Customer Reviews

Tapestry Series: Portrait of Ireland

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

 

 

I own the Portrait of Ireland on DVD. The photography is superb and that alone makes it worth watching over and over. This is photography as an Art form and I often play it with the sound turned off, enjoying the silent countryside and the soaring views of Ireland. I love Celtic music, but it does get tedious afer dozens of replays.
This video would have been enhanced by small subtitles telling the viewer what they are seeing. (Preferably Subtitles that can be turned off.) It does leave one sadly adrift and longing for information. This video would also have been enhanced by having the natural sounds of the countryside instead of drowning us in music. Or perhaps we could have a choice of soundtracs -- either music or nature.

I have bought this video on DVD and I am now purchasing the same title in VHS so that I can play my own Celtic Music CD's along to the television with the volume shut off. The combination of Irish music and excellent photography of the beautiful coastal area, countryside, and towns of Ireland is powerful.

This DVD takes you on a journey to the mystical land of Ireland, were you are accompanied by the wonderous music of Enya, the Chieftans and James Galway. This is not a documentary that gives you more insight into the history and culture of Ireland, but an audiovisual journey through the country that lets you experience the emotions and feelings of this country. From the green fields in the southern part of Ireland to the rocky clifs in the northwest and the beautiful streams that can be found throughout this country, you will experience them all, including some beautiful sunsets and sunrises.

This DVD release is the same as the video release, no extras provided. The video quality is okay, but could have been better for a DVD release. The audio is plain stereo (but that is what could be expected of this music journey) but good.

This DVD is of interest to everyone who is interest in Ireland, has been to Ireland or would like to go to Ireland.

I have had this in my old laser disc collection for many years and finally getting it on dvd. The sound to picture editing is quite wonderful and really captures the magical feel of Ireland. A nice relaxing ride.

I bought this video about 9 years ago. And I never get tired of seeing it...I even bought this video for my Mom and my daughter's teachers for St. Patrick's Day...It is a very relaxing tape.Just curl up in front of fire and enjoy it.The music is very magical and moves with the beautiful landscape of Ireland....

This is an outstanding video....the picture quality is first rate and the music is perfect for the video....Enya, James Galway and the Chieftains. If you are a fan of Ireland and of these musicians...it doesn't get any better than this. I have owned this video for nearly 10 years...and I never get tired of it...very relaxing.

Being of Irish immigrant family background, I have long wanted a DVD full of beautiful video and photos of the motherland. It is and will ever be for Irish descendants the magical isle of Erin Go Bragh. The music that comes with the package is excellent, relaxing music, including contributions from James Galway and Enya. The Chieftans are as close as they get to real traditional Irish music. No criticisms of the excellent music, but the Irish have their own traditional ways of both music and relaxation. I usually turn the music off, grab a mandolin, guitar or bodhran, and play my own tracks from Liz Carroll, John Whelan, Dervish, or Altan. Add a pint or two of good Irish stout and a few friends to play along (or just play ), and you have a great evening in the making.

I have just moved up to BluRay, and this video, shot in 1989, is not available in that format. And given the date, would probably not give better results unless the original were shot on film.

The disturbing thing about this video as it is shot is the speed of the airplane footage; the frame refresh just cannot keep up with it, and it's somewhat blurred and dizzying. The plane even swoops and dips. Probably in its day, the footage was revolutionary, but now other similar videos use steadier shots at a slower pace. This is not video of a ski slope, not a thrill ride.

I have a few dozen ambient nature videos, some I made myself, for background in my caregiver "sick room" situation. Where it's nice to have something on, but that one does not have to pay attention. most of these ambient videos have choices of a half dozen generic music soundtracks that are not specifically synced to the visuals. This video, however, does a nice job of making the visuals connect more to the music. There is a sequence of a man weaving on a hand loom, and the music matches his rhythm. Sometimes the plane flies over land and it suddenly opens to reflection of the dramatic clouds in a lake, and the music swells. Nice job in that respect.

This is also a nice video music wise in that it has Name performers like James Galway and Enya.

I just returned from being in Ireland for a month. I drove over 2000 miles. The year before I drove 1000 miles. This DVD is not a good example or illustration of Ireland the Beautiful. I do not recommend this. There are much better DVD's of Ireland.