Subject: So. Studies/Sciences: Geography/Cultures

European Studies Series

A series of documentaries that offers in-depth studies on the geography, history, culture and people of various European countries; also informative perspectives on significant contemporary issues are addressed. Programs available on 25 individual DVDs, Digital Streaming Files or Videos; also in a 25-Disc Set. (1 program available in Spanish); (1 program available in French.) For pricing call in US: 800.876.2447/Intl. 603.434.9262 or e-mail

List of Titles

England 1: Journey Through the Heart of England

"Highly Recommended. For anyone seeing England for the first time, and for those who've already visited, such an excursion is highly recommended. It's waterways are of obvious importance to the locals, but to anyone visiting, a more breathtaking experience cannot be imagined." -EMRO Review
David Suchet, Click for more

England 2: The River Thames

"Highly Recommended. It is no exaggeration to call the River Thames one of the world's most beautiful waterways. It is also one of the most captivating ways to see the scenery, historical landmarks, ancient sites, and modern structures that line the riverbanks of the Thames. David Suchet is a most suitable narrator Click for more

England 3: In the Footsteps of Sherlock Holmes

"Highly Recommended. For anyone who has an interest in Sherlock Holmes, this program is like a multimedia London walk one can take while in that great city." -NAMTC & NMM Review
"Recommended. Patrick Macnee was a good choice for this program. His stylish and elegant manner enhanced the production and Click for more

England 4: Oxford Discovered

"Highly Recommended. A comprehensive, understandable look at Oxford's development from medieval to modern times. Visits to the Bodleian Library and Oxford University Press are interspersed with accounts of the city's association with a who's-who of literary and cultural notables, including Christopher Wren, William Click for more

Europe: The Alps - Evolution and Tradition

The program visits Switzerland's Alps, using paths that were known up until now only to a small number of scholars, and examines the mountains from a present-day perspective. The resulting picture is an original outlook, straddling history and the most innovative endeavors for economic development. Combining historical Click for more

France: Beneath Paris

"Highly Recommended. Everyone recognizes the iconic landmarks of Paris, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe; however, what most don't know is the incredible history and stories that lie beneath the streets of this magnificent city, which is over two thousand years old. This fascinating documentary takes Click for more

France: Perched Villages of Southern France

"Highly Recommended! Just outside of Monte Carlo lies a series of 'perched villages,' medieval towns which grew up in the mountains and have retained their historical flavor over the years. The filmmakers have captured the visual elegance of the unusual architecture and managed to impart an idea of the lives of Click for more

Germany: Facing the Past

"Recommended. The progress of a "new" Germany is uplifting as many Jews have once again settled in their former homeland due to many special immigrant privileges, including guaranteed housing, resident permits, food/work permits, free schooling for children, and German-language lessons. However, extreme nationalistic Click for more

Gibraltar: Returning the Rock

"Recommended. A very interesting study of perspectives, both political and personal, related to the British colony of Gibraltar." -EMRO Review
The colony of Gibraltar has been in British hands since the early 18th century; it was an important staging post for the Empire, and played a vital role in both Click for more

Hungary: St. Stephen's Inheritance

"Recommended. Authentic reenactments reveal a contemporary Hungary reaching back to its original roots to guide its way into the future." -National Media Review
Images of ancient art and architecture, and inspired words, take us back to the days of Stephen I; then, through modern footage of Hungary, we Click for more

Ireland: The Benedictine Monks of Glenstal Abbey

A rare opportunity to visit the Glenstal Abbey in the County Limerick of Ireland, home to a remarkable community of Benedictine Monks whose enterprising spirit goes well beyond bee keeping. In recent years they have released a best-selling book of Benedictine prayer and become world famous for their chart topping CD Click for more

Ireland: Celtic Myths and Splendors

There are many reasons why the Irish, and those who wish they were, love the island country of Ireland, which dates back thousands of years when the first Celtic culture arrived. This comprehensive tour of Ireland allows you to explore its many popular sites, as well as little known nooks and crannies, and to enjoy Click for more

Ireland: Irish Stories and Glories

The richness of Ireland lies not only in the beauty of the land, but also in the stories of its people; to truly appreciate the island, one needs to meet those who have lived here. We begin our historical tour in Dublin at the Kells Monastery, where the famous illuminated Bible manuscript, the Book of Kells, was discovered. Click for more

