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List Price: $99.99 | | Label: PBS (DIRECT)
Salesrank: 216
Released: September 28, 2004 |
| Our Price: $47.99 |
| Used Price: $33.99 |
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MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Hailed as a film masterpiece and landmark in historical storytelling, Ken Burns's epic documentary brings to life America's most destructive-- and defining--conflict. With digitally enhanced images and new stereo sound, here is the saga of celebrated generals and ordinary soldiers, a heroic and transcendent president and a country that had to divide itself in two in order to become one.
Description of The Civil War - A Film by Ken Burns:
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
On the DVD
The DVD features on The Civil War provide a wealth of insight, creative philosophy, historical perspective, and educational enjoyment. Twelve years after its premiere broadcast, the film was given a digital facelift, sharpening image clarity, correcting color, and enriching its soundtrack with a remastered 5.1-channel mix, as demonstrated in the "Civil War Reconstruction" featurette. In interviews from 2002, producer-director Ken Burns, historian Shelby Foote, journalist George Will, author Stanley Crouch, and composer-musicians Jay Ungar and Molly Mason reflect upon The Civil War's enduring significance. And Burns's eloquent commentary--selectively included on each disc and totaling five hours--illuminates the historical importance and creative impulse behind crucial chapters of the film. Fifty-seven onscreen biography cards detail important North, South, and civilian figures, and two 1990 featurettes—"Making History" and "A Conversation with Ken Burns"--provide a more personal perspective on the creation of this extraordinary film. Useful for both personal and academic study, these features stand as a fitting supplement to one of the greatest documentaries ever produced. --Jeff Shannon
The Civil War - A Film by Ken Burns Reviews:
the Civil War- a film by Ken Burns 
2009-11-08 - Anyone interested in learning more about the Civil War than what we're taught in school couldn't do better than watching this film.
All the Ken Burns films I've seen are beautifully done, and as entertaining as they are informative. This is no exception.
I saw this originaly on the History Channel, bought the set on vhs, and now have this wonderful dvd set. Each time I watch it I find it as fascinating as I did the first time.
It's done with knowledgable historians like Shelby Foote whose warmth, humor & effusiveness make it a story not just a lesson, and with actors giving voices to those who were there at this terrible time in our history.
We're offered the chance to learn not only about the military & human aspects, but artfully giving us a chance to understand & feel for and with these people. A "You Are There" experience.
Very highest recommendation!
Jo Green
WOW very good
2009-10-14 - I never thought I would be interested in the civil war boy was I wrong simply great documetary
good seller
2009-10-09 - delivered as promised and in excellent condition. no problems whatever.
can recommend this seller.
It never gets old
2009-10-07 - Upgrading from VHS copies to DVD is sometimes a letdown, but this set is well worth it. Ken Burns is a national treasure, and his work holds up well to repeated viewing.
civil war
2009-10-04 - very informative as to the civil war as it really happened i do believe the commontators are exceptional . bought books by bearss and foote . the series will be viewed many times by myself and wife fred mannino
