Battle 360 - Season 1 – DVD Review

By June L. Sep 2, 2008, 17:32 GMT

For nearly a decade, the legendary World War II aircraft carrier USS Enterprise held a pivotal place on the turbulent seas of war, engaging in some of the fiercest multi-front battles ever witnessed in modern combat. The only carrier to be front and center in every major sea conflict in the Pacific, the Enterprise and her crew s battles were marked by intense firepower, instinct and a 360-coordination between the ...more

USS Enterprise, the World War II aircraft carrier, was a powerhouse of multi front battle capability.  In the first season of Battle 360, the History Channel presents a series that allows viewers to see just how these battles were fought in a 360 degrees co-ordination among surface ships, aircraft and submarines.

Beginning with the episode “Call To Duty,” we see the launch of the USS Enterprise in 1936 via archival footage.  Examining her specifications and improvements over older carriers, it is easy to see how this ship was the pride of the USA fleet.  Memories and testimonials are included from actual crewmen who served aboard the USS Enterprise, and archival footage is used throughout. 

In addition analysis from modern day military experts gives extra dimension to the experience. When we follow the Enterprise into battle duty, in World War II, it is when Japan comes into the fracas.  The intensity and complicated strategies of the multi-front battleground on which the Enterprise and her crew served are explored using CGI visualizations to give the viewer the feeling of being there in the heat of the action.

Ten of the World War II conflicts in which the USS Enterprise and her crew were engaged, are examined, and viewers are able to see just how the battles were fought on all levels.  The history of the war leading up to the battle is presented, and then the role of the Enterprise is related. 

Looking at the combined power of air attacks, ship attacks and underwater assaults, the strength and multi-tasking capabilities of the Enterprise and her crew are brought out. For those of us who didn’t fight in World War II, it is an opportunity to gain knowledge of what the experience must have been, especially on the high seas where the intensity was triplicate. 

For those interested in military history, this is a treasure trove of multi-front battle analysis and action, not to forget archival and historical footage on the world’s greatest and most revered battleship. 

Four discs contain all ten battles, with a viewing time of 7 hours and 50 minutes for the episodes.  The extras for this DVD include additional scenes that were not shown in the series.  Closed caption English subtitles are available.  Produced by Flight 33 for the History Channel, the series is narrated by Wally Kurth.  

Battle 360 - Season 1 is attractively packaged in one of the History Channel’s authoritative metal box sets.  We love these, for the compactness, strength of material, and for the uniform appearance on the home library shelf!  The packaging indicates the value of the product within. 

Battle 360 - Season 1 is now available at Amazon. As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.