Janson Media today announced the worldwide release of Home Away From Home: The Yanks in Ireland (1 x 58′) and Proudly We Served: The Men of the USS Mason (1 x 58′). The films are available from Janson Media for all markets and media platforms.  Proudly We Served tells the unprecedented true story of the USS Mason and its crew, while Home Away From Home follows brave American World War II veterans back to the Northern Island lands they served on decades ago. Produced by Kelly Films, the classic documentaries have never before been released on DVD until now. The Home Away From Home and Proudly We Served programs are also available to worldwide Television, VOD, New Media, and Non-Theatric markets.

In Home Away From Home, music, myth, and memory mix as one of the last great untold World War II stories unfolds against an Irish landscape. Three hundred thousand American servicemen and women served in Northern Ireland from 1942 to 1945. History has forgotten much of the efforts of U.S. soldiers, sailors and airmen, but the people still remember. And now GIs themselves return to Northern Ireland to complete the tale.

Introduced by Walter Cronkite, who was himself a “Yank in Ireland,” the program follows World War II veterans back to their “Home Away From Home.” Secrets are revealed and old loves renewed in these moving stories. Rare photographs and archival film help tell the stories.

Proudly We Served is the thrilling true story of the USS Mason (DE 529) and its crew, the only African-American sailors to take a U.S. Navy warship into battle during World War II. They challenged the segregation of the U.S. Military, fought the Nazi U-boats, and won. As a result of the media attention created by this documentary and its companion book, the crew members of the USS Mason were finally awarded the Letters of Commendation which they were recommended for in 1944, but had not received for 50 years.

Narrated by actor Ossie Davis, the film interweaves the personal stories of individual crew members with archival footage of the ship and crew produced by the Navy. The story inspired the award winning feature film Proud, which also starred Davis in his final movie role.

The response from critics for Home Away From Home and Proudly We Served has been decisively positive as evident in these recent reviews and awards:

Home Away From Home reviews:
“Extraordinarily touching and evocative.”  – Neil Hickey, TV Guide, Film & TV Critic
“Buoyant and utterly charming.” – Kathleen Carroll, NY Daily News, Film & Television Critic

Proudly We Served Awards:
Winner of the CINE Golden Eagle Award, 1996

On March 17th, the anniversary of patron St. Patrick’s death,  followers of Irish culture celebrate his extraordinary life. On the international religious holiday, observers attend church services in St. Patrick’s honor, wear green attire, and lift Lent restrictions to enjoy alcohol and food such as the traditional corned beef and cabbage.  Many of the details of his life continue to be debated, however it is universally accepted that St. Patrick is credited for bringing Christianity to Ireland. The Janson DVD St. Patrick: Apostle of Ireland (1 x 46′) traces the footsteps of the great saint on his spiritual mission.

This documentary film delves beneath the myth of Ireland’s patron saint to reveal that the patron saint of Ireland was an ordinary man who accomplished the extraordinary by placing his faith in God. Precious few historical facts are known of this man who walked through pre-Christian 5th century Ireland. Two documents written by Patrick, the Confession and his Letter to Coroticus, an Irish warlord, are all that remain. Yet these brief writings captured his emotional state, his innermost feelings and aspirations.

Exquisitely filmed on location in Ireland, and using dramatic wide-screen black and white re-creations, Saint Patrick Apostle of Ireland, visually traces the great saint’s footsteps. Patrick’s actual confessions are read in voice-over, and evocative music further carries viewers back in time to re-live the experience of walking side by side with Patrick.

The Janson Media DVD Travel with Kids: Ireland was recently recommended in a review by Video Librarian. Produced by Equator Creative Media and filmed in High Definition, Travel With Kids is an entertaining yet practical travel adventure program featuring two real life kid brothers and their parents traveling to well-known and off-the-tourist track destinations. The reviewer recognizes the DVD’s ability to deliver an extensive look at the the Emerald Isle’s most notable locations, providing valuable family travel tips and other DVD extras.

In this edition of the Travel with Kids series (see reviews of Travel with Kids: Costa Rica [VL-5/10) and Travel with Kids: New York [VL-1/10]) the Roberts family takes in the charm and camaraderie of the Emerald Isle. Although thematically similar, each title in the series has a slightly different emphasis reflecting the distinctive characteristics of the locations visited. Ireland finds the Roberts’ joining local musicians at a pub (many are family-friendly establishments), where traditional Irish music is played with drum, fiddle, accordion, flute, and other instruments. While providing specific tips for traveling with children, the film showcases the scenic countryside and various tourist attractions, including the town of Killarney and its horse-drawn cart rides to Ross Castle, and Killarney National Park, with its lakes, bogs, mountains, and woodlands. And, of course, the foursome visits Blarney Castle in County Cork, built in 1446 and home of the famous Blarney Stone, where tradition requires one to climb to the tower where the landmark is located, flip over on one’s back, and kiss the stone over a small gap in the wall about 100 yards above the ground. The extensive DVD extras include a trip planner, travel tips and links to local resources, an “Ireland at Home” section (featuring information on language, crafts, and food—with recipes), and a blooper reel. Highly recommended

