World War Two was the largest, most expensive war fought on this Earth in recorded history. The Nazi invasion of Soviet Russia was the fiery heart of that awesome struggle for world domination. The exceptionally high quality of research shown throughout this four part DVD production does genuine justice to the magnitude of that terrible struggle.

The entire Russo-German war is covered in impressive detail. From pre-Barbarossa preparations, Zhukov's proposed 'pre-emptive strike' on Germany, through the Barbarossa blitzkrieg, Kiev, the defence of Moscow, the seige of Leningrad, the occupation/exploitation of the Ukraine, Stalingrad, Kursk, Operation Bagradion, the battle for Berlin, and very much more; it is all clearly documented with archive footage, recollections from veterans of both sides, situation maps and voice over commentary.

In my opinion, it's greatest strength is the genuine impartiality shown throughout. Despite chronicling events which; in our own time, are often regarded as the acts of psycopathic lunatics; this series reveals the motivations which led to such actions, in numerous personal interviews with some of the individuals concerned. Just a few of those interviewed are:- Hubert Menzel of German Army High Command explaining why, despite the risks; Operation Barbarossa was launched. Bernhard Bechler Adjutant, German Army High Command explaining why he was proud to sign the 'commissar order'. Wolfgang Horn 10'th Panzer explaining how he enjoyed being part of a victorious advancing army. Vladimir Ogryzko 1'st NKVD Div talking of shooting dead on the spot those who attempted to flee Moscow. As you hear their words, even so long after; modernday propaganda falls away, and you realize, that in similar circumstances; God forgive us, but we might well have done the same!

To summarise; this is a first class series, professionally put together; from which any viewer will learn a great deal. I recommend this DVD unreservedly. [ASIN:B00097DY6G War of the Century: When Hitler Fought Stalin [DVD] [1999] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]]]

It is now more than sixty years since, to quote Winston Churchill, Nazism was "blasted from the face of the Earth!"; but the words Adolf Hitler wrote in Mein Kampf are still powerful enough to stir the passions. Within it's pages, Hitler predicts that the world dominating European civilization into which he had been born was in fact "a world on the brink of disaster."; and lays out a programme which, if implimented; might have saved that now vanished world along with much, if not all; of the political and military power it then held.

Hitler had spent four awful years fighting as a common soldier in the trenches; and loathed the shallow, devisive nationalism which had led to the Great War of 1914-1918, in which he had lost so many good friends and comrades. His answer was racialism, which most at the time saw as a unifying force. All Europe's sons were of the same Aryan/European blood after all. If they could be taught to look upon each other as the brothers they truly were; such fracticidal slaughters might be avoided in the future. And as he looked to the future; Hitler, like the Roman of old; saw the Tiber foaming with much blood.

Compared to the America's, Asia or Africa, the European continent is tiny; more an Asian peninsula than a continent at all; and virtually emptied of the mineral resources/raw materials needed by any modern industrial power. This was well known to Europe's rulers who, during the preceding centuries had used their military dominance to establish Empires throughout the world; the purpose of which was to ensure that Europe's industrial centres continued to receive these essential supplies. But Empire's can only be maintained by military force, which rely on manpower; and the restricted landspace was already impacting on the European birthrate. As the Asian/African people's continued to multiply, it was inevitable that the balance of power would shift. Europe would first lose her colonies, then see her industrial lead disappear; and finally be culturally and genetically swamped by the Third World's ever multiplying millions.

As is explained in these pages, Hitler's answer came in two stages. First unite Europe into Der Grosseraum; from the Atlantic in the West to the Ural Mountains in the East, with the Mediterranean as the southern border. The second stage was to create Festung Europa by fortifying the frontier regions. Within this Aryan/European homeland the Ukrainian grainfields would guarantee the food supply, enabling social policy to encourage an increase in the birthrate through a graded family allowance system. Every newly wed couple would be given a mortgage sized wedding present by the state; with the birth of each child, 25% of this loan would be written off. With a rising population, the balance of power would swing back in Europe's favour. Demographic projections of that time indicated that by 2050 Europeans would make up more than 50% of total world population. The threat to Western world domination posed by Asia's hungry millions would have been neutralized.

