Victory at Sea
1952-1953, NBC
First appearing before I was born, Victory at Sea became so popular that it aired every few years seemingly forever. And whenever it made a reappearance, it became mandatory viewing in my household. I had virtually no interest in war history; instead, the appeal for me was the soundtrack: Richard Rodgers composed and Robert Russell Bennett orchestrated a series of memorable themes that were used to great effect. Some still send chills up my spine. Watching the series once more, now through older eyes, I must admit the visual content is engrossing, and the narration compelling—even if it comes off like classic newsreel material. The Emmy-winning series also has the unfortunate tendency to glamorize warfare, if ever so slightly. It's still worthwhile, however, providing an interesting glimpse of WWII through the prism of the 1950s.
DKS 2/22/22
GRUMPY OLD FART-O-METER® Rating:
