maestro7PL

I just saw this documentary, which appears on the otherwise superb 2- disc DVD set of "Sergeant York." I have to say that this documentary fails as a learning experience about the great Gary Cooper. There were three large flaws, two regarding the film clips. 1) While the film clips are many, not ONCE did the filmmaker identify on screen what film they were showing! It would have been so easy to put the title and the date at the bottom of the screen. Not ONCE did they do this. If you wanted to check out a film that looked interesting, you were basically out of luck. Clint Eastwood does sometimes mention what film he is taking about, but not always. 2) Regarding Clint Eastwood, his narration is DEADLY DULL, both in substance and in his offhanded attitude. It sounded like he was reading a very boring script. He recites information about Coop's life with absolutely NO EMOTION! Anyone could have done a better job. 3) Most if not all of the films mention and briefly shown have been restored. But EVERY SINGLE CLIP shown in this documentary is hazy and out of focus, and the color films have all deteriorated to the point that they almost look black-and-white! How lazy of the filmmaker not to use recently restored film elements. Definitely skip this inert documentary and just enjoy the great "Sergeant York."