Overview: 'American Patriots - Documentary Collection' features over 15 hours of real life Heroes. This expansive documentary collection chronicles their courageous and monumental legacy in the United States and around the world.

DVD Verdict: Up first is FOR LOVE OF LIBERTY, where we uncover the true story of our nation's black heroes and patriots that played pivotal roles in the U.S. Military since the earliest days of the republic.

From the battle fields of the Revolution to the deserts of Iraq examine why, despite enormous injustice, these heroic men and women fought so valiantly for freedoms they themselves did not enjoy.

Through letters, diaries, speeches, journalistic accounts, historical text and military records discover the fierce and faithful history of our African-American military leaders!

Hosted by Halle Berry, this documentary exposes little known history that demonstrates the courage of minority Americans who put their lives on the line for a country that repeatedly rejected them.

Disc 1 - 5-Part For Love Of Liberty documentary
Disc 2 - Extras:
-Abridged Edit of For Love Of Liberty
-Stories of Black Patriots In the Civil War documentary
-Archival Footage
-Photo Montages
-Music Video

Then comes UNSUNG HEROES: THE STORY OF AMERICA'S FEMALE PATRIOTS, which is an inspirational saga of unrecognized courage and sacrifice that touches every community in the nation.

These are women who, despite the hardships of military service, are proud of their long-standing commitment to the patriotic ideals of the United States.

It is a story of all guts and no glory and its theme, the price of liberty, is relevant to all Americans.

Through rare photographs, archival materials, personal memorabilia and on-camera interviews, this 2-part documentary produced by Academy Award® Winner Ron Howard illustrates the enormous accomplishments and profound sacrifices of our female patriots that have previously been ignored ... until now!

Including over 100 minutes of bonus archival footage, such as: WWI Victory Parade, Women in Uniform at Home and Abroad, Vietnam Air Force Nurses, POW Jessica Lynch's Return Home and much more, UNSUNG HEROES: THE STORY OF AMERICA'S FEMALE PATRIOTS is one for the history books, of that have no doubt.

A very well made film, especially topical at the moment due to the recent decision (still being contested) that late members of the WASP are no longer allowed to be buried at Arlington Cemetery, despite the fact there is a section of that cemetery RESERVED for WASPS.

And the fact that, despite the increasing number of women veterans, the VA has yet to make a real effort to hire more GYN doctors. I had always known we've had women serving in just about every conflict this country has been involved in, but this documentary brings out a lot of information I wasn't aware of.

It also does a really great job covering the political and legal wrangles involved as women worked to be acknowledged as warriors capable of fighting as needed. Kudos to those involved in making this documentary a reality.

Finally we get THE MEDAL OF HONOR, which is awarded for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States.

This 6-part documentary chronicles the highest award given to military personnel for their extreme bravery, valor and harrowing sacrifices. Covering the Civil War through the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, learn about the most courageous acts performed by the people who fight for American freedom.

1. The Civil War
2. World War One
3. World War Two Europe
4. World War Two Pacific
5. The Korean War
6. The Vietnam War

At the conclusion of the Vietnam segment there is the inclusion of recipients from the Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts as well. This documentary appears to be very up to date (2012) and covers the awards presented by President Obama.

There are some speeches made at these presentations by former Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and George W. Bush, as well as by President Obama. Otherwise this film is centered on the backgrounds of the conflicts/wars, giving us an idea of what brought men to these terrible venues.

In truth, there is a great deal of stock photos and footage, with a progression of technical achievements that allows better realism. There are also many scenes done by "re-enacters", from the Civil War up to and including Vietnam.

These are supplemented by footage pertinent to the era. I have to register one complaint, and that is the sound of the narrator. Oddly compressed for an HD recording, the lack of dynamics also lulls one to doze during certain stretches.

Also, one must sit through the introduction to each portion of the film. This may have been due to showing it in other venues as a series of films instead of one lengthy piece. Once again, the last bits of the film fare better, but that hardly makes up for almost 3 hours of mediocre sound and continual intros.

Overall the presentation is good, the idea behind the presentation even better, and -lest we forget - the number of people who live to tell the tale of their personal battle are few indeed. This is a Widescreen Presentation (1.78:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs.