China - A Century of Revolution

Our Price: $97.27
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $46.78 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details

DVD details

DVD Reviews of China - A Century of Revolution

DVD Review: Narrator
Summary: 5 Stars

DVD Review: More excellent information here..!
Summary: 4 Stars

DVD Review: Absolutely compelling
Summary: 5 Stars

DVD Review: Monumental doucumentary. Sweeping in scope and detail.
Summary: 5 Stars

6 hours is long, and at the same time, it is a very short space to compress a full century of history into. However, this film does it superbly. The dvd splits the history into three eras. The pre-WWII period (Sun Yat-Sen, Japanese Invation, the duel between the CCP and the KMT), the rise of Mao and the Communists, and what the future holds for China and the Chinese. There is ample detail provided about events and people who shaped each era.

If you know nothing about China in the last century, and all the turmoil which occured, I would strongly recommend this documentary. It has no equal in terms of it's broad scope and compelling content, and makes the already intriging story of China in the 20th century come even more alive, and human.

If you already are a Chinese history buff, this film will be interesting all the same.

It is full of rare footage (where else will you get to see Dr. Sun in film? or peasants "struggling" against their landlords?) and audio (I've never heard Madame Mao's voice before this.) that you will probably never see or hear anywhere else. Interviews with those who endured the Cultural Revoution and those who will shape the future of China give the film an intimate touch. Included are: Dr. Li, Mao's personal physician of two decades, Chinese celebrities, peasants, landlords, urban dwellers, students. All love China, but they sweep the gamut from those who hate Mao to those who love him, and what the Communists have done for/to China, and what the future lies in store for them, and the rest of the Chinese people.

Overall, and AMAZING documentary with an incredible scope. Covering one of the most amazing and remarkable chapters of human history, good and bad, this documentary will not dissapoint.

DVD Review: Great, but not quite 5 stars
Summary: 4 Stars

But it's not a complete masterpiece. It relies primarily on archival footage. And though many of these films are rare, they are almost entirely gleaned from propaganda films. The directors fill in the gaps through interviews, some quite striking for youthful appearence of the elderly intervewees.

It is remarkable for the way it concisely summarizes a complex and brutal history in 360 minutes. But what it lacks is investigative prowess and graphic brilliance.

Granted, China is not the easiest country to conduct an investigation or shoot a documentary in. But I'm left with the feeling that in 5 years, with further liberalization, a 5 star version of this documentary could be made.

Until then, this documentary comes highly recommended.

General DVDs

• Genres > Documentary
• Television > General
• Documentary