The Story of the Gun

During the first 100 years of the gun, if you got shot you were a pretty unlucky unit, since it meant you didn't dodge fast enough. Hardly the lethal weapons of today, the early firearms based on the "matchlock" firing mechanism were more likely to harm the owner than hit a target. From the earliest picture of a gun (c. 1326) to the latest portable modern assault rifle, this handsome production, narrated by Cliff Robertson, and featuring commentary from a wide range of scholars, is a class act from start to finish. Combining historical re-enactment footage, computer animation of how a gun operates, and a bunch of wonderful anecdotes, this comprehensive history of firearms is highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (R. Pitman)