Ken Burns' "The Civil War"

[S. Gomez]

So while my college has called a reading break for a couple days, I've been watching the documentary series by Ken Burns on the American Civil War.

I'm only up to Episode Three, and the Emancipation Proclamation, but already it's one of the best documentaries I've ever seen. Not only am I learning tons, there have been a few places where I've almost been moved to tears. David McCullough's narration is top-notch as well (incidentally, he's a great writer too; I've read 1776 and just now I'm working on The Path Between The Seas), not to mention all the other voice actors.

 

[JustKate]

I agree completely - it's wonderful. It really brings the war to life by reminding us how it affected individuals.

 

[Misfit Toy]

I watched it when it first aired and was blown away. Wonderful, wonderful storytelling.

 

[Harvey]

I've enjoyed it on DVD, but I can't help but have a greater interest in Jazz (do to the subject matter) and The War (due to Burn's refinement in tecnique). Still, an important, significant documentary work, despite what any Burns haters might go on about in film school (I know, I've had to listen to them).

 

[gh4chiefs]

It is indeed an incredible experience. I don't know how many times I've seen it, but I enjoy it immensely each time. I beleive that I've noticed a possible error (or at least a contradiction to other historical sources) here and there, but I can't come up with an example at the moment. And they weren't major issues as I recall.

Anyway this is one box DVD set that was well worth the investment.

EDIT TO ADD: In an amazing coincidence, just as I entered this last post, I turned around to my digital frame on my desk, and at that moment it was scrolling pictures I took at Gettysburg last May. Specifically the fist picture I saw was on Little Round Top.

 

[CaptJimboJones]

I've enjoyed it on DVD, but I can't help but have a greater interest in Jazz (do to the subject matter) and The War (due to Burn's refinement in tecnique). Still, an important, significant documentary work, despite what any Burns haters might go on about in film school (I know, I've had to listen to them).

I LOVED his Jazz documentary as well. Although I wish he had spent more time on the post-1960 era, which he pretty much zipped through in the final episode.

 

[Harvey]

^^
Most jazz overviews skip over that era, unfortunately.

 

[T'Bonz]

This is a great DVD set. I've rewatched it many times.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

I'm only now finally watching it - about halfway thru the war (but not quite to Gettysburg). Just as good as everyone says.

Maybe Jazz is next on the ole Netflix queue?

 

[Broccoli]

I can never think about The Civil War without immediately thinking of this.

I've enjoyed it on DVD, but I can't help but have a greater interest in Jazz (do to the subject matter) and The War (due to Burn's refinement in tecnique). Still, an important, significant documentary work, despite what any Burns haters might go on about in film school (I know, I've had to listen to them).

Burns haters?

I didn't know that he was not liked in some film circles. I was under the impression that he was pretty much well-respected in the film industry.

 

[Skywalker]

Burns' Baseball is excellent, as well. If anyone has an interest in the history of the game and gets MLB Network, they've been airing it on Tuesday evenings.

 

[S. Gomez]

I can never think about The Civil War without immediately thinking of this.

Thanks for posting!

 

[Harvey]

I didn't know that he was not liked in some film circles. I was under the impression that he was pretty much well-respected in the film industry.

His style of (1) talking heads, (2) celebrities reading quotes, (3) pans and zooms on old photographs is easily replicated and mocked. I can understand why some theorists and the like dislike him. His style is pretty conservative and unremarkable. It's his content, which is well researched, organized, and presented, that puts him over the top over most documentarians. He's no Errol Morris or Ross McElwee, but he's good.

 

[Gojirob]

Dearest Sharon : Anthony's forces continue to descend to new depths in their tactics against us, while Anthony himself is becoming a more and more difficult man, depending on whether Millar or JMS is writing him. Peter's defection to our ranks has swelled morale only a little while further turning the more unthinking masses against us. One must note, however, that these are the same people who feel that sending 100-foot giant robots to hunt and kill mutant teenagers is a good thing, so I really shouldn't be that surprised. I must concede, I really don't know WTF our rebellion is really about, or why President Quesada is running both sides of this war. I must go now, my dear, as Sally Floyd is about to chastise me for sending a hand-written letter instead of texting you this.

Always yours, Steven Rogers

 

[Broccoli]

Dearest Sharon : Anthony's forces continue to descend to new depths in their tactics against us, while Anthony himself is becoming a more and more difficult man, depending on whether Millar or JMS is writing him. Peter's defection to our ranks has swelled morale only a little while further turning the more unthinking masses against us. One must note, however, that these are the same people who feel that sending 100-foot giant robots to hunt and kill mutant teenagers is a good thing, so I really shouldn't be that surprised. I must concede, I really don't know WTF our rebellion is really about, or why President Quesada is running both sides of this war. I must go now, my dear, as Sally Floyd is about to chastise me for sending a hand-written letter instead of texting you this.

Always yours, Steven Rogers

Wow...I can't believe there hasn't been a fan video parodying that in this manner.

 

[cardinal biggles]

I'm only up to Episode Three, and the Emancipation Proclamation, but already it's one of the best documentaries I've ever seen. Not only am I learning tons, there have been a few places where I've almost been moved to tears. David McCullough's narration is top-notch as well (incidentally, he's a great writer too; I've read 1776 and just now I'm working on The Path Between The Seas), not to mention all the other voice actors.

Ken Burns' The Civil War is one of my favorite documentaries of all time; New York: A Documentary Film by Ken's brother Ric is the other. David Ogden Stiers (Major Winchester from M*A*S*H) is the narrator, and David McCullough is one of the numerous talking heads; once you're done with The Path Between the Seas, pick up his book The Great Bridge.

 

[S. Gomez]

^The Great Bridge is already going to be my next McCullough.

I finished the documentary last night. Suffice to say that the last episodes live up to the first. I appreciated greatly the fairness of how it was presented; it becomes far too easy to demonize the Confederacy in simple terms and ignore the pain both sides experienced during a messy, brutal conflict that neither North nor South particularly cherished. I was especially struck when I learned that Arlington National Cemetary was established literally on the front doorstep of Robert E. Lee's house (and out of spite too) as well as the footage from the 75th anniversary of Gettysburg in 1938; interestingly, a few episodes earlier Shelby Foote claimed that we don't know what the infamous 'Rebel Yell' actually sounded like, but in that footage you clearly hear some of the Confederate veterans hooting it out--while they shake hands with Union veterans. That actually almost brought a tear to my eye.

ETA: Actually, I keep meaning to ask if anyone knows what the tune played on the piano is at the beginning of each episode. Is it a specially composed theme or an actual song from the Civil War?

 

[The Sneeze Police]

It's Ashoken Farewell by Jay Ungar. I think it was composed in the 1980's but not for the Civil War series. It is a lovely piece of music.

It is a great series, and I remember when it came on PBS years ago.

 

[Mr. Fergy]

Ken Burns is just a Brilliant Film Maker. I loved watching The Civil War, and it still holds up after the years....

 

[cardinal biggles]

It's Ashoken Farewell by Jay Ungar. I think it was composed in the 1980's but not for the Civil War series. It is a lovely piece of music.

It is a great series, and I remember when it came on PBS years ago.

A lot of people came away from The Civil War thinking "Ashokan Farewell" was authentic Civil War-era music. (I admit that for a while I was one of them. ) Everything else in the documentary is period, but that one song so dominates the soundtrack... and yet it fits perfectly.