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KEN BURNS THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR is the most ambitious, comprehensive and definitive account of the bloody conflict ever produced. This epic work hailed around the world as one of the greatest documentary series ever made took Academy Award-nominated director Ken Burns five years to produce. It features over 16,000 archival photographs and innumerable period paintings, lithographs and contemporary newspaper features, as well as battlefield tours, newsreel footage of veterans and music from the period. Graphic first hand accounts of the war are brought to life with readings by top actors and actresses including JASON ROBARDS, MORGAN FREEMAN, DEREK JACOBI, JEREMY IRONS, SAM WATERSTON, JULIE HARRIS, ARTHUR MILLER and many more. Digitally mastered for exceptional picture and sound quality, this deluxe DVD edition includes all eleven hours of the series. A FILM BY KEN BURNS So much more than a mini-series. An extraordinary reconstruction of the American disaster... I must once more sing the praises of that television landmark... THE MAIL The most thought-provoking programme around. I m not surprised it broke all audience records on Public Television in American and was General Schwarzkopf s favourite viewing in the Gulf...the script, voices and the music are brilliantly chosen and performed. Five magnificent episodes to go, don t miss them. THE OBSERVER
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
108 of 112 people found the following review helpful
The following words are drawn from the viewing booklet which accompanies this classic work by Ken Burns, and summarize the series perfectly; I quote:-
"It was the most terrible war in American history, fought in 10,455 American places from Valverde, New Mexico and Tullahoma, Tennessee to St Albans, Vermont and Fernandina on the Florida Coast. Three million Americans fought in it and over 600,000 men - two percent of the population - died in it. Homes became headquarters, churches and schoolhouses sheltered the dying, and huge foraging armies swept across American towns and burned American farms.What began as a bitter regional conflict between Union and States' rights ended as a struggle over the meaning of freedom in America. Five years in the making, this landmark documentary film series movingly and vividly presents the entire sweep of the war, from the battlefield to the home fronts, from the politicians and Generals to the enlisted men and their families, from the causes of the war and the opening guns at Fort Sumpter, to the stillness at Appomattox and Lincoln's assasination and beyond. Here is the Civil War as it was: in compelling archival photographs - in the words of those who experienced it - in haunting scenes from the countryside over which it was fought."
This is an epic production which fills three DVDdiscs, took five years to make; is eleven and a half hours long, made in nine episodes, which I list below:-
1.1861 - The Cause
2.1862 - A Very Bloody Affair
3.1862 - Forever Free
4.1863 - Simply Murder
5.1863 - Universe of Battle
6.1864 - Valley of the Shadow of Death
7.1864 - Most Hallowed Ground
8.1865 - War is Hell
9.1865 - Better Angels of Our Nature
Along with great attention to detail, depth of research and gripping narrative, I regard the greatest strength of this series to be the genuine historical impartiality shown throughout. Ken Burns took no artistic licence whatever, saying "It was our most important wish that we allow the evidence of the past to tell it's own story, whether it was through a photograph or an excerpt from a soldiers diary". He has succeeded magnificently and his 'The American Civil War' is now the benchmark by which other productions are judged. I have no hesitation in recommending this splendid series, as the best on the market today. The American Civil War - a film by Ken Burns [DVD]
"It was the most terrible war in American history, fought in 10,455 American places from Valverde, New Mexico and Tullahoma, Tennessee to St Albans, Vermont and Fernandina on the Florida Coast. Three million Americans fought in it and over 600,000 men - two percent of the population - died in it. Homes became headquarters, churches and schoolhouses sheltered the dying, and huge foraging armies swept across American towns and burned American farms.What began as a bitter regional conflict between Union and States' rights ended as a struggle over the meaning of freedom in America. Five years in the making, this landmark documentary film series movingly and vividly presents the entire sweep of the war, from the battlefield to the home fronts, from the politicians and Generals to the enlisted men and their families, from the causes of the war and the opening guns at Fort Sumpter, to the stillness at Appomattox and Lincoln's assasination and beyond. Here is the Civil War as it was: in compelling archival photographs - in the words of those who experienced it - in haunting scenes from the countryside over which it was fought."
