The world’s most famous vampire has been “”undead”" for exactly 100 years. The famous novel Dracula, written by Irish author Bram Stoker, was a mixture of reality, superstition, fearful fantasies and history.

Buy Dracula on DVD.

Stoker’s role model for the novel was an actual Romanian Prince born in the 15th century: Vlad Tepes or “Vlad the Impaler,” so named because of his favorite method of executing his enemies the horrific medieval torture known as “impaling.” And so “Vlad the Impaler” and the Transylvania vampire Count Dracula, became forevermore, one and the same.

The image of the vampire has been seen in novels, films, plays, paintings, and even a new musical, Dance of Vampires, directed by Roman Polanski. This captivating new documentary travels to the heart of Transylvania, in today’s Romania, to uncover the historical truths behind the legend of Dracula.

Today, vampire tourism in Romania is booming. A self-described vampire hunter, Paul Daian, believes that vampires lurk in the streets of today’s Bucharest and can adopt various forms. A Viennese dermatologist, Christian Honigsmann, discusses his theory that porphyria, a widespread genetic illness in Transylvania in those days, was behind many vampire superstitions, especially the idea of their fear of sunlight.

And Princess Brianna Caradja, a descendant of Vlad Tepes, talks about her famous ancestor. “Even now Romanians use expressions such as: Where is a Vlad Tepes now, we would need somebody like him now to make the country better.” So in this way, yes, I’m proud.” – Princess Brianna Caradja, Dracula’s great granddaughter.

Reviews

“As the Sultan approached the capital, he not only saw scorched earth but something far more terrifying: 20,000 people, impaled by Vlad Tepes.” -Raymond McNally, historian, Boston College

“This incisive documentary examines the vampire tourism phenomenon, and provides a good historical perspective on the superstitions and folklore that propelled the Dracula myth to its current status. Sure to be popular. Recommended. Three Stars.” -Video Librarian

“The film features interviews with scholars as well as one of Vlad’s living relatives, along with footage of his castle and a few of the spots featured in Stoker’s novel. In addition to Vlad’s history, this also touches on vampire lore. Very informative and great grisly fun. …Recommended.” – Library Journal

“Is Dracula real or just a myth? Where did the Irish author, Bram Stoker, come up with this famous vampire and who did he base his story on? Dracula: The True Story takes a look at this phenomena of the greatest known undead. With the current interest in horror stories, this video would be a great introduction to the genre. … and is a great introduction to the study of the novel”. – School Library Journal

“Dracula: The True Story is an informative new documentary traveling to the heart of Transylvania (in today’s Romanian) to uncover the historical truths behind the legend of Dracula. Dracula: The True Story is fascinating… Highly recommended.” – Reviewer’s Bookwatch

“A highly informative documentary about the history of the Dracula legend. With some scenes from Nosferatu and Bram Stoker’s Dracula, this tape looks at several very real historical facts that may have spawned the mythology that eventually led Bram Stoker to create the infamous vampire. Much of the tape focuses on Vlad Tepes and his bloody deeds. There are also some modern takes on the effects of the legend in Romania. It’s ineresting to see how tourism has been affected… There’s also a scientific look at several diseases that have been historically attributed to vampirism. An excellent well put together documentary that is highly recommended to anyone interested in the history of one of the greatest monsters ever created.” – The Classic Horror Website

Details

LENGTH: 1 x 52 Minutes
FORMAT: Special
CAMERA: Betacam
INTERNATIONAL TRACK: Yes
TEXTLESS: No
CLOSED CAPTIONS: No
ASPECT RATIO: 4:3
PRODUCTION YEAR: 1997
RELEASE YEAR: 1998
SUPPLIER: Langbein & Skalnik Media
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Austria
RIGHTS TERRITORY: Worldwide

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3. Hollywood Collection: The Story Of Lassie

For thousands of years, Christians the world over have based their faith on the truth of the Bible and the meaningful stories these scriptures present as real events in the lives of real people. This exciting series will continue the search for answers to the Bible’s most controversial questions and will discover answers that reveal the astonishing truths behind this sacred book.

Could it be that with today’s insights, scientific discoveries, and archaeological finds, it is now possible to resolve the age old conflict—between believers and skeptics—that biblical stories are indeed factual?

Ancient Secrets of the Bible continues this popular investigation, touching upon and updating some of the most controversial stories, events, and concepts addressed in the Bible. Ancient Secrets of the Bible will examine additional clues, uncover new evidence, and use the most modern scientific technologies available in validating the stories and concepts of the Christian faith.

This exciting series will continue the search for answers to the Bible’s most controversial questions and will discover answers that reveal the astonishing truths behind this sacred book. Ancient Secrets of the Bible follows the trail of evidence to the inevitable conclusion that the Bible is more relevant today than ever before, and that its truth has never been made clearer.

Every controversial story and tenet of the Christian faith will be examined and irrefutable scientific evidence gathered from the most current sources will illuminate in wonderful detail the factual reliability of God’s Word!

Season II

1. JESUS CHRIST: Did Jesus Walk the Earth?
Jesus Christ is at the center of the worldwide Christian faith. Yet critics and skeptics persist in trying to prove that Jesus never even existed. Is there any historical, archaeological, or scientific confirmation that Jesus did in fact live and grow to manhood in the obscure Judean village of Nazareth? Is Jesus Christ the living Son of God? Or a myth sustained for 2,000 years by His followers? Did He preach the good news message of love as stated in the Bible? Twentieth and even 21st century discoveries provide some surprising conclusions. The astonishing evidence for the life of Christ is explored in light of recent discoveries.

2. BIBLICAL TREASURES: Where Are the Lost Bible Treasures?
Imagine finding a 2,000-year-old treasure map that appears to lead to a fortune worth untold millions . . . but no one can decipher the directions. That’s the dilemma facing today’s scientists as they pour over the contents of the Copper Scroll found near the Dead Sea. Does it point the way to Jerusalem’s lost temple treasures? What vast riches are buried in King David’s tomb? Do the treasures still exist . . . or have others already made off with these ancient biblical artifacts? Archaeologists tell us why they are still searching for the treasures. Would the discovery of these fabulous riches solidify the Jews’ claim to the Holy Land? Or lead to an all out holy war? Are the lost Bible treasures a curse or a triumph?

