Neil
Oliver's Vikings: The Real Warriors
(2014/BBC DVD)
Picture:
C+ Sound: B- Extras: D Episodes: B
Neil
Oliver's Vikings:
The Real Warriors
(2014) is a 3-part BBC documentary series that takes us on a
fascinating journey into the past as we see the epically fast
evolution of these people in the wake of the fall of the Roman
empire.
The
question in the piece ultimately is: Were
the Vikings blood soaked pillagers or intelligent adventurers or
entrepreneurs?
Host and historian Neil Oliver answers this question as he takes us
on a journey digging for clues and discovering exciting new evidence
as we travel to archeological dig sites in Norway, Sweden and Denmark
where Norsemen had been known to dwell.
We
see the transformation as these brave warriors settle from Britain,
Iceland and Greenland as they evolve from illiterate pagans into
farmers, statesmen and even kings. Neil Oliver tracks the evolution
of these people and is both charming and keeps the show's pace
interesting. Some of even the smallest artifacts that he finds
unlock bigger clues later which keeps you guessing while fascinating
you. It would definitely be a good tool for a history teacher to use
in a classroom setting on the subject.
The
picture and sound are fine for the DVD format but could definitely
benefit from a Blu-ray transfer and edition. The standard definition
presentation preserves the original 16 X 9/1.78 X 1 aspect ratio of
the original presentation and is accompanied by a lossy Dolby Digital
5.1 track. Subtitles are also available for the deaf and hard of
hearing.
There
are three episodes on the disc totaling around one hundred and
seventy seven minutes in total length.
Vikings:
The Real Warriors
is a fun and factual journey that is ideal for viewers that are
looking to learn something new or to add to whatever knowledge you
may have had before. Expertly shot and presented, BBC does it again!
No
extras are on the disc.
-
James Harland Lockhart V
https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv
