Product Details

• Actors: Meadlowlark Lemon, Curly Neal
• Format: Color, 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: Warner Home Video
• DVD Release Date: October 18, 2005
• Run Time: 116 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000A59PMY
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #21,981 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

If anyone doubts that the Harlem Globetrotters were incomparable athletes as well as world-class entertainers, this documentary will put them wise. Harlem Globetrotters: The Team that Changed the World features interviews with everyone from former Globetrotters and NBA coaches to Henry Kissinger (!)--who, it turns out, is an honorary Globetrotter himself (along with Whoopi Goldberg, Pope John Paul II, and a handful of other notables). The Team that Changed the World lays out not only the development of the team itself--how original Globetrotters Marques Haynes and Reece "Goose" Tatum turned a sport into a form of vaudeville without sacrificing amazing displays of skill--but also the volatile racial politics of the 1930s, '40s, and '50s, when the Globetrotters were at their peak. In only an hour, the documentary argues persuasively that this basketball team, as they toured the world, became a symbol of racial progress and American good will. Extras include lessons on how to do some patented Globetrotter routines; an amazing 12 foot dunk; additional interviews; a 1951 newsreel about their South American tour; and more. It's not the same as seeing the Globetrotters live, but fans of these great performers will find this documentary a pleasure. --Bret Fetzer

Product Description

The feature program chronicles the Globetrotters' legendary upset of the World Champion Minneapolis Lakers in 1948, as well as the team's historic trip to Berlin in 1951. Their story will be told through former Globetrotters, current and former NBA coaches, as well as celebrities, and others. Chuck D, of the pioneer rap group, Public Enemy, will narrate the documentary. Bonus material includes: Tricks of the Trotters, Totters Today, 1950 World Tour Uncut, College All-Star Highlights, Washington Generals Feature and Outtakes.

DVD Features:
Documentary:1950 World Tour Uncut: This exclusive, never before seen footage, offers a first person narrative of Abe Saperstein's travels on the Harlem Globetrotters World Tour with incredible footage and narrative when they visit Argentina, France, Germany, Brazil, and even Japan.
Featurette:Tricks of the Trotters: How'd they do that: Everyone marvels at the Harlem Globetrotters basketball magic, but really how do they hit the half court shots, spin the ball on the finger and execute all of those amazing on court routines. We'll take you behind the magic curtain to reveal the tricks and basketball tips from the wizards of the hardwood.
Interviews:Includes celebrity interviews (Phil Jackson, Henry Kissinger, David Stern, Larry Brown, various NBA players)
Other:College All-Star Highlights The Globetrotters have defeated the NCAA College All-Stars 4 of the last 5 years during Final Four weekend. This recap will highlight the competitive side of the Trotters and the big names they've upended along the way, with high flying highlights of some of today's premiere NBA players during their last amateur competition.
Outtakes:Many of our star powered guests had incredibly interesting tidbits and anecdotes that hit the cutting room floor. This feature will offer fans content that has never been heard and relates to the Harlem Globetrotters.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars History, Not Basketball, March 4, 2007

By	William Snyder "Amazon fan" (Cookeville, TN) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I found this DVD dull. I had expected to see actual games, not just snippets of a great shot or great dribbling here and there. This DVD spends way too much time showing people remembering the GlobeTrotters and not enough time showing actual play (and beloved Globetrotter antics).

Very disappointing (unless you are a history buff).

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not bad, but, June 25, 2007

By	Andre M. "brnn64" (Mt. Pleasant, SC United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

The history aspects of this DVD are okay and cover the main issues with the Trotters, especially with the 1948 Lakers game, the 1952 Berlin Game with Jesse Owens, and the Trotters place in history. However, they could have included some profiles on the classic Trotters such as Goose Tatum, Meadowlark Lemon, Geese Ausbie (who is interviewed) and WHAT? Nothing on the beloved Curly Neal? Like hot dogs without the weenies!

These items would have made good extras, along with some stuff from the HG cartoons of 1970 for a complete portrait.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Production Effort!, November 3, 2005

By	Basketball Fan "taevac" (Cincinnati) - See all my reviews

This documentary brings a great piece of American history to life, and gives kids of today's generation an incredible perspective of how professional sports, especially basketball, has profoundly effected society as a whole -- in a good way!

Great effort by the producers; even greater effort by the incredibly valiant Globetrotters!