Customer Reviews

In Search of History - Navajo Code Talkers (History Channel)

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This documentary was made before the Hollywood film "Wind Talkers." The film implied that non-Native soldiers were instructed to kill Navajo translators if they were about to be captured by the Japanese. This documentary mentioned a Navajo non-Code Talker who was tortured by the Japanese, but doesn't make the aforementioned claim.

This work is much stronger than "The Navajo Code Talkers: Top Secret Mission." That documentary praised a clergy member involved with the program whereas this documentary questions that person's significance. Furthermore, this documentary talks about the genocide that Navajos faced in the past. They had their own Trail of Tears which led in the opposite direction. Further, just as African-American soldiers have decried the racism in the 1940s military, this documentary noted that the Code Talkers received no special accolades after the War ended. One Navajo equated Japanese aggression in Asia with what Navajos faced in America; this was insightful in the same way that Celie's daughter equated African sexism with American racism in "The Color Purple."

All the veteran Code Talkers were male, but this documentary includes female curator that adds gender diversity. The Navajo vets are now sweet, old men that will remind many of their grandfathers. This may be a great work for teachers to show to Native American students. In fact, foreign language instructors may want to show this to all students. Unfortunately, the military could use this as a recruitment tool as well.

A really great history of an incredibly interesting group of native Americans who came to our rescue in WWII. My 6th grade son got a lot of useful information for a school report and gained a new respect for another group of people.

This DVD was very interesting. It takes you from start to finish on how the code talkers came about and served in our military. There are interviews with some of them, they were an amazing group of men who wanted to serve their country. I saw this DVD in a magazine and checked Amazon to see if they had it and they did so I ordered it, it was $10.00 less and I received fast delivery.

This was a very interesting part of History. The fact that it was not released until 1969 amazed me. Gave it to a friend to watc and he liked it also.

This DVD is very informative. I never realized the impact that the "code talkers" had in the war until I saw this DVD. This DVD draws your interest in such a way you will find yourself watching it over and over again. It is tragic that Native Americans today are living in such poverty. Go to youtube and type in an indian nation and see their poverty.

This is a good represenation of the Navajo Code Talkers. I like the fact that the video started with some general history of the Navajo and then went into depth on the Code Talkers. Including some interview footage of former CodeTalkers made the video more dynamic than just a simple history. Despite the treatment by the United States, the Navajo stepped up when needed most, a fact this DVD noted.

I have studied this subject for some years, and by far and away, this is the most extensive and comprehensive presentation of the history of Native American (primarily Navaho)code talkers in World War II.
The only issue I am aware of the video doesn't address or expand on is the theory each code talker had a Marine "buddy", who was required to kill the code talker if he was about to be captured.