Product Details

• Format: Blu-ray, Color, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Region: Region A/1 (Read more about DVD/Blu-ray formats.)
• Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Acorn Media
• DVD Release Date: August 18, 2009
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (110 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001OD8E28
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,478 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

From the Alps to Sicily, tour all of Italy from a spectacular vantage point

Italians call their home Il Belpaese, "The Beautiful Country," and it has never looked more breathtaking than in this unique aerial tour. Shot in high definition from a helicopter-mounted camera and planned with precision for optimum lighting and angles, your tour is enhanced by an informative narrative and a score of evocative regional music. Take an emotional visit to your family’s homeland, revisit favorite sights, or realize your dreams of discovering Italy for the first time--whatever your inspiration--you’ll never have a better view.

INCLUDES THESE PROGRAMS
Northern Style--The Alps, Lake Como, Portofino, Pisa, Siena, Florence, Venice, and more
Southern Style--Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast, Calabria, Rome, and more
Sicily--Cefalú, Términi Imerese, Palermo, Marsala, Siracusa, Catania, and more
The Great Cities--Rome, Saint Peter’s Square, the Coliseum, Florence, Naples, Capri, and more

Features include more than an hour of bonus footage not seen on public television and main program audio options (music and narration or music only).

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

115 of 123 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful video of Italy February 26, 2005

By Dane Argentini

Format:DVD

This aerial video footage of Italy was shot in HD and transfered to this DVD in widescreen anamorphic format. The DVD video quality is very good (unfortunately not excellent) with fine color and good detail overall. Contrary to the statement of the previous reviewer, this DVD is indeed in widescreen format. HD source material is by nature widescreen. The audio is in Dolby Digital 2.0 and the soundtrack is well recorded.
I saw some of this series on PBS in HD when it was first broadcast and WOW was it beautiful. Unfortunately I later bought the VHS version of the shows as the DVD version was at that time a $100 plus special purchase. Of course, I was disappointed in the VHS quality but had litle recourse. Now with the release of this reasonably priced set of DVD's I'm again enjoying this wonderful video of Italy, maybe not in HD but much better than my old video tapes. Recommended to all lovers of Italy.

54 of 56 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Its like being there! March 18, 2005

By The Lawman

Format:DVD

This DVD set is superb. The video and sound quality is excellent. It's much better than it looks on PBS. The pannoramic views are stunning, the narrator enchanting and the music is really nice. If you enjoyed this on PBS, then you will love this DVD set. If you've never seen this on PBS, but have been to Italy, you will reminisce at the places, monuments, etc. this DVD adventure takes you on. I highly recommend this.

53 of 55 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "Il Belpaese.." March 23, 2006

By J. Anderson

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Northern style, Southern style, Sicily - these are magnificent DVDs! Nothing's lost by not being at street level wandering through each town, and real richness is afforded by the incredible vantage point. The approach is immediate, pristine and measured. Even as the HD camera sweeps patiently across land and sea, you find yourself down in the heart of a particular town, then you move on. The adventure purrs along! A favorite moment comes the early part of the Southern Style film, the camera moves across the waters of a bay and Connie Francis sings Ritorna a me. It's a moment ripe with memories of Italy - and an hypnotic mind bender! Some reviewers have said narrator Franca Barchiesi's voice is too soft. I'd say seductive rather than soft, and it's good she underplays the narration, because watching Visions begets a listening mind, and the rewards increase in proportion. The music selections are crucial, and handled with care. Beyond the visuals, Visions makes great music for working at the computer. PBS plays these gems nearly every pledge, and I watch them every time they show; now I dont have to wait. For sheer thrill, you cant go wrong with this set. The Sicily video is less interesting, a male narrator seems to read without much engagement, but the visuals are fine, especially the lingering over churches.