The War File: The War in the Skies

With the untimely passing of frontman Stuart Adamson in 2001, the title Final Fling couldn't be more sadly appropriate. This two-disc set captures Big Country toward the beginning and near the end of their 20-year career. The first disc features a 1988 performance from an outdoor peace concert in East Berlin, shortly before the release of Peace in Our Time (and before the Berlin Wall came down in 1989). It's a straightforward, electric set played in front of a huge, enthusiastic crowd during the twilight hours. The second disc finds the Scottish rockers back at their old stomping grounds, Glasgow's Barrowlands, while on their Driving to Damascus tour with the Alarm in 2000. They may look older, but their chiming twin-guitar attack is as passionate and rousing as ever. Both sets include such fan favorites as "Look Away," "Fields of Fire," and Top 40 hit "In a Big Country." --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Reluctant rock hero J.J. Cale takes the spotlight for this 80-minute session, recorded in Los Angeles in 1979 but virtually unseen until 2001. The reclusive, Oklahoma-born Cale is probably best known for writing songs made famous by others ("After Midnight" and "Cocaine" by Eric Clapton, "Call Me the Breeze" by Lynyrd Skynyrd). Those are among the some two dozen tunes heard here (five of which, including "Breeze," are audio-only bonus tracks), as is Cale's own minor hit, "Crazy Mama." The latter is a good example of the witty, laconic groove that Cale, a superb guitar player and laid-back vocalist, brings to much of his music, an appealing style that's been an obvious influence on Mark Knopfler and others.

Pioneering British band Procol Harum takes the stage in Copenhagen in 2001 and delivers a powerhouse performance of their best tunes, including hits "A Whiter Shade of Pale," "Grand Hotel" and "Pandora's Box." Gary Brooker and company also play "Holding On," "Wizard Man," "Beyond the Pale," "As Strong as Samson," "Conquistador" and "Bringing Home the Bacon." The program also features an inside look at the band in rehearsal.

Wartime sweetheart Vera Lynn presents this documentary which sets archive footage and newsreel film from World War Two to the popular sounds of the day. Artists featured include Flanagan and Allen, Gracie Fields, George Formby, Bing Crosby, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the Andrews Sisters and the Mills Brothers.

The historical documentary Hitler Youth explores Adolf Hitler's maniacal construction of the titular organization - one comprised of young Aryan men who would rule the world by fear, intimidation and violence. Via a compendium of terrifying archival footage, the program documents the establishment of the Hitler Youth, its escalation from a membership of 13,000 to 10,000,000 within fifteen years, and the death of the organization following Hitler's suicide in 1945.

Outrageous, controversial, politically incorrect and shockingly funny. The king of comedy is back with his most outrageous show yet! Filmed live at Jim’s court, Cliffs Pavilion, Southend, in front of his faithful squires, and their ladies. King Jim gives the crowd what they want with a show filled with tales of wanton women, pointless wars and her Majesty’s troops. All rise and salute King Jim and let him show you his world (if he had his way!)

The story of Germany's Great Battleships during the Second World War. With graphic recollections from veterans of the 'Kriegsmarine', this film depicts the rise during Hitler's Naval Expansion program, through to the ultimate destruction by the allies, of The Schlesig Holstein, The Scharnhorst, The Admiral Scheer, The Gneisenau, The Graf Spee, The Tirpitz and finally the legendary Bismark.

The Hawker Hurricane was the first fighter monoplane to join the Royal Air Force and the first combat aircraft adopted by that arm capable of exceeding 300 mph in level flight. The Hurricane shouldered the lion s share of Britain s defence during the Battle of Britain. This program portrays the history of this legendary aircraft which was to form an immortal partnership during the infamous battle.

Olympian gods watch the Earth and resolve to fight a group of terrorists who stole a diskette containing a secret that can destroy the world.

Three part documentary of the history of the Royal Air Force during World War Two. They combine actual Air Ministry films and period newsreel footage with interviews of surviving members of the air force. This final part covers the the years 1941-1945 from the campaigns to attack German military targets to mass night bombing, primarily from the viewpont of Bomber Command, and associated Air-Sea rescue. It ends with the food aid flights to the Netherlands immediatly prior to Victory in Europe. Featured aircraft include the Bristol Blenheim, the Vickers Wellington, and the heavy bombers Short Stirling, Handley Page Halifax and Avro Lancaster.

Using original footage, this programme looks at Nazi Germany's line of defence, the Siegfried Line, which was constructed during WW2 by tens of thousands. It consisted of tunnels, minefields, tank-traps and many troop garrisons and stretched the length of Germany's borders.

Yes: The New Director's Cut is a DVD concert film by progressive rock band Yes, recorded live on their 2003 European tour. The 2-disc set features two concerts, the first recorded in Birmingham, England, and interspersed with band interviews, and the second at the 2003 Glastonbury Festival.

German Television Appearances: 1) River Deep Mountain High (1971) 03:22 2) Proud Mary (1971) 05:25 3) Honky Tonk Woman (1971) 02:56 4) Get Back (1972) 03:07

Long considered one of the top keyboardists of the prog rock era, Rick Wakeman's 2001 concert DVD release, The Legend, touches upon many different eras of the musician's long and winding career. Recorded during Wakeman's 2000 U.K. tour, he performs the entire set solo, often chatting with the audience (and he proves to be quite comical, telling a Spinal Tap-esque story of a concert from the mid-'70s that went terribly wrong due to over-drinking and faulty stage props).

"A Song for You" is a stunning collection of 25 hits, including some of Leon's all-time greatest tracks.

Three part documentary of the history of the Royal Air Force during World War Two. They combine actual Air Ministry films and period newsreel footage with interviews of surviving members of the air force. The first part covers the period from the 'phoney war', the invasion of Poland and the early bombing raids on enemy shipping, through to the attacks on France. Aircraft featured include the Blenheim and Wellington bombers, the Sunderland flying boat, Spitfires and Hurricanes and the opposing ME109.