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Historic Time Travel - Spanish-American War DVD
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"The war of the United States with Spain was very brief. Its results were many, startling, and of world-wide meaning."
-- Henry Cabot Lodge
When Cuba and the Philippines rose up against Spain between 1895 and 1898, the results were not exactly the ones that were hoped for. Though Cuba managed to wrest its independence in this drawn-out conflict, the Philippine Islands were not as successful. In any case, American involvement was the definitive landmark event. When all efforts to resolve hostilities between the Cuban junta and Spain failed, America got into the act. President Grover Cleveland tried to arbitrate and instead, the hardnosed Spanish General Valeriano Weyler was dispatched on a pacification mission that he was ill suited for. American public opinion was by now decidedly pro-Cuba. President William McKinley, next in power, reacted strongly against the sinking of the Battleship Maine, which had been dispatched to Havana to represent the American Navy and a long, bloody series of hostilities, that finally reached a head in Manila, ensued.
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The treaty that was eventually signed in Paris on the 10th of December, 1898 ceded the Philippines to the U.S. in return for a sum of $25 million to pay for the Spanish property on the islands. The matter was finally put to rest on the 6th of February, 1899 when the U.S. Senate accepted the treaty.
These and many more historic documentary clips on the Historic Time Travel - Spanish-American War DVD effectively recapture the blood-guts and political undercurrents of the Spanish-American War, giving the viewer a vital feeling of American maritime history.
This DVD is a chronologically arranged documentary synopsis of events preceding, during and following the primary America-Spanish War debacle.
What is amazing is that cinematographic records of this era in American warfare exist at all. The clips on this innovative DVD represent some of the earliest historical events ever captured on film. A total of 67 clips have been assembled in this historic collection - each selected for thematic relevance. Some of the most significant are:
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Wreck of the Battleship "Maine"
The sinking of the Maine was a key event in the Spanish-American War. This 0:49 minute clip shows the famous ship in all its warped, bombed-out desolation at Havana Harbor. It is surrounded by smaller vessels that serve to underline the erstwhile majesty of this legendary vessel. Additional footage of Havana Harbor provides an interesting, contextual counterpoint.
Sponsor: Edison Manufacturing Co.
Producer: N/A
Year: 1898
Length: 00:00:51
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
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Burial of the "Maine" Victims
This 1:50 clip was taken at Key West on March 27, 1898 and shows the ceremonial honoring of the some of the 266 soldiers who died on the Battleship Maine. The ceremony has distinct Southern undertones and depicts the flag-covered coffins being venerated with full military honors as survivors of the Maine disaster stand by.
Sponsor: Edison Manufacturing Co.
Producer: N/A
Year: 1898
Length: 00:01:53
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
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Wreck of the "Vizcaya"
The mighty Spanish battleship Vizcaya, known as the Pride of Spain, lies stranded on a beach after American shelling has humbled it forever. This momentous 0:27 minute clip was taken in 1898, on the morning after the Spanish navy was finally decimated. Another clip in this collection, showing the Vizcaya underway in all its splendor, serves as a marked contrast to this film.
Sponsor: American Mutoscope and Biograph Company
Producer: N/A
Year: 1898
Length: 00:00:30
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
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Admiral Dewey Taking Leave of Washington Committee on the U.S. Cruiser "Olympia"
The gallant and much admired Admiral George Dewey was a key figure in the Spanish-American War. In this 1:15 minute clip, he is shown on October 2, 1899, taking gracious leave of the Washington Committee delegation aboard the magnificent Olympia. The legendary Admiral is depicted to full advantage, and this clip conveys a lot of the renowned character of the man.
Sponsor: Edison Manufacturing Co.
Producer: N/A
Year: 1899
Length: 00:01:17
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
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Sampson-Schley Controversy
One of the many action-packed films in this collection, this 2:32 minute clip includes a panoramic shot of Admiral Schley commanding the American Fleet from the Brooklyn in Santiago Harbor as the Spanish fleet emerges. The American fleet is immediately subjected to massive firing. The scene segues to one of Cervena’s Spanish ships sinking under responsive fire from the Brooklyn. Incongruously, it ends with Admiral Sampson being the center of aged female attention at a tea party.
Sponsor: Edison Manufacturing Co.
Producer: N/A
Year: 1901
Length: 00:02:32
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
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Admiral Dewey Landing at Gibraltar
This 1:22 minute documentary clip was filmed on September 5, 1899, when Admiral Dewey stopped off at Gibraltar on his way to New York City and the first of his homecoming celebrations.
Sponsor: Edison Manufacturing Co.
Producer: N/A
Year: 1899
Length: 00:01:25
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
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The Fleet Steaming Up North River
In this historic clip of 1:52 minutes’ duration, you will see the Brooklyn along with a view of the bow of the first-class battleship Indiana near the end. Crowds of onlookers can be seen watching the parade from the tops of freight trains on the tracks between the river and Riverside Park.
Sponsor: Edison Manufacturing Co.
