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4.0 out of 5 stars
Great story on the making of Universal Studios, August 9, 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: Universal Story [VHS] (VHS Tape)
This is one of the most entertaining and exciting videos I have ever seen about the history of Universal Studios. Richard Dreyfus (American Graffiti, Jaws) hosts the video, he looks back and explores Universal Studios from how the theme park all started, and its challenges to become the best Studio in Hollywood. The Universal Story covers their best films such as JAWS, the Abbott and Costello movies, E.T. The Extraterrestrial, Jurassic Park, and much much more. The video also includes rare, never-before-seen extra footage from movies, and special interviews from Steven Spielberg (director of JAWS, Saving Private Ryan), Arnold Schwarzenegger (The Terminator), Paul Newman (The STING), Tom Hanks (Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan) and more. Overall this video was well put together and I wouldn't mind spending another 2 hours watching this masterpiece!
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Suitable Presentation, April 13, 2007
This review is from: Universal Story [VHS] (VHS Tape)
The Universal Story is one about a studio that wasn't always in the forefront of the public's mind but which consistently released memorable films. In fact, the studio's heyday seemed to flourish after the star system ended and when Steven Spielberg was put under contract.
The story begins with Carl Lammlae creating IMP studios and acquiring Mary Pickford to star. In 1915, the studio became Universal Studios and produced many silent films that visitors could see being made. When sound came, the studio tours ceased, but several interesting films were made including some early musicals and the projects of Lammlae Jr. like All Quiet on the Western Front. As time went on, it seemed that Universal struggled to find major stars, although they let many noteworthy faces of the golden age of Hollywood slip through their gates. Some did well, including baby faced Deanna Durbin. The 1960s created some epic films like Spartacus and ushered in a new era of film making. Films like American Graffiti and Jaws set a new standard. They made way for stylized films like ET and Jurassic Park.
Richard Dreyfuss is the host, but the program is littered with voice-overs from stars ranging from Pickford to Sigourney Weaver to Spielberg. It is entertaining, but too short to get into any major details about any era or film.
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