Customer Reviews

Biography of the Millennium: 100 People -1000 years [VHS]

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

These milennium-based programs are usually weak and very subjective, but this one is the exception. The choices are, for the most part, significant people who have influenced those that followed in some major way.

The real strength in this program is the connecting narrative. Rather than treat each person as totally distinct, the emphasis is on the connections between the people on the list. For example, Copernicus to Galileo to Newton.

Harry Smith is very engaging as the host/ narrator. This is a good show to watch with a group of friends. It will certainly stimulate some interesting discussions, and may even move you to purchase some individual bios, either on video or even some of the excellent printed bios of these world-movers.

I caught this program on cable a few weeks ago and was blown away with its concise and very interesting information. It held my attention throughout the whole series and I am excited to be able to purchase it. Anyone who wants to brush up on their history knowledge will want to see this video. Its a must for teachers who can use it!

to feeler, Jesus couldn't be listed #1: he was not on earth during the last millennium.
to stinky: get some education, and try again when you know what's what.

THIS is an outstanding film, and I use it to teach modern history, even as I disagree with much of it. It's great at boiling things down to their essences...

I love Biography and the work they do. This is a great snapshot of the top 100 people in the last thousand year. While I disagree with some of the placings, Biography does back up their choices with solid reasoning. It is fun to watch.

In true Biography form, this series is an excellent review of some of the greatest individuals from the years 1000-2000. While I did not agree with all the choices, or the order of importance that they were ranked, I still highly recommend this for viewing by young and old alike. All walks of life are equally represented by the choices of the panel--writers, politicans, scientists, philosophers, activists, inventers, etc. Interwoven between the bios of the 100 are comments from current field leaders that lend an interesting flavor to the choices. The choice of the panel for the number one most influential person of the millennium was someone that I never would have guessed, but in retrospect it was a very logical choice. You'll have to watch it to see what I mean!

This series made me want to study more about many of the individuals selected. I, like most others I'm sure, disagreed with some of the choices and agreed with others, but they were all informative, entertaining and interesting. My biggest complaint is that the summaries were too brief -- I wanted more! Harry Smith does an excellent job, as always.

It is a pity that Biography wasted such a great opportunity to produce a wonderful video, mostly due to a terrible selection of commentators. (Ret.)Gen. Schawrzkopf's commentary about Simon Bolivar is an outrage; any serious historian knows that Bolivar was anything but a ruthless dictator who opened the doors to the modern latinamerican authoritarian regimes.
There were many members of the 100-list who are questionably worth having been included, far too many americans, besides.
I think a revision or re-make of this material should be made, and this time, please, have serious, more expert people making the comments.

Excellent VHS set. I wish they would produce it on DVD because I am worried I will wear my tapes out. Very informative and interesting.

You know, I don't know how to start this but if you love to read biographies and history books then GET IT RIGHT NOW. Even though I read biographies a lot but when I watched it,it made me feel like I know so little about history and yet it provided me with a lot of great information and facts about the people who changed our lives. I'm really astonished and glad that I watched it. I think you should or (must) watch it and then you'll know what I'm talking about.

It was an okay series.i didn't agree with some of the people, like princess diana, her death is why she is inspirational?? come on! And Isaac Newton definately was the most influential.