Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #57845 in DVD
• Released on: 2002-02-06
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 90 minutes

Amazon.com
This video, hosted by Barbara Walters, is based on the work of author John Gray. His bestselling book Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus deals with the premise that men, as Martians, and women, as Venusians, have extremely different ways of viewing coupledom. For this video, ABC News placed an ad in newspapers asking for couples looking to work on their marriages. They received thousands of responses, and from those they chose the six couples who appear in this special. Cameras follow the couples in their daily routines, and we also see them in discussion with each other, detailing the problems of their relationships with remarkable frankness. They don't shy away from discussing chores, intimacy, and the daily grind, and the picture is not always flattering. Next, each of the couples attends a John Gray lecture and workshops. After five more months, each couple is revisited (the entire process takes a total of eight months); all are in healthier, happier relationships.

Part of the intrigue of this video is the voyeuristic glimpse into the couples' lives. But more than that, each couple discusses issues that viewers can relate to. As the audience of the John Gray lecture nods along with his statements, it's hard not to find yourself thinking, "Exactly!" The video does not delve deeply into the philosophy espoused in Gray's book; rather, it shows his ideas in action. This video will benefit those looking for an introduction to the Martian-Venusian theories, and it will also serve well as a companion to the book. --Jenny Brown

Customer Reviews

ENCOURAGING! ENJOYED WATCHING IT!
I enjoyed every part of this taping. I gives viewers a sample that married relationships take a lot of work to survive. Talks about communication techiques, how to handle stress, romancing your spouse, making time to talk, discussing issues without arguing and how to show empathy and compassion toward one another. If you're really serious about making your marriage work this is the tape to watch.

Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus
The whole dvd had about 10 minutes from John Gray, I found it disappointing, most of the dvd, show couples and their issues
with a very brief follow up. Very little substance

Good communication guidelines
I teach both gender & communication and family communication and I have used this in my class. Many of Gray's principles are based on solid communication theories, and can be easily put into practice. Gray's premise is that indeed, men and women are different (most likely due to different socialization as children) and understanding and appreciating those differences are paramount to a good relationship. The book asks for compromise on both sides, and a trust between partners in a relationship. This DVD alone just gives a very brief overview of Gray's ideas, but alone, without actually reading his book, may leave some people with misconceptions about what he is suggesting. I always follow up this program with a discussion that clarifies his principles.