Pocahontas Revealed (NOVA/WGBH)
Picture:
C+ Sound: C+ Extras: C- Film: B-
Pocahontas
is back! Not that she ever went away,
but the character is as popular and known as ever, but how much of that is myth
and pop culture entertainment versus the real story? Pocahontas
Revealed is a recent installment of the PBS/WGBH series NOVA that
effectively addresses it all in about an hour, looking back to 400 years ago to
see how much she tried to save John Smith and how much she may have made the
U.S.A. possible.
Of
course, instead of just book research, they use science and travel to uncover
everything they can and the results are impressive. They can also be sadder than you might expect
and if you are interested in the subject, this is definitely a must see.
The letterboxed
1.78 X 1 image was shot in digital High Definition, but this disc sadly does
not take full advantage of that. Color,
definition and detail are still not bad and the documentary nature of the piece
with mixed footage also holds back a uniform consistency, but it is
watchable. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
is also good and though it has no real surrounds of any kind, is well recorded. Extras include the usual weblink to the NOVA
website and DVD-ROM printable educational materials.
- Nicholas Sheffo