We all know the course of 20'th century history. European nationalism did not yield to the racist doctrine of Aryan brotherhood. Despite Hitler's prediction that "We have only to kick in the door, and the whole rotten system will come crashing down!", the Soviet communist system didn't actually collapse until the mid 1980's. In America the capitalists had plans of their own for 'The American Century'; which did not include a powerful united Europe dominating the world. While many of old Europe's imperialist aristocracies actively supported Hitler's plans; the power of International Finance ensured that a confederation of the French and British Empires, the USA and USSR, crushed Nazi Germany within six years, despite the pre-emptive blitzkrieg that knocked France out of the war.

In Europe we are now some fifty years into Hitler's worst nightmare. Europe's military/economic power never recovered from the suicidal civil war of 1939-1945, and the old empires are long gone, as is Soviet Russia. Since the 1950's Europe's population has been actually declining, even as millions of abortions are carried out each year. By contrast, India's burgeoning population has made her into a world power since independence in 1947, now possessing her own space research programme; whilst China's billion strong workforce has already built the industrial powerhouse which will eclipse America as world superpower within twenty years. Following them both are Japan and the Asian Tigers, all of whom have growth rates that dwarf European efforts.

To conclude this review I shall quote Patrick J Buchanan, senior adviser to three American Presidents, twice runner for the Republican nomination and Reform Party candidate in 2000:-
"All about us we can see clearly now that the West is passing away. In a single century, all the great houses of continental Europe have vanished. Not one European nation, save Muslim Albania, has a birthrate that will enable it to survive through the century. As a share of world population, people of European ancestry have been shrinking for three generations. The character of every Western nation is being irremediably altered as each undergoes an unresisted invasion from the Third World. We are slowly disappearing from the Earth. Having lost the will to rule, Western man seems to be losing the will to live...." Mein Kampf Official Nazi Translation

Who won World War Two? My grandad used to say that we did....

This 45min DVD is the third in a six part series from the History File, which begins with The Normans/Angevins and concludes with Modern Monarchy. Clearly narrated by Alan Ereira, every sentence contains useful, interesting information which details the story of the Tudor dynasty. The narrative is reinforced by use of maps, family tree illustrations, reinactments, views of the relevant castles, cities, individual portraits etc...

This DVD reminds me of the Ladybird books of my childhood; being short, cheap and packed with accurate information. For those who would like to understand the history of the Tudor Dynasty without spending much time or money doing it this programme, and also the series from which it comes is perfect.The Kings And Queens Of England - The Tudors - 1485 To 1603 [DVD] [2004]

This 233min DVD is the best documentary series on the development of navies and naval power I have ever seen; and I find it hard to believe anyone will be able to produce a programme that betters it in my lifetime.

That's a pretty strong statement but I stand by it. Even the packet cover is well designed, clear and concise; so I'm going to quote from it now:- "Seapower to Superpower is the story of the world's fighting ships and the men who sailed them. Combining rare archive material with graphic reconstructions, superb computer animation and expert analysis; it brings to life great sea battles like the defeat of the Spanish Armada, Jutland and Midway. It explains the strategy and tactics employed by the world's navies throughout history, and looks at the evolution of the fighting ship from the Viking Long Ship to the modern Supercarrier.". Sums it up perfectly.

Beginning in the Dark Ages, this series continues through the formation, development and supremacy of the Royal Navy, the Napoleonic Wars, American Civil War, the 20'th Century wars, and a great deal more. It concludes with the computer/satellite guided, supercarrier centred fleets of today's American Navy; and the connections between naval and space research/technology. The viewer is guided throughout by highly detailed comment on the various individuals, maps, conflicts, technical developments, strategies/tactics, computer generated illustations etc... by expert commentary from naval experts such as Paul Kennedy, Marc Milner, Craig Symonds and Harry Dickinson. The series consists of five programmes, details of which are given below:-

1. Britain Arises.
Explains the importance of control of the sea in controling world trade, the mobility of the seaborne Viking raiders, development of the Cog, the Caravel, the Mary Rose, ship-bourne cannon, the Golden Hind, the Spanish Armada, the Anglo-Dutch wars and the early colonisation of America.

