Customer Reviews

History of Scotland: Castles and Clans

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

 

 

Buyer Beware: The only clear images are the photos on the DVD box! The first two DVDs featuring castles inflict viewers with grainy old footage from the 1990s and earlier. The history consists of dull narration "enhanced" by the worst synthesizer elevator muzak I've heard in decades. If you're into fake flutes, don't buy this boxed set, read Elevator Music: A Surreal History of Muzak, Easy-Listening, and Other Moodsong; Revised and Expanded Edition instead. It's like Ma and Pa went on a cheap vacation tour package back in the day, prior to being completely hobbled. They return with this film to bore their relatives. Shots linger on dusty housewares in castles that have been turned into hotels or museums. Catch the glassy eye of yet another stuffed deer, or explore another wobbly close-up of faded carpet. The narrator drones while fake drums bleat vague New-Age tunes. The mind numbs. I'm falling asleep. Oh no! I don't want to dream of faded chintz . . .

Only the last DVD in the set, on Clans, is passable, at least it provides more recent film and narration, and the soundtrack attempts "Scottishness" at times, but the muzak lingers.

Spare yourself this atrocity and watch the wonderful A History of Scotland, and fictional but true fun Hamish MacBeth: Series 1-3 Collection. For music, like the Calling of the Clans in "The Highland Munster Roll," listen to Scottish Folk at Its Best. Be sure to have Laphroaig on hand, a spendid Islay treasure described in the DVD Malt Project: V.7 Islay Revisited and Hidden Treasures of Highlands.

Didn't live up to the title. Two discs of old castle videos, which I already had on DVDs entitled "Castles of Scotland" and a disc on the Clans of Scotland, which was new and interesting. I guess it was too much to expect that there was enough new material to make three new discs. Ah well, live and learn.

I'm going to be visiting Scotland this summer and wanted to learn as much as I could about the history and culture of Scotland before going. This video has been a great help.

Bought for a gift....recipient is very satisfied as the DVD contains some info about the castles of Scotland and pictures the beautiful landscapes of the country. A highly recommended docufilm!

If you are interested in Castles or Castles of Clans you will enjoy it. Also History of Castles.