Customer Reviews: Read 7 more reviews...
  Life Behind the Great Wall July 27, 2008
"China Revealed" follows several individual Chinese as the oldest continuous civilization on earth transitions into a leadership position. Its 1.3 billion people are expected to become the next superpower, and the world's largest economy within twenty years. All despite being comprised by over 50 different peoples and 7 major languages, fortunately united by the common ability to read and write Chinese.
Viewers begin by seeing incredibly terraced 8 century-old rice fields in a mountainous region, and learn that less than 10% of China is arable (large desert and mountain areas). The "good news" is that peasant income has increased 1,500% since they were given control of their lands in 1978.
Urban residents, however, have fared even better. Shanghai is 8X the size of NYC, with 20 million inhabitants, vs. NYC's 8 million. One new immigrant from the rural areas is followed as he works long hours cleaning skyscraper windows and saves his money for his family back home.
"China Revealed" also follows a 12-year-old girl selected for training in gymnastics beginning at age two, a young female computer worker who undertakes cosmetic surgery to improve her chances of promotion, Inner Mongolians following traditional ways while worrying about change, and a rural female police chief who has risen above traditional Chinese sexism.
Overall, "China Revealed" is an impressive depiction of an impressive people moving forward.
A must-have for your HD collection June 30, 2008
I fell in love with this series on Discovery HDTheater, and was one of the first discs I ordered on BluRay. Unlike most documentaries, Discovery Atlas follows the lives for a year of a handful of people in this country. All the footage was filmed with state-of-the-art HD cameras, with the result being the single most beautiful thing ever shot in HD, with a story that will keep you glued to the set.
Being an early BluRay release, and a disc version of a TV show, some may be turned off by the lack of HighRes sound, and the 1080i source, but do not let that turn you off. The high-bitrate of the video means much higher quality than anything you will see on your satelite or cable HD feed, and unless you have a 70 inch 1080p screen and are looking for the differences, you will not notice the difference between 1080i and 1080p. The audio track is quite agressive for a Dolby Digital Plus soundtrack, and amazing considering its a documentary.
Being a direct transfer of the original HD source, you will see no pixelation, the edges are sharp, detail is thrown at you from even the tiniest of objects in the background, colors are vibrant, and blacks seem to be true.
Bonus features include the making of the series, and a few promotional clips that were shown on the Discovery Channel. Bonus features are identical on each disc in the series.
Real life, not a photo tour May 31, 2008
Having studied and lived in China for over a year I was delighted with the fact that it focused on China's true treasure, its people. There are many books and videos that will give the tourist views of the Great Wall, Forbidden City and the many sites of Shanghai. This DVD will put a face to the country we across the world hear so much about and brings back fond memories of the friends I have made while in China.
Unbiased and well executed but if you are looking for the history of the Great Wall look elsewhere. This is a story about the people of China and the daily struggles and triumphs they have in becomming a modern, industrialized nation.
 China Dynasty May 14, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This video has all the great HD quality in 1080i, but I was not too thrilled after viewing, it is basically about urbanized China, little on nature view. Excellent picture on cities; however, if you looking for landscape, mountains, terrains, etc.. for your HD TV, not recommended, because you will see none and disappointed.
Amazing. Simply Amazing. December 28, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
It is a shame that there are people who don't bother to READ what these documentaries are about BEFORE they buy them and are disappointed.
The oft-stated aim of Discovery Atlas is not a history lesson ... it is a unique look at countries through the eyes and personal stories of a select group of individuals.
What better ways to learn the true feelings and emotions than by this manner.
Exquisitely shot, wonderfully narrated, these videos provide a unique look into each of these nations that one would not otherwise EVER be party to.
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