2. Victory Everywhere.
The economic/financial roots of the British Empire's early victories in the Anglo-French Wars; Louisburg, Wolfe at Quebec, the Seven Years War, Hawk at Quiberon Bay, The American War of Independence, Nelson at Trafalgar.

3. Pax Britannia.
Covers the Royal Navy's part in the expansion and control of the British Empire. The introduction of steam power, armour plate, screw propulsion, America's civil war ironclads, Dreadnoughts, the Russo-Japanese war, the Naval Race, World War One and Jutland.

4. Changing the Guard.
Development of the torpedo and submarine warfare, effects of World War One, American growth during the inter-war years, Taranto, Pearl Harbour, the carrier war in the Pacific, Midway and D-Day in Europe.

5. Space. The Great Commons.
How both USSR and USA used captured Nazi scientific research to build their nuclear missile programmes; which in turn led to the Cold War, Korea, Vietnam, MAD the race to position orbiting spy satellites and ultimately the moon landings.

In concluding this review, I recommend this DVD series unreservedly; it is entertaining, deeply informative but also clear and simple to follow. An absolute must for all with an interest in naval affairs, both historical and modern.Seapower to Superpower [DVD] [2006]

This has to be one of Richard Burton's very best films. A black and white epic, made in 1953 when memories of the real events were still vivid; Burton portrays the tough 23year old Captain McRoberts, a classic product of the old British public school system; ordered to take command of an Australian battalion defending the besieged port city of Tobruk.

Far more than just another war film however, the Desert Rats is also a psychological drama, with Robert Newton giving a masterful preformance as McRobert's ex-school teacher; an intelligent sensitive man, but also a drunken, cowardly failure, swept along by circumstances beyond his control or understanding; though still deeply respected by his estwhile pupil.

The scenes of the British Garrison Commanders as surrounded, outnumbered, and short on supplies; they shrewdly out think and then out-general Field Marshall Rommel are absolutely classic. In reality British cypher experts had broken the German Enigma codes by then; enabling British Military Intelligence to read Rommel's orders even before they reached his unit commanders, but that's another story.

To conclude this review, I cannot recommend this film highly enough; it's an absolute classic! An entertaining, semi-documentary view into the now vanished world our fathers fought so hard for; in the battles of yester-year.

As you watch this impeccably researched 59min DVD, commisioned to mark the 90'th anniversary of the battle, and listen to the actual words of just a few of the men who fought and died in it; it puts the problems we face today into genuine perpective.

The programme centres around a few volunteers of the 2'nd Salford Pals Battalion/16'th Lancashire Fusiliers; as they attacked and were mown down, by their Westphalian opposite numbers in the 180'th Inf Regt, holding the French chateau of Thiepval on 1'st July 1916. It's hard to believe now, but 19,240 British soldiers were killed, with 37,000 wounded; on the first day of a battle which lasted six months!

This programme differs from many others however, in that it documents the entire Somme 'campaign' which continued on until December 1916. It illustrates how the British Army reacted to those losses; permitting use of initiative by junior officers, introducing combined attacks, creeping artillery barrages, first deployment of tanks, and use of aircraft for observation.

Using these radical new tactics, the British Army and their French allies eventually 'won' the battle of the Somme. German pressure on Verdun was reduced as they were forced to replace 500,000 casualties lost on the Somme; which enabled France to hold at Verdun. Total British casualties were 432,000, France lost 'only' 200,000, plus another 543,000 at Verdun!

