ADVENTURE/HISTORICAL TV MINISERIES DVD SETS
Casanova [DVD](2005)
DVD
The world's most famous lover is seen during his prime in
the 18th century, as the deeply passionate Casanova (David
Tennant) finds himself unable to shake feelings of "true
love" for the beautiful Henriette (Laura Fraser). Four
decades later, during his broken twilight, the aged
Casanova (Peter O'Toole) regales a maid (Rose Byrne) with
tales of his bawdy adventures. Rosanna Lavelle, Dervla
Kirwan also star. 172 min. Soundtrack: English.
Cleopatra [DVD](1999)
DVD
By the time she was 20 she was ruler of Egypt, and she used
her beauty and cunning to win the hearts of two of Rome's
mightiest rulers. Leonor Varela stars as the seductive
Queen of the Nile, with Timothy Dalton as Julius Caesar and
Billy Zane as Marc Antony, in this sweeping historical
drama. 177 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital
2.1; game; trailer; biographies; more.
The Count Of Monte Cristo
[DVD](1998)
DVD
One of the world's best-loved adventure classics is brought
to life in this French mini-series. Gerard Depardieu stars
as Edmond Dantes, betrayed and sent to jail for a crime he
didn't commit. Escaping after many years, Depardieu uses a
fabulous treasure he recovers to help him gain his revenge.
Ornella Muti, Jean Rochefort also star. 6 hrs. total on two
discs. Standard; Soundtrack: French Dolby Digital stereo;
Subtitles: English. In French with English
subtitles.
Empire [DVD](2005)
DVD
Following the assassination of his uncle, Julius Caesar, in
44 B.C. Rome, 18-year-old Octavius is forced into exile.
Under the guidance of his gladiator protector, Tyrannus, he
learns leadership skills while being aided by a beautiful
Vestal virgin. Forced to face off against the villainous
Brutus and Cassius, Octavius confronts his--and his
people's--destiny. Riveting ABC mini-series stars Santiago
Cabrera, Jonathan Cake, James Frain, Emily Blunt, and Colm
Feore. 4 1/3 hrs. total on two discs. Soundtrack:
English.
La Femme Musketeer
[DVD](2003)
DVD
Made-for-TV follow-up to "The Return of the Musketeers"
focuses on the next generation of swashbuckling heroes. In
an attempt to prove herself a worthy successor to her
father, D'Artagnan's daughter is hired by the King of
France to rescue his kidnapped bride-to-be from ruthless
blackmailers. Nastassja Kinski, Gerard Depardieu, and
Michael York star. 171 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English
Dolby Digital stereo.
Helen Of Troy [DVD](2003)
DVD
The mythical tale of forbidden love set against the
backdrop of a great war is brought to spectacular life in
this epic mini-series. Possessing beauty that men would
kill and die for, Helen's heart belongs only to Paris, the
banished prince who rescues her from Sparta as he begins a
quest to reclaim his throne in the land of Troy. With
Sienna Guillory, Matthew Marsden, Rufus Sewell, and Stellan
Skarsgard. 177 min. on two discs. Widescreen (Enhanced);
Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1; Subtitles:
French, Spanish; "making of" documentary;
featurette.
I, Claudius [DVD](1976)
DVD
The acclaimed "Masterpiece Theatre" production of Robert
Graves' historical novel features an all-star cast,
including Brian Blessed, John Hurt, Sian Phillips, Patrick
Stewart, and Derek Jacobi in the title role, in an epic
tale of power, deception and debauchery among Ancient
Rome's imperial family. Also includes the 1965 documentary
"The Epic That Never Was," about the unfinished 1937 "I,
Claudius" that was to star Charles Laughton and Merle
Oberon. 11 hrs. on five discs. Standard; Soundtrack:
English Dolby Digital mono.
Ivanhoe [DVD](1997)
DVD
Filmed on location in England and Scotland, this lavish BBC
adaptation of Sir Walter Scott's historical adventure novel
stars Steven Waddington in the title role of the noble
knight battling for King Richard (and for the woman he
loves) in 12th-century England. With Susan Lynch, Rory
Edwards, and Ralph Brown as scheming Prince John. 5 hrs. on
two discs. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital
stereo; biography.
Joan Of Arc [DVD](1999)
DVD
She was a visionary, a warrior, a heroine and a martyr, all
before the age of 20. Leelee Sobieski stars as the French
peasant girl whose divine visions led her to become a
military leader in the Hundred Years' War against
England--and also led to her downfall--in this compelling
historical drama. The supporting cast includes Jacqueline
Bisset, Powers Boothe, Neil Patrick Harris, Shirley
MacLaine, Peter O'Toole and Peter Strauss. 180 min.
Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital Surround;
interactive menus; scene access.
Masada [DVD](1981)
DVD
A dramatic true story of courage and faith, this sweeping
miniseries is set after the Romans conquered Jerusalem in
70 A.D. Peter O'Toole stars as the Roman general ordered to
crush the Jewish uprising and Peter Strauss is the rebel
leader who guides his freedom fighters to the site where
they would make their last stand: the "city in the
mountain" called Masada. Barbara Carrera, Anthony Quayle,
David Warner also star; narrated by Richard Basehart. 6 1/2
hrs. total on two discs. Standard; Soundtrack:
English.
Robin Hood: Season One [DVD](2006)
DVD
All 13 episodes of the first season--including "Will You
Tolerate This?," "Who Shot the Sheriff?," "The Taxman
Cometh," "Dead Man Walking," and "The Return of the
King"--are included in a four-disc set. 9 1/2 hrs. total.
Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital
stereo; Subtitles: English; audio commentary;
featurettes.
The Odyssey [DVD](1997)
DVD
By Odysseus, Ulysses or any other name, Armand Assante is
appropriately heroic in this lavish mini-series based on
the epic poem by Homer. After their victory in the Trojan
War, Ithacan king Odysseus and his men undergo a
danger-filled 20-year journey home that leads them into
encounters with the man-eating Cyclops, the bewitching
Circe and other perils. The stellar cast also includes
Greta Scacchi, Isabella Rossellini, Vanessa L. Williams,
Christopher Lee and Eric Roberts. 165 min. Standard;
Soundtrack: English.
The Scarlet Pimpernel
[DVD](1982)
DVD
Lush and lavish retelling of the Baroness Orczy's tales of
the seeming fop who rescues the French gentry from the
revenge of Revolutionaries. Sterling performances from
Anthony Andrews, Jane Seymour, Ian McKellen. 136 min.
Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.
Shogun [DVD](1980)
DVD
One of the most acclaimed mini-series in television
history, James Clavell's epic tale of discovery, love and
the conflict of two worlds is collected in this five-disc
set. Richard Chamberlain stars as an English navigator who
becomes swept up in the political intrigue of feudal
17th-century Japan. With Toshiro Mifune, Yoko Shimada,
Michael Hordern, Frankie Sakai; Orson Welles narrates. 9
hrs. total. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital
5.1, Dolby Digital mono; audio commentary
Spartacus [DVD](2004)
DVD
"E.R.'s" Goran Visnjic stars in this sweeping mini-series
event about the Thracian slave-turned-gladiator who becomes
the leader of a daring rebellion, locking him in a personal
battle of wills with a ruthless Roman official. Angus
MacFadyen, Rhona Mitra, Ben Cross, Ian McNeice, and Alan
Bates (in his final role) also star. 177 min. Widescreen
(Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, French
Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles:
French, Spanish; deleted scenes.