These three overviews suffer from the same problem: workmanlike sensibility. In Space, a barrage of archival footage is presented which traces the history of the space program from the launch of Sputnik through the plans for Reagan's Star Wars program. While the footage is compelling in itself, the narration is bland, and the organization poor. Events are often shown out of sequence, and the frequent lack of dates make this a dubious teaching tool, at best. The section on Star Wars is particularly annoying, since it consists of an advertisement for the program (as if it were a fait accompli) with no critical comment, whatsoever. In Wheels, the same problems exist, only the arrangement is more clearly segmented (but in a strange order). Viewers see an overview of "Racing", which features a lot of car race footage, followed by a section on "Endurance" (the great cross-country and cross-continent rallies of yesteryear), before they get to "Mass Production" which focuses on Ford's development of the Model T, etc. Wings presents the same plodding approach to the history of jet development, once again characterized by great archival footage and lackluster narration. Only, it goes further in adding a couple of anti-Soviet remarks that are completely out of context for an overview. While the raw footage in all three of the programs has historical value, the lack of story or focus makes these programs marginal purchases, at best. Not recommended. (Available from most distributors.)
Space: Frontier And Beyond; Wheels: The Joy Of Cars; Wings: The Jet Age
(1988) 43 m. $29.95. Pacific Arts Home Video. Home video rights only. Vol. 4, Issue 4
Space: Frontier And Beyond; Wheels: The Joy Of Cars; Wings: The Jet Age
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