Top Secret Sites

Although the press release copy for Top Secret Sites promises “fascinating, surprising, thrilling, and factual” viewing, the program actually offers pretty ho-hum depictions of various government and military centers--such as Fort Knox, NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command), and the CIA and FBI buildings--buttressed with behind-the-scenes footage that reveals little new information for even semi-regular viewers of TV series such as CSI and JAG, among others. Perhaps the most interesting segment is the tour of the relocation center for government officials built under the Greenbriar Resort in West Virginia, intended as a secret refuge in the case of nuclear attack, but never used. However, even this is a little dull, since unprepossessing empty buildings generally don't provoke a great deal of excitement in most people. A pedestrian production, but one which is nevertheless likely to be of interest to both essay-topic-seeking students and political history buffs, this is a strong optional purchase. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Fisher)