3. DINOSAUR EXTINCTION: What Killed the Dinosaurs?
In ancient times, dinosaurs ruled the planet Earth. Yet today, all that’s left are fossilized remains. Or is it? Are we sure all the dinosaurs are gone? If so, what killed them? Was it the impact of a giant asteroid? A rash of extreme volcanic activity that plunged the Earth into darkness and cold? These are the preferred scientific theories to explain the disappearance of the dinosaurs, but the fossil record may point to a different kind of disaster. But could it be they are not gone forever? And is it possible that man and dinosaurs lived on planet Earth together? Are dinosaurs still alive today in remote parts of the world? The answers may surprise you.

4. BIBLICAL AUTHORS: Who Actually Wrote the Bible?
The Bible is the most widely read and revered book in the history of the world. But does anyone know who really wrote it? Most Christians believe that God is the ultimate author of the Bible, and that the human authors merely served as God’s scribes. Skeptics insist the Bible is nothing more than the work of clever men—creative storytellers at best. Who’s right? What are the facts behind the creation of this immortal manuscript? Can new scientific research and theological insight give us clues into this text? What can the Dead Sea Scrolls tell us about the origins of the Bible? Discover how modern technology may finally unravel this age-old mystery. The evidence may surprise you.

5. BIBLICAL WOMEN: Was Mary Magdalene a Saint or Sinner?
The struggle with Taliban fundamentalists in Afghanistan has given the world a disturbing, even frightening glimpse of the way they believe people . . . especially women . . . should be treated. Modern sensitivity is shocked by these revelations . . . but is this really anything new? An investigation into the age-old mystery surrounding the identity and character of Mary Magdalene, one the Bible’s best known women, produces some startling insights. Who was Mary Magdalene? Was she a fallen woman, rescued from a sinful life by Jesus? Or was she Christ’s beloved disciple? What role did she play among the disciples of Jesus? Was she truly the source—perhaps even the author—of one of the Gospels? The answers may surprise you.

6. GARDEN OF EDEN: Have We Found the Garden of Eden?
For thousands of years, the elusive Garden of Eden has captured our imaginations. Where was it? What was it like? Does it still exist—if indeed it ever did? Scholars have long scoured the Bible for clues, but could never agree on where this earthly paradise may have been located. Key landmarks that were criti-cal to finding the Garden of Eden seemed to have been erased by the effects of time. Or were they? Can the power of modern satellite imaging and computer technology finally provide a road map to Eden? Can studies on agriculture and the domestication of animals pinpoint the true cradle of civilization? Where will these intriguing pathways lead? Explore the evidence as you journey back to the original birthplace of man.

7. BIBLE CODE FORETOLD 9/11: Did the Bible Code Predict September 11?
September 11, 2001, is a date tragically etched in world history. A horrific terrorist attack on America caused death and destruction on an unimaginable scale. But were there clues before the attack that should have been heeded? Does the world’s oldest and most revered text—the Bible—provide prophetic information about present and future events? Using sophisticated computer technology, re-search-ers are only beginning to unravel the mysteries of the Bible Code, a complicated matrix of information contained within the surface text of the Bible. One researcher says that the Bible Code warned of a terrorist attack on New York City 28 months before the attack took place. What other clues does the Bible Code provide? How can we use this information in the future?

8. ANGEL ENCOUNTERS: Can Anyone Have an Angel Encounter?
Miracles . . . luck . . . chance: Just what are those fortunate circumstances that save us from misfortune, injury, or even death? Is it fate, or something much deeper—a spiritual connection with angelic beings—that enables us to successfully navigate through the troubled times in our lives? Whatever the source, thousands of people have experienced life-changing events that are nothing short of miraculous—interventions by these heavenly creatures that seem to appear in human form. What is the real purpose behind angel missions and interventions? How can we recognize an angel encounter? Is an angel on assignment in your life? Discover what an angel may be doing for you . . . and why!

9. PRAYER INTERVENTION: Is There Really Power in Prayer?
For thousands of years people have accepted the power of prayer based simply on faith. But can we prove that such faith is justified? Has prayer actually been known to overcome the whims of Mother Nature . . . or those of man himself? Can prayer actually heal the sick? In a recent Newsweek poll, 87 percent said they believe God answers prayer. In another poll, 95 percent of the doctors surveyed said they believe prayer does help in the healing process . . . but can we be sure? New medical and scientific studies are now exploring those questions, often with amazing results. View the evidence. Watch the experiments. Hear the prayer miracles. Then decide for yourself: Is there really power in prayer?

10. BIBLICAL ADAM AND EVE: Adam and Eve—Fact or Fiction?
The story of Adam and Eve in the book of Genesis is the most controversial story in the Bible. Was the first man on earth really Adam? Did he have a companion created especially for him named Eve? Was there a creator who designed the earth and all that’s on it as part of a master plan? Or did it simply fall into place by accident? Was the Garden of Eden the setting into which mankind was born? Many scientists and critics quickly dismiss the story in favor of the Darwinian theory that man “evolved” from some lower species. But what are archaeologists, paleontologists, biologists and theologians saying today? Is the story of Adam and Eve fact . . . or fiction? The evidence may shock you!

11. ANCIENT MAN: What Do We Know About Our Ancient Ancestors?
What are the true origins of man? Is the biblical account of creation true? Or, as Darwin suggests, did the human family spring from some ancient form of monkey? The heated debate continues to this very day. But with millions and millions of fossils discovered in the past half century, shouldn’t the issue of evolution versus creation be resolved? The discoveries of such man-like creatures as Piltdown Man, Java Man and Neanderthal Man were all hailed by the scientific community as proof of Darwin’s theory of evolution. But were they? Is there some kind of evidence for the origins of man in DNA research or the genetic sciences? In their quest to uphold the theory of evolution, have scientists actually unearthed data that supports the biblical record?

12. THE RAPTURE: Will We Be Left Behind?
With the dawn of a new millennium, predictions of the apocalypse have reached a fever pitch. Some scholars believe the Bible tells us there will be a marvelous event, called “the Rapture,” that will separate the faithful from the doubters. Could there be a formula—hidden in the pages of the Bible—for avoiding the dreadful final scenes foretold in the Book of Revelation? Many people believe in the “second coming” of Christ . . . but will there be a “third” coming as well? The Bible never uses the term, BUT . . . could there be a mysterious event called “the Rapture”? The answers are at once hopeful and frightening. Learn who will be left behind, and who will be taken in the Rapture.

