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5 Pak
Volume 1
Mata Hari - Spying in World War I
Mata Hari, a Dutch-born exotic dancer, was put to death by firing squad in France during the First World War. Was this the end of a devious spy who used her charms to gain access to military secrets, or the tragic fate of an innocent victim of wartime spy paranoia? An in-depth investigative report at last pierces the veil of mystery surrounding one of history's most notorious spy cases. A wealth of photographs and film documents Mata Hari's rise to fame and fortune and her disastrous involvement in a web of intrigue. The sensual joie de vivre of Paris' nightlife and high society mingles with the tension of a nation caught up in turmoil of war.
The Mysterious Death of the Red Baron
In the First World War, combat pilots had to learn the art of aerial warfare through direct experience rather than the textbooks or flight simulators. Germany's Red Baron, Manfred Von Richtofen, rose to fame in this exciting and demanding role. Rarely seen photographs and film footage illustrate in great detail the progress of early combat aircraft design, the careers of famous pilots on both sides of the war. Von Richtofen's illustratious progress form cavalry officer to fiercely efficient knight of the sky, and the mystery surrounding the flying legend's death. Who fired the bullet that ended the reign of the Red Baron? This gripping documentary brings back to life a stirring yet bloody chapter of history.
The Mysterious Death of George Patton
After the end of World War Two, America's successful and outspoken General Patton was involved in an auto accident, and died from injuries 11 days later. Was his death accidental, or had he made deadly political enemies? In the wake of Germany's surrender, Patton made no attempt to conceal his deep mistrust of the USSR - and his conviction that the Allies would soon face the Russian bear in a Third World War. Was his volatile attitude considered by some to be a serious threat to an uneasy postwar peace? This compelling documentary used archival photographs, film of the general himself speaking, and spectacular combat footage to portray Patton's life story.
The Flight of Hitler's Deputy Rudolf Hess
In May 1941, while London suffered under a rain of bombs, Adolf Hitler's devoted supporter Rudolf Hess flew solo to Scotland. Hess' objective: to extend a hand of peace to the British. Who hatched this daring but ultimately unsuccessful plan? Was this the desperate act of a lone madman, a trap set by British, or a secret official German operation? An intriguing examination of the known facts attempts to clarify this fascinating wartime mystery. Supported by extensive film, photographs and interviews, this documentary pieces together a jigsaw puzzle of tantalizing secrets. Discover what part was played in this drama by an array of powerful and famous wartime figures.
Volume 2
The Crash Of The R101 and The Hindenburg
The awful scene burns itself into a memory - a mammoth airship, larger than a battleship, suddenly erupts in a fireball and within moments is reduced to a mass of flaming wreckage. The Hindenburg, a testament to German technological achievement, was destroyedin a few awful moments. Likewise, the huge British R101 airship suffered a catastrophic demise. What went so horribly wrong? Was the R101 really airworthy? Was the Hindenburg a victim of bad luck, or sabotage? This absorbing documentary seeks to answer these questions and reveal the fascinating history of airship design and usage. Abundant film from the era, photographs and diagrams uncover a wealth of information on these flying leviathans and the visionary people who developed and used them.
The Mystery of the Titanic
The tragic sinking of the huge luxury liner Titanic remains one of the most widely known disasters of all time. It is a story steeped in mystery - what happened to result in the loss of supposedly "unsinkable" ship, the most advanced passenger ship of her day, and 1500 of her passengers and crew? Photographs, film and paintings are masterfully used in this video to covey a sense of the ship's immensity and opulence, as well as the emotional impact of the sinking which claimed so many lives. 3D computer animation recreates Titanic's collision with an iceberg and the stricken vessel's terrifyingdeath throes. In the aftermath of a massive tragedy, people have many questions. This documentary offers the fascinating answers.
The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb
The discovery of Egyptian King Tutankhamen's tomb and recovery of the spectacular treasures it contained have fired up the imagination of generations. Soon after the golden hoard was unearthed however, sinister events almost eclipsed archaeology's greatest triumph. Rumors that an ancient curse had been unleashed from the tomb were given credibility by a growing number of sudden mysterious deaths and eerie omens. This gripping investigation into the Tutankhamen curse delivers a wealth of detailed information, brought to life through the adept blend of photographs, 1920's era film, footage of the ancient treasures and the locations where apparent victims of a supernatural force fell prey to the mummy's curse.