Producer: N/A
Year: 1898
Length: 00:01:54
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
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Soldiers Washing Dishes
This brief 0:33 minute clips shows forty or fifty soldiers, each with a pail of water on the ground before him, sousing and spattering and scrubbing away for dear life. Soap and towels too. Every one of them looks as if he were enjoying the wash immensely, and also the novelty of having his picture taken. Every war has its more carefree moments - the Spanish-American war was no exception.
Sponsor: Edison Manufacturing Co.
Producer: N/A
Year: 1898
Length: 00:00:35
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
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Love and War
In an interesting variation on the theme of war, this 3:02 minute footage contains a beautifully rendered and depicted song in six scenes. The story is of a hero who leaves for war as a private, is promoted to the rank of captain for bravery in service, meets the girl of his choice (a Red Cross nurse on the field) and finally returns home triumphantly as an officer to the father and mother to whom he bade good bye as a private. It was produced at the end of the Spanish-American war and effectively captures the finer emotions of enlisted men.
Sponsor: Edison Manufacturing Co.
Producer: N/A
Year: 1899
Length: 00:03:05
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
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U.S. Infantry Supported by Rough Riders at El Caney
Theodore Roosevelt recruited a diverse group of cowboys, miners, law enforcement officials, and Native Americans to join the Rough Riders. They participated in the capture of Kettle Hill, and then charged across a valley to assist in the seizure of San Juan Ridge, the highest point of which is San Juan Hill. This 0:56 minute documentary clip commemorates this event.
Sponsor: Edison Manufacturing Co.
Producer: N/A
Year: 1898
Length: 00:00:58
Audio: Silent
Color: Black & White
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Running Time:
DVD One : 01:19:58
 EDITORIAL REVIEW:
Following the Civil War, the United States Army was less than equipped for or inclined to war - yet, when the Maine was sunk, Congress appropriated $50 million dollars that absolutely had to be put into what would later be known as the Spanish-American War.
A number of high-profile heavyweights made it their business to keep the guns blazing - not least of all the then Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Theodore Roosevelt. President McKinley, in a move that is still being questioned today, first called for a ceasefire and then declared open war.
I recall that Roosevelt was in his element, thoroughly enjoying the revival of his Rough Rider instincts. I have some quotes of his concerning his experiences with ‘Teddy’s Terrors’ in Tampa - "Tampa was a scene of the wildest confusion. There was no semblance of order. Different parts of different outfits were jumbled together. For instance, one transport had guns, and another had the locks for the guns. Soldiers went here, provisions went there, and who got ashore depended upon individual activity." He further recollects - “We disembarked with our rifles, our ammunition belts, and not much else. I carried some food in my pocket, and a light coat which was my sole camp equipment for the next three days." For Roosevelt and others on that level, this war was evidently a springboard to bigger and better things; for the enlisted people who died in it, it was the end of everything.
To the background of such sentiments, you are invited to witness some live action of this historic war. The innovative Historic Time Travel - Spanish-American War DVD from A2ZCDS covers the width, height, length and breadth of this remarkable epoch in American war history with a well-chosen series of documentary clips that accurately convey how it felt to live in that period in time. The major battleships, the most prominent skirmishes and the people who facilitated the festivities are all represented - in glory, ignominy, in action and at standstill.
CUSTOMER'S REVIEWS:
"I’m no fan of war, but for some reason, our race seems to be stuck with it. Are we genetically encoded to massacre each other? I don’t know - but I’ve found I learn a lot from informative retrospectives like the Historic Time Travel - Spanish-American War DVD from A2ZCDS historical documentary coffers. The DVD manages to communicate an impartial pre-and-post mortem of this war, leaving the viewer with the freedom to draw his or her own conclusions. I found it instructional and highly thought-provoking…."
Customer's Name : Glen W. Clarke (Flint, Michigan)
"There is an amazing wealth of images in this collection (Historic Time Travel - Spanish-American War DVD). I saw a wall-sized oil painting of the Maine in a museum many years ago, and it was thrilling to see it as it actually sailed and sank. You have some prominent wartime personalities shown in the flesh, too - Dewey, Schley, Lee…yes, this DVD is a historical gem and I will always treasure it."
Customer's Name : Jeanne Kempinski (Allentown, Pennsylvania)
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Historic Time Travel - Spanish-American War DVD
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General Packaging Description:
Our professionally-produced DVDs are shipped in retail Amaray style DVD cases just like you would find in a store. These beautifully packaged DVDs make great gifts and are themselves works of art. While we offer some of the best prices anywhere, we have never sacrificed quality for price.
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System requirements:
Computer: Pentium II, 300mhz, 64mb RAM, DVD-ROM, compatible video and sound card.
Player: NTSC compatible DVD player, standard TV.
Region: All players, irrespective of region
NOTE ON COMPATIBILITY: While our DVDs are designed for optimal playback for all home DVD players, it is possible that some older systems will have trouble playing our DVDs. Although rare, it is worth mentioning. If this occurs you will receive a full refund.
Given that some of these videos are extremely old and their original audio quality is not very good, we have tried to improve it to the best possible quality. However, due to their inherent quality problems, you might still have a few instances where the audio is of a slightly lower volume.
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