Victory at Sea

I first watched this film series at the age of 13 and to say the least I was enchanted. Richard Rogers Music was a huge boost to a documentary that was unequaled then and since. The stark black and white film and the real footage went a long way in providing the realism. I found the Narration excellent along with the haunting refrains of Rogers' score in the background. I have watched the film all 26 episodes time and time again and of course have the original records including the one with sound effects. I strongly recommend the series to anyone interested in the History of World War 11 as it pertained to the U.S. Navy and Marine Corp.

Even in Black and White, Victory at Sea stands as a TV masterpiece. Their production techniques a half century ago using a dramatic musical score to allow the action to flow in lieu of unnecessary chatter, but with the occasional powerful voice of Leonard Graves to tie the scenes together was a model for NFL Films.

This is a beautiful piece of TV. I would not shell out on a 6-vol DVD if I thought otherwise. I saw it on BBC in 1960-61. But, looking at it 45 years on I feel it should be re-titled 'Victory in the Pacific' - I mean, there was some sort of war going on prior to Dec 41, and a lot of it at sea! OK, so the program makers did give that 25 minutes, but then gave Pearl Harbour another 25 minutes. And - those planes look a little like US planes with a 'rising sun'painted on. And one of those ships that blew up off Guadalcanal seems to be the same one that was hit by stukas 5 miles off Dover. He was also one of those that was hit off Anzio! That captain must be getting real sick! And all that underwater salvage work at Pearl Harbour gives the real impression that the fleet was salvaged (phrases such as 'raised from the deep'). Whatever the case, the Arizona wasn't one of them. For all this, it is beautiful TV. As history, may be 6/10. But, then for entertainment, watch the film. For accurate history, read the books!

Nick Baker, South Darenth, Kent UK

Victory At Sea is a great television series about World War 2 produced by NBC in conjunction with the U.S. Navy. Most of the footage was shot by Navy cameramen. NBC edited the footage, added a host and the musical score by Richard Rogers. That was reality TV in the early days of television production. While this a comprehensive and educational series and should be watched, viewers should be aware the version released by A&E on DVD is substandard as the sound level constantly fluctuates. The version released by Studio 1 has much better sound but the episodes are abridged and the distributor does not warn consumers. But, for the price buy the Studio 1 release. It is much more satisfying than the A&E version. Buyer beware.

by far one of the best documentaries ever made concerning WW II. The musical score by Richard Rogers and the narration by Mr.Graves adds to the superb quality of these episodes.I loved it at 6yrs. old when it first came out in '52 and love it more now at 54.Excellent!