1.

The Blitz: London's Longest Night

The story of the war's most concentrated aerial attack on London in 1941 and how the city nearly perished under the German barrage. Featuring harrowing first-hand accounts from survivors of the attack and dramatic recreations of events based on newly declassified information, this film brings to life the story of one night that nearly changed the course of history. Had Hitler trusted the intelligence on the amount of damage to the city and continued his attack, London would have crumbled under the sustained barrage.
February 02, 2006

2.

Blood and Oil: The Middle East in World War I
starring: Marty Callaghan

"Blood and Oil - The Middle East in World War I" examines the devastating conflict and Western political intrigue that laid the foundation for wars, coups, revolts and military interventions in the Middle East. After the end of World War I, most of the Ottoman Empire was carved up into "spheres of influence," controlled mostly by the British and French. The remaining territories became the modern state of Turkey in 1923 - after a five-year struggle by Turkish nationalists against Western domination. Written and produced by Marty Callaghan ("Archives of War," "Remember Pearl Harbor: America Taken by Surprise"), this feature-length documentary film follows conflict from the Ottoman Empire's entry into the Great War in October 1914 to the Allied victory and declaration of the new Turkish Republic in 1923, and the hostilities that have plagued the region since. The 112-minute DVD also features extended expert commentary.
December 12, 2006

3.

Bonhoeffer
starring: Eberhard Bethge, Klaus Maria Brandauer, John De Gruchy, Geffrey Kelly, Richard Mancini

BONHOEFFER tells the dramatic story of one of the greatest theologians of the 20th century, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, his life and his resistance to Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. While the German Church establishment embraced National Socialism, Bonhoeffer challenged his church to stand with the Jews in their time of need. Learning of the death camps, Bonhoeffer's religious convictions led him to the seemingly paradoxical conclusion that the only ethical solution was to conspire to assassinate Hitler.

Extensive research in archives in both Europe and the U.S. yielded extraordinary archival footage - including a speech by Hitler praying for God's blessing on him and the German people- and compelling images of the Catholic and Protestant churches open support of his regime. Bonhoeffer's life and thought are traced through family photographs from his childhood and early education in Germany to his travels to New York, where he met with black church leaders in Harlem and was exposed to the realities of racism and intolerance. It was in America that Bonhoeffer became convinced of the importance of social and political engagement on a personal level and for the Church community as a whole. Alongside this thorough visual documentation is extensive commentary by a number of Christian intellectuals including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, John de Gruchy and Geffrey Kelly on Bonhoeffer's contribution to theology and philosophy. BONHOEFFER creates a well rounded picture of a man whose influence continues to be felt not only by his writings, but also by his the example of his life.
April 04, 2004

4.

Buried in the Sand - The Deception of America
starring: Narrated by Mark Taylor
directed by: David Wald

A Grim Political Realism

Exclusive, Uncensored Footage of Atrocities Gives Rare Insight Why America Had ‘Moral Obligation’ to Invade Iraq. After viewing this DVD, Americans will soon have a far better understanding of why it was the United States’ unavoidable obligation to invade Iraq.

Buried in the Sand: The Deception of America takes an unflinching look at the atrocities at Abu Ghurayb prison in Iraq and across this sand-blown country. Never-before-seen footage obtained from American military personnel, Islamic extremists and other sources put a face – the face of someone’s parent, spouse, sibling or child – on the suffering, death and betrayal suffered by an entire society.

Buried in the Sand: The Deception of America is hosted by Mark Taylor, a 25-year radio veteran and nationally known political commentator who has been a frequent guest on such prominent and influential shows as The O’Reilly Factor, Hannity & Colmes and Politically Incorrect, as well as on MSNBC and CNN news broadcasts.
September 09, 2004

5.

Churchill - A Biography of His Life and Speeches
directed by: Robert Garofalo
July 07, 2004

6.

The Civil War: A Film by Ken Burns
starring: David McCullough, Sam Waterston, Jason Robards, Morgan Freeman, Garrison Keillor

The most successful public-television miniseries in American history, the 11-hour Civil War didn't just captivate a nation, reteaching to us our history in narrative terms; it actually also invented a new film language taken from its creator. When people describe documentaries using the "Ken Burns approach," its style is understood: voice-over narrators reading letters and documents dramatically and stating the writer's name at their conclusion, fresh live footage of places juxtaposed with still images (photographs, paintings, maps, prints), anecdotal interviews, and romantic musical scores taken from the era he depicts. The Civil War uses all of these devices to evoke atmosphere and resurrect an event that many knew only from stale history books. While Burns is a historian, a researcher, and a documentarian, he's above all a gifted storyteller, and it's his narrative powers that give this chronicle its beauty, overwhelming emotion, and devastating horror. Using the words of old letters, eloquently read by a variety of celebrities, the stories of historians like Shelby Foote and rare, stained photos, Burns allows us not only to relearn and finally understand our history, but also to feel and experience it. --Dave McCoy
September 09, 2004

7.

Control Room
starring: Samir Khader, Josh Rushing, George W. Bush, Hassan Ibrahim, Deema Khatib
directed by: Jehane Noujaim

Control room is a rate film that is both timely and timeless: timeless because it ecplores the ancient and complex relationship between the western and Arab worlds timely because it reveals how satellite television has changed the way wars are reported- from news providers driven by the patriotism of their audiences to army information officers driven by military objectives. Control room is a seminal documentary that explores how truth is gathered presented and ultimately created by those who deliver it.System Requirements: Running Time 86 MinFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DOCUMENTARIES/MISC. Rating: NR UPC: 031398169321 Manufacturer No: 16932
October 10, 2004

8.

D-Day - The Total Story
starring: Gerald McRaney, Stephen Ambrose, John Keegan
directed by: Rob Lihani

June 6, 1944. The day the military might of the Allies combined for the most extensive aerial and sea borne assault ever planned. The D-Day invasion at the beaches of Normandy, France changed the direction of World War II, and the history of the twentieth century. Planned for over two years by the Allied Forces, the D-Day Invasion was an intricate coordination of the world's greatest military forces, and an exercise in cooperation that marked the turning point of war, and the world's history. D-Day: The Total Story would be useful for classes on American History, World History, Military History and Cultural History. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.
D Minus 1 D Minus 1 explores the tense hours leading up to the monumental attack. The elaborate plans, the calculated risks and the sheer daring of the invasion are explored. The troops were heavily trained and armed with latest weaponry, but the fate of the war hung on one key strategy: surprise.

Vocabulary

• ambitious
• amphibious
• blaspheme
• blitzkrieg
• bogus
• commandeer
• compassion
• compensate
• convoy
• entrails
• fictitious
• hospitable
• improvise
• incinerate
• litany
• logistics
• obsolete
• pneumonic
• sabotage
• theoretical

Discussion Questions

1. The D-Day Invasion at Normandy was unique in the fact that it was a collaborative effort of some of the world's leading nations. How did the D-day Invasion foreshadow the globalization of world politics and policy?

2. The causalities of the invasion were numerous. Most men that died on the beaches of Normandy were young men; many not even out of their teens. How do soldiers deal with the deaths of their fellow soldiers and buddies during combat?

3. How the D-Day invasion get its name?

4. Dwight David Eisenhower, affectionately known as "Ike," was the Supreme Allied Commander of the invasion. Why was Eisenhower a good choice for this mission?

5. What are the logistical and emotional difficulties of bringing together soldiers from different nations?

6. Some British soldiers resented the American soldiers stationed in London prior to the invasion. Why were there some tensions between the soldiers?

7. How was the weaponry of World War II different from that of World War I? How did this change the methods of warfare?

8. How did the Allied Forces trick Germany into diverting its troops?

Extended Activities

1. On a map of Europe, trace the routes of the D-Day Invasion. 2. Imagine that you are a soldier stationed in London waiting for the D-Day Invasion. Write a letter home that explains your feelings, fears and emotions about the upcoming invasion.


H-Hour explores the earliest moments of the invasion when human error and poor weather seemed to conspire to doom the mission to failure. The fate of the war now hung on the cunning, courage and determination of each individual Allied soldier, sailor and airman. The superb training of the troops, combined with initiative of their officers, enabled the invasion to move forward despite the adverse conditions.

Vocabulary

• casualties
• concentric
• conspicuous
• decimate
• detriment
• deviation
• dispersion
• elaborate
• impregnable
• incendiary
• painstaking
• vignette

Discussion Questions

1. The D-Day Invasion relied on the secrecy of the mission. How did the Allied Forces use the element of surprise in their attack on the German fortresses at Normandy?

2. The Allied soldiers faced hardships and difficulties when they landed on the beaches and began their invasion inland. What were some of these difficulties faced by the soldiers? How did the soldiers overcome these obstacles?

3. The German Army and the Allied Forces trained their officers differently. How was the training for these officers different? How did this difference affect the outcome of the invasion and ultimately, the war?

