Great stuff I did not check with the tape version, so I did not really know whether it's true or not that the DVD version was shorter than the original tape version. I did not see any evidence of cutting. Well, it's harder to cut than simply release the original version, in my opinion.
One reviewer wrote that the DVD version is shorted than 270 minutes. I watched the whole thing, and counted the time of the "Extras". The Extras are about 33 minutes long.
Extras The Rise of Renaissance Italy Leonardo's Masterpieces Da Vinci's Inventions The Maestro VS Michelangelo Leonardo & Michelangelo: A Timeline
The Life of Leonardo Da Vinci I was disappointed in this DVD, I expected more of a factual DVD, but this was more drama and I'm not sure how accurate.
Leonardo da Vinci--A genius for the ages I first saw this drama-documentary more than 30 years ago on Armed Forces Television in Germany. I have been looking for it on tape or, recently DVD ever since.
The film was made in Italy, I believe, and done very well. Leonardo da Vinci is shown through all the stages of his life, as a young boy, through his apprenticeship, and subsequent career as artist, designer, engineer, and advisor.
Ever the curious, observant perfectionist, da Vinci watches the world and wonders why it works as it does. His efforts to make machines that fly, machines that are invulnerable to gunfire, walls that are impregnable, and art that sets new standards in the world, changed the way the world saw itself.
Da Vinci remains, to this day, an enigmatic figure, misunderstood and aloof from the society he worked to improve.
This is an excellent documentary for schools and families alike. I highly recommend "The Life of Leonardo da Vinci."
Worth seeing... heed the reviews here. I'm so glad I read the reviews before purchasing! I originally intended to buy this series on DVD, but when I read on Amazon that some of the original film had been omitted on the DVD version, I decided to go with the VHS version (if it's unavailable here, try ebay). I cannot imagine this series being nearly as enjoyable or informative without the narrator. Thanks to the other reviewers for their advice!
Be Sure To Buy The VHS Version, NOT the DVD! My wife told me about having seen this series about Leonardo Da Vinci when she was a child. It had stuck with her for over 30 years, and she dearly wanted to see it again. After doing some research on The Internet Movie Database, we determined this was the series she had seen. At first, I ordered the DVD edition. Then, I read the reviews. (I know. I did this in the wrong order.) When I read that the narrator had been cut out of the DVD version, I asked my wife about it. She told me that the narrator was one of the best elements of the series! I immediately cancelled the previous order, and ordered the VHS edition instead. Boy, am I glad! I can't imagine this series being anywhere near as good without the character of the narrator who walks through the scenes and interacts with some of the historical characters. The narrator is a charming, creative, and essential element of this series. Cutting the character out of the DVD edition was sheer idiocy!
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Tailipoe
Trevor