This programme attempts to justify those losses by explaining how the Generals 'learned' lessons; and by applying those lessons, eventually emerged victorious from World War One. But it is only when we realize these losses were from just one battle amidst many; and that all were highly selective in nature; being fit young men aged 18-35 years; that the true enormity of World War One is revealed.

Europe slaughtered her best and finest sons, literally by the millions, during those terrible years; with social, economic and genetic effects that have never really been put right. I shall conclude this review with the words of Kaiser Wilhelm who, as he signed the declaration of war in 1914 said; "Gentlemen, you will have reason to regret this.". Never were truer words spoken than those.The Somme - From Defeat to Victory [DVD] [2006]

This is an interesting DVD, which does pack in a lot of good information. However,I find the constant 'criticism' over the class system of Victoria's age both unnecessary and hypocritical. We in the West today are living with even greater differences in real wealth between rich and poor than they had then.

Victoria's reign was in fact England's heroic age. A time in which the population, industrial and military strength of both Great Britain and Europe, all grew faster for longer; than ever before or since. It was an age that saw a highly sucessful English ruling class create the largest Empire the world has ever seen. This Empire in turn allowed the establishment of the first genuinely worldwide economic system; a system we all benefit from even today.

The Victorian educational system was, in it's day, the best in the world bar none; as were the British engineering, banking, shipbuilding, and railway industries. In medical and scientific research, England took a world lead which has only recently been lost; and many other Victorian achievements could easily be added to this list.

To conclude; this programme does have a lot to offer, but I feel that there was far more positive information on Victoria's age which could have been included in order to give a more balanced view. Life In Victorian Britain [DVD]

This is a top quality documentary, on what has to be the most interesting organisation to emerge from the Crusading era. The 104minute, four part series focuses mainly on the historical record of the Knights Templar; rather than the more speculative suggestions of modern times. These four episodes are:-

1.Origins.
Explains the background to the Crusades, founding of the Order in 1099AD; it's original purpose being to defend Christian pilgrim convoys from Saracen attack, through to the battle of Hattin in 1187.
2.Corporation.
Covers the Order's international economic/banking developments; which enabled the construction of the military organisation, sack of Jerusalem.
3.Frontier.
King Richart Lionhearts third crusade, castle building programme, events on Cyprus. Frederick Barbarrossa's crusade; battle of La Forbie, the Mongol intervention.
4.Legend.
Arrest and dispersal of the Order by Phillip the Fair of France in 1307, the burning of Jacque de Molay on 18th March 1314; followed by a brief summary of the myths left after their dissolution.

In conclusion, I recommend this DVD series as the best as yet produced on the Order of Knights Templar; it is both interesting, entertaining and well worth buying.The Knights Templar [DVD] [2000]

I first read this theory as a series of newspaper articles some forty years ago, conveniently released at the height of public interest in America's moon landings. The basic idea is very simple but deeply profound. According to Erich von Daniken, the all-powerful immortal Gods of ancient legend, were in fact the captain and crew of an interstellar starship; which visited this planet some 10,000 years ago. Using the technology available to any advanced race capable of intergalactic space travel, these very humanlike 'Gods from the Heavens' then proceeded to colonise this planet and possibly another within this solar system, with a view to permanent settlement. As this colonization programme involved large amounts of hard physical work; genetic science was employed to create a hybrid species capable of intellegent labour, Mankind! who were then deployed as workers to the farms, mines etc... in a form of sacred slavery. The produce of these enterprises being collected as tribute/sacrifices for use by the Gods.

At this point Von Daniken's theory tends to peter out, and some of his 'evidence' has since been shown to be disputable; but the writings of Zecharia Sitchin, translator/researcher of the ancient Sumerian culture; develops Von Daniken's ideas with revelations from that earliest recorded human society which; if accurate, are both amazing and highly plausable!

According to the Sumerian historical/religious record as translated by Mr Sitchin; the major problem which arose in due course, was that some of the Gods were sexually atracted to 'the daughters of men'. The resulting semi-divine children were not as content with their place in the social hierarchy as were their fully human relatives. Often motivated by desire for the same 'eternal life' as enjoyed by their Godly sires; the most daring of these Titanic offspring attempted to steal both this, and other 'Sacred Wisdom's', for their own and mankind's benefit.

