The Civil War: A Film by Ken Burns
Pbs Paramount Product Details
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Sales Rank: 7050
Pbs Paramount
Released: 2004-09-28
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Media: DVD (5)
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Amazon.com essential video
The most successful public-television miniseries in American history, the 11-hour Civil War didn't just captivate a nation, reteaching to us our history in narrative terms; it actually also invented a new film language taken from its creator. When people describe documentaries using the "Ken Burns approach," its style is understood: voice-over narrators reading letters and documents dramatically and stating the writer's name at their conclusion, fresh live footage of places juxtaposed with still images (photographs, paintings, maps, prints), anecdotal interviews, and romantic musical scores taken from the era he depicts. The Civil War uses all of these devices to evoke atmosphere and resurrect an event that many knew only from stale history books. While Burns is a historian, a researcher, and a documentarian, he's above all a gifted storyteller, and it's his narrative powers that give this chronicle its beauty, overwhelming emotion, and devastating horror. Using the words of old letters, eloquently read by a variety of celebrities, the stories of historians like Shelby Foote and rare, stained photos, Burns allows us not only to relearn and finally understand our history, but also to feel and experience it. --Dave McCoy
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Product Details
The Civil War: A Film by Ken Burns
- DVD: 0 pages (2004-09-28)
- Publisher: Pbs Paramount
- Label: Pbs Paramount
- Starring: David McCullough, Sam Waterston, Jason Robards, Morgan Freeman, Garrison Keillor
- Encoding: Region 1
- Format: Box set, Color, Subtitled, NTSC
- Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1,
- Rated: NR (Not Rated)
- Studio: Pbs Paramount
- DVD Release Date: 2004-09-28
- Run Time: 680
- ISBN: 1415702470
- Average Customer Review: based on 135 reviews
- Sales Rank in DVD: #7050
Customer Reviews
Avg. Customer Review:
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Ken Burns Civil War 2010-03-14
Comment: This is one of the greatest overviews of the American Civil War. Brilliant accomplishment!
Customer Rating:
Summary: An awesome view of history 2010-03-07
Comment: What can I say? It's a Ken Burns film. The man has yet to put out a bad one.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The story of the Civil War beautifully rendered 2010-03-02
Comment: This series is one of the most popular and critically acclaimed historical documentaries for a reason. It achieves just the right balance of concision and detail, relying on talented people to bring to life the events, people, and other forces involved in the Civil War. Famous modern actors/personalities read the recollections of various people who described what life was like in different aspects of the conflict, including those writings and remembrances of Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, Frederick Douglass, Mary Chesnut, and many more. Others narrate most deflty the important battles and the how/why of the larger patterns. Shelby Foote was a personal favorite in this regard. Moreover, the series features spectacuilarly assembled, beautiful photos and footage of the countryside, towns, buildings, and other places where it all took place. Lastly, the music, much of which draws from the folk and popular tunes of the time, adds so much ambience and flavor to the whole. The lovely main theme "Ashokan Farewell" helps give the series its rich character. There are not a whole lot of historical documentaries that can present their subjects in a way that is as exciting as most feature films and yet informed without being eggheaded. Do yourself a favor and give this a viewing. It is touching and enriching every bit as much as it is educational.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The Civil War DVD set 2010-02-28
Comment: Item was as advertised. First rate quality DVD. Price was half of new. Great purchase.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Clearly A Masterpiece Of Work 2010-02-27
Comment: There is nothing more I really can add.. except.. Do not miss seeing this film. The civil war was the defining moment in time for this country.
In defining Americanism, it's not how we look.. it's how we think as a people. This film tells it all.
In defining Americanism, it's not how we look.. it's how we think as a people. This film tells it all.