Pick a film about ghosts, secrets or westerns
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By G. Michael Dobbs
Managing Editor
Two interesting documentaries and some fine B-westerns are in this week's DVD column.
Ghosts of the Baltic Sea
Dr. Robert Ballard, the man who discovered the resting place of the Titanic and other famous shipwrecks, turned his attention to a relatively forgotten chapter of the Second World War in this documentary.
Near the close of the WWII, the Red Army was pushing retreating German forces back through Poland and toward Germany itself. German refugees were attempting to reach Baltic ports where ships waited to evacuate them to Germany. These ships, some of them converted cruise ships, were poorly protected by a ragtag Nazi navy and became easy prey for Soviet submarines. Three ships were sunk resulting in the deaths of 20,000 people, many of whom were women, children and wounded soldiers.
Ballard accompanied other maritime researchers and four survivors of the ships to the locations of the wrecks in the Baltic.
What is compelling is the very human face the four survivors put on this history lesson. Even after more than 60 years, they are very moved in this opportunity to reach some closure.
Any WWII history buff will enjoy "Ghosts of the Baltic Sea."
Dan Burstein's Secrets of Mary Magdalene
One might want to dismiss this documentary as simply another effort to cash in on "The Da Vinci Code" cash cow, and I'm sure in some way it is. That being said, this look at one of the New Testament's most intriguing characters is not sensationalistic.
Through the use of numerous interviews with Biblical scholars and historians, the film shows what the Bible says and doesn't say about Mary Magdalene and how Biblical revisionists have changed the interpretation of her role to suit their own political purposes.
Through tasteful reenactments and insightful interviews, the film helps to debunk that myth that "The Da Vinci Code" has help grow.
The DVD includes two special features: a separate round-table discussion featuring most of the experts who appeared on-camera and a 30-minute round up of topics related to the historical view of Mary Magdalene.
If you've read "The Da Vinci Code" or have been intrigued about the theories that have swirled about Jesus and Mary Magdalene, this documentary will undoubtedly add fuel to your intellectual fire.
For more information, log onto www.kochvision.com
Red Ryder Vol. 11 and Red Ryder Vol. 12 Triple Feature
I enjoy a number of cinematic formats that have gone the way of the dinosaur: serials, comedy two-reelers and B-westerns.
It's difficult to explain the appeal of serials with their convoluted plots, low-budgets and emphasis on action over characterization.
B-westerns are a similar hard sell to the uninitiated. Aimed at children and other undemanding audiences, the B-western was a low-budget affair whose appeal was the responsibility of its star. A popular hero could go a long way toward making up for a stale script, weak directing and stereotypical performances.
The best B's were ones that had elements that transcended the genre: good photography, rousing music, eye-popping stunt work, appealing casts and stories with a twist.
My favorite performers are Tom Tyler and Roy Rogers, but I will watch almost anything made by Republic Studios, a company that specialized in action pictures in the 1930s through the mid-1950s.
One of the studio's most successful series was based on a popular Western comic strip by Fred Harmon titled "Red Ryder." Republic made a serial with Don "red" Barry in 1940 and then a string of 23 feature films starring "Wild Bill" Elliot as red Ryder and then Allan "Rocky" Lane.
Red Ryder was a straight arrow hero who was aided by a young Native American boy Little Beaver (played in all 23 features by Robert Blake, yes the Robert Blake). His aunt known as The Duchess complicated his life at times.
The films were fast-moving westerns designed as throwaway entertainment and both Elliot and lane are convincing heroes. I prefer Elliot who had a more authentic Western look to him he was born and raised in Montana than Lane, though.
Not everyone might view the Little Beaver character with tolerance. Its stereotypical depiction could easily offend people today.
If you can get past that and if you can transport yourself to another era in which Westerns did have to have sex or violence to be successful, then you will enjoy these modest films.
Volume 11 features a chapter of the Red Ryder serial, which shows a no-nonsense take on the character from Don Berry. There is also a photo gallery of movie posters and comic art. Volume 12 has less special features, but has three movies.
For more information, log onto www.vcient.com.
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