Victory at Sea

Grew up with these episodes. Navy family

FINAL UPDATE: November 30, 2010 ----Well, I finally received my set after almost nearly a year when it was to be available. Does it still deserve 5 stars, well that depends? If you were expecting clear crisp B&W images well they're there; however, there is a lot of stock footage that doesn't look clean although one has to remind one's self how old this film is. We get one commentary track on Guadalcanal from a historian/vet and it's pretty good; however, it is separate from the show meaning you have two episodes exactly alike and only the Guadalcanal episode ranked a commentary track. It would be nice to have commentary tracks on all episodes. You get a Dolby 2.0 mono track which is disappointing. It seems to me with the technology available Periscope films could have spent some extra time and incorporated a 5.1 Dolby track. The aspect ratio is 4:3 which if you don't like that just hit the side stretch on your TV, I have and the film is not stretched nor distorted by any means. The other bonus is a pdf file that needs a blu-ray disc player on your computer which I don't have so I can't open it. While I am speaking of Periscope films, they have their logo on the lower right hand side through the entire 26 episodes. They say it's for illegal copying; but, couldn't they do it another way without their logo being splashed all over the screen?Should you buy this set? Yes, if you've never owned it are want an upgrade from the A&E set. I have never had any audio are video problems with the A&E set on my 32" Sharp Aquos; but, those who have larger sets will be defiantly pleased. Don't buy this is your not sure and want a top notched upgrade. Surly with the 75th anniversary approaching someone will give this the royal treatment but for now this set will have to do at least it's a start in the right direction.UPDATE: August 19, 2010 ----While something is going on with this release (?)(distribution problem, are something else) I have cancelled this order and will wait until it's offically released. If anyone wants some wants to get more information, I recommedn they contact Periscope Films.I GUESSED THIS TURNED OUT TO BE A WASTED POST. WE CAN ONLY BELIEVE THAT SOMEONE WILL PICK THIS UP (SHOUT FACTORY FOR EXAMPLE) AND GIVE IT THE TREATMENT ON BLU-RAY THAT IT DESERVES.Victory at Sea is hailed as one of the finest documentaries ever made especially one of the great WWII documentaries that everyone else tries to top. The series detail is written here as far as the details though however limited. 26 episodes 1/2 hour in length airing during the 52 - 53 television season on NBC. The film is entirely in black and white.The series is presented on 4 blu-ray discs which with the capacity of blu-ray I thought they would be able to put this on two discs. I've searched the web and I am unable to find any detailed information as to what we're getting in this package, hey it's not even listed on the company's web site. The company Periscope Films does state however that they give the finest treatment they can when releasing DVDs. So, I'm hoping for a most excellent black and white transfer (on the level of the movie Young Frankenstein) along with a 5.1 or 7.1 audio track for each episode. I also hope that the individual episodes will be complete even though on the original DVD release I could not tell if there was anything missing. I would not miss the introduction by Peter Graves aboard the USS Aircraft Carried Intrepid (Mission Impossible fame - no relation to Leonard Graves series narrator); however, if they do include it please include as a option. I would if possible like an isolated score track in either 5.1 / 7.1 on every episode.Hopefully this series will get here the lasting treatment it deserves; however, if not then I will be returning this to Amazon and keeping my original DVD release. However, if you've never owned this series then by all means add this release to your library, you won't be disappointed. If I do keep this set then I plan on giving the original release as a gift to my church library. In fact maybe we should recycle the DVD release and give it to our neighborhood schools are community library. I'm sure in this economy they would be most appreciative and then everyone can enjoy this fantastic series.

"Victory at Sea" concentrates on the naval war in the Pacific. It has 26 half-hour episodes with music by Richard Rogers. It is difficult to watch at times, but it renews your appreciation of the determination and sacrifice that literally made the world safe for democracy. I watched it in the 1950s on television. It is even better on DVD.

Authentic story of the Navy’s part in world war 2

Hi Reviewer, a kid of the 50's here, and a guy that was often called a Nerd because I liked the technical things, like science. Now I mention that because I read too many reviews that said this footage is too Analog, and Oh no, God forbid, it's even in ( Dare I say the the words), BLACK AND WHITE? Yeah, Black & White film, not Digital, was the format of choice in the 40's. So if you want to see what I saw on TV in the 50's, get this Extraordinary collection of films re-formated to DVD, then sit back, sip a cool one, and count your blessings that we had a bunch of Americans that was willing to step up, and fight back. Young thankless Americans have no idea today what took place during that time, and it's probably because the uncaring public schools have stopped teaching American HIstory. Well, you will get some here on these DVD's, and your chest will swell with pride when you see Allied Forces kick butt on the high seas, and on Pacific Islands of the Pacific. Some of the new High Tech guys say it's disappointing that they could tell some of the shots were re-enactments of battles, and that degrades the series, yeah right! Having been to Viet Nam, I can till you that getting a Live Fire Action on film is not an easy thing. Staying alive is not an easy thing, taking a hit is, and filming a Fire Fight is not a wise thing to try. Ahhh, yeah, I'll go for the re-enactmet, thank you. So, Check It Out and see some live stuff from Pearl, and the Island, but realize, not all battles could be filmed. Now, as for the music, the film still has the TV sound, which is so heart moving, but if you want clean orchestration with great Fidelity, get the CD of Richard Rogers fully orchestrated and recorded on more modern Stereophonic surround sound equipment. Some of the reviewers think this equipment has always been in existence, and have poo-poo'd the soundtrack. Duh! Listen, one more time please. Buy it, view it, File it! This is one for your collection. Jeff

This is a brilliant production: the score is stunning and vividly evokes the sea. The narration is equally brilliant and conveys the drama of that terrible war in history and the footage, drawn from a multitude of sources (Allies and Axis powers) gives the viewer a "You Are There" sense of how it really was. Not to be missed. A keeper in anyone's collection.

Very satisfied.

It's as if I am watching this series again as I originally did with my parents years ago.... The quality is most acceptable, with just enough low fidelity quality and age marks to give it an ancient 'charm'.... The narration, the music, and the images are as powerful today as when first broadcast 60 years ago.... The vendor, too, from whom I purchased it in the States provided the product for a very fair price (!!!) and just as advertised in a very prompt manner... Well pleased with this purchase!!!

I am old enough to have watched the original TV broadcasts of this series and had had a VHS Tape box set which has now become defunct. This replacement DVD set is more than just a replacement because the sound remastering is an improvement.

The video picture quality is ok considering it was recorded during the war. The sound is terrible the background music is far to loud and drowns out the commentary. I've so far watched the first DVD but unable to understand what the narrator is saying due to the overpowering background music. Very disappointing.