Was There Ever A Monster In Loch Ness?
It is a quiet, wild place: a vast Scottish lake surrounded by mountains and watched over by the ruins of a Highland castle. For generations, locals and visitors have told of their encounters with a massive, serpentine creature said to lurk beneath the dark waters. Intriguing photos claimed to show the creature, eyewitness accounts of its activities, footage of sonar sweeps of the loch and computer animation combine to flesh out the strange beast that may - or may not - inhabit Loch Ness. Are people imagining things? Or could a colony of Jurassic dinosaurs actually have survived in the huge loch to this day> Tantalizing evidence for and against the monster's existence leaves the viewer to decide what lies at the heart of the "Nessie" legend.
Volume 3
The Mysterious Crashes of the Comet
Britain's deHavilland Comet was unveiled as a technological milestone in civil animation engineering, and the bright hope of that country's air travel industry. However, a series of increasingly serious accidents - which grew to include Comets exploding in midair - led to the sleek planes being grounded. The Comet's history and successive generations of aircraft captures the excitement of the early jet age. Developments from World War Two jet fighters and bombers to the Comet are covered in fascinating detail. Why was Britain's pride of the jet age falling out of the sky? The search for answers proves to be a compelling journey.
Have Aliens Ever Landed On Earth?
Throughout history, people have turned to the heavens and wondered at strange lights in the sky. Since the arrival of photography, film and video, these mysterious objects have been recorded in huge numbers. Astounded witnesses have identified them as spacecraft from other worlds. This thought-provoking an exciting feature offers abundant testimony and powerful visual records of flying saucers visiting our world. The program delivers a concise history of the UFO phenomenon, including many famous sightings which hit the headlines and captured people's imagination. This is a thoughtful attempt to provide evidence both for and against the credibility of UFO sightings as a whole. Both skeptics and believers will find this treatment of the subject entertaining, informative and utterly fascinating.
The Disappearance of Amelia Earhart
The disappearance of pioneering female pilot Amelia Earhart is shrouded in mystery. An adoring public eagerly followed the progress of Earhart's flying career, which culminated with her epic flight around the world in 1937. The trip ended tragically: Earhart's final series of radio transmissions told of her plane being lost in the skies over the South Pacific, her fuel running out. Then, Earhart vanished into history. An impressive and complete visual record of Earhart's public life and her final voyage is created from film footage of the era. This documentary explores the possible reasons for her disappearance, the lingering possibilities that she may have been flying a secret spy mission, survived a plane crash, and was captured by the Japanese!
Who Kidnapped Lindbergh's Son?
Why was one man blamed for the abduciton and death of Charles Lindbergh's son when the evidence points ot a mysterious gang? Lindbergh, famous for his solo flight across the Atlantic, went to desperate lengths ot contact his baby boy's unknown kidnappers. A sympathetic doctor helped reach the gang, who then accepted a ransom payment. Some of that money was traced ot a German immigrant. Lacking any other clear suspects, the justice system eagerly fell on the man. This tense story of tantalizing clues, a fruitless search and a vengeful prosecution is brought to life through an array of fascinating visual records. Photographs and plentiful archival film trace the mysterious events which ended in the twisted "Trial of the Century."
Volume 4
Was Pearl Harbor Preventable?
Did the British and Americans actually have advance warning of the catastrophic attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941? Why was the base not prepared for the attack when the Japanese warplanesappeared on US radar? Extensive high quality film captures the full impact of the devastating Japanese assault. 1930's and 40's era footage also illustrates Japanese military codes. The tension mounts as a growing number of increasingly ominous messages are decoded. The Japanese plans for attack in the Pacific become clear. Fascinating hypotheses are presented to explain why this crucial data was never passed on!
The Race For The Atomic Bomb
Surprisingly complete color and black and white film records tell the story of the Allied and Axis atom bomb projects in World War Two. Painfully aware that they must develop this potent new weapon first, the Allies are shown mounting a massive, top secret effort to build the bomb before the Nazis can do the same. Included here is film of the first Atomic Bomb tests, the two nuclear strikes against Japan, and the German rocket program at Peenemunde. Terrifying questions hover around the intended use of huge German missile bases in occupied France, and the deadly contents of a lone German U-boat headed to Japan
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