Missions That Changed the War: The Doolittle Raid DVD Review

Narrated by Oscar®-nominee and Emmy®-winning actor Gary Sinise, the four-part documentary Missions that Changed the War: The Doolittle Raid debuts on DVD from Athena on February 19, 2013. Broadcast on the Military Channel in 2011, the series traces the plan for an airstrike on Japan led by famed aviator Jimmy Doolittle. Through historical footage, maps, expert commentary, and interviews with four crewmen who took part, it recounts a mission that not only raised the spirits of a nation but also changed the outcome of World War II. The DVD includes four episodes, plus a bonus interview with Doolittle Raider Edward Saylor (21 min.) and 16-page viewer’s guide with an exclusive Q&A with Caroll V. Glines, Doolittle’s official biographer ($49.99, AthenaLearning.com).

Outraged at the attack on Pearl Harbor, President Franklin Roosevelt ordered his military leaders to find a way to hit back at an enemy whose homeland was beyond the reach of U.S. warplanes. The result was a daring plan to load B-25 bombers on an aircraft carrier, sail within range of Japan, bomb its cities, and then fly on to the safety of China. Only one man was considered up to the task of leading the mission—Lieutenant Colonel James H. Doolittle. His raid is considered one of the most audacious acts of aerial warfare ever.

Episodes: The Call to War, Special Aviation Project Number One, The Target of This Task Force Is Tokyo, The Legacy

BONUS FEATURES: Interview with Doolittle Raider Edward Saylor (21 min.); 16-page viewer’s guide with a map; a timeline of Japan’s conquests; articles on FDR’s “date which will live in infamy” speech, Fortress America, B-25s, and aircraft carriers; and an exclusive Q&A with Caroll V. Glines, Doolittle’s official biographer; and a timeline of Doolittle’s life

Street Date: Feb. 19, 2013                            SRP: $49.99  

DVD 2-Vol. Boxed Set – 4 episodes - Approx. 176 min., plus bonus – SDH subtitles

My Thoughts

 My grandfather who helped raise me was a veteran of World War II, so its a subject that has always been close to my heart. It was never easy for him to talk about the things he saw, and I know I will never really understand, but documentaries like Missions That Changed the War bring me a little closer to these real life battles that my grandfather and so many others lived through. The Doolittle raid focuses on the the US retaliation after the attack on Pearl Harbor. James H. Doolittle was the man behind the a unprecedented air raid on Japan and to this day its considered one of the most influential air raids in American history. This documentary brings you right into the action. It talks about the plans, you will see photos of the real people involved,and you will learn a lot about what WWII was all about. Narrator Gary Sinise does a great job keeping the audience engaged and in addition to the documentary itself, the DVD set includes some interesting beside the scenes footage. You can see an interview with one of the real pilots, maps of the areas involved, and even question and answers with Doolittle's official biographer. This is a great DVD set for any history buff.

 
If you love a good documentary  about the  history of war, than this is the box set for you.  It would definitely make a great Father's Day gift. You can order Missions That Changed the War DVD for only $49.99 at Acorn Media.

 ***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way. ***