NFL Films - Inside the Vault, Vols. 1-3 [DVD]

More than just a football documentary, "NFL Films--Inside the Vault" tells the story of how the visual coverage of NFL matches evolved from simple "game films" into works of cinematic art. You'll learn how the pioneers at NFL Films developed increasingly sophisticated techniques for capturing the action on the field, along the sidelines, and in the stands...weaving them into a thoroughly well-told story. They didn't just tell the story of the game or provide a glimpse into the NFL (and AFL) of the 1960's and 70's; they managed to capture who we were as a nation as both we--and the game itself--continued to evolve and mature.You'll see how the iconic "spiraling pass arcing towards the camera only to be suddenly snatched out of air by the receiver" shot evolved. (Prior to NFL Films, all TV viewers ever saw was a from-the-stands perspective; getting the camera to appear to be on the field itself was their innovation.)You'll also see some amazing plays and sports figures from this golden age of the game...Bart Starr, Vince Lombardy, Jim Brown. You'll also meet the last pro in the NFL to play without the benefit of a face mask (after the closeup shot, you'll soon discover why the rest of his team mates had decided that the mask was a good idea..!)Great cinematography, tremendous musical score, insightful interviews, and some truly memorable plays, catches, and tackles that will bring back fond memories from those of us who grew up in those days...and for newer generations who want to find out more about the game they love.

This is part of an ongoing series from NFL films. They each seem to have been produced in successive years. 1999, 2000 and 2001.Part one goes back to the beginnings of NFL films and talks about how the company came into being. The DVD contains some really classic shots from the early to mid 60's and is exclusively NFL stuff. No AFL on this one. The whole DVD is narrated by Steve Sabol. His father was the founder of NFL films.Part two was my favorite being from an AFL city. This DVD is exclusively AFL footage of the original 10 AFL teams. Mostly mid to late 60's. All in color. Quality is amazing. Looks like most of this footage was shot last week. Not 35 years ago.Part three focuses on the first year after the merger between AFL and NFL. 1970. Again the DVD is narrated by Steve Sabol and he talks mostly about the transition and how relatively smoothly this merger went.I'm really looking forward to new additions to this series. Steve Sabol seems to indicate they have enough footage to produce these things forever.

Okay Grandpa's. Tired of trying to convince the new generation that NFL football was BETTER & much more violent than this game I'm watching today? Need real proof. Well thank God for the Sabol family. It seems they discovered a bunch of old rusted film cans. And struck GOLD! Inside the Vault 1960 to 1970 as ONLY the Sabol's can shoot it and tell it. Really the NFL is a tag football league now. The quality is excellent thanks to today's technology. Three DVD's . (1) The Creation 1962-65 (2) The Renegades (1960-69) & The Merger (1970). The 62 Championship Game. The 1964 Season. Forgotten Players. Roughnecks who would be arrested & jailed today.Renegade Rules.Early AFL Footage. Wired for Sound. A Merger made in heaven. Styles of the 70's. New Breed of QB's. Memorable Names. On the Sidelines and so much more. I got mine thru Amazon from go Hastings for less than $15. Okay so the kids won't watch. But don't you owe it to yourself to re-visit your NFL/AFL roots?

3 discs were pretty good, if folksy, lots of old-time football. But disc 4, "The Merger (1970)", was a complete stinker: little or nothing about "the merger", just having to put up with Steve Sabol being a redneck jackass.

This shows footage which was not used in the 1960s & 1970s. As a fan of the league born after much of this I enjoyed seeing how it was. There are stories from cameramen about what the filming was like. Many lesser-known players are also highlighted. The color & look of the footage is brilliant in many places. Overall it is a nice time capsule for what games were like then.

Wonderful trip down memory lane for those of us who lived in the 60’s! Thank you, NFL Films!

I really, really wanted to get this DVD...been waiting for NFL films to put together footage of the 1950's & 60's. But I was less then satisfied, anything on this DVD can be seen on TV, ESPN and now on the NFL channel. It's over produced with lots of talking which is OK if back up with video that last more then 30 seconds....each volume lasts 41 minutes, so you get only about two hours, but with lots of repetition. Bottom line- this is not for the serious fan...watch it on TV and not waste your money like I did.

This is a great start to the series, wonderful for any football fanatic. The only problem is, this is only 3 episodes out of maybe 10 or 12; maybe more than that. I keep hoping they'll release the rest of the series, because this only scratches the surface.

NEVER GO WRONG WITH NFL FILMS