No comments about Biography - Eliot Ness.

No comments about Biography - Kirk Douglas.

1 comments about Biography - Gary Gilmore.

1. In typical Biography fashion, the story of Gary Gilmore and Nicole Baker is told with impeccable style, encompassing the feelings of not only Gary Gilmore, but of his friends, family, lawyers, and his girlfriend, Nicole Baker. The heartbreaking story of the first person to be executed in the United States after the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976, "Gary Gilmore: A Fight To Die" stands on its own as one of the most compelling news stories of the 20th century.

No comments about Biography - David Brinkley.

1 comments about Biography International - Ceausescu: The Unrepentant Tyrant Host.

1. Nicolae Ceausescu was the Communist dictator of Rumania from 1965-1989, when he and his wife were overthrown and executed. This is a good 50 minute introduction to Ceausescu's life, but it also feels slight. A dry recitation of facts, with lots of talking head experts. I'd like to have seen more news footage, less talking heads. Done in old ducumentary fashion, rather than post-Ken Bruns fashion in which actors read actual letters from the people portrayed on screen. As a result, we never get a feel for Ceausescu, or get inside his head. We don't understand him any more than when we began. We're told Ceausescu was a tyrant -- and he was -- but we don't see the results of his tyranny. No prison or labor camp footage. Just a quick succession of propaganda and news clips, with many talking heads. A clear case of "telling" and not "showing." Speaking of talking heads, it's funny how EVERY former member of his government NOW says how horrible Ceausescu was. If EVERY Communist bigwig opposed Ceausescu, why didn't someone speak up sooner? Still, because there aren't many films on this important historic figure, I give it four stars as a serviceable introduction to those who've never heard of Ceausescu.

2 comments about Damned Engineers at Remagen.

1. At first I thought this was going to be another rehash of the caputre of the Ludendorf bridge at Remagen. However, the bridge is captured within the first ten minutes or so of the video. The rest is what happened *after* the capture.

   It chronicles the Engineers' efforts to build pontoon bridges before the Ludendorf bridge collapses. This was no easy accomplishment because the bridge needed to be built under enemy fire from artillery, air raids, siege mortars, underwater demolition teams, and more!




2. Great film of an engineering feat, building a treadway bridge across the Reine River under direct fire from small arms, 88's, and even German jets (the 262's). It's amazing to see a World War II military operation from start to finish.

No comments about Biography: Sarah the Duchess of York.

1 comments about Damned Engineers at the Battle of the Bulge.

1. This A & E documentary focuses on the brave officers & men of the 291st Engineer Combat Battalion which defended Stavelot, Trois Ponts, & Malmedy, Belgium, against the Panzers of Kampfgruppe Peiper during the Battle of the Bulge. They had no orders to hold out but their commanding officer decided to hold these strategic places "at all costs". Although the narration is a little cheesy at times, the combat footage is awesome, & they mention the infamous "Malmedy Massacre" as well as brutal murdering of civilians by Peiper's men. The documentary has grisly footage of Americans recovering the frozen corpses. Also, there is captured footage of German tanks & troops during the battle, a clip showing German spies being shot, & even footage of Peiper's postwar trial where you can hear him try to deny responsibility for the Malmedy Massacre. Although he was sentenced to be hung, he was later released in the 50s. He was mysteriously murdered in Paris in the 70s. As for the engineers of the 291st Battalion, they fought as infantry throughout the battle & endured many hardships including getting bombed by their own B-17s by mistake...twice!!! Its amazing that they successfully defended three towns against such overwhelming odds. This documentary is highly recommended for all WW2 buffs.

1 comments about Biography - Woodrow Wilson.

1. There are many fine aspects to this film biography. Its interviews, particularly with Wilson's granddaughter, and thoughtful critique by George Will. But from its opening moments, it adopts a "sensational" late night news approach, accenting Wilson's alleged extramarital affair. The evidence for this being anything more than "platonic" is seriously in question. Too bad a great opportunity was lost for incisive critique and appreciation of this fine American statesman.

No comments about A& E Biography - Masters & Johnson (The Science of Sex).