Ireland: Killarney - A History of Visiting

"Highly Recommended. Killarney has long been considered a place of enchantment. Tourism is an industry in Killarney, with a history of over 250 years; however, this is not so much a travelogue, but, a history of tourism to one of the loveliest areas in the world: a little bit of heaven named Killarney." -EMRO Click for more

Ireland: The Legendary Waters of Ireland

"Recommended. An ageless classic, expertly written and narrated, that offers the history of Ireland through its architecture, people, art and geography." -Booklist
"The waters of Ireland flow from legend into history. We've heard of St. Patrick and his wonder working...of the Celtic twilight and its fairies...of Click for more

Italy: The Faces of Italy

A comprehensive tour of Italy, focusing on its many "faces" - be they of the people, the architecture or the landscapes. We begin in Milan with its famous ancient architecture and equally famous modern fashion districts; we experience everyday Italian life at a marketplace in Turin; explore the labyrinth passageways Click for more

Italy: Florence - Old Bridges, New Friends

"Highly Recommended. Much like its subject matter, this is a masterful work - presenting an unforgettable, three-month study of this Renaissance city. Arriving by train, a group of students come to Florence for a three-month sojourn to study Renaissance architecture. In this graceful documentary, the students' exhilarating Click for more

Italy: Pizza Story

"Recommended. This is a surprisingly detailed as well as sometimes humorous look at pizza. Viewers watch Professor Carlo Mangoni di S. Stefano of the University of Naples talk about the history of the tomato and the invention of pizza around 1750; then we see the famous Pizzafest that features 40 ovens and serves Click for more

Italy: Pizza Story (Open-Captioned Version)

"Recommended. This is a surprisingly detailed as well as sometimes humorous look at pizza. Viewers watch Professor Carlo Mangoni di S. Stefano of the University of Naples talk about the history of the tomato and the invention of pizza around 1750; then we see the famous Pizzafest that features 40 ovens and serves Click for more

Latvia: I Remember Riga

"Recommended. A rare and wonderful opportunity to see and hear a renewed spirit of life in Latvia through the music and memories of the classical musician Arkady Formin." -National Media Review
The renowned conductor and violinist Arkady Fomin, whose father survived the Holocaust of World War II, Click for more

The Netherlands: Discovering the Dutch

Renowned for her comprehensive tours, well-known lecturer and filmmaker Sandy Mortimer casts her magic again as she guides viewers across the Netherlands, also known as Holland, and helps us discover the Dutch, a people whose history dates back centuries and whose contributions to the world are many. She begins her Click for more

Russia: Anti-Drugs - The Hard Way

Yekaterinburg is Russia's third largest town, and like many others, it is flooded with cheap narcotics from Afghanistan - currently the world's largest heroin producer. Igor Varov runs the controversial detox program that is part of a bigger campaign called "Town Without Drugs." Like many Russians, Varov has given Click for more

Scotland: The Grand Tour

Author J.K. Rowling has said about her homeland, "Scotland is one of the most hauntingly beautiful and historic places in the world," and this comprehensive tour confirms how correct she is; no matter where you travel in this glorious country, you are certain to discover fascinating history and unforgettable Click for more

Scotland: The Splendor of Scotland

From Loch Ness, where legends of the "monster" still live on, we travel through Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen providing a look at the people and culture that is uniquely Scotland's. Produced by Quin Mathews Productions. 09DR IJSCA 20 min.
Also See: The Highlands of Scotland; Click for more

Spain: Cockfighting - Betting on the Past

The ancient ritual of cockfighting has been almost completely eradicated in modern Europe, but for Andalucia, Spain, where it thrives. This is a culture that also allows bullfighting, pig shooting and turkey tossing. Even ecologists understand that it is difficult to get cockfights banned whilst bullfighting continues. Click for more

Spain: Gypsies (Gitanos)

Gypsies. The word conjures up romantic images of nomadic people, free to roam the world; however, that image of these Roma people, as they are called collectively, is far from accurate; today, the vast majority of Gypsies live in permanent housing; they continue to face the problems of serious poverty and illiteracy, Click for more

Switzerland: Round Trip - The Train Is My World

The 303, that is the number assigned to the last train which travels every night from the north of Switzerland down to the south of the country; there are people who travel this train all the time. It can be expensive; however, a rail pass saves a few headaches, and it saves on lodgings. Among these people are some Click for more