1421: The Year China Discovered America (2004, DVD)

PBS's review of the popular and controversal book 1421, that documents the voages of discovery by the Chinese fleet that generated the world maps which allowed white explores to sail around around the world 50 years later.

Good: High production value. PBS use Chinese actors, sets and props to help visualize some events described by the book. Location filming also helps flush out some of the places talked about in the book.

Bad: PBS appears to be biased in their approach to the subject. The overall tone of the documentary was very critical of the book's claims. The so called interview with the book's author, was more like a cross-exam in a crimial court case with the interviewer trying very hard to put down the author's claims.

Summary: Good for those who have read the book to help visualize some of the events and places. Bad due to PBS's closed mindedness in approaching the subject.