Product Description

It is truly the grandest of all American homes. Built by George Washington Vanderbilt, Biltmore dwarfs all the mansions built by his illustrious forefathers, even the Breakers "cottage" in Newport. America's Castlestakes a remarkable top-to-bottom tour of the largest home ever built in America. With its 255 rooms, the Biltmore is a monument to the extravagance and eccentricity of its owner. See footage of its construction, and go behind the scenes with the men and women who work there to learn the secrets of this incredible mansion. Get a privileged tour of rooms that are off-limits to the public, and marvel at the magnificent treasures that Vanderbilt collected. Travel to the gorgeous mountains of Western North Carolina for the definitive look at the ultimate American Castle.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #31834 in DVD
• Released on: 1997-02-15
• Format: NTSC
• Number of discs: 1

Customer Reviews

250 rooms, but not one cable ready!
I've been fascinated by the Biltmore Estate ever since I first saw it in movies as a kid. I've visited there twice and was blown away both times. No other home in the nation can match Biltmore for its scope and detail. This video elegantly captures the Estate from the mansion to the grounds and everywhere in between. It's beautifully shot and also shares the full history of this greatest of America's Castles.

Mountain Palace
I visited Biltmore several years ago. It brings back great memories. It took 5 years and an army of men to build.
This DVD gives lots of information about the house itself, the man who built it, and the era in which it was built.
In addition, it shows some of the rooms,
the gardens (which are extensive), and art collections. The dining hall is 70 feet high; heated by a six-foot+ tall, 3-hearth fireplace (at least 18 foot wide).
It had all the modern conveniences for the time, such as refrigeration, electricity, centralized communications, (etc). I would love to visit at Christmas time; I understand the decorations are stunning over the holidays.

Good Overview of the house
I enjoyed the film. The narrators are good. You get to meet the guy who currently owns the castle...the grandson of the builder. If you plan on actually visiing the castle, this would be a good way to preview it before you go. A&E did a good job of producing and editing this piece. I doubt that it covers ALL the rooms on the tour, but it seems to at least hit the highlights.