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Product Description
Amazon.ca
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
Special Features
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
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
My order arrived within a week of ordering and the DVD Set was new as promised. This is probably my favourite documentry of all time and I love just about everything about it. Ken Burns isn't biased to either North or South, he just tells a great story about this war using incredible images, historians and music. Anyone who loves a great story whether you're a history buff or not will more than likely enjoy this documentry.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Chris Way
Format:DVD
I could write for hours about this wonderful series. I bought this boxset to revisit it after I initially watched its premiere back in 1990. I must say it still lives up to its original splendor as a great documentary, as it is an unbiased, historically accurate account of the war on both sides. The narration is excellent, the quotations from known actor's such as Morgan Freeman and Jason Robards are excellent and the whole series will make you watch and understand what was going on in the U.S during that tumultuous period and how the world interacted in that country's affairs.
22 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This film was first presented as a mini-series on five consecutive evenings in the States. I expected it to be the typical, one-sided, Civil War epic: the southerners are bad guys, promote slavery, hate America, and kill women and children. Was I in for a surprise.
Ken Burns presents a "fair and balanced" view of the War Between the States. This is NOT actors in silly costumes like the Discovery Channel productions. Ken Burns brings the war back to life through the use of thousands of real photograhs, readings of real letters, interviews with Civil War experts (such as the brilliant Shelby Foote), and, of course that incredible award winning sound track.
Most Canadians (and Americans) do not understand the US Civil War. This is DVD set to buy to learn. It will entertain. It will educate. It will leave you sad and you will cry.
Robert E. Lee was tapped by Lincoln to run the Union army. When confronted with emancipation Lincoln wanted to order the Navy to build boats for a one-way trip to Africa for the freed slaves. Sherman turned his anger on the south by destroying Atlanta with starvation and fire, killing thousands of women and children.
When a captured Federal soldier was asked why he was fighting he told them about constitution, keeping the union together, etc. When a confederate was asked by the yankees why he was fighting he said; "because you are down here."
This has been on my wish list for a long time. If you want to get rid of a copy, be sure and send it my way.
Ken Burns presents a "fair and balanced" view of the War Between the States. This is NOT actors in silly costumes like the Discovery Channel productions. Ken Burns brings the war back to life through the use of thousands of real photograhs, readings of real letters, interviews with Civil War experts (such as the brilliant Shelby Foote), and, of course that incredible award winning sound track.
Most Canadians (and Americans) do not understand the US Civil War. This is DVD set to buy to learn. It will entertain. It will educate. It will leave you sad and you will cry.
Robert E. Lee was tapped by Lincoln to run the Union army. When confronted with emancipation Lincoln wanted to order the Navy to build boats for a one-way trip to Africa for the freed slaves. Sherman turned his anger on the south by destroying Atlanta with starvation and fire, killing thousands of women and children.
When a captured Federal soldier was asked why he was fighting he told them about constitution, keeping the union together, etc. When a confederate was asked by the yankees why he was fighting he said; "because you are down here."
This has been on my wish list for a long time. If you want to get rid of a copy, be sure and send it my way.
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4.7 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Damaged
When this came the case was broken and one of the discs was damaged such that it wouldn't play. The ones that did play were great, though.
Published 3 months ago by Margo Williams
1.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointed!!!
I ordered and paid for this item Nov 26/11, and it is now Feb 8/12 and I stll have not received shipment. I have been informed of a tentative delivery date of Feb.22/12. Read more
Published 15 months ago by cebe
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must see!! Totally fascinating History
I think the Ken Burns is the best. This documentary cannot be beaten. I also bought the companion book for additional learning. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Donna Robertson-Balzer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Civil War Masterpiece
This series provides a detailed and objective summary of the reasons behind and battlefield struggles of a war that was inevitable. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Bryan J
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic Documentary!
Ken Burns did a fantastic work of art with this documentary. The historical content was exceptional, the music stays with you for days, & the cinematography was outstanding. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Sandralia
5.0 out of 5 stars
Commande
La commande est arrivée dans les délais annoncés. Le matériel est en bon état de fonctionnement. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Martin Théraiult
5.0 out of 5 stars
Comprehensive & Thorough
As silly as it may seem, the rapidity with which I ripped thhrough this 11 hour series made me wish it was longer... (!). Read more
Published 22 months ago by S.H.
5.0 out of 5 stars
ken burns civil war
excellent what i find disturbing that slavery the ownership of a human body for profit caused the death and injury of 600thousand that such of concept can be defended is appalling
Published on May 6 2011 by leslie Martin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ken Burns opens some eyes and makes you feel "You are there"
Ken Burns is noted for many find documentaries that leave little out and still keeps your attention. Read more
Published on July 22 2010 by bernie
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Civil War by Ken Burns
When I first viewed Ken Burns' The Civil War on PBS some twenty years ago or so I was in awe. The series of five DVD's makes the Civil War come alive with hundred's of still black... Read more
Published on Feb 6 2010 by David McKenzie
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