Product Details

• Directors: Bruce Carlin
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Number of tapes: 1
• VHS Release Date: September 9, 1999
• Run Time: 58 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000056F1J
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #46,144 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)

Editorial Reviews

From the Actor

Bruce Carlin and Colonel David Fitz-Enz spent two years researching this "little-studied" and "under-celebrated" chapter of American history.

Tracing anscestors of the British invading army's commander, Sir George Prevost, yielded for the first time original British war plans that outlined the attacks on Washington DC, Baltimore MD and New Orleans, while the main invasion would take place at a small outpost in northern New York on Lake Champlain.

Additional research uncovered an unpublished diary of the 18 year-old British General's daughter living in Montreal, Quebec at the time of the invasion. Her startling diary entries add an emotional element, helping bring to life the conflict.

Product Description

"The Final Invasion" reveals the amazing struggle of America's "Forgotten War" with Great Britain in 1812. The 58 minute video offers a general overview on the causes of the War of 1812 and then concentrates on a key battle that changed the course of American history in 1814.

Shot on-location in Great Britain, Canada and the US "The Final Invasion" features leading authors, re-enactments, previously unpublished diaries and newly discovered documents.

Sophisticated 3-d animation reveal how a "rag-tag" American force of less than 3,500 soldiers, sailors, militia and citizens defeated over 14,000 of his majesty's fiercest troops, veterans of the Duke of Wellington's army, fresh from victory over Napoleon in Spain.

This little known story reveals a young American nation ill-equipped to wage it's first major war. Narrated by veteran Holywood actor Bill Nelson and told through the words of leading English, Canadian and American authors and historians, "The Final Invasion" tells a dramatic story of honor and courage. An original score by composer Sal D'Troia and James Hosay is performed by the US Army Band.

Co-written by Bruce Carlin and Colonel David Fitz-Enz, US Army (Ret), "The Final Invasion" features original research done throughout the US, Canada and Great Britain and reveals for the first time ever documents and diaries that explain Great Britains plans to take back their lost colony and put an end to democracy barely 30 years after it had begun.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Drive on Plattsburg, 1814, June 29, 2002

By	Roger Kennedy - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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This review is from: The Final Invasion, The War of 1812 [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This video chronicles the British invasion of Northern New York in 1814. With the war against Napolean in Europe at last concluded, Britain was at liberty to send many of her veterans to North America This was bad news for a bumbling and confused United States which couldn't even manage a decent camapaign in the first two years of the war in 1812-13. How was the Young Republic going to stand up to 18,000 of Wellington's finest?

With period pictures, drawings, and some of the better known historians on the subject,including John Elting and Donald Graves, this video does a heroic job trying to provide an overview of the war leading up to the Plattsburg invasion and the battle of Lake Champlain. The video is intended to accompany Mr. Fritz Enns recent study on the campaign. Considering that it manages to convey all of this in some depth in a little less than an hour is a credit to the production indeed. Still, this documentry could have benefited from a bit more length. Cramming all of the above into such a short time is a bit like a race!

The description of the naval battle on the lake is first-rate and shows just how deadly it was. Having historians from both sides of the border and the Atlantic also provides a balanced perspective. The inclusion of Governor General's Provost's current living relative is a nice touch. Lord Provost had a lot of explaining to do for failing to take Plattsburg with such an impressive British army. Even with the loss of his floatila on Lake Champaign it seems silly that he ordered a retreat against the meager American defence of General Mccombs on land. Provost's timid leadership saved the United States again from almost certain defeat.

This reviewer highly recommends this video. For one thing its one of the only videos out there on this neglected subject. For another, it brings together an impreesive group of well known historians. This alone makes it worth buying. A deffinite must for War of 1812 nuts!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The forgotten battle in American History, January 25, 2001

By	col. David Fitz-Enz (Lake Placid, New York United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Final Invasion, The War of 1812 [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The battle of Plattsburgh on Lake Champlain occured on nearly the same day as that of Baltimore and is therefore over shadowed by the Star Spangled Banner. But Baltimore was a deception, intended to keep American re-enforcements and interest focused away from the border of northern New York. There the largested foreign army ever to be on American soil struck south intending to do great harm. This vedio tells that remarkable story in great depth with dramatic new information discovered during the research in Portugal. The music is performed by the US Army Band. Experts from England, Canada and the United States tell the tale in a profound manor. Anyone interested in our history who is not conversant with the battle of Plattsburgh should see this complete telling of the story.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Amazing Tale, September 20, 2001

By	Jeff Clinton - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Final Invasion, The War of 1812 [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I would really differ with anyone that could find fault with such a fine work, I only wish it was longer. I had only seen brief descriptions of this battle prior to viewing the tape. It brought clearly into focus the entire war as well as this critical battle.

The original research has revealed that the British did have a set plan to invade America and that Washington DC, Baltimore and New Orleans were diversions.

I thought it clearly explained there were no winners in this War, except perhaps Canada. While the US failed to capture Canadian territory it did defend itself against many British attempts and likewise Canada remained faithful to the Crown.

The animation of the critical naval battle was particularly good as well as the detailed explanation of Congreves Rockets.

Noted historians from Canada, US and Great Britain helped to make it as non-biased as possible. Very enjoyable and a valuable asset to any 1812 collection. Particlarly interesting is the date, September 11th, the same date as the recent "Attack On America"!