The result of this challenge to their supremacy was a clash between Gods and Men which developed into an all out war, fought both in the Heavens and on Earth, with awesome weapons; the Gods hurled thunderbolts which destroyed cities, whilst plagues decimated human populations. Ultimately a great mountain(an asteroid?) was hurled down upon the Earth; triggering the flood of Biblical legend which swept all away, and left the few surviving humans as masters of a devastated world.

As is always the way with pioneering achievements, Erich von Daniken's writings include some points which have since been shown to be wrong; but the basic message seems to have become more rather than less probable over these last forty years.

Bearing in mind that the ancient Sumerian city of Ur was the birthplace of Abraham, patriarch of the Hebrew tribes, whose Jewish religion formed the basis of first Christianity and later the Islamic faith; it is a relatively simple matter to show that these three major world faiths all have their origins in the religious legends of ancient Sumeria. If these ancient legends are actually based on real events, as the Sumerians, ancient Egyptians and Babylonians amongst others firmly believed them to be; the modernday dispute between 'scientific evolutionists' and 'religious creationists' becomes meaningless. A further benefit is that with an understanding of what the deeper message contained within religion really was, any modernday conflict based upon interfaith rivalry should also become pointless.

In concluding this review; I suggest that the ideas contained within this DVD, may one day be held in as high esteem as those of other great thinkers such as Copernicus, Galileo and Darwin, who were all ridiculed in their own times.Chariots of the Gods [DVD] [1970] [US Import] [NTSC]

'Waterloo ended a quarter of a century of conflict, which spanned the globe from North America to Java, from Russia to the Carribean; it was truly; the first world war. It was the bloodstained birth of the modern world. From 1792 to 1815 war defined how millions of men, women and children lived and died. Some five million people worldwide lost their lives; one million French, a third of a million British. It was a war that changed the nature of war itself; a war driven by a revolution in ideas. By it's end this war had transformed Europe. It shaped the nation-states of the future; nations which would, in the next century and a half, bring both democracy and dictatorship. It forged new national identities; and new citizens with rights, votes and a stake in their country. It transformed Government, creating a huge growth in bureacracy, taxation and industry. Above all it revolutionized for ever the relationship between arms and the State.'

These words open what I believe to be the best documentary as yet available on the Napoleonic era. Strangely, the TV equivalent of WW1's 'The Great War', WWII's 'The World at War' or Ken Burn's 'The West' does not yet exist on Napoleon's wars; until it does, this 147minute three part series, covers the Anglo-French campaigns very well indeed. Napoleon's battles/campaigns against Prussia, Austria and Russia are also included but more from how they inpacted on the British situation, rather than in their own right.

Episode 1. Armies. Beginning at the battle of Valmy, this programme covers:- the British and French armies, the tactics, conscription, the Corps system, the generals, their military campaigns, Walcheren, Spain and the Hundred Days; and also the political/economic reasons underpinning the military actions.

Episode 2. Navies. Covers the equipment/ships and technical development of the French and British navies prior too and during the Napoleonic wars. Nelson, Villeneuve and the battle of Trafalgar are thoroughly covered, along with all the other major naval combats. As in part one, the realm of supreme political/military command is also well investigated and explained. The part the Royal Navy played in the beginning of the industrial revolution is also made clear.

Episode 3. Freedom. To my mind this is the most original and interesting programme, documenting the deep and ongoing intellectual struggle over what freedom meant/means to Napoleon, the Pitt Government and ourselves; cleverly using contemporary political events to illustrate just why those involved fought so bitterly either for or against the 'rights and freedoms' Napoleon's dictatorship offered Europe.

To conclude, this is a first class production, and of benefit to all with an interest in either the idea of freedom itself, the Napoleonic era, or both.A World In Arms [DVD]