13. BIBLE CODE: Can the Bible Code Predict the Future?
Do we now have a scientific method of literally “reading” what the future will be? According to some scientists, every major event, every major figure in world history and even ordinary people appear to be encoded in a mysterious cipher called the Bible Code. Is it possible that modern scientists, using today’s most sophisticated computers and software programs, have actually bridged the gap between science and religion? Were the death of Princess Diana, the Oklahoma City bombing, and even the razor-thin election of George W. Bush all encrypted in the Bible thousands of years ago? In spite of detractors, the phenomenon persists with the odds of millions to one that it is pure chance. Are we witnesses to science proving ancient religious tradition and religion actually telling us our future . . . with unparalleled accuracy?

Season III

1. JESUS’ TRAVELS: Did Jesus Journey Beyond the Holy Land?
Did Jesus take His message to the world before He brought it to his own people? The lack of direct biblical information about Jesus’ early manhood has puzzled scholars for centuries. But scholars have gleaned enough information from the Bible, archaeology and the underlying culture of Israel in the early first century to provide us better insight into these years. Could He have found His way to Tibet, India and China as a young man? Have investigators, theologians and archaeologists dis-covered evidence that Jesus actually journeyed to the British Isles with His great-uncle, Joseph of Arimathea? Was Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy and worldly merchant, Jesus’ mentor and guide? And will Jesus’ travels finally lead us to the elusive Holy Grail? The evidence may surprise you!

2. NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCES: What Lies Beyond the Light?
A lightning strike sent a young Dannion Brinkley into cardiac arrest. But the greatest journey of his life was just beginning. As incredible as it seems, Dannion Brinkley is still alive. Is there such a thing as a “near-death experience,” or is it simply the product of imagination, trauma, fear and drugs? What is the strange light that thousands of people who have had this rare experience seem to encounter? And where does it lead them? Some people believe that near-death experiences offer proof of an afterlife, or even of an encounter with God. Others believe that they are merely a physiological reaction to the trauma of death. Scientific studies are now trying to discover whether we can be “Saved by the Light.”

3. APPARITION OF MARY: Was There a Miracle at Fatima?
In 1917, two little girls and one small boy claimed to actually see and hear the Virgin Mary in a meadow near Fatima, Portugal. Did these three children receive a powerful prophecy that still shakes the world today? What was the promise made to three shepherd children that the Vatican kept secret for over 80 years? Was it a true Marian apparition . . . or has modern research revealed it to be a series of visits by a UFO? Something very strange and wonderful was witnessed by thousands of people, and it happened not once, but many times. What did the Fatima children and the people of Portugal witness? And what was the prophecy kept secret for nearly a century? Learn the surprising answers.

4. LAST SUPPER ARTIFACTS: Has the Holy Grail Been Found?
The legendary Holy Grail, believed to be a relic of the Last Supper of Christ, has captured the world’s imagination for centuries. This simple peasant’s chalice sent the Knights of the Crusades across Europe, Britain and the Holy Land in hope of harnessing its mysterious powers. The quest for this ancient artifact continues to this day. Yet after 2,000 years, no one has found the Holy Grail. Or have they? Why, after hundreds of years of silence about the Grail, did the Nazis suddenly decide to launch a search for this relic? Does a British psychologist actually have the Holy Grail in his possession? And if the Holy Grail has been found, can we access its legendary powers?

5. DEAD SEA SCROLLS: What Do the Dead Sea Scrolls Tell Us?
In 1947, a shepherd boy stumbled upon the greatest archeological find of the 20th century. The Dead Sea Scrolls, found buried in caves near the ancient site of Qumran, proved to be the oldest known biblical manuscripts in existence. Could these scraps of ancient documents contain material that would alter or change the modern view of both Judaism and Christianity? Why have scholars kept the exact contents secret for decades? What secrets do the Scrolls contain? Does the ancient Copper Scroll point the way to a vast treasure of hidden wealth? What insights can these ancient fragments bring to our lives today? Modern technology unlocks the secrets of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and provides amazing detail about the time in which Jesus lived.

6. GOD’S HOLY ARK: Has the Ark of the Covenant Been Found?
For centuries the fabled Ark of the Covenant has been the subject of scholarly debate and deep religious devotion . . . but no one really knew where it was. Centuries old Ethiopian tradition claims the Ark is guarded day and night in a small chapel in Ethiopia. Have researchers confirmed this Ethiopian legend? Respected members of the Jewish community in Israel have told investigators they actually discovered the Ark in a secret chamber beneath the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Can both be correct? Is there more than one Ark of the Covenant? Is it possible that Israel has been protecting the Ark for years? What will it mean for all mankind if the actual Covenant revealed to Moses is suddenly unveiled before our very eyes?

7. POWER OF PRAYER: Can Prayer Save Nations?
Many of us have experienced the power of prayer in our personal lives. But has history given us any tangible confirmation that prayer can affect the lives of those around us . . . or the fate of an entire nation? Is it possible that prayer actually prevented a commercial jetliner from falling from the sky, or brought an end to a life-threatening drought? Can we use scientific methods and techniques to verify the power of prayer? Some of America’s greatest leaders have been vigorous advocates of prayer. Are there present-day political leaders who accept this notion? And if nations have relied on prayer in the past to overcome great difficulty, is there anything to prevent us from accessing that same power in the future?

8. JESUS’ BIRTH: Is the Miracle of Christmas True?
Two thousand years ago, a man called Jesus Christ was born. Throughout His life, He wandered the Judean countryside performing miracles and teaching a new and radical approach to life and the life hereafter. But since the moment of His birth, His life has been cloaked in controversy. Did He really exist? Is He the Son of God? Was He born to a virgin? When and where did this miraculous birth occur? What about the Star of Bethlehem? Did supernatural events in the heavens attest to the fact that He was more than just a man? Was His birth actually foretold by the prophet Isaiah seven centuries earlier? Experience the joy and wonder of those who witnessed the Christmas miracle—the birth of Jesus Christ.

