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The Monsters of Midway is not what most horror film fanatics would consider a fearful bunch in the sense of terrifying monsters. However, this enthusiastic bunch of individuals was the beginning of what now is known as the National Football League (NFL), as it also serves as the nickname for the Chicago Bears. The Bears began a successful tradition under George Halas who steered the Monsters of Midway to several championships. It was a dominant beginning for a strong NFL tradition in the Windy City where the Bears continued as a powerful force to be reckoned with on the gridiron. ***

The tradition of fierce competitiveness continued through the decades with outstanding players such as Dick Butkus, Mike Singletary, and fullback Bronko Nagurski. The dominant and fierce attitude that these players brought to Chicago continued to foster the Bears’ approach to football – a brutal and physically controlling frame of mind. The brutal approach continued through the 30s all the way into the late 1960s when they scared opponents with their mere presence, as people knew what they were capable of doing while the ball was in play. This attitude raised by George Halas still rests within the spirit of the Chicago Bears who continue to leave their mark on the spectators and opponents as a tough and fearsome football team that deserves being called the Monsters of Midway. ***

During a decade of depression in the 1970s, the Bears did not conquer the greatness until the 1980s under head Coach Mike Ditka. Ditka helped bringing back the former ruthlessness of the Monsters of Midway while another great player resurged into greatness. This man was Walter Payton, also known as Sweetness. Payton is also a testimony of the tough attitude of the Bears, as he carried the ball and blocked opponents with the same toughness that Dick Butkus tackled his rivals. Today, the spirit of George Halas continues to live within the city of Chicago while the Bears continue to strive to find a way to return to the form of their heydays as the Monsters of Midway with athletes such as Brian Urlacher. *** ---

This two-disc set offers a wide range of shorter documentaries on specific players and their impact on football and their importance with the Bears organization. Some of these documentaries include names such as the bruising Rick Casares, the relentless Dan Hampton, and the colossal William Perry. These extras will undoubtedly provide any sports enthusiast with intriguing insights on the athletes and their approach the to sports of football and what football means to them. All of the extra documentaries on the DVDs offer additional information that nicely complements the feature documentary, which is of very high factual quality in regards to sports and football. *** ---