You’d think that discovering a new continent would put you on easy street
Columbus Day is still observed today (it´s a fairly big event here in Philadelphia where we have a few Italians here and there) but his reputation has lost much of its luster in a more politically correct environment. Columbus is now known not only as the man who (sort of) discovered America, but also a racist whose brutal tactics ushered in centuries of exploitation and genocide inflicted by European on Native American populations. The documentary doesn´t skirt these issues; it portrays Columbus as both a brilliant navigator and a vicious self-aggrandizing bastard.
"Columbus: The Lost Voyage" is a solid documentary with much better production values than the typical History Channel offering. It is a bit stretched at 91 minutes running time, but it´s never boring.
Video
The film is presented in a 1.78:1 widescreen aspect ratio. The image quality is very sharp, but the transfer is interlaced and there are some instances of combing apparent throughout.
Audio
The DVD is presented in Dolby Digital Stereo. Forced subtitles translate the snippets of Italian and Spanish dialogue. There are no subtitles for the English narration or interviews.
Extras
The only extra is a fairly detailed text-based "Timeline" which traces the life of Columbus.
Film Value
Columbus´ rapidly dwindling fortune and his death in 1505 may seem like an ignominious fate, but let us not mourn poor Christopher Columbus. As far as explorers go, he got off pretty easy. Drake died of dysentery, da Game got malaria, Raleigh got the axe, Magellan died in battle, and Cook was stabbed in the back. And here you thought that a life spent huddled on a boat with a bunch of sweaty sailors was nothing but fun and games.
"Columbus: The Lost Voyage" is a solid documentary with much better production values than the typical History Channel offering. It is a bit stretched at 91 minutes running time, but it´s never boring.
Video
The film is presented in a 1.78:1 widescreen aspect ratio. The image quality is very sharp, but the transfer is interlaced and there are some instances of combing apparent throughout.
Audio
The DVD is presented in Dolby Digital Stereo. Forced subtitles translate the snippets of Italian and Spanish dialogue. There are no subtitles for the English narration or interviews.
Extras
The only extra is a fairly detailed text-based "Timeline" which traces the life of Columbus.
Film Value
Columbus´ rapidly dwindling fortune and his death in 1505 may seem like an ignominious fate, but let us not mourn poor Christopher Columbus. As far as explorers go, he got off pretty easy. Drake died of dysentery, da Game got malaria, Raleigh got the axe, Magellan died in battle, and Cook was stabbed in the back. And here you thought that a life spent huddled on a boat with a bunch of sweaty sailors was nothing but fun and games.
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[release]23193[/release]