Discovering Alaska; Fodor's Alaska; Fodor's Switzerland

If they gave awards for the most photogenic state, Alaska would surely be a strong contender, and the proof lies in the sheer number of travel/nature/information videos devoted to the Land of the Midnight Sun (compared to those, say, on Oklahoma). One of the most gorgeous we've seen is Skyriver Film's Discovering Alaska, a winning mix of native folklore, history, and eye-catching scenery from the tip of Southeast Alaska to the top of the world (or pretty darn close) in Nome. Superb cinematography, professional graphics, and even some slick animation are combined with interesting voice-over narration on subjects as diverse as the Alaska State Fair (where viewers see what an 80 lb. cabbage really looks like), the 1964 earthquake (the largest in North America), Ketchikan's historic "sporting houses" where miners and ladies sported, so to speak, and the mesmerizing Northern Lights. I was especially impressed by the outdoor sports: bowling on ice looked kind of fun, and I'd never seen baseball played in snowshoes before. As good as Alaska and the Yukon Territory (reviewed in our September-October 1993 issue).Fodor's Alaska, by comparison, is a lackluster production (the Northern Lights, for example, are shown in stills, not moving footage), with chintzy graphics and often less than vibrant cinematography. Divided into two sections, the long first film is liable to confuse some viewers. Called "Discovering Alaska" (not to be confused with the aforementioned Skyriver Film production), a 74-minute piece made for Hungarian television, the program combines interviews with Alaskans and visits to Fairbanks, Skagway, Juneau, Anchorage, and other sites. While many of the interview clips are interesting, the unstructured approach could put off a prospective traveler who is looking for a travel guide (as opposed to a personality piece on various Alaskans). Even more problematic is the second part of the video called the "Travel Planner" which opens with a long disclaimer about how Fodor's doesn't endorse any of the segment sponsors. But in the "Getting There" section, although a few airlines are mentioned, only one airplane is shown (repeatedly): Alaska Airlines, which just happens to be the "sponsor" for that segment. And, in the "Lodgings" segment, sponsored by Westmark Hotels, the only large city chain shown on the video is--you guessed it--Westmark Hotels. In addition, the sponsored segments get a full-blown advertisement at the beginning of the segment anyway. Nicely packaged, with a handy travelers guide, Fodor's Alaska is still a disappointing (and somewhat commercial) travel video.Fodor's Switzerland, perhaps because the area is less flooded with travel videos than Alaska, is somewhat better. Like Fodor's Alaska, the emphasis in the opening "Discovering Switzerland" film (also made for Hungarian television) is on interviewing people. Comprised of German, French, and Italian culture, the Swiss people offer an interesting mix of rustic Alpine sensibilities and high roller money market finesse. Mafia viewers will be saddened to hear that the Swiss have tightened up their financial regulations (it's not as easy these days to have an anonymous Swiss bank account), but sports fans will enjoy learning about Switzerland's popular sport of sand pit wrestling (not to be confused with women's mud wrestling), and beer guzzlers will be happy to note that in Switzerland beer is measured by the "meter not the liter." In addition to looking at the major cities of Bern, Luzern, and Zurich, the video also captures the "Burning of the Winter Puppet" ritual (picture The Snowman meets Firestarter), ogles some fine Swiss architecture, and takes time out to look at the art of Swiss watchmaking. While the "Travel Planner" also has some commercial aspects (SwissAir gets a good plug), it's not as bad as in Fodor's Alaska.Discovering Alaska is highly recommended. Fodor's Alaska is a very optional purchase and Fodor's Switzerland is recommended, with some reservations. (R. Pitman)