9. CHRISTMAS MIRACLE: What Is the Real Story of Christmas?
For roughly 2,000 years, people have celebrated the birth of Jesus on the day we know as Christmas. The record of Jesus’ birth has been handed down to us primarily through the writings of two of the authors in the New Testament of the Bible—Matthew and Luke. But does what they wrote coincide with what we have come to accept in the traditional modern celebration? By carefully examining the New Testament, can we solve the great mysteries of Christmas? Is the star of Bethlehem a real astronomical event or just a myth? Can modern astronomy finally pinpoint the actual date of Christ’s birth? Do people still find strength and meaning in this miraculous event even today? New evidence provides a different and surprising look at the first Christmas.

10. ANCIENT PROPHETS: Could Ancients See the Future?
For thousands of years, history has recorded the words of prophets—men and women who seem to have uncanny insight into events of the future. For most of us, the notion of predicting the future seems inconceivable. Yet according to the ancient prophets, there are portents of doom facing the nations of the earth . . . times of famine, war, misery and cataclysmic natural disasters. Could it be these prophets were witnesses to our generation? Did biblical prophets have special abilities that allowed them to foretell the future? Why do millions of people look for portents of disaster in the warnings of a few prophets who have been dead for thousands of years?

11. SIX DAY WAR: Was the Six Day War a Miracle?
Against all odds, the tiny nation of Israel and its civilian army scored a decisive military victory during the 1967 Six Day War. How was this possible? Was there something going on behind the scenes that tipped the scales in Israel’s favor? Stories abound of the appearance of mysterious troops and sophisticated weaponry that aided the Israelis in their victory. Was the outcome of this conflict foretold by biblical writings thousands of years prior to the actual event? What unexplained miraculous events, as retold in amazing detail by Six Day War veterans, contributed to an Israeli victory? Did the U.S. intervene on Israel’s behalf? And is the present turmoil in the Middle East setting the stage for history to repeat itself? The answers could change your thinking forever.

12. ISRAEL’S MIRACLE WAR: Was the Six Day War the Start of Armageddon?
The tiny nation of Israel managed to achieve one of the most stunning military coups of all time in the 1967 Six Day War. Did this conflict also mark the beginning of the End Times? Does biblical prophecy provide a road map for what may happen next in this troubled region? With the ongoing turmoil between the Israelis and the Palestinians, full-scale war seems closer than ever. The United States would likely take Israel’s side, but what about Russia? Would they come to the aid of the Arabs . . . as they did during the Six Day War? And if a conflict erupts between nations armed with nuclear weapons, might we witness the destruction of the world? Will Armageddon come to pass in our generation?

13. JESUS’ SILENT YEARS: Where Was Jesus All Those Years?
Much has been written about the life of Jesus of Nazareth. Surprisingly, these accounts cover only a few years of His life. Where did He grow up? What was He like as a young man? Did an infant Jesus really spend His earliest years performing minor miracles in Egypt, or is that just a myth? Even the Bible is silent about Jesus’ life from the ages of 2 to 12 and 13 to 30. Will an investigation into these so-called silent years reveal that Jesus was aware of His own divinity . . . even as a child? Why is the record of most of His life missing? Are the so-called silent years of Jesus really lost? Or has the truth never been told?

Notes

The 26 episodes comprising Seasons II and II are newly produced in 2008. The original Season I of ANCIENT SECRETS OF THE BIBLE was produced in the early 90s and was broadcast in over 200 territories around the world. Seasons II, and II may be acquired separately.

Awards

Three Covenant Awards
Five Telly Awards
WorldFest Charleston Award
Three Religion in Media Angel Awards
The Film Advisory Board Excellence Award
Three Communicator Awards of Distinction
The Dove Family Approved Seal Award
The Dove Silver Sales Achievement Award
The Dove Platinum Sales Achievement Award

Details

LENGTH: 26 x 30 Minutes
FORMAT: Series
CAMERA: BetacamSP and Digibetacam
INTERNATIONAL TRACK: Yes
TEXTLESS: No
CLOSED CAPTIONS: No
ASPECT RATIO: 4:3
RELEASE YEAR: 2008
SUPPLIER: Grizzly Adams Productions
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
RIGHTS TERRITORY: Worldwide exclusive of USA

Related titles:

1. Jesus Diaries: Every Day Life in the Time of Christ
2. Images Of Jesus

One Scottish soldier wrote the song, Loch Lomond to his sweetheart during the army’s retreat from the English in 1745. Today, the song touches the heart of all who hear it, but while many know the song, few know the true story behind it.Some places are so powerful, that they inspire songs. In Scotland the land itself seems to sing; rebel songs of the Highland clans, rhythms for work in lowland glens, a harmony of landscape and life, songs of the island sung to the skies, laments for loved ones lost at sea and ballads for those who wait. There is one Scottish song, however, known the world over, which touches the heart of all who hear it – “The Bonnie Bonnie Banks O Loch Lomond” – but while many know the song, few know that behind it there is a story: a tale now long forgotten, trapped in time, waiting for someone to come to set it free. The Legend of Loch Lomond tells this dramatic ghost story of 18th-century lovers cruelly separated by war, but reunited in the present day by a beautiful young singer who inadvertently becomes entangled in their tale.

In 1745, during the retreat of the Scottish army from England, several of the wounded Scots had to be left behind, as they could struggle no further. Many fell into the hands of the English and were flung into jail. The song was written by one young Scottish soldier to his sweetheart. He had been captured along with his friend and was to be executed. His friend was to be set free and so he wrote the song. The spirit of the dead soldier traveling by the “low road” would reach Scotland before his comrade, struggling along the actual road over high rugged country. The film centers on two inter-linked love stories, one set during the Jacobite Rebellion and the other in the modern era, in the thriving Scottish music scene. The story takes place on Midsummer’s Night, a time when two worlds, the modern day and the ghostly past are believed to magically merge together.

The Legend of Loch Lomond was originally commissioned by Scottish Enterprise Dunbartonshire to be screened at Loch Lomond Shores, Scotland’s premiere visitor destination. Just north of Glasgow, Loch Lomond is an area whose tumultuous history and folklore have fascinated millions for centuries. The large-format film premiered at the royal launch of Loch Lomond Shores and marked the opening of its iWerks Theater. The story is set in the breathtaking surroundings of Loch Lomond, a celebrated and unique place in Scottish folklore. The area is famous for its many glacier-formed islands that seem to float in an ever-changing landscape. It remains a popular visitor destination because of the inspiring beauty, mystical presence, magical past as well as stunning myths and legends.

