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Category:    Home > Reviews > Documentary > Military > The Battle History Of The United States Military (History Channel)

The Battle History Of The United States Military (History Channel)

 

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

 

 

Of the endless hours of documentary programming a network like The History Channel produces, all kinds of interesting work is being done and some of it is like nothing produced before.  The Battle History Of The United States Military is a new box set that devotes one loaded DVD to each of the five branches of The United States’ armed forces.  Running pretty much up to 2004, each disc runs about three hours of various multi-part programs (including an extra) covering the linear histories of The Marines, Navy, Army, Air Force and Coast Guard.

 

These are matter-of-fact histories without any ideological slant, though some critics will try to call these Right of center by default at least, but that does not make them any less important or vital to the telling of the formation of The United States as a nation.  Yes, this could even drift that way, but instead, the material is handled ion an intelligent manner, too busy going through as much history as possible without ideological posturing.  Even though designed for commercial breaks, that is never distracting.  The Battle History Of The United States Military is a solid, ambitious collection of each branch and even makes for great arguments why they should all continue on without trying.

 

The 1.33 X 1 image is shot on professional analog NTSC video throughout and looks as good and clean as The History Channel usually makes it.  That extends to the extra programs, including the simple-but-clear Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo.  Those extras include Pageantry Of The Corps on The Marines volume and all five discs have DVD-ROM sections of historical documents you can download, as well as branch Heraldries for all five divisions.  All packaged in five slender-cases, this is a heavy box that is one of the most ambitious box releases History Channel has come up with to date.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo


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