This is an epic production which fills three DVDdiscs, took five years to make; is eleven and a half hours long, made in nine episodes, which I list below:-
1.1861 - The Cause
2.1862 - A Very Bloody Affair
3.1862 - Forever Free
4.1863 - Simply Murder
5.1863 - Universe of Battle
6.1864 - Valley of the Shadow of Death
7.1864 - Most Hallowed Ground
8.1865 - War is Hell
9.1865 - Better Angels of Our Nature
Along with great attention to detail, depth of research and gripping narrative, I regard the greatest strength of this series to be the genuine historical impartiality shown throughout. Ken Burns took no artistic licence whatever, saying "It was our most important wish that we allow the evidence of the past to tell it's own story, whether it was through a photograph or an excerpt from a soldiers diary". He has succeeded magnificently and his 'The American Civil War' is now the benchmark by which other productions are judged. I have no hesitation in recommending this splendid series, as the best on the market today. The American Civil War - a film by Ken Burns [DVD]
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
I have wanted to buy this DVD after seeing the series on TV. If you have an interested in the American Civil War, or just want to learn about it, this is the DVD to get. The photographs and narration are excellent, all of the historical facts and characters are there, but in an easy to watch interesting format. Well worth the purchase.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
An Excellent series that provides a very emotive overview of the Civil War, often from the point of view of the individuals involved from the lowly privates up to Lincoln himself.
Using photographs, letters and other records it gives an often very personal view from the ordinary soldiers and their families.
Some of the images may be a little disturbing - the aftermath of battles is often shown.
It might seem a little slow to some but the narration and content really is very good.
My only complaint is that the even on an upscaling DVD player it is rather soft - this isnt a problem for the large amount of old photographs (they are expected to be a little blurred) but the modern interviews and graphics surely could have been remastered for better effect.
Overall very pleased.
Using photographs, letters and other records it gives an often very personal view from the ordinary soldiers and their families.
Some of the images may be a little disturbing - the aftermath of battles is often shown.
It might seem a little slow to some but the narration and content really is very good.
My only complaint is that the even on an upscaling DVD player it is rather soft - this isnt a problem for the large amount of old photographs (they are expected to be a little blurred) but the modern interviews and graphics surely could have been remastered for better effect.
Overall very pleased.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Ken Burns - The American Civil War
A great explanation of a civil war, a history of the making of the United States but it shows a bitter fight and loss of many lives before peace arose.
Brilliant veiwing.
Brilliant veiwing.
Published 2 months ago by Mr. Robert Mathers
Civil War
Not much detail about battles or key factors. Rather repetitive music.On the whole a rather weak product and certainly not up to the hype
Published 8 months ago by Boswell
Simply FANTASTIC!
With a keen interest in history, I was eagerly looking forward to seeing this documentry once again, having followed it on TV some time back. Read more
Published 9 months ago by D. Landau
Fantastic
This is the definitive documentary on the American Civil War told through the letters and words of the people who were there. Read more
Published 11 months ago by lee6891
Very good but...
Although it is a really good portrait of the american civil war, I must comment a fault I have found in the "american civil war" documentary. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Jon Frias
Masterful Documentary
I'd seen this series on TV many years ago and wanted a copy in PAL format. Ken Burns is a master documentary film-maker, combining photographs, animated drawings and maps, readings... Read more
Published 11 months ago by sha1030
Civil war
This is quite the most excellent historical documentary ever made. The World at War is a close runner as is The Great War. They are all in the same league.
Published 12 months ago by Den
Intelligent and moving
This is a brilliant series. I am not a fan of most things American and even less interested in their history, but this was a well presented and cogent lesson in history. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Cypruss
Superb
I won't bore anyone, just look at the number of 5* reviews to know this is a fantastic series. Very informative, well made, beautifully presented box set.
Buy and enjoy.
Buy and enjoy.
Published 15 months ago by Robert Lawrence
A wonderful documentary
A wonderful documentary. The approach is deliberately slow and understated and this is what makes it work so well. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Redwing
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