Join the Roberts family as they explore the rich history and culture of Ireland in the award-winning series Travel With Kids.  Ireland’s scenic drives and lively pubs have long been a draw for tourists, but what‘s there to do with kids? The Roberts boys show you as they climb castles, including the infamous Blarney Castle where they’re flipped upside down for a kiss, dance to traditional Irish music and peek over some of the world‘s tallest sea cliffs. Get locked up in Kilmainham Jail, feast on a meal fit for a king, pet pigs and sheep and more. Kids will enjoy the antics of the Roberts boys while parents will appreciate practical family travel advice, like hints on great accommodations including staying in a real castle. Whether planning a trip or just dreaming, Travel With Kids Ireland is great family fun!
Explore, relax, enjoy. Destination…Ireland.

Video Librarian is the video review magazine for public, school, academic, and special libraries, as well as video fans who are interested in a wider variety of titles than what’s found in the average video store. Written by staff, librarians, teachers, and film critics, Video Librarian offers over 225 critical reviews per issue, alerting readers to upcoming new releases of special-interest, documentary, and video movie titles.

The Janson Media DVD Travel with Kids: Ireland was recommended in a recent review on the Blogger News Network. The DVD follows the Roberts family as they explore the rich history and culture of Ireland. Kids will enjoy the antics of the Roberts boys while parents will appreciate practical family travel advice, like hints on great accommodations including staying in a real castle. As the review points out, Travel with Kids: Ireland offers a great deal of valuable knowledge and tips for travelers whether their accompanied by children or not.

The videography is stunning. You get a real feel for the places that the intrepid Roberts family visit. Many travelogue type DVD’s contain wonderful ideas of places to visit, most though are far outside of the realms of reality for all but the fittest ex Green Beret! Travel With Kids takes a different approach, there are so many wonderful sights, sounds, and experiences that can be found without the assistance of Sherpa Tensing. – Simon Barrett

Read the entire interview here.

The Blogger News Network (BNN) was started on February 1, 2005, by Robert Hayes, a Colorado blogger with an interest in seeing the news reported from a citizen’s perspective. BNN is dedicated to reporting, analyzing, and editorializing on the news of the day from a wide variety of responsible, informative points of view.

Janson Media announced today that its has licensed the DVD The Island: Ireland From the Air (1 x 80′) to Reel Corporation Australia Pty Ltd. for the Australian Territory. Produced by RTE International, the documentary is comprised completely of beautiful aerial views of all the finest attractions Ireland has to offer including ancient castles, rugged shoreline cliffs, and remote lush green valleys.

This is a magical journey through the mythic and historical landscape of Ireland, filmed entirely from the air. Flying above the land and across the centuries, we see how Water, Earth and Stone have shaped the history and formed the character of The Island.

Many of these dramatic locations have never been seen before on television or video. Here are tombs more ancient than the pyramids, startling medieval castles and mysterious 5,000 year-old stone circles. We soar like an eagle over majestic sea-cliffs, into deep valleys and alongside remote mountains. And we learn how, over time, the natural landscape has been transformed with the growth of modern Irish towns and cities.

The Island is Executive Produced by Colm Crowley, narrated by Cathal O’Shannon, written by Rob Vance and Will Harris, and produced and directed by Will Harris. The Island also features an original music score, composed by Brian Byrne and performed by the RTE concert orchestra.

Reel Corporation is an independent Australian film distributor. Reel Corporation distributes many films, children programmes and television series. It also deals with independent studio film content titles which would receive limited release in cinemas.

RTE is a Public Service Broadcaster, a non-profit making organization owned by the Irish people. RTE is Ireland’s cross-media leader, providing comprehensive and cost-effective free-to-air television, radio and online services, which are of the highest quality and are impartial, in accordance with RTE’s statutory obligations.

Established in 1989, Janson Media is an independent content production and distribution company based in the United States, with a catalog of 1,500+ hours of exclusive programming available for licensing to worldwide television, VOD, DVD/video, non-theatric, and emerging new media markets. The company has licensed programming to virtually every country in the world, and its clients include nearly every major broadcaster or media company, as well as a wide range of DVD labels and distributors. The Janson Media Rights Portfolio is continually updated with new releases, and includes documentaries and children’s programming, music and performance, lifestyle, nature & wildlife, science, health, sport, travel, adventure, how-to, history, current affairs, dramas and features. The company’s home entertainment division boasts a growing catalog of quality titles released on DVD and in digital formats, ranging from children’s and family films to award-winning documentaries and educational programs in the categories of travel, health and exercise, cooking, spirituality, history, pop culture, art, music, how-to, and self-help.

