- Actors: Thomas Hart Benton, Jason Robards
- Directors: Ken Burns
- Writers: Geoffrey C. Ward
- Format: NTSC, Import
- Language: English
- Region: (US and Canada This DVD will probably NOT be viewable in other countries. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
- MPAA Rating:
- Studio: Pbs (Direct)
- Release Date: Nov 12 2002
- Run Time: 86 minutes
- ASIN: B00007KE4E
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Amazon.com
This hard-drinking "bantam rooster" of a painter was arguably as famous for his art-world politics as he was for his remarkable body of work, according to Ken Burns's dynamic documentary. Using the usual interviews with friends, family, critics, and historians combined with old newsreels, television interviews, and myriad paintings as backdrops, Burns has produced an unusually entertaining work. His subject matter helps: Benton embodied contradiction. A sophisticate who yearned to be simple, he observed and painted a world of factory work, saloon frequenting, and prizefighting. He mentored Jackson Pollack, but publicly lambasted abstract impressionism. In his 85 years he struggled, became the rage, and saw his oeuvre go out of style. Benton's outspokenness is augmented by Burn's unwillingness to coddle his subject. Students laud him, but critics get their say, too, calling him talentless and questioning his legacy. The DVD comes with two short "conversations" with Burns about his work. --Kimberly Heinrichs
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
5.0 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews)
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb documentary of a great American painter., May 21 2000
By Joseph T. Reeves - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Thomas Hart Benton (VHS Tape)
"Thomas Hart Benton" is a revealing and immensely watchable biography of an artist who probably reached more Americans than any other. As Ken Burns ably proves, Benton's work captured the spirit and history of the average American man and woman. Combining samples of Benton's work, interviews with art critics, family, friends and enemies as well as footage of Benton himself, Burns presents a perfectly balanced approach to an artist's life and his statement of America as a struggling, vibrant land.
You don't have to like Benton's art to like this film. In fact, several of the critics Burns interviewed for this one-hour documentary dismiss Benton as a serious artist. However, what they say about Benton is as revealing as the praise of critics who revere him. Perfectly balanced and entertaining.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
An under rated American artist, Mar 29 2008
By James Markham - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Ken Burns' America: Thomas Hart Benton (DVD)
I originally came across this video at the public library, and have checked it out so many times, I finally decided to buy a copy. I show it to my art appreciation classes for two reasons. Very few Americans know who Thomas Hart Benton was, and what he contributed to American Art. Also, he was a friend and mentor to Jackson Pollock. The documentary is very well done, and enjoyable to watch. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in American Art and artists of the 20th Century.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
great narrative, Aug 27 2004
By Phil - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Ken Burns America Coll Thomas (DVD)
What is remarkable is what a cohesive story this truly comprehensive bio of THB makes. As all documentarians do, Burns clearly had to help along/trace out the narrative thread, but the brilliance of this particular film is that the story of it just seems to emerge on its own.Also, the story of THB's death is particularly moving. The entire film is a great intro to THB and is accessible for any audience. Even those who feel distanced from the "aloof" world of art will really enjoy this film. This film opened my eyes to actually appreciate art. Previously I was turned off completely by what I saw (and indeed often still see) as pretension.
SUMMARY: The film traces THB's childhood and early training, his time of formal training in Europe and life in NY. After that, THB rejected the elitist world of the NY art scene and instead went back to Missouri and became one of the triumvirate of American Regionalists (John Stueart Curry and Grant Wood were the other two--FYI GW painted American Gothic, the most famous American painting of a farmer and his daughter, though most people think it's his wife. Anyway, THB's work is in much the same vein--Americana). In his work, THB tried to capture America and all its ambivalences. That's why I say it's honest. Though critics might say he was too "Pollyanna"-ish, I would disagree, and I think you will after seeing this film.
I cannot recommend this film enough. Anyone who is interested in the concept of "America" (you know, the optimism, hope, dream, nightmare, utopia, distopia, democratic promise, dark underbelly--all the contradictory impulses within the myth of America) will find this a vital part of that dialogue.
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