Product Details

• Actors: Bob Costas
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Ventura Distribution
• DVD Release Date: April 9, 2002
• Run Time: 85 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 2.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000063K2N
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #79,527 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #1 in	Movies & TV > Sports > Olympics > Highlights
  #8 in	Movies & TV > Sports > Olympics > Winter Games
  #54 in	Movies & TV > Sports > Skiing & Snow Sports

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This 90-minute package captures highlights from NBC-TV's coverage of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. First seen as a salve in the wake of a bribery scandal and terrorist attacks, the games in Salt Lake City turned out to be a record-smashing triumph for the American team. Some of the memorable moments preserved here are the spectacular halfpipe and ski jumping, third-generation Olympian Jim Shea Jr.'s emotional victory in the skeleton, Apolo Anton Ohno's adventures in the frenetic short-track speed skating, the controversy surrounding Canadians Jamie Sale and David Pelletier in the pairs figure skating, and Sarah Hughes's upset victory in women's figure skating.

Unfortunately, covering 17 days and 24 sports in such a limited time means that most of the individual runs and the opening and closing ceremonies are edited. In addition, Bob Costas's constant narration might not be for everyone, and skating fans will be disappointed to hear New Agey music accompanying the routines in place of the competition music. --David Horiuchi

Product Description

Nearly 2 hours captured on one DVD from NBC Sports - The best moments of the 2002 Winter Olympics from Salt Lake. You'll witness 17 days of stunning highlights such as: Gold medal winning performances from third-generation Olympian Jim Shea n the Skeleton, figure skating-sensation Sara Hughes, and speed-skater Apolo Anton Ohno; Follow the events making news such as the US medal sweep in the Men's Half Pipe to the controversy on ice in the Pairs Figure Skating competition; And wrap it all in between the pageantry of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Bonus coverage includes additional footage of Snowboarding, Bobsledding, and Downhill Skiing, plus interviews from a number of US and International stars!

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A complete disappointment, May 1, 2002

By	Garrett (CA United States) - See all my reviews

Each event is glossed over so quickly that if you blink you'll miss it. The best parts of the opening and closing ceremonies (such as the T-Rex's) are omitted. I wanted to throw it in the trash seconds after I started watching it. (The commentator's narration is particularly grating.)

If you'd like a DVD with good coverage of figure skating, get the "Salt Lake 2002 Figure Skating the Competition/the Exhibition" two DVD set (oddly enough, also produced by NBC). This set, while not perfect, includes the entire routines--complete with original music, commentary, and audience reaction. It truly recaptures the magic of the moment.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Best (but only) Video Scrapbook Available, November 6, 2002

By A Customer

A moving tribute to the games; however, I would have liked to see more event footage rather than just event highlights and those sappy human interest stories. Costas's voice is fine as narrarator (he's got my vote for the sequel too, if he wants the job). If NBC heeds the call for a follow up ("More Olympic Highlights" or "v2002.2") it would be great to see:
-more behind the scenes footage (perhaps never before aired).
-what it was like to be there: to obtain tickets and to attend an event (including traffic, bus rides, and security).
-scenes from the olympic village (athletes quarters), and olympic square/medals ceremonies (downtown).
-clips from Jay Leno's hysterical late night coverage (including "Ross the Intern's" live reports).
-medal award ceremony pagentry, awards, and concerts.
-and full coverage of sporting events including opening and closing ceremonies (even if it requires a boxed set).

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars 16 Days in 90 Minutes, April 14, 2002

By A Customer

This could have been a pleasant enough souvenir of the 2002 Winter Olympics. It is not surprising that each sport is given a miniscule amount of time, with only a few seconds each devoted to the opening and closing ceremonies. It is not surprising that, whenever possible, the producers acted as if only Americans were competing in each sport. What IS surprising is that the producers chose to underscore almost every second of the documentary (even the figure skating!) with cheesy synthesizer music. Go ahead and get it, but be forewarned. And the bonus footage IS well-done.