The French Revolution (The History Channel)
Picture: C+
Sound: B- Extras: C Documentary: B-
The History Channel is now known to rival PBS for covering
important world events in the television medium. Both networks are usually more on top of their subject than not,
and The History Channel’s recent attempt to cover The French Revolution
in 100 minutes is not bad for the limited time they try to squeeze everything
into.
Though it is somewhat condensed and telegraphs some of its
ideas to its detriment (such as the advent of the guillotine), Edward Herrmann
once again serves as a good narrator for an intelligently written show. It covers the great figures of the day, such
as Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, Maximilien Robespierre, Immanuel Kant, Georges
J. Danton, and some note on Napoleon.
This is a great starting point for study on the subject, though those
who know it better will be bored.
Overall, it is well done, with only a few reservations.
The combination of a 1.66X 1 frame for a recent production
and Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo with Pro Logic is fair, but why the program is not
in 16 X 9/1.78 X 1 and anamorphic is odd.
We have run into this combination before and have yet to get an
explanation to the why of it. This
makes it annoying to watch on widescreen TVs, as information is lost at the top
and especially the bottom. The only
extra is a smaller making of featurette promoting this show best viewed after
seeing the main feature. It runs about
22 minutes. Though not as well rounded
as it could be, this French Revolution has enough moments to make it
worth capturing.
- Nicholas Sheffo
