Customer Reviews

2003 Tour de France 12-hour DVD

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Well produced and edited from the broadcast tapes and live commentary. Tastefully limited use of historical film and background info. I had seen most of this footage from OLN broadcasts; however, the producers have maintained a sense of challenge and suspense. I was especially pleased with the treatment of the stage 19 time trial - good set-up, coverage and summation of a series of events anyone who purchases this set most certainly already knows well. I was also pleased with the extended coverage of the final stage in Paris. Prior year productions have severely limited coverage of this stage. All the other key moments are here, as well, as they should be.

I continue to be disappointed by the fact several stages are split across two discs, but the editing of this year's package is nicely done so the transitions between discs are not at all jarring as they have been in prior years. That's a quibble at this point - the difference between the ball landing in the bleachers or out on Waveland - still a homerun for World Cycling Productions!

You should watch stage 15, when Lance Armstrong crashed after getting his handlebars caught on a spectator's bag strap. Jan Ullrich, who was barely a minute behind in the overall standings, slowed down and waited for Armstrong to get back on his bike. Want to teach young people about honor, class, and sportsmanship? Show this DVD to your children.
This video is perfect for a stationary bike workout. Quite frequently during the video, it appears that you, the viewer, are part of the tour. The producers have arranged truly obsessive camera coverage, with each group of riders covered by handheld cameras on the backs of motorcycles, as well as dozens of shots from fixed locations at important checkpoints, and helicopter shots putting the overall competition into perspective. The effect really puts the viewer into the center of the Tour de France. You'll find yourself speeding up for the sprints, coming out of your seat for mountain climbs, and savoring the beautiful French countryside on the long flat stages. It is an exceptionally pleasant way to endure a long cardio workout.
The commentary is wonderful, too. Paul Sherwen and Phil Liggett are among the best announcers in sport. They obviously live for cycling, and they explain the pivotal events, strategy, and historical significance in real time, never missing a beat in the call of the racing.

Dear fellows:

This is one more to my Tour the France DVD collection that I use for spinning indoor training and is just excellent for not get bored and keep biking for 1,2 or 3 hours.


Enjoy it

The TDF in 2003 was a particularly interesting race, and this DVD does a very good job of covering it as much as it can. The DVDs really only cover the last few kilometers of the beginning stages, mostly because the end is the only exciting part in the flat stages. The mountain stages are covered extensively, and all of the memorable moments are there (e.g. a brave solo win in the mountains).

Even knowng who won the race (but not wanting to know any other details, so I skipped the Editorial Reviews), I found this to be a fun Tour de France to view.

Only becoming a big fan of this sport the past few years I wanted to have something on disc in which Lance Armstrong won the big race....and this 2003 event (and 12-hour DVD set) was as good as advertised. It did not disappoint and was worth the price. You don't have to be a cyclist to enjoy this DVD set.

Although admiring all cyclists, I wound up with particular respect for two guys who didn't win but showed amazingly-gusty performances: Tyler Hamilton and Jan Ullrich. The exploits of those two and the incomparable Armstrong all make this a memorable Tour to have on DVD.

Also, the French scenery and amusing commentary by the announcers made it 12 hours of fun. I do suggest, however, than Paul Sherwin and Phil Liggett try to describe something without saying "incredible" or "unbelievable." Almost every third sentence they uttered had those adjectives.

This DVD highlights one of the more exciting Tours in recent memory. Although it skips through the flatter stages going straight to the sprint finishes , it does a great job covering the time trials and mountain stages. There are some interesting interviews thrown in that give a backround highlight to the riders thoughts. Remember that the production is British so the direction of iterest is with English riders and english speaking riders. The narator tries little cute jokes that almost made fun of the sport in general. (I really don't believe he thinks that, but he must have thought it was needed to keep our attention as if the race action wasn't enough.) The stages are chopped across multiple discs so that they don't end on the DVD you're watching but continue on to the next one. That kind of irritated me. Multiple flatter stages are crammed onto single discs which I found to be OK since the production runs through them pretty quickly anyway. On the last disc the production crew does a little self-admiration ditty that is forgetable and has nothing to do with the race really. I do appreciate Paul Sherwen's commentary and believe he is getting better with that year to year.

Overall, it is a must have if you're a cycling nut as I am because the 2003 Tour de France was perhaps one of the 3 most race active and exciting chapters of the last 3 decades. Boloki & Ulrich push Lance to his best. Hamilton's courage and chivelry. My advice, BUY IT! After you've watched it through, dust off your bike and go for a ride. Then, get all the other Lance Armstrong chapters you missed. You aren't just buying bike racing DVD's, you're making investments in cycling history.

Great to watch when on spinning bike-very inspirational and great commentary as the TV version was!

Well here it is, the mother of all DVD packages! A six disc monster covering every minute of the 2003 tour. Basically they put together all the OLN network coverage of every stage together, so consequently you'll be pushing the FF button when race results are posted at the end and beginning of every stage. For fans of Lance, there's excellent coverage of his trials and triumphs, and post-stage interviews, but you have to put up with the continual face-time of pretty-boy Brit cyclist David Millar (OLN's a Brit network). In addition, Phil Liggett makes Howard Cosell look like a mute, which in turn makes me push the mute button. Overall, if you must have every minute of the 2003 tour in your collection then go for it. But for the average fan the short version has all the amazing highlights of Lance's 5th consective tour victory. Go Armstrong!

I had always been under the belief that NASCAR racing was the most exciting sport in the world. Nothing beats a bunch of guys hailing from place like Rock Knob, NC driving in circles for four hours. I love it because I'm very simple. I used to watch football, but the game is way too hard to follow. They do different things on a lot of plays and I don't get the whole concept of a strong safety. Why isn't the other one called, weak or feeble safety? Do you physically have to be the strongest safety? Anyway, that's why I love NASCAR. You know what? Come here, I've got a secret for ya. The Tour De France is even more exciting. With this collection I got 12 hours of guys riding bicycles, usually in a big pack. I don't get what they're doing because instead of riders just riding really fast and trying to win by themselves I gathered that the good riders have teammates that protect the good rider. I personally would win at all costs. I used to have a Murray BMX bike and I won when I raced my friends even if it meant running their sorry butts into a fence or parked car. Like John Creese says, "no mercy". I'd sweep the leg if needed.

Evidentally, there is a guy named Lance Armstrong that wins this race every year and he won it again this year. I didn't get why they knew he won about a week before the race was over. If he was leading by a minute and someone beat him by more than a minute, they should win. I don't get the rules, but guys on bikes for hours upon hours sure is fun to watch.