Details

LENGTH: 1 x 40 Minutes
FORMAT: Special
CAMERA: IMAX
INTERNATIONAL TRACK: No
TEXTLESS: No
CLOSED CAPTIONS: No
ASPECT RATIO: 16:9
PRODUCTION YEAR: 2001
RELEASE YEAR: 2006
SUPPLIER: K2 Communications
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: England
RIGHTS TERRITORY: Worldwide exclusive of USA

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1. Giant Screen Films Collection
2. Giant Screen Films Collection: Mystic India: An Incredible Journey of Inspiration
3. Giant Screen Films Collection: Chronos

A program that explores the origin, principles and modern practice of homeopathic medicine. It examines Samuel Hahnemann’s theories and the work of modern homeopathic practitioners, physicians, veterinarians and pharmacists around the world.

Buy Homeopathy: Mystery of Healing on DVD.

Who was Samuel Hahnemann and what was he thinking when he developed a system of medicine still in practice after 200 years? The German physician and chemist was a contemporary of Mozart. He studied to become a doctor but quickly became disillusioned with the conventional practice of medicine. Like popular new-age health practitioners today, Hahnemann advocated the healing power of healthful foods and exercise. But when patients came to him with ailments, he elected not to cure their symptoms of disease, but rather to treat the whole person with specialized, minute doses of natural substances intended to increase the body’s own inherent defenses. Hahnemman developed these medications, commonly called “remedies,” during a lifetime of “provings” and with seemingly miraculous results: during the deadly 1832 cholera epidemic that swept through Europe, homeopaths claimed a 97% cure rate.

As Hahnemann’s body of knowledge increased, so did his following, despite the fact that his detractors (many of whom practiced in the traditional medical arts) ridiculed his work, calling it nonsense. Within a short number of years, the practice of Homeopathy spread throughout Europe, the United States, India and many other countries. Today, homeopathic practitioners, physicians and veterinarians continue to successfully treat patients for a wide range of physical and mental illnesses, using ideas and remedies developed and published by Samuel Hahnemann in his Materia Medica. But the processes by which these minute doses of inexpensive, natural substances are able to affect cure remains, for many, a mystery

Reviews

“Homeopathy: Mystery of Healing is a superbly produced and presented 60-minute documentary on homeopathic medicine… Homeopathy: Mystery of Healing is enthusiastically recommended viewing…” -Wisconsin Bookwatch

Details

LENGTH: 1 x 60 Minutes
FORMAT: Special
CAMERA: Digibeta
INTERNATIONAL TRACK: Yes
TEXTLESS: No
CLOSED CAPTIONS: No
ASPECT RATIO: 4:3
PRODUCTION YEAR: 2001
RELEASE YEAR: 2002
SUPPLIER: Teleduction, Inc.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
RIGHTS TERRITORY: USA

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2. Secret World of Wellness
3. Practical Power of Yoga

Narrated by Debra Winger, In Search of Angels explores the myth, meaning and allure of angels, both in history and popular culture, in a visually stunning program filmed on location in major cities, museums and art galleries in Europe and America.

Details

LENGTH: 1 x 60 Minutes
FORMAT: Special,  Religion, Art
CAMERA: SD
INTERNATIONAL TRACK: No
TEXTLESS: No
CLOSED CAPTIONS: Yes
ASPECT RATIO:  4:3
PRODUCTION YEAR:  PBS 1994
RELEASE YEAR: 2010
SUPPLIER:  Perennial Productions
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:  USA
RIGHTS TERRITORY: Worldwide

Interviews with prominent personalities include Angels in America Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright Tony Kushner, recording artist and songwriter Rickie Lee Jones, America’s preeminent literary critic Harold Bloom, and best-selling author of A Book of Angels Sophy Burnham, among others.

The special features the most comprehensive collection of angel images ever assembled for television, with an abundance of treasured angelic works: Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s Ponte Sant’Angelo, Ecstasy of St. Teresa at Cornaro Chapel, and baldacchino at St. Peter’s Basilica; Louis Tiffany’s Chapel of the Angels and seven great lancet windows representing St. Michael’s Victory in Heaven at St. Michael’s Church in New York; Otto Wagner’s art nouveau masterpiece Kirche am Steinhof in Vienna; Marc Chagall’s luminous ceiling of musical, winged beings at Opera Garnier in Paris, to name a few.

In Search of Angels explores how the idea and regard for angels in human life persists, through venerated stories and depictions as well as in ever-new interpretations. John Milton’s tumultuous ‘War of Heaven’ from Paradise Lost – and Winger’s potent reading of it – posits striking contrast to film clips of the gentle, angelic longings in post cold-war Berlin from Wim Wender’s acclaimed films Wings of Desire and Faraway So Close.

Angels effects a beautiful, dense, rich visual tapestry for each narrative chapter: Angels in Popular Culture; the Celestial Hierarchy of Angels; Guardian Angels; archangels Gabriel, Michael and Raphael; The Annunciation and The Assumption of Mary; Angels as Intermediaries, Divine messengers, and Recorders; Angel of the Waters, and more.

In Search of Angels presents a bright musical palette;  from classic choral works to contemporary instrumental and vocal works; with original theme music by Tim Story, from the Music soundtrack CD for Windham Hill Records.

Reviews

Thanks to a remarkable stream of paintings and statues of seraphim, cherubim and archangels, the special is never lovely to look upon. – People Magazine

A vast array of lush angel artwork and images populate the screen, evoking a feast for the eyes. – Chicago Tribune

“Gracefully directed . . .” – Daily Variety

“ . . . rich, heavenly music and a bright, lovely compendium of angels and things angelic.” – The Hollywood Reporter

Awards

• Best Documentary by SIVA; Gold Medalist, Houston Worldfest
• Best Program Editing & Graphics, Finalist, the International Telly Awards

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1. Last Flight to Berlin: The Search for a Bomber Pilot
2. Loreto: The Mystery of the Holy House
3. Chartres Cathedral: A Sacred Geometry

This is the classic Academy-Award winning documentary film of an astonishing adventure, a journey spanning 4,300 nautical miles across the Pacific Ocean by raft. Intrigued by Polynesian folklore, Norwegian biologist Thor Heyerdahl suspected that the South Sea Islands had been settled by an ancient race from thousands of miles to the east, led by the mythical hero Kon-Tiki.