Every March 17th, it has become customary to see people of all ethnic backgrounds sporting Irish Green garments, participating in festive parades and maybe even enjoying an ale or three. But who really was the man whose life we celebrate today? Why is he considered Ireland’s patron saint? And why are faith and spirit as much a part of the Irish identity as are story and song? These questions are explored on the Janson Media DVD St. Patrick: Apostle of Ireland, a one-hour documentary filmed on location in Ireland.

This documentary delves beneath the myth of Patrick to reveal that the patron saint of Ireland was an ordinary man who accomplished the extraordinary by placing his faith in God. Precious few historical facts are known of this man who walked through pre-Christian 5th century Ireland. Two documents written by Patrick, the Confession and his Letter to Coroticus, an Irish warlord, are all that remain. Yet these brief writings captured his emotional state, his innermost feelings and aspirations.

Exquisitely filmed on location in Ireland, and using dramatic wide-screen black and white re-creations set to haunting music, Saint Patrick: Apostle of Ireland, visually traces the great saint’s footsteps. Patrick’s actual confessions are read in voice-over, and evocative music further carries viewers back in time to re-live the experience of walking side by side with Patrick.

Janson Media announced the release of  Travel with Kids: Ireland, the latest DVD adapted from a popular episode of its award-winning Travel with Kids television series, filmed in High Definition.

Planning a visit to Ireland with kids or just want to learn about the history and the culture of the “Emerald Isle”? Join the Roberts family as they explore the rich history and culture of Ireland in the award-winning series Travel With Kids. Ireland’s scenic drives and lively pubs have long been a draw for tourists, but what‘s there to do with kids? The Roberts boys show you as they climb castles, including the infamous Blarney Castle where they’re flipped upside down for a kiss, dance to traditional Irish music and peek over some of the world‘s tallest sea cliffs. Get locked up in Kilmainham Jail, feast on a meal fit for a king, pet pigs and sheep and more. Kids will enjoy the antics of the Roberts boys while parents will appreciate practical family travel advice, like hints on great accommodations including staying in a real castle. Whether planning a trip or just dreaming, Travel With Kids Ireland is great family fun! Explore, relax, enjoy. Destination…Ireland.

Travel with Kids is an award-winning family travel guide series that brings you history, culture and practical travel information for the entire family to enjoy, learn about or plan an upcoming trip to the area. Travel With Kids is both entertaining and educational, yet delivers practical travel information that is interesting and useful for families planning a trip, and armchair travelers alike. Presented with additional pop-up on screen facts on the history, culture and travel tips for both well known and off the beaten path destinations, the entire family will enjoy watching this adventure travel series.

Produced by Equator Creative Media, the series is now available for all television, DVD, VOD, non-theatric, and new media markets worldwide exclusively through Janson Media. The program is available for online viewing at the Janson Media Screening Room at janson.tv.

Bonus DVD Features:

• Trip Planner with Expanded Information on activities, accommodation & transportation
• Family Travel Tips and Resources
• Ireland At Home section with Language,
• Crafts and Recipes
• Bloopers Reel

Equator Creative Media was incorporated in Arizona in 1999. Its mission is to produce high-quality video with an emphasis on tourism marketing. Since then, Equator has added Destination Travel Guides to produce interactive travel guides utilizing video, photos, graphics and information to form a comprehensive multimedia travel guide.

TRAVEL WITH KIDS: IRELAND DVD
LENGTH: 85 Minutes
OUR PRICE: $14.95
CATALOG #: 20401
UPC #: 6-4603204019-7
ISBN #: 1-56839-351-2
RELEASE YEAR: 2010
PRODUCER: Equator Creative Media, LLC
STREET DATE: February 17, 2010

The Janson Media DVD collection Pilgrimages of Europe was given strong praises in a recent review by international tour company, Unitours. Director of Religious Tours Bob Faucett commended the series of 12 experiential doumentaries, going as far to call  it “the finest set of pilgrimage videos” he has encountered in his long career. The first of six volumes (two films per DVD) documents the religious missions of Irish monks Croagh Patrick and Columba.

“The videos are wonderfully done and I was most impressed with each of them. Several were destinations of which I personally knew nothing and most enjoyed the learning experience. Of particular interest and of most value for my intended use was the emphasis on ‘pilgrimage’ …most impressive and effective. I find in particular the focus on individual pilgrims making the journey to the various sites very moving and helpful”.

