The Fall of Eagles on DVD (Region 1 finally)

Peter_Suciu

Well-known member
I actually bought a region free DVD player JUST TO BUY THIS DVD. But now it is finally available in North America.

"The Fall of Eagles" chronciles the collapse of three great European dynasties - the Romanovs, the Habsburgs and the Hohenzollerns. Truly an amazing mini-series. Numerous stars, including Patrick Stewart as Lenin!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EMGF2Q/qid=1152475066/sr=11-1/ref=sr_11_1/102-7633193-3376942?n=130

Great costumes, uniforms, etc.
 
While there are no epic battle scenes, or even any sequences with dozens of soldiers, "The Fall of Eagles" remains on the best costume dramas ever produced by the BBC.
In many ways this mini-series, which highlights the collapse of three great European dynasties - the Romanovs, the Habsburgs and the Hohenzollerns - can be seen as a companion piece to "Nicholas & Alexandria."
It begins with the ominously titled episode "Death Waltz" in Vienna, 1848. Europe has just faced numerous rebellions, uprisings and revolutions... and Franz Josef hosts a waltz with the royalty of Austria. Over the course of 13 episodes the leaders of the royal families are introduced and the final 50 years of these great dynasties is shown.
The scenes with Prussia are certainly impressive, and contrast those with Austria perfectly. Where the Princess Sofie arrives in Austria and is dominated by her husband and more so, his mother, she gradually becomes the iron Empress of Austria, while Princess Victoria of England marries Frederick Wilhelm of Prussia and attempts to modernize and liberalize Prussia. Of course the result is that their son Wilhelm is fully unprepared to take the reigns of leadership when the time comes.

The backwardness of these rulers is shown time and time. These most powerful men in Europe are almost completely out of touch, behind the times and of course utterly self-absorbed. The mini-series heads towards the climatic collision course, and throughout you can see where things could easily have turned out differently.
Numerous characters enter and leave throughout the series including Queen Victoria, King Edward VII and even Lenin (played by Patrick Stewart). The performances are brilliant, the sets marvelous and the costumes and uniforms simply fantastic. A true five star mini-series for history buffs.
 
Is it in the same quality as the BBC series the forgotten cousin .It covers the youngest son of Geaorge the 5th .The funeral Parade shows lots of Imperial Grandure .
MArk
 
Peter,
I am certainly in. However, just to check my literacy, this series will play on my normal DVD player from San Antonio, Texas. Television technology is not my forte. I regularly just rely on my good looks. I think I can convince Janet to watch this and might be quite good. Thanks for bringing it up. Just reassure me that I'm not buying a thing that won't work on my equipment.
 
Hi Mark:

At the time Fall of Eagles was produced, standard operating procedure at the BBC was to record all interior scenes on 3/4" videotape and shoot the exteriors with 16mm film cameras. If you've watched series like Upstairs Downstairs, the technique and mise en scène are comparable. It looks as good as it did originally.

Joe, the series is excellent, and as long as you order from Amazon U.S., the DVDs will play on our Region 1 NTSC equipment.

Chas.
 
as long as you order from Amazon U.S., the DVDs will play on our Region 1 NTSC equipment.
Thanks Chas I assume we must be in region 1? So a European version does not play unless you have a multi region device?
 
Hi Joe:

Yes, that's correct. Despite the fact that digital is a universal format, discs are region coded for purposes of copyright and distribution. North America is Region 1. Europe is Region 2.

The sad thing is that France and Germany produce some of the best looking DVDs, but without a code free/region free player, they are useless here.

If you look at these links, you will see comparisons of just how different the same image can look:

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDReview2/blacknarcissus.htm

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film/DVDReviews8/kwaidan.htm

From the frame captures of Black Narcissus and Kwaidan, one can see the European DVDs blow the American away.

Chas.
 
joerookery said:
Thanks Chas I assume we must be in region 1? So a European version does not play unless you have a multi region device?

I did indeed buy the Region 2 set a year and a half ago. I actually bought a region-free DVD player for THIS set!

But it was released in May in Region 1. Just buy on Amazon.com. The price is good, shipping is free!
 
Lost Skeleton said:
At the time Fall of Eagles was produced, standard operating procedure at the BBC was to record all interior scenes on 3/4" videotape and shoot the exteriors with 16mm film cameras. If you've watched series like Upstairs Downstairs, the technique and mise en scène are comparable. It looks as good as it did originally.

This is really obvious with any of the 1970s-1990 shows. Doctor Who, Blake's 7 are two examples were it is really apparent.
 
I just finished ordering mine. Margo and I love these period costume dramas/docs. I never hesitate in ordering BBC productions for school. They are always top notch. Many thanks Peter for the heads up. Brian
 
Glad to help. I'm glad others are enjoying this as much as me.

Among my favorite quotes is when the future Kaiser Wilhelm II is born... the reaction from his uncles, "another recruit!"
 
Janet and I are on CD 3 of 4. You are right this is a must see for the cliffnote version of all Europe. Thank you. We will probably sell our copy at SOS but this is super duper. :headbang:
 
joerookery said:
Janet and I are on CD 3 of 4. You are right this is a must see for the cliffnote version of all Europe. Thank you. We will probably sell our copy at SOS but this is super duper. :headbang:

Sell your copy? :o

You know... you could watch it again? Don't sell it, put it on the shelf and rewatch it in two or three years.
 
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