MWSA Film Review

Highest Traditions BVD

Produced by: Gypsy Moth Productions

Directed by: Tony Lazzarini

Edited by: Christine Lazzarini

Narrated by: Rik Goodell

Music credits:

“I Just Got Here First”

Written and C9ompossed by Don Forbes

Preformed by Don Forbes

“Pretty Corpse”

Written by Justin McGee and Jeffery Chin

Preformed by Jeffery Chin

Reviewer: Bill McDonald – President of the MWSA

A Great New Concept in Video Mini-Documentaries

“Highest Traditions” is a great new DVD film idea that will soon be copied by many others – but this is the first one and it is a winning effort! Author and creative genius Tony Lazzarini and his multi-talented film making sister, Christine, have combined their energies to give us something that goes well beyond what one could have ever expected from a 12 minute short film. They are calling their film concept a “BookVideoDisc.”  It gives the readers images on the screen so they can actually visualize Tony’s book, “Highest Traditions” and get a real feeling for what it was like flying in a Huey during the Vietnam War.

This film makes wonderful viewing with lots of actual combat footage and sound effects. It feels like you are sitting in the door gunner’s seat as the helicopter swoops down across the rivers, rice paddies, roads, jungles and city and village streets. It will certainly get you in the mood to read the “rest of the story” inside the book.

The film editing is some of the best I have seen done with documentary film. It is seamless and flows smoothly from scene to scene without losing the creative flow of the narration.

The music fits well and carries the mood of the action and the danger. These songs are one of the really precious discoveries inside the film. The performances are top notch and each song conveys an emotional piece to the feeling of young men going off to war and coming home changed. The music is a winner!

The concept for this film is more than just an introduction to the book. It stands alone just as well as a short documentary. It pushes all the right buttons and moves the emotional spirit of the viewer. It is powerful and gripping.

The idea conceived by Voyager Publishing and produced by Gypsy Moth Productions can be applied to other books and genre. The idea is a very sound one. In this day and age people want more out of a book than written words – they want movement, sound and action. This movie does it all and does it well! It is well worth buying either the book or the movie alone but Tony has a special package deal where you can buy both together. It will enhance the entire experience of reading his book. It is an innovative idea that needed to be done.

The Military Writer’s Society of America (MWSA) gives this film FIVE STARS. It is the best short documentary film made in 2006 and receives the MWSA’s “Presidential Medal for Outstanding Short-Documentary Film.”

Visit the author's website for ordering information.