Customer Reviews

Connections 1

5 star:		(60)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I saw Connections when it first aired, and now I am delighted to see it again. James Burke is always interesting, and his explanations of how events in history are interrelated are wonderfully done. My own children were quite young when we saw it first, and it was a program that they never wanted to miss; this is a series that will do wonders for any child who thinks history is boring, and it might teach him/her to look a bit more deeply for cause and effect amid all that information. I would think that most children from about age eight up--certainly by ten--would be fascinated by this enchanting look at our civilization's attributes, their origins, and their relationships with each other.

Much as I love this series, though, I do think that if there is only one set to be bought at this price it should be _The Ascent of Man_, by Jacob Bronowski. The Connections programs delight the mind with their clever choice and analysis of facts; Bronowski's series offers a great deal of information, well presented in a way that reaches directly to the heart and reminds us of our own humanity and the need for an understanding of it.

First off, I like to say the first time saw the Connections series I was hooked. When Connections 2 & 3 came out I had to watch them as well as the series The Day the Universe Changed. James Burke really knows how to make history interesting. He made connections you wouldn't see or even think about. Wish he made more of this kind of stuff can't get enough if it.

OK, now a word of warning. These great series are now public domain; people are starting to put together copies of their own disks and selling them. These copies may not be of good quality and may even be duplicates of the disks made by Ambruse Video. If you see a new seller or just listed with a price less than $80 it is probably one of these copies and I don't recommend buying them.

An absolutely superb series that introduces a concept connects its relationship its creation regarding science and history with a twist of philosophy. Wittingly presented by James Burke you'll find him well adapt at tounge and cheek humor as well as a stunning explination of the facts. It was the first in a number of Connections programs to be produced but the only one to be produced by the BBC. The sequential series Connections2 and 3 were produced for TLC and lack the impact and fluidity of the original.
--
Connections was a ten-episode documentary television series created and narrated by science historian James Burke. The series was produced and directed by Mick Jackson of the BBC Science & Features Department and first aired in 1978. It took an interdisciplinary approach to the history of science and invention and demonstrates how various discoveries, scientific achievements, and historical world events built off one another in an interconnected way to bring about particular aspects of modern technology. The series is well-known for Burke's impeccable narration (especially its dry humor), historical reenactments, intricate working models, skillful use of classical music (most notably O Fortuna from Carmina Burana), and shots on location as far afield as Penang. The popular success of the series led to two sequels, Connections2 in 1994, and Connections3 in 1997, both produced for TLC. (Wikipedia)

Connections really lives up to its title -- but you don't know it fully until the very last minute of the very last episode.

My husband and I watched this series years ago when it was on cable tv. Now we homeschool our three children and are delighted with the opportunity to show it to them.

The series weaves tales of happenings throughout history and manages to bring all sorts of interesting tidbits of information on happenings from seemingly insignificant to very important. But you realize towards the end how important all of those incidents are to today.

There is a prophetic episode of "what if" society suddenly breaks down and all technology shuts down at once. I say prophetic, because so much of what he alluded to happened in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

This is an important series for parents to watch and then watch a second time with their children.

James Burke is the man! He's presents a very informative and entertaining way of learning about history's inventions and those behind them. Its an ingenious way of linking discoveries together that brings us the things that we take for granted today. I used to watch his series when it was on tv when I was a kid and he inspired me to get into engineering and shaped my career. Going back and watching it now I find it just as exciting to watch as it was back then.

James Burke shows us how a society increasingly dependent on technology is a product of unpredictable events, chance, disaster, good fortune but above all insight and inventiveness. Everyday objects, such as the television, are shown as a result of a series of connections culminating in everyday objects we take for granted. Each one presented as a series of events which at any point in time may have taken a different direction. A great series which is highly entertaining and incredibly informative and don't let the age of the collection put you off, it is still relevant even after thirty years as energy demands, war and the influence of polititians over populations is put under an analytical spot light.

Although inventions through out history could be looked at in many ways James Burke managed to keep these choices of human ingenuity both interesting and provocative.

A light hearted way to look at inventions through history.

Everyone should watch this series.
It tell us where we came from and where we are going.
It was made in 1978 and its very interesting comparing things back then to whats going on now.

We enjoyed watching the first Connections on PBS many years ago and have been anxiously waiting for the DVD's to be released. This is the best of the series. An excellent and thought provoking series.

I bought all Connections (yep, this one too) series... Of course, had no time to watch all discs in a timely manner. One of the disks (so far) freezes and would not play. I contacted AMBROSE VIDEO PUBLISHING and they say that since the set was not bought from them directly, most likely is a illegal copy so they will not replace it.

The DVD is most likely original (I can tell a DVD-R from an original) but it will not play.

On one hand, AMBROSE VIDEO PUBLISHING wants to increase the sales by using Amazon but on the other hand will offer NO support from purchase made outside their site (if even this is true).

Other customers complain also about this kind of problem. Frankly, until this DVD, it never occurred to me to find an original, brand new DVD that would not play.

I suggest avoiding their stuff...

$150 per a 5 DVD set is not cheap so if I pay them money, the least I expect is that the DVD would play.