Buy Kon-Tiki on DVD.

Heyerdahl knew that the trade winds and ocean currents off the South-American coastline bear in the direction of Polynesia. Ridiculed by the scientific establishment, who had concluded that a voyage by aboriginal balsa raft from Peru to Polynesia was impossible, he decided to prove the possibility of his theory by duplicating the legendary voyage. The ensuing expedition was hailed as one of the most fantastic feats of daring and courage of its time.

On April 28, 1947, Heyerdahl and his five crew members embarked from Peru on their daring voyage to the Marquesas Islands, on a balsa wood raft which was built according to the traditions of South America’s pre-Columbian Indians. After 101 suspenseful days on the open sea, alone amid raging storms, whales, and countless sharks, they landed on the Polynesian island of Raroia.

Reviews

“No one can deny that Kon Tiki is a fascinating film record of a marvelous adventure. Filmed in black and white with a handheld camera on a pitching raft, it remains a classic and should be in any video collection.” -Library Journal

“Winner of the 1952 Academy Award for Best Documentary. Kon-Tiki is the famous 101 day voyage by Thor Heyerdahl in a balsa raft from Peru to Polynesia… KON-TIKI is an exciting, engaging, timeless and highly recommended addition to any personal, school or community library video collection. Recommended.” -The Children’s Bookwatch

“A worthy program about a modern Columbus (minus the empire-building avarice and cruelty) whose hard work, vision, humor and environmental awareness has helped make the world a more interesting place to live. Highly recommended” – Video Librarian

Details

LENGTH: 1 x 60 Minutes
FORMAT: Special
INTERNATIONAL TRACK: No
TEXTLESS: No
CLOSED CAPTIONS: No
ASPECT RATIO: 4:3
PRODUCTION YEAR: 1951
RELEASE YEAR: 1997
SUPPLIER: NRK Production
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Norway
RIGHTS TERRITORY: Worldwide

Related titles:

1. Havana: Cigar Of Connoisseurs, The
2. Silent Wrecks Of Kwajalein Atoll, The

Nestled below the rugged peaks of the Northern Rockies and along the crystal-clear Kootenai River lies the small town of Libby, Montana – an ironic setting for a town where many hundreds of people are sick or have already died from asbestos exposure. The Environmental Protection Agency calls Libby the worst case of community-wide exposure to a toxic substance in U.S. history.As residents see their family members and friends contract deadly diseases, the company responsible for the toxic mess leaves town and declares bankruptcy.

A small, unlikely group of citizens comes together to fight for their town. They find themselves at odds with local politicians, the state governor, senators, an international corporation, and even their own friends and neighbors. Some prominent town residents claim the issue has been blown out of proportion by a zealous few and a young charismatic federal bureaucrat in charge of clean-up. Emotions fly and solutions are hard to find in this troubling, yet potent true drama.

A journey into this hard-working blue collar community, Libby, Montana is the story of the American Dream gone horribly wrong.

Awards

Finalist, 26th Independent Feature Project Market, New York

Finalist, Banff Mountain Film Festival

Best Film With Environmental Theme, Plymouth Independent Film Festival

OFFICIAL SELECTION:
26th Independent Feature Project Market
Anchorage Film Festival
Baja California Film Festival (Mexico)
Banff Mountain Film Festival (Canada)
Bozeman Film Festival
Bradford Film Festival (UK)
Global Visions Film Festival (Canada)
Idaho International Film Festival
Imperial Beach Film Festival
Northwest Film & Video Festival
Okomedia Film Festival (Germany)
Olympia Film FestivalFinalist, Banff Mountain Film Festival

Reviews

“If the political pressure to prosecute Grace’s executives to the full extent of the law persists, it will be due in part to this deeply moving film. Many critics have praised the “objectivity” of filmmakers Doug Hawes-Davis and Drury Gunn Carr; what they mean is that the directors let the headlines, residents, and Lovick tell the story. This time-tested documentary technique seems fresh in the wake of last year’s much-more-publicized and vocally political Fahrenheit 9/11, but at its root is the recognition that Libby, Montana isn’t a red-state or blue-state story. It is a story about American democracy and American capitalism, and the battle that must constantly be waged to keep the latter from consuming the former.” – San Antonio Current

“Heartbreaking, but also a fine piece of journalistic film-making. It has the rare quality of being, at once a superb educational piece, a deeply moving story filled with truth and pathos, and a riveting cinematic event.” -Don Snow, Professor of Environmental Humanities, Whitman College

“Emotionally powerful. Intense.” -Willamette Week

“**** Tragic, infuriating, edifying. A quietly savvy approach to storytelling.” -See Magazine

“With an artful interweaving of the town’s economic history and the life (and death) stories of various individuals, the film picks up a compelling rhythm, inexorably pulling you along. Libby, Montana is a big film about a big problem, well balanced and well told.” -Montana Magazine

“Definitely deserves Oscar consideration.” – Illinois Times

” **** Sensational. Best feature documentary of 2004.” Steve Fesenmaier, West Virginia Library Commission

“Equal parts mystery, horror film, black comedy, corporate indictment and human tragedy Libby, Montana is expertly compiled and genuinely compassionate when addressing the people involved. The film pulsates with urgency and commitment, and manages splendidly without the abrasive finger-pointing and knee-jerk aggression that has marred reportage in our age of so-called reality television.” -www.flickhead.com

“Carr and Hawes-Davis have never shied away from eliciting strong emotional responses, but this film reaches a new level … it’s depth and pace, as well as the fantastic archival footage, give it gravitas.” -High Country News

“In the past, documentary filmmakers Drury Gunn Carr and Doug Hawes-Davis of Missoula’s High Plains Films have concentrated on small subjects like prairie dogs and coyotes. Naturalists and Wal-Mart parking lots were about as grandiose as the pair got. But with their latest film, Libby, Montana, the sense of scale has been redefined.” -Missoula Independent

