Ancient Mysteries: Vikings in North America

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Starring: Ancient Mysteries
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Type: DVD
Studio: A&E Home Video
Release Date: 2006-09-26
Vikings In North America TheThe exploits of Eric the Red. The legend of Leif Ericson. The struggle for power the bond of a family and the courage to sail beyond a dark and dangerous ocean. Guided by their hopes the explorers of the North moved their horizon west in an odyssey of ice and uncertainty. Leaving Norway for Iceland and an inauspicious tundra they named Greenland the Norse in their long boats proved sturdy enough to reach one more distant shore--VINLAND. At the dawn of the century with the chance to settle a new home the long search seemed over and the future bright. Yet their stay proved so brief as to almost escape history until a fantastic find just thirty years ago by Helge Ingstad. Scandinavian sagas tell the tales of Leif the Lucky and the Land of Grapes but are these merely boastful yarns of magical heroes or historical finds? Five hundred years before Christopher Columbus can we find VIKINGS IN NORTH AMERICA?Interactive Menus; Scene SelectionSystem Requirements:Running Time 50 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DOCUMENTARIES/MISC. UPC: 733961760712 Manufacturer No: AAE-76071

Well Done
After reading the previous review, I decided I would love to see this dvd; so, I bought it. The other person may have given it only 2 stars, but as far as I am concerned, this dvd is a 5 start production. It does a great job of describing the westward exploration of the Vikings. A good overview is given regarding their journey from their native Scandinavian lands to Iceland, Greenland and Canada. Evidence that the Vikings made it to the New World is drawn from the sagas and archeological findings in North America. The dvd gives what it promises....

The Vikings: Deja KNEW
I am guessing that countless Americans learned in school about Eric the Red, Leif Ericson, and their exploits. Thus, so much of this work repeats what most people already know. I love documentaries that show indigenous artwork or Renaissance or Impressionist paintings that describe the contemporary culture. However, this work had cartoon-like drawings that could have come from a "Thor" comic book.

The most valuable part of this documentary is that they compared Columbus' expedition to the Vikings. It carefully spells out why the Genovese had a much greater impact on North America than his Norse predecessors did.

Leonard Nimoy narrates. Star Trek fans who worship him may want to see this work for that reason alone. (Unlike in that "Simpsons" episode spoofing "The X-Files," Nimoy narrates for the whole piece without leaving. LOL!) Interviewees use "Eskimo" when the preferred term is now "Inuit."

This may be a nice piece to show in elementary and high school classes. It may be especially appreciated in Minnesota or other regions with many Scandinavian Americans.