Fulvue Drive-In.com
Current Reviews
In Stores Soon
 
In Stores Now
 
DVD Reviews, SACD Reviews Essays Interviews Contact Us Meet the Staff
An Explanation of Our Rating System Search  
Category:    Home > Reviews > Documentary > History > TV > The Greek Americans (Documentary)

The Greek Americans (Documentary Mini-Series)

 

Picture: C+     Sound: C+     Extras: B-     Episodes: B

 

 

Though it is not the double set Acorn Media did for The Italian Americans (1997) has issued a sister program called The Greek Americans (1998-99) that talks about a group of immigrants that get far less attention than most and deserve much better.  The two main programs here and two half-hour extras shows a people who have done incredible things in the U.S. and that makes this program easily the equal of its Italian predecessor.

 

Again, we get a series of interviews with those of the ethic title affiliation in entertainment, religion, food and other areas of culture that captures the world of immigrants and then limited assimilation.  The first segment has the title of the DVD, covering family life and the many Greek Americans who have gone on to great success in all forms of business, arts and recreation.  The second program is subtitled Passing The Torch, which focuses on the women, education, and continued learning of the culture to the next generations.  Roger Caras narrates and the many interviewees include Pete Sampras, Olympia Dukakis, and Billy Zane.

 

After watching, I realized what little is really known or discussed about the culture, feeling closed in a way that remind one much more of Hasidic Jews than Italians.  To the producers’ credit, it does not feel like formula or a repeat of the Italian shows.  In a country where the school systems are more worried about propaganda than showing other worlds, countries and cultures, The Greek Americans makes for great viewing.

 

The 1.33 X 1 full frame image was shot on professional NTSC analog tape and is in nice, clean, clear condition, though the usual limits for the format in detail and some color limits still apply.  There are also the occasional inserts of stills and older film footage; the usual expected documentary mix.  The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo is clear enough, though no surrounds exist.  Extras include the two half-hour segments bonus footage for both programs, but that is it, as there is only so much room on this single disc.  Let’s hope for more in this series.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo


Marketplace


 
 Copyright © MMIII through MMX fulvuedrive-in.com