“Incisive and unrelenting.” -Mother Jones

“Among the observers to arrive in 2000 were Drury Gunn Carr and Doug Hawes-Davis of High Plains Films. But unlike many journalists, Carr and Hawes-Davis hung around, letting their cameras capture the tales of years of secrets and lies.” -Missoula Independent

“Emotionally gut-wrenching.” -The Missoulian

“Excellent…the film accurately tells the tale of Libby with an introduction that mixes the home movies of local families with industry fluff pieces about mining and logging in northwest Montana. That eventually segues into the asbestos story. Overall, it paints a picture of Libby as a loving, caring family town where something went amiss.” -The Western News

“The film blends the current debate with compelling archival footage during the mining heyday. Libby residents find themselves beleaguered by medical and economic questions in the wake of the mine shutdown and the bankruptcy proceedings of the former owners (as they try to dodge legal liability and the massive cleanup costs). Abandoned by their former employer, residents are divided over where to lay blame – on greedy company officers, or on government officials charged with regulating mining to ensure the public health and safety in Libby and in the 30 states and six countries where products were shipped.” Real Screen

“Employing impressive imagery and flashbacks, this film not only tells of a failed American environmental policy, but also of courage, hope and dedication.” -Okomedia Institute

“**** Touching.” – filmcritic.com

“Travel to Montana’s Kootenai Valley, where the Rocky Mountain town of Libby bears the scars of more than a half-century of vermiculite mining and Zonolite insulation manufacturing. The discovery that the Libby vermiculite was contaminated with asbestos rocked this picturesque small town to its foundations. Libby, Montana examines the plight of a community faced with asbestos-laden homes and a government that turns its back on the cancer-stricken residents. Once a prosperous mining town, Libby now has the dubious distinction of being the worst case of community-wide toxic exposure in U.S. history. Unlike Michael Moore, filmmakers Drury Gunn Carr and Doug Hawes-Davis do not editorialize, but rather present the facts and let you draw your own conclusion.” -Banff Mountain Film Festival

“The film begins by showing the human side of Libby, with images of everyday Montana people in a setting that can equate to any small-town in the country.” -The Daily Evergreen

“Buoyed by poignant interviews with Libby citizens who tell their tales of betrayal, Libby, Montana is a documentary with heart about big business and the abandonment of human rights.” – VUE Weekly

“Thoughtful and wrenching.” – Portland Mercury

“The film chronicles the heroic efforts of one EPA chief, parachuted into the disaster zone. It follows his rounds amongst innocent, good, loyal townsfolk who put their trust in the “company.” Although the film is about restitution, honour, and, helping a town recover, it is rife with political scandal.” – Trailpeak.com

“Riveting.” – Life Lines

“Richly rewarding.” -Bozeman Daily Chronicle

“It took three years to record 120 hours of video, sort through 80 hours of stock footage, and trim it all down into a two-hour documentary, but the guys at High Plains Films, based in Missoula, have finished the task.” – Helena Independent Record

“As the townfolk rally and emotions and accusations fly, Libby finds itself under a national spotlight as the case gains prominence and the US government feigns impotence in the wake of corporate indifference. A companion piece to Soderbergh’s Erin Brockovich, Libby, Montana is the powerful and shocking story of a town left to die, but which battled to survive.” -Bradford Film Festival

“Eschewing rhetoric, hysteria, or commentary, the filmmakers employ a form of direct cinema that in its restraint and layering of details has a cumulative power.” -Milton Tabbot, IFP/New York

“High Plains Films’ documentary about asbestos poisoning and the deaths of more than 200 people makes its way to DVD just as it’s getting a debut in the Big Apple.” -The Missoulian

“Libby, Montana is the true story of the town’s struggles with the asbestos mine and the mine’s failure since the 1960s to relay the dangers of asbestos dust.” – Reno-Gazette Journal

“In 2000, the northern mining town of Libby, population 4,500, made national news when the Environmental Protection Agency arrived for emergency clean up after decades of mining vermiculite had exposed the town to asbestos. ”- Patriot-Ledger

“Shocking, devastating.” -Combustible Celluloid

Details

LENGTH: 1 x 83 Minutes
FORMAT: Special
CAMERA: Betacam, DV
INTERNATIONAL TRACK: No
TEXTLESS: Yes
CLOSED CAPTIONS: No
ASPECT RATIO: 4:3
PRODUCTION YEAR: 2004
RELEASE YEAR: 2005
SUPPLIER: High Plains Films
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
RIGHTS TERRITORY: Worldwide

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1. Split Estate
2. This Is Nowhere

An exclusive documentary investigation into one of the most fascinating and controversial mysteries of Christianity.  How was the Holy House of the Virgin Mary transported from its original location in Nazareth, Palestine, to the town of Loreto on Italy’s Adriatic coast?

Buy Loreto: The Mystery of the Holy House on DVD.

Details

LENGTH: 1 x 52 Minutes
FORMAT: Special
INTERNATIONAL TRACK: Yes
TEXTLESS: Yes
CLOSED CAPTIONS: Yes
ASPECT RATIO:16:9
PRODUCTION YEAR: 2010
RELEASE YEAR: 2010
SUPPLIER:  Studio3TV
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: ITALY
RIGHTS TERRITORY: Worldwide, exclusive of Italy

What did the House of Mary in Nazareth look like?… Are the walls we find in Loreto truly those of the House of the Annunciation, which took place more than 2,000 years ago? For many centuries, scholars from many disciplines have investigated the authenticity of the three walls venerated in Loreto. Initially, researchers analyzed numerous documents held in archives throughout Italy. The twentieth century also saw archaeological, geological and architectural studies. According to legend and tradition, the house was carried in flight by Angels in the year 1291, first to a town in Croatia where it remained for three years before being carried yet again, across the Adriatic Sea to Italy, and then to its present location in Loreto.  This is known as the Miracle of the Translation.

Modern academics have theorized that it was moved by Christian soldiers fleeing the Holy Land near the end of the Crusades.  The entire journey of the Holy House was re-created for this documentary film, with the help of state-of-the-art 3D computer-generated graphics. The Holy House does not rest upon typical structural foundations, and its presence in Loreto remains a real enigma for contemporary architects.  It is formed of three simple stone walls, dark with smoke and time, only lit by candles. Inside there is an ancient altar, known as the Altar of the Apostles, and an aperture in the western wall, called the Angel’s Window marks the point at which the Archangel Gabriel entered the House and appeared to Mary, in the Annunciation.

