"It's 1945 and World War II is over. Hitler is defeated. But over eight million Nazis remain. Now Allies must conduct interrogations to identify Nazi offenders, from war criminals to the girl next door. What emerges is a startling history of the rise and fall of the Third Reich from a unique perspective: the Nazis themselves. What you are about to see and hear is based on their real interrogations. This is what they told us." 

It's always been true that history is written by the victors. Usually theirs is the only voice remaining, and in the time before such inventions as audio recordings and film, that was surely the case. World War II would be an early example of the exception. Hitler is remembered as much for the endless footage we have as much as he is for the atrocities he delivered upon the earth. The war crimes trials in Nuremburg give us a unique look into the minds of these fanatics. This is the first documentary I have encountered that is dedicated exclusively to the material that came from the investigations for those trials. Consider these as depositions to that procedure. It's a rather unique idea with some powerful potential. Certainly there are lessons to be learned here. Unfortunately, A&E didn't quite live up to their own standards and expectations with the six-part Last Days Of The Nazis.

There are an awful lot of people online who do not approve of Northmen: A Viking Saga, and they base their opinion in one of two things: either it’s a “ripoff” of the popular television series Vikings, or they criticize the film’s historical inaccuracies. I can’t defend the film’s creation being linked to the television show, nor will I pretend to know much about Viking history. However, I can provide an interesting question that will, with out a doubt, provoke some thought about the matter: so what? Through this review, I hope to nullify some of the current dismissive reviews and provide the fair review the film deserves.

Northmen: A Viking Saga follows a small, independent group of Vikings, led by Hjorr (Ed Skrein), who have fallen out of favor with their major tribes. During their journey, they happen upon a caravan transporting Inghean (Charlie Murphy), the daughter of a king. The soldiers escorting the caravan, knowing the reputation of Vikings, immediately attack the troupe and lose (despite their overwhelming numbers). After achieving a small victory in the initial battle, the Vikings decide to kidnap Inghean in hopes of bargaining for a hefty ransom. As they venture onward, Inghean begins to appreciate the Vikings’ nobility and camaraderie.

Phil Silvers was aptly named. If anyone in show business had a silver tongue, it was Phil. He started, like most comedians of the era, in Burlesque and Vaudeville. There he honed the natural talent that would make him one of the first true television stars in the industry. With The Phil Silvers Show he introduced us to the character of Sergeant Bilko. From 1955 to 1959 Silvers and his Bilko character would take the television landscape by storm. In 1956 the show became the very first series in television history to win three Emmy Awards in a single year. That year the wins came in the Best Comedy Series, Best Actor (Silvers) and Best Director. The last honor went to the show's creator, Nat Hiken. 

The Phil Silvers Show would also become one of syndicated television's first mainstays. In syndication it was called Sergeant Bilko. It didn't matter if the show was named after Silvers or Bilko, for they were truly one and the same. Silvers brought his own strong stage presence to the character of Bilko. He was a sergeant in the Army. He was stationed at the fictional Fort Baxter in the fictional town of Rosewood, Kansas. He ran the platoon who worked the motor pool. Suffice it to say that there was little motor pool work being done, and it's a miracle any of the vehicles still ran by the time the show reached its fourth and final season. For you see, Bilko was more interested in his latest money-making scheme than performing his Army duties. And even though he usually touched each and every man in his unit for their last cent, they loved their sergeant. He would have their backs, particularly if there was a percentage to be made in the process.

"Who are the Mythbusters?" 

You know who the Mythbusters are, don't you? They've been a staple on the Discovery Channel for over 12 years now. We're now looking at Collection #13 on DVD. If you really don't know who the Mythbusters are by now, I can't think of a better way to get acquainted than to pick up these collections.