4. It is only natural to be afraid when you are faced with the possibility of death. How did the soldiers deal with their fear? How were they able to overcome it and continue their mission?

5. In any circumstance, especially war, fate or luck plays a role in the outcome. How did fate help the Allied Forces?

6. The Allied Airborne Troops miscalculated their landings and the troops were widely dispersed. How did this error turn out to be positive for the Allied Forces? How did this error contribute to the success of the invasion?

7. How did German resistance at the different beaches make the D-Day experience different for the soldiers at the various beaches?

Extended Activities

1. Imagine that you are an Allied soldier at the D-Day invasion. Create a journal or diary that tells of your feelings and experiences.

2. Imagine that you are a journalist assigned to cover the D-Day Invasion. Write a column for your newspaper or magazine that gives a first-hand account of the invasion.


Breakout explores the full fury of the monumental attack. Hitler reinforced his defenses with the strength of his Panzer division. What remained was an all-out attack. With their backs to the sea, the Allied Forces broke away from the beaches and forged inland to Paris and to ultimate victory.

Vocabulary

• attrition
• decimated
• impenetrable
• improvisation
• intelligence
• methodical
• moral
• obliterated
• pre-fabricated
• reconnaissance
• stalemate
• validate

Discussion Questions

1. The Allied Forces faced tremendous resistance from the German Army. Why did the German Army put up so much resistance in light of the overwhelming numerical superiority of the Allied Forces?

2. How does an army utilize the terrain of its position for defense?

3. Tanks played an important role in the Battle of Normandy. What were the differences between the German Panzer tanks and the American Sherman tanks?

4. The Allied Forces conducted extensive aerial bombings of the French town of Caen. Although this attack aided the Allied ground troops, the attack was controversial because of the amount of civilian causalities. Were the Allied Forces justified in their aerial attack?

5. Many soldiers were killed during the Battle of Normandy by "friendly fire." What does the term "friendly fire" mean? Why is it so dangerous?

6. Why was the Breakout a bittersweet event for the Americans?

7. Graphic pictures can help convey the horrors of war. But soldiers interviewed for this documentary speak about the even more impressive smells of war. Discuss how the odors of war attest to the horrors of war, and how the sense of smell can trigger memories.

8. Wally Pare, RAF 6th Airborne, summed up the war experience as "the most personal impersonal experience." Discuss what Pare means by this statement.

Extended Activities

1. Imagine that you are a German soldier captured during the Battle of Normandy. Create a diary or journal that tells of your experience.

2. On a map of France, trace the route of the Breakout to the liberation of Paris.
April 04, 2004

9.

D-Day: Code Name Overlord
starring: n/a
directed by: n/a

In its first light on the 6th of June, 1944, D-Day. On this day, the Allies launched the largest combined land, air and sea operation ever from Southern England to liberate Europe from Hitler and Nazi oppression. Code named Overlord, the entire operation was a tremendous gamble. The element of surprise was paramount and through a tangle of intrigue, the German high command was led to believe the invasion would occur not at Normandy, but at Calais, only twenty miles from England across the narrow Strait of Dover. This DVD documentary tells the compelling story of the Normandy Invasion and includes rare color footage from the George Stevens Collection at the Library of Congress.
July 07, 2001

10.

Daughter From Danang
starring: Mai Thi Kim, Heidi Neville-Bub, Gerald Ford, Tom Miller, Tran Tuong Nhu
directed by: Vicente Franco, Gail Dolgin

A mix of epic history and intimate family portrait, Daughter from Danang follows the reunion of a Tennessee woman, Heidi, with her Vietnamese mother and siblings after 22 years. Shipped to the U.S. in the waning days of the Vietnam war, Heidi--formerly Mai Thi Hiep--was the daughter of a white American soldier and a Danang woman abandoned by her Viet Cong husband. Fearing reprisals against Amerasian children, Hiep's mother, despite unbearable pain, gave Hiep to an adoption agency. Raised by an abusive woman in Pulaski (birthplace of the KKK), Hiep/Heidi kept her full heritage secret. This episode of PBS's American Experience follows Heidi's journey home: There is sorrow, joy, and relief, of course, but also a slow-brewing uneasiness as cultures collide. As raw expectations of her impoverished, Third World family begin to grate on Heidi, the burden of carrying two national destinies becomes comically and tragically oversized in the poor woman's shoes. --Tom Keogh
February 02, 2004