus? Did Christianity thrive within the very army that was supposed to suppress it? Did Christianity conquer Rome or did pagan Rome conquer Christianity? The answers and more lie within.

DISC 1: The Lost Voyage of Jesus / Vesuvius and the Fear of God / The Nails of the Cross

DISC 2: The Messiah Before Jesus / The Roman Army’s Secret Christians / Selling Christianity