Is this sacred structure really the very same House of Mary, transported all the way from Nazareth? Are these simple, unadorned stone walls in Loreto truly those of the House of the Annunciation, which took place more than 2,000 years ago? Loreto: The Mystery of The Holy House gathers all of the available evidence to find the answers.

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2. Jesus Diaries: Every Day Life in the Time of Christ
3. Homeopathy: Mystery of Healing

For the first time, the U.S. military has granted permission to an outside film crew to document the wrecks of Kwajalein Atoll — a little-known outpost in the Marshall Islands.

Buy Silent Wrecks of Kwajalein Atoll, The on DVD.

In a perfectly executed World War II mission that took place at the end of January 1944, U.S. forces defeated the Japanese at a little-known outpost in the Marshall Islands called Kwajalein Atoll. As part of the effort to win control of this crucial gateway to the Japanese empire, U.S. aircraft bombarded Japanese supply ships in the lagoon at Kwajalein for several weeks prior to the attack, sinking most of them, some still at anchor, and others as they attempted to escape.

Little is left of the battle of Kwajalein except these silent wrecks still lying at the bottom of the lagoon where they were defeated, out of sight and forgotten until now. After the war, the lagoon at Kwajalein was the dumping ground for World War II era American war planes including Corsairs, B-25s, C-46s, and the SBD Dauntless.

Few people have ever seen these wrecks because Kwajalein has been a restricted military base since the end of World War II. Now, for the first time, the U.S. military has granted permission to an outside film crew to document the wrecks for posterity, before they are lost forever to the dusts of time.

Details

LENGTH: 1 x 52 Minutes
FORMAT: Special
INTERNATIONAL TRACK: Yes
TEXTLESS: No
CLOSED CAPTIONS: No
ASPECT RATIO: 4:3
PRODUCTION YEAR: 2004
SUPPLIER: Oceanic Research Group
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
RIGHTS TERRITORY:Worldwide

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1. Silent Wings: The American Glider Pilots of WWII
2. Song Of Survival
3. Warriors of the Night

This investigative series takes a definitive, scientific look at the state of the search for UFOs as of the year 2003, documenting many UFO stories which have been debunked, and more importantly, bringing viewers up-to-date on the state of the most famous UFO investigations which still remain unresolved and unexplained to this day.

Details

LENGTH: 13 x 47 Minutes
FORMAT: Series
CAMERA: Betacam
INTERNATIONAL TRACK: Yes
TEXTLESS: No
CLOSED CAPTIONS: No
ASPECT RATIO: 4:3
PRODUCTION YEAR: 2003
RELEASE YEAR: 2004
SUPPLIER: Jean LeClerc
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Canada
RIGHTS / TERRITORY: Worldwide DVD

#101: UFO Hunters:  All over the world, tens of thousands of people are fascinated by the UFO phenomenon. UFOs Under Investigation takes a closer look at the history of the UFOs, the soundness of ufologists and the future of UFO hunters.

#102: Impostors Or Cosmic Visionaries? There are dozens of so-called religious groups across the world headed by leaders pretending to be in contact with superior beings from outer space. UFOs Under Investigation looks into the matter while trying to distinguish between the Impostors and the true Cosmic Visionaries.

#103: UFOs, Lies & Videotapes: Fixed photographs, fake flying saucer crashes, cosmic messages, film-segment showing the alleged autopsy of an extraterrestrial…UFOs Under Investigation looks at some of the most famous masterstrokes of the kind.

#104: Secret Files: Silence, cover-ups, formal denials, disinformation…Anything goes when it comes to hiding the truth from the general public. Everywhere in the world, the army is known to hold back secret information about UFOs. UFOs Under Investigation unveils some of the well-guarded government secrets through interviews with initiated individuals.

#105: The Science Of The Unexplained: In most cases, UFO sightings are easily explained by simple scientific facts: optical illusions, atmospheric phenomena, sounding balloons, hallucinations … UFOs Under Investigation talks to researchers who specialize in the Science of the Unexplained.

#106: Unsolved Mysteries: Many spectacular UFO sightings across the USA, Canada, Europe or South America have remained unexplained in spite of serious and thorough investigations. UFOs Under Investigation makes public some of the unclassified UFO files.

#107: Aliens’ Guinea Pigs: In the United States alone, over 3 million people claim to have been abducted by extraterrestrials interested to know how the human anatomy works. UFOs Under Investigation presents some of the most troubling accounts of extraterrestrial abductions.

#108: Cosmic Conspiracy: According to some skeptics, American astronauts never really landed on the moon, even worse, they claim that a handful of initiated in close contact with extraterrestrials have infiltrated our governments. UFOs Under Investigation examines the foundation of this great cosmic conspiracy.

#109: Mysterious Phenomena: The Bermuda Triangle, crop circles, animal mutilations, bizarre creatures…All those mysterious manifestations are consistently linked with the intervention of an exotic form of intelligence. UFOs Under Investigation tries to shed light on some of those strange phenomena.

#110: Future Perfect: Some of the treasures of antiquity contain the irrefutable proof that the human race descends directly from ancient astronauts who visited Earth. UFOs Under Investigation relies on archeological discoveries with a cosmic twist in order to demonstrate the value of such a theory.

#111: Journeys To Elsewhere: Black holes, parallel universes, space-time corridors, intergalactic motorways, intersidereal cultures, teleportation…UFOs Under Investigation sets off on an amazing journey looking for the origins of our hypothetical extraterrestrial visitors.

#112: UFOs, Culture & Media: Research clearly established indisputable parallels between the cultural evolution of our societies and the development of the UFO phenomenon. Admittedly, it would be an error to reduce the latter to simple cultural concerns. However, those cannot be excluded from a total comprehension of the phenomenon.

#113: The Day The Gods Fell To Earth: For half a century now, persistent rumors have led to believe that flying saucers might have crashed in various places of our planet and that, in some cases, people succeeded in recovering some of the creatures which were on board. UFOs Under Investigation goes in search of those gods who fell to Earth.

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