Describes the origins of Halloween and the customs associated with this holiday.

Very informative and fun! (5.0)

I've just stated seeing The History Channel DVD's and this one is a keeper.

This explains how Halloween was started by the Celts, and then how the different culture shaped how we have Halloween today. It was interesting to see how the Holiday was created and formed. Then the Catholic Church came and stated to impose their will, and then with often what they don't understand, or are fearful of, they demonized it. They called it devil worshiping and going aganist God. Yeesh.

If you want to see where the traditions of dressing up came from, giving out candy, bobbing for apples (that one was really neat) and the different things that we do for Halloween comes from, then you need to see this.

This also show the impact of WW 1 and WW2 played in Halloween.

This was a very informative DVD that doesn't bog down the viewer with a lot of useless and boring details, like a lot of informational DVD's do. Rather, this holds you attention and keeps you glued to the DVD. This is a must have.

Very Nice and Pretty Interesting (4.0)

I first heard about this from the History Channel, which was advertising for their documentaries on holidays. So I bought this because I looking to learn about the origins of Halloween, and it sure did that for me! The DVD was great, to-the-point, and very informative as well as almost always completely interesting. My only complaints are that is it much shorter than I had expected and the beginning was semi-boring. It wasn't until about a fifth of the way into this movie that it became interesting. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is interested in Halloween or likes documentaries.

50 minutes of Halloween's fascinating history (5.0)

Narrated by Harry Smith (of CBS's The Early Show), The History Channel's "The Haunted History Of Halloween" is a neat little history of the pagan holiday known as All Hallows Eve, or simply "Halloween". This DVD explores the deep and fascinating history that began 3,000 years ago by the Celtic tribes in Ireland. You'll learn how Christianity became appealing to the Celts and how the new religion had merged with the old religion. You'll learn how the ancient holiday called Samhain was absorbed by the Christians, though many pagans carried on old practices and beliefs under the name "Halloween" rather than "Samhain". The roots of Halloween had been established. Martin Luther also had a huge impact on Christianity and Halloween by starting the Protestant Reformation. The Puritan opposition to Halloween in the American colonies is also discussed. This DVD also discusses the witch hunts of Europe and the American colonies, most notably in Salem, Massachusetts, which were designed to combat witchcraft and paganism. You'll learn how Virginia was the birthplace of American Halloween and how Irish immigrants injected life into Halloween in America. Also discussed is the American pumpkin replacing the Irish turnip for jack-o-lantern carving, the widespread belief in magic and the occult throughout colonial America, and the symbolism of such classic symbols of Halloween as black cats and bats. Also discussed is Mexico's Day Of The Dead on All Souls Day, which combines Christian and pagan elements.

Halloween's popularity fluctuated throughout the twentieth century based on what was going on in America and the world during certain time periods and events. A little place called Anoka, Minnesota is the Halloween capital of the world. The reason? Watch to find out. Also discussed is the post-World War II baby boomers who embraced Halloween with trick-or-treating and costume parties and are a big reason why Halloween is so popular today. The darker aspects of Halloween are also presented, such as pranks and vandalism, Devil's Night in Detroit, poisoned candy, the huge uptick in horror movie making in the 1970s and '80s, and Christian groups who are anti-Halloween.

The DVD concludes with the reality of today - that Halloween is the second biggest holiday in the U.S. in terms of total sales. A big reason is because the baby boom generation grew up with Halloween in the '50s, '60s, and '70s and liked it, so they have carried that enthusiasm into adulthood by going to costume parties and decorating their homes, etc. They have passed that enthusiasm onto their kids. Generally, these days Halloween is viewed by most people as an opportunity to have a good time, whether they embrace the darker aspects of the holiday or not. Just go to a costume party. You'll see everything from a belly dancer to The Joker to the Grim Reaper to President Obama.

If you want to get educated on the history of Halloween and its fascinating origins, then definitely buy this DVD. You'll gain a greater appreciation for the darkest and funnest holiday of them all, Halloween. Extremely highly recommended.

Great Halloween Documemtary for history buffs (5.0)

If the older kids are too old for Halloween "kid stuff" but still want to get into the Halloween Spirit, I would recommend this documentary if your older kids like history. It starts in the BC time period, explains how the church tried to incorperate paganism with christianity,how it was brought to America, up til the modern period. It does bring up the Salem witch trials and people being burned at the stake, and also how in the later 20th century there were razor blades found in apples. As an adult I found this interesting and entertaining.

great service, good product. (5.0)

My dvd got here quicker than I thought it would and was very good.
Totally satisfied with the service and the product.