DVD Review: “Under the Boardwalk: The Monopoly Story” (& Giveaway Ends 1/3)

Under the Boardwalk: The Monopoly Story

ABOUT:

A classic board game that has been played by over a billion people in the last 75 years, MONOPOLY® is a worldwide cultural phenomenon. ‘Under the Boardwalk’ is a feature-length documentary that captures fascinating stories about the game and those who play it. Zachary Levi, star of NBC’s Chuck and Disney’s Tangled, provides the narration for the film.

Few people realize that the game began as an anti-capitalist political platform thirty years before it evolved into a game about getting rich and took the world by storm in the depths of the Great Depression. This documentary looks at how MONOPOLY was transformed and why it has become so popular. The game is now sold in over 110 countries around the world in 40 languages.

The filmmakers investigate the psychology of the game, and game experts let viewers in on the best strategies for winning.

As a cultural phenomenon, MONOPOLY has a colorful history of secretly helping WWII POWs escape, influencing movies and television since 1936, and being part of all kinds of interesting world records and trivia. (The longest underwater game is over 72 hours, and the longest continuous game lasted 70 straight days.) Quirky collectors of all things MONOPOLY complete the cultural survey.

The film also features footage of MONOPOLY national and world championships from all over the world, starting with the first World Championship in 1973 and leading up to the exciting coronation of a new champion at the most recent World Championship in Las Vegas in 2009.

MONOPOLY began by bringing friends and families together, and now, through its universal language and World Championships, helps bring the whole world together. Filming locations included the U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Norway, Japan, Singapore and Australia. Anchoring the film is Phil Orbanes, a former Sr. VP of Research & Development at Parker Brothers and current Chief MONOPOLY Judge.

MY THOUGHTS:

This is a must have for any Monopoly fan – it is pretty awesome!  My husband and brother love Monopoly and I can see them really liking this DVD.  I am not even a big fan and I liked the DVD!  “Under the Boardwalk” covers the history of Monopoly, which is pretty amazing as I never knew the story behind it, and it covers a lot of the Monopoly world tournaments.  I had no idea how big Monopoly tournaments were but they put them on all over in so many different countries.  The last one was in Las Vegas and it reminded me of the World Series of Poker but Monopoly-style! It is amazing how competitive it is and how dedicated some people are.  There are also different Monopoly products shown, my favorite it the amazing bathrooms people have designed that are Monopoly-themed!  (I have a feeling my husband will get some crazy ideas from this documentary!)  The DVD runs 85 minutes and it would make a great addition to anyone’s Monopoly collection or just a fan who loves the game. 

BUY IT: You can buy “Under the Boardwalk: The Monopoly Story” direct from the publisher for $20 plus S&H.

WIN IT: (2) US winners will receive the DVD “Under the Boardwalk: The Monopoly Story”

TO ENTER:  Leave a comment on anything Monopoly related!

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Please leave me a comment for EACH entry. This contest ends  January 3, 2011. Thanks everyone and good luck! Also, if you just put a generic comment like “I want to Win” then I will have to disqualify you. Once per household please.

Mama’s Money Savers Disclosure: I was sent this DVD to review but my opinion remains my own. Please see my Disclosure Policy.