Rating: 
Summary: A Job Well Done
Review: A lot has been written here, both pro and con, about the DVD release of Victory at Sea. After reading some of the negative reviews, I felt compelled to put my two cents in. First of all, I think the makers of the collection did an outstanding job in the video transfer. I own the video collection, and do not like how they run the episodes together. I especially disliked how on the final episode of the video series (the most moving, by the way), the music isn't even allowed to finish. The DVD is broken up into each episode, exactly as it was seen during it's run in 1952-53. Indexing each episode is also a great way to skip to a particular point in the episode. The intro on each episode by Peter Graves is short and to the point. The DVD also allows the viewer to skip this intro, if desired...Now onto the audio. True, it is not perfect. That is why it lost one star in my rating. There are slight differences in the volume levels. But I think the makers of the DVD did a great job in trying to mix stereo with monoraul. I was able to sit in front of my TV with my headphones on without having to adjust the volume. I'd like to point out that when this series was originally made, there was no stereo. For those that are trying to compare the soundtrack with the record and cd's that came out (I have them all), don't even try. To my knowledge, there was never a soundtrack made of this series. What came out on record in the late 50's was an orchestral suite of the music, not the original soundtrack. If you have that record or cd with the burning ship on the cover, look closely at the cover. It's not the soundtrack. Yes, it does sound wonderful...In closing, I would recommend this DVD set to anyone. If you can avoid nitpicking the slight differences in the audio and sit back and enjoy this fabulous series, you will be glad you purchased the DVDs. And the videos will end up in the next garage sale.
Rating: 
Summary: Terrific!
Review: After seeing a negative review, I hesitated briefly, but ordered anyway, having seen the original; I wanted it! Absolutely no regrets! The film has been technically cleaned up, and the DVD beats the original! If you're a patriot at heart, you've got to have this reminder of what it's cost us to have what we do today. Buy it!
Rating:
Summary: South Jordan Utah
Review: As a small boy back in the 1950s, I remember sitting on my father's lap and watching this series on NBC television. My dad would explain things that were difficult for me to understand, but the footage from this series forever impressed me as being not only authentic, but filled with remorseless pride in what American Servicemen endured to fight our enemies. The steaming heat and stench of Guadalcanal was one episode that still stands out vividly in my mind as does the episode on the Marianna's Turkey Shoot. So many films of WWII depict the surprise and horror of men who were having a hand at playing catch at Peral Harbor on the morning of the raid and their reaction at being attacked. Leonard Graves had the voice of a king and lends authenticity and beleiveability to the series in such a way that no other announcer seemed to be able to convey with one possible exception. Alexander Scourby was used to narrate the 120 minute film called Victory at Sea, which sadly has received little circulation in recent years. This series ia an absolute must have for any serious WWII film or documentary collector. When NBC received so many accoladees for this series, CBS responded with a WWII series of their own featuring Walter Cronkite in a thirteen episode series for nightly television entitled Air Power. Like Victory at Sea, it was a terrific series. I've waited a long time to see this boxed set come out on DVD and will be happy to add it to my collection of films.
Rating: 
Summary: 2 STARS FOR EXPECTED CONTENT 0 STARS FOR SOUND
Review: Ever since I had my first DVD player I wanted to get Victory At Sea. It turned out to be quite a disapointment. The sound track leaves much to be desired. When the DVD starts the music is wonderfull, as soon as the first part goes on you know the sound and effects will be and are awfull.The sound is low and lifeless.The sound is most of what makes the stories come alive. I own the CDs of this music and they are great. These DVDs seem as though they were copied from an old tape and never enhanced. I know the stories, I have the tapes, these DVDs are a rip off.
Joel Powell
Rating:
Summary: Incredible Documentary---Needless problems with the sound
Review: First of all, this is an outstanding documentary; the sound problems cannot take that away from it. Video remastering was state of the art. Sound remastering has one simple problem. The original mono television sound track was very uniform in volume. It is obvious that sound remastering was done by someone so inept that they thought TURNING UP THE VOLUME!!!between narration TO MAKE THE MUSIC LOUD !!!! would make the series SOUND MORE MODERN!!! I can remedy this problem easily with the 20db mute on my remote, but it is annoying to have to do it. If you want to enjoy this series---it's all here! Keep your remote handy, though.
