AllMovie

William Randolph Hearst built a fortune in the newspaper industry. He then invested a great deal of that fortune to create his dream estate on the California coast. Hearst Castle: Building the Dream explores the ins and outs of what many consider the most luxurious estate ever built. Director Bruce Neibaur has compiled 51 minutes of film detailing Hearst's personal history and the influences that caused him to build such a place. Borrowing heavily from the great castles of Europe, Hearst employed many classic motifs in the design of his masterpiece. Narrator John Gavigan leads this virtual tour (which was converted from 70mm film to DVD and VHS by Slingshot Entertainment) and is aptly accompanied by music scored by Sam Cardon. The DVD version of Hearst Castle: Building the Dream includes several unique menu options (Internet links for further exploration and research, multiple language options, chapter like settings that allow viewers easy access to favorite sections) that make the viewing experience all the more enjoyable. Hearst was a unique and rich man and the 127 acre estate he forged is now a testament to what wealth and ambition can create.