Customer Reviews

The Winds of War

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Paramount deserves major congratulations for doing right by The Winds of War with their DVD release.

I was anxious to make sure this DVD measured up, so I watched it with my old VHS playing at the same time, and switched back and forth occasionally on the remote to see the difference. It's nothing less than astonishing. The old Winds videos look unwatchable when compared to the new image, which probably looks as close as possible to the way it was shot.

This is, of course, a TV miniseries from 1983, long before anyone imagined the resolution of DVD, so it's not going to look perfect. Still, almost every time I switched to the VHS, then back, I literally said "wow." Colors are distinct and deep, details are sharp and the variously-colored hazes that afflicted most of the VHS are gone. Having only seen the series this way, the DVDs were a revelation. These discs represent what is best about DVD and its success, bringing a long-quiet catalog title back to life.

Although Paramount usually mixes new 5.1 audio tracks for their old films, with 15 hours of film here, they can't be blamed for leaving the existing mono tracks, which are certainly decent and don't detract at all from viewing the film. (I can't understand the other reviewer who gave the DVD set one star, largely because of the audio. Doesn't he understand how prohibitively expensive a new sound mix of that length, for such a complex series, would have been? We're very lucky with what we've got.)

Paramount also fixed some framing mistakes on the VHS edition. Large portions of episodes 5, 6 and 7 were noticeably off-center when compared to the re-aligned DVDs. This had never caught my attention before, but when flipping back and forth, I could see that the tops of people's heads were actually lopped off quite frequently on the VHS.

I've read horror stories of missing scenes when TV shows find their way to DVD, so I was especially anxious to be sure that wasn't the case. Rest assured, every moment of the VHS version is here. The only difference is that the commercial break spots have now been lengthened to about five seconds, where they were almost instant cuts on the VHS. This gives more of a breather between acts, which I totally approve of. (As for the other reviewer who found scenes that were not on their old VHS, I can't imagine what they were watching, but it wasn't the official Paramount 7 VHS set, which was identical to this new DVD in film content.)

The extras are also pretty thorough for a title that's clearly not going to sell millions of units. There are a series of featurettes that actually run into a pretty comprehensive feature-length documentary. Almost all the surviving cast and crew are interviewed, with the standout being series producer/director Dan Curtis. Just what a labor of love the series was for him is quickly apparent, and he has wonderfully clear memories of the production, which he is given ample time to share.

Bravo, Paramount, for giving this landmark miniseries the careful treatment it deserved.

While the story is magnificent, this is the absolute worst conversion from film to DVD that I've ever seen! There are big clumps of dirt visible throughout the movie, presumably from a dirty transfer mechanism. Parts of this movie are so grainy that you would think the film was originally done on 8mm! Paramount should be ashamed for releasing this putrid transfer and ruining a fine saga.

I remember sitting in front of the TV when this excellent mini series first aired. While some of the actors chosen to portray characters from Herman Wouk's fine novel in retrospect were questionable (Jan Michael Vincent?), Robert Mitchum remains for me the only person who could have brought "Pug" to life on the screen. His understated style makes him all the more charasmatic as the chaos of a coming war impacts on his family - this is a master class of a fine actor at his best. History is well documented here (and in the subsequent realted mini series War and Remembrance); in no way is the presentation dated and so it is a 'must have' for anyone who enjoys a good story.

The story begins in the years before WW2 and a familys' journey into those turbulent times. The casting, while quite good at times, was not flawless. Mitchum, as stalwart Pug Henry, was his commanding and intuitive best. Jan-Michael Vincent was annoying, but that was perhaps his characters' persona. Ali MacGraw was playing her Love Story character - if Jennifer had been alive in those days - smart mouthed, know it all and completely aware of the camera. Those things aside, the stories are the thing, as they say. The politics of war, how one family
copes with the changes in the world and their world, all coming together. You can become thoroughly engrossed and caring about these people and their struggles. You get a real feel for the era and what led to WW2. Granted, the Henrys' are fictional, but
the interwoven facts make this an exceptional drama.

I have been waiting over ten years to own "The Winds of War." After receiving my copy (on the day it was released no less), I immediately began looking at the special features and such. They are very excellent, providing a lot of behind-the-scenes perspective regarding the production. The movie itself has been digitally mastered and the sound has been remixed. On DVD this movie looks and sounds so much better then it did on VHS! It is highly recommended to anyone with an interest in history, World War II, or family drama.

I'm a great fan of the Winds of War and War and Remembrance Series. I can say I viewed the total series at least 4 times. What I could say about W of W is all the actors are great, love R. Mitchum in the role, and all his sons. Polly is great as always (she always reminds me of my own wife) The only things I would have to say is the actor playing Hitler is nothing close to the actor in War and Rem. You'll see, when in 1941, Germany is taking over France, when Hitler walks to the railcar to sign the documents, it's a bit "Charlie Chaplin" style...not really good take for the quality of the production. But overall, this movie is one in movie wars. I recommend it! I'd like to get your comments too, please don't hesitate to do so! ... Happy viewing! R.

Five Star ***** TV mini-series about the buildup to WW2 and the effect it has on one family. Robert Mitchum is a career Naval Officer with Polly Bergan as his wife. Prequel to the mini-series War & Remembrance. This is an outstanding TV miniseries! Don't miss it!

I give the miniseries itself a full 5 stars (well-deserved), but I cannot give this dvd set a good rating, and here's why:
1. silent, unimaginative menus, and original full frame.
2. Dual mono (like it matters!)
3. Awful transfer, sometimes very grainy. Mostly average.
4. "Extras" are actually just one interview broken up into 4, about an hour or so in total. 17 minutes here, 13 there... you get the idea.
5. Bare bones set. Forget easter eggs, 5.1 audio. Disappointing.
In summary, how can you NOT buy this set? We've been waiting for it for over 20 years! But they really didn't give it much effort. They certainly should have, since this is THE best miniseries ever. Paid the 50+ bucks. Guess we are lucky to get this on dvd in any condition we can (that must be how the distributor is thinking...)

The events of WWII are very well presented and the spirit of Herman Wouk's book is respected. However, I found Robert Mitchum at 66 was somewhat old to play the role of Pug who is supposed to be a naval officer in his early fifties. I thought the love stories in the movie were not very well acted, especially those of Pug and Rhoda. I didn't care much anyway for the soap opera side of the movie. It remains a fantastic historical movie. Mr Wouk is a very good story teller and the mise en scene was top knotch. The service by Amazon.ca was A1 as usual.

For anyone who enjoys a wonderful mini-series with historicial events this series is for you. It is quite long so be prepared to set time aside.