“Secret History of World War II” (DVD Artwork). ©Athena.
From a Front Row Features Staff Reporter
Fans of Steven Spielberg films can get eight of the Academy Award winning director’s most memorable films on Blu-ray in a box set Tuesday, Oct. 14. “Duel,” his 1971 classic starring Dennis Weaver, 1974’s Goldie Hawn starrer “Sugarland Express,” “1941,” starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, and “Always,” starring Richard Dreyfuss and Holly Hunter are on Blu-ray for the first time in this collection.
Other previously released Blu-rays in this collection are “Jaws,” “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial,” “Jurassic Park,” and “The Lost World: Jurassic Park,” but with some new extras. The box set includes an exclusive 58-page color book on the visionary director’s career featuring an introduction by the producer/director himself, rare photos, archival materials and more. Hours of bonus features include making-of documentaries, interviews with Spielberg, behind-the scenes featurettes, deleted scenes and much more.
Also available on Tuesday, “Murdoch Mysteries, Season 7” DVD/Blu-ray debut. The hit Canadian mystery featuring forensic sleuthing in the age of invention is back for the seventh installment. Deftly written with plenty of period charm, this critically acclaimed mystery series centers on the brilliant detective William Murdoch (Yannick Bisson, “Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye”), a pioneer of crime-solving technologies in Victorian Toronto. Based on novels by Maureen Jennings, “Murdoch Mysteries” airs on the CBC in Canada and recently began airing in the U.S. as “The Artful Detective” on Ovation. The DVD and Blu-ray 5-disc set include 18 episodes and nearly two hours of bonus featurettes. Season 7 made its U.S. premiere on Acorn TV.
And “Secret History of World War II,” is a value-priced collection of three recent multi-episode documentaries telling the untold stories of war. Collection includes: “Narrow Escapes of World War II,” “Secret War,” and “The Rise of the Nazi Party.” From daring escapes to the background behind Hitler’s rise to power, this set offers a comprehensive examination of the global conflict. Previously broadcast on the Military Channel (now American Heroes Channel) in 2012-2014, the set features the original uncut U.K. broadcast editions with commentary from leading historians, military experts, and the participants themselves. This DVD 11-disc set features 3 complete programs with more than 30 hours of content.