“These are the finest set of pilgrimage videos I have encountered in my long career in the pilgrimage profession. Government tourist offices produced many of the others I have reviewed and they could learn much from the style of your videos. The length of these videos (20 – 30 minutes) is perfect for our leaders presenting to their prospective pilgrims at meetings. I recommend this series wholeheartedly to our pilgrimage leaders and our pilgrims as well.” – Bob Faucett, Director of Religious Tours, Unitours

For over 50 years, Unitours has been the most respected name in customized group travel. Specializing in group travel to Europe and the Middle East, Unitours is the ideal supplier to all types of groups including churches. Christian pilgrimage groups and Catholic pilgrimage groups have long benefited from Unitours’ attention to detail and high quality services. Whether your group wants a pilgrimage or Cultural Heritage Tour to Italy, other parts of Europe or the Holy Land, Unitours’ specially trained U.S. and overseas staff is uniquely qualified to design and deliver the perfect trip to meet the budget and needs of your group.

Janson Media celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with a recent review of the DVD documenting the life of the apostle himself, St. Patrick by Video Librarian. The review commends the title St. Patrick: Apostle of Ireland for its potrayal of an ordinary man who accomplished the extraordinary by placing his faith in God. Citing the films effective cinematography, the review reveals the films ability to successfully represent St. Patrick in an educational and interesting way.

Combining breathtaking camerawork and St. Patrick’s ardent confessions to evoke his life and times, this poetic portrait of Ireland’s patron saint recreates what little is known of St. Patrick from two short works, a spiritual autobiography and his written denunciation of the British mistreatment of Irish Christians. Born in Roman Britain, enslaved at the age of 16, and sent for six years to pre-Christian Ireland, Patrick would return to the Emerald Isle several years later on a divinely inspired mission to convert the Irish–a world historical moment marking the introduction of Christianity to the Druid religion and the melding of the Christian faith and Celtic Irish traditions in art, music, and poetry. Director David Tennant employs a few standard documentary filmmaking techniques to flesh out St. Patrick’s story, including a backdrop of scenic vistas in contemporary Ireland and brief interviews with Father Frank Fahey of Ballintubber Abbey and author Michael Slaven, but the essence of the film is found in the moody b&w footage used for a dramatic reenactment of key points in Patrick’s life. An entrancing bit of filmmaking that should be a welcome and popular addition to most collections, this is recommended. – Video Librarian

Video Librarian is the video review magazine for public, school, academic, and special libraries, as well as video fans who are interested in a wider variety of titles than what’s found in the average video store. Written by staff, librarians, teachers, and film critics, Video Librarian offers over 225 critical reviews per issue, alerting readers to upcoming new releases of special-interest, documentary, and video movie titles. In addition, we inform our subscribers of video bargains (and free videos) and track technological trends.

As we gear up for another St. Patrick’s Day celebration this month, Janson Media reports that it has received accolades for its DVD, The Island: Ireland from the Air in the form of two recent reviews — one by Video Librarian and the other by Educational Media Reviews Online.

What makes St. Patrick’s Day unique compared to other national holidays is that each year more and more non-Irish people are found celebrating the customs of Ireland on this special day. Although its only an official national holiday in Ireland, each year people all over the world participate by sporting green outfits, eating Irish cuisine, or attending parades. For those looking to dig deeper into their Irish pride who are unable to make the trip, this DVD is the next best thing.  Both reviews recognize the film’s ability to literally show viewers another side of the island’s landscape, taking viewers on a magical journal through the mythic and historical countryside of Ireland from an aerial view.

“The Island—which boasts outstanding production values—offers superb aerial views of ancient castles, tombs older than the pyramids, mysterious and unexplained stone circles, rugged shoreline cliffs, and remote lush green valleys. Given the popularity of Ireland as a tourist destination, this sumptuous serving of Irish eye-candy is easily recommended. Three Stars.”- Video Librarian

The narration covers a huge range of history, from pagans to druids to Christian influence on architecture, to man-made islands, Viking invasions, the introduction of the potato, the building of castles and Irish displacement, man-made canals, traditional farming, the Black Plague, pirates, Sir Walter Raleigh, and a gladiator’s arena.”-Educational Media Reviews Online

Read the entire EMRO review here.

Educational Media Reviews Online (EMRO) is a database of video, DVD, audio CD and CD-ROM reviews of materials from major educational and documentary distributors and independent filmmakers. The reviews are written by librarians and teaching faculty in institutions across the United States and Canada.

Video Librarian is the video review magazine for public, school, academic, and special libraries, as well as video fans who are interested in a wider variety of titles than what’s found in the average video store. Written by staff, librarians, teachers, and film critics, Video Librarian offers over 225 critical reviews per issue, alerting readers to upcoming new releases of special-interest, documentary, and video movie titles. In addition, we inform our subscribers of video bargains (and free videos) and track technological trends.