Rating:
Summary: A great introduction to WW2 history
Review: For the person who wants to learn what the war at sea was about in World War II, there is no better way than to watch these films. Although the films came out in the 1950s, they have more than stood the test of time. The pictures, music and narration are the best ever. If you have been not moved by what happened during those terrible years, these films will certainly do that. My wife told me she used to watch the TV when she was five years old and was transfixed by them. I cannot think of a better recommendation than that. I even watch these from time to time myself to refresh my memory.
Rating:
Summary: Reclaiming an old masterpiece very well
Review: Given the previous inconsistent quality of the VHS tapes, these DVD's are a great improvement. Played with Intervideo 5 on Windows XP, on simple Harmon/Kardan speakers, the narration is readily understandable. Music quality in background isn't great, but you can always buy the original CD's for that.
-A marvelous insight into in incredible conflict, tremendous footage, very worthwhile!
Rating:
Summary: This collection deserves more
Review: I agree with the previous reviewer - the audio is horrible. The music is usually louder than the narration, which is almost inaudible. This classic deserves a digital restoration. As it is, I regret spending the money.
Rating: 
Summary: An absolute disgrace!
Review: I bought this great documentary and was appalled by what I saw AND TRIED TO LISTEN TO. The makers of this DVD should immediately issue a refund to all who have purchased this disgraceful production. It is simply inconceivable in this day and age that a product so sloppy and horribly mixed could be issued to the public. Even a child could do a better job of equalizing the sound levels between the almost-inaudible narration and the overpowering music. SHAME ON ALL CONNECTED WITH THIS ABORTION. How ironic that I myself waited so long for the DVDs to come out (rather than buy the videos) so that I would be able to maximize the pleasures I remembered from the series in the 50's, and my reward was probably the most absymal DVDs ever issued by so-called "professionals". It would be fitting if they were never ever allowed to practice their non-existant skills again and were condemned to listen to this audio atrocity for eternity.
Rating:
Summary: A First Rate History Lesson
Review: I feel compelled to write this review in response to those complaining about the audio on this set. A quick impression will set the tone for the remainder of what I have to say: The mono audio sounds like a clean version of what I recalled hearing when I saw some of these shows re-broadcast back in the late 80's. The audio balance during narrated segments was identical to that heard on the televison broadcast. I had no trouble hearing narration, and the music did not overpower the narrator during narration. But, in all honesty, the volume of the opening themes on the DVD is a bit loud. I think the basis for complaints is that the music peaks between narration get very loud, such that I will hit the 20db mute button on my remote when there is no narration. However, the music and narration never fight each other during narrated segments. I believe that is a very important distinction. The tendency for the "music only" segments to get loud seems more noticeable as the series progresses. It did not seem so obtrustive on the first disc, but is predictable enough by disc three that I was routinely hitting the mute button. People have ascribed various sophisticated technical problems to the audio restoration, such as the film not being properly threaded, etc. It's a lot simpler than that. The sound man seems to have thought that turning the gain up on the instrumental only segments was somehow a good thing. In fact, it sounds like someone is artlessly cranking up the gain, instead of leaving the more constant level of the original soundtrack; I suspect an artless technician was attempting to simulate more modern sound by using louder sound. In short, I cannot totally agree with those complaining about the soundtrack. My impression is more balanced. The soundtrack on this set is clean and listenable, but has some of the limitations of a 50 year old television show soundtrack; no problem with that part as I wasn't expecting true Digital Sound. I do agree that by the third disc the volume on the"all music" segments (between narration) is needlessly loud, and this necessitates juggling of the volume via the remote; even that does not detract from this set's quality. True, I would prefer not to juggle the volume with the remote, but it is a relatively minor annoyance. I agree with the reviewers who commented on the excellence of the video restoration. A + for a job well done. I am really happy I did not trust those who claimed severe audio problems; even with the volume fluctuations this set incredibly enjoyable.
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