Product Details

• Actors: Into the Rising Sun
• Directors: Jim Erickson
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Homevision
• VHS Release Date: June 6, 2000
• Run Time: 52 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0780022173
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #497,781 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

What took Mendes Pinto two years to sail in the mid-16th century now takes less than 12 hours by plane. A Liar's Tale traces the Portuguese explorer's route from Goa, India, to Nagasaki, Japan, and then home again where his account seemed so far-fetched that he was branded a liar. This stunningly executed historical documentary-travelogue traces the Portuguese exploration of Asia. The video--the fourth in a four-volume series--combines citations from original travel logs, rare maps and illustrations, architectural sites, interviews with historians, and vivid film footage shot both on land and at sea. With spectacular footage of Portuguese trading outposts like Goa, Malacca, Macao, and Nagasaki, the video discusses lasting Portuguese influences on the respective local cultures. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to reach and establish lasting trade relationships with many of these Asian cities. A Liar's Tale is a fascinating study of a critical era in maritime history and simultaneously a colorful travelogue of India, Malaysia, Thailand, Macao, and Japan. --Tara Chace

Product Description

With the sea route to India established, young merchant adventurer Mendes Pinto pushes on throughout Asia in the 16th century, positioning Portugal as an economic power in the East. Pinto's accounts exaggerated his exploits but illustrate truths about international trade.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a video that i'm sure you won't forget, February 29, 2000

By 

veronica rodrigues (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Into the Rising Sun [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This sounds kind of weird but I watched this video series on tv (the learning channel i believe) at around 2 in the morning. Into the Rising Sun is an excellent and fabulous tribute to the portuguese

WHO WERE THE BEST MARINERS OF THE WORLD AT THE TIME! YES THEY WERE BETTER THAN THE SPANISH.

It showed how much and how extensive the portuguese got involved in constantly following the rising sun. Personally I feel (and i know I'm not the only one) that the Portuguese got shortchanged in history. The only accurate representation of a portuguese explorar taught to kids in the US is Vasco de Gama. How come we don't learn Magellan's real name Magalhães? And what happened to Pedro Cabrilho? Why do people say he is spanish and that his name is spelled the spanish way Cabrillo with a double l? How ironic it is to know that these people risked their life and livelihood without even giving them the recognition they deserve?

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, July 26, 2007

By 

Beverly M. Carl "Beverly Carl" (Santa Fe,New Mexico,US) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Into the Rising Sun [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Marvelous history unknown to most, but having an enormous impact on the world. A few years ago I was hired as a consultant in Mozambique and later on, in Guinea Bissau. Why? In part, because I spoke Portuguese. How come? Worked in Brazil for two years where the language is also Portuguese. The Supreme Court library in Mozambique also had a wonderful collection of the laws and court deciions from all the former Portuguese colonies--Macao, Angola, etc. What a gem!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As It Was, February 1, 2004

By 

Moneysaver4u "moneysaver4u" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Into the Rising Sun [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The Portuguese were ahead of their time when it came to their navigational skills. Cristóbal Colom's (Christopher Columbus) refined his sea fairing skills in Portugal. He used his new skills on his journey to the new world. He also married a Portuguese woman while living in Portugal.

I saw the series Into The Rising Sun on PBS and unfortunately I only caught the last two episodes. I was very happy to see that finally Portugal was getting the recognition that it deserves as being the best navigators on the sea at that time. The Portuguese, because of their location, only had one direction to explore, and that was out into the vast ocean. Thank God for that! It allowed them to expand their culture and also allowed them to enhance their culture by the influences of other countries that they came upon.

I agree with the other reviewer that the Portuguese ARE shortchanged in history, but I'm educated enough to know the truth. To the North Americans who still think that Spanish is the national language of Brazil, spend some time educating yourself by watching Into The Rising Sun.

I would say it's also about time that FERNÃO DE MAGALHÃES name be properly used in this country made up of so many different cultures. I don't think that anyone would prefer to remember John F. Kennedy as Joseph Kennidy. Misspelled as it is. Nor would he.