Ken Burns’ America

Synopsis
A collection of seven separate films on aspects of American history made by Ken Burns between 1981 and 1997.
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Subjects
History
Keywords
history of the USA

Distribution Formats

Type
DVD
Format
Region 2 PAL
Price
£39.99
Availability
Sale
Duration/Size
600 mins
Year
2004

Type
VHS
Format
PAL
Price
£19.99 each vol
Availability
Sale
Duration/Size
300 mins (each vol)
Year
2004

Sections

Title
Congress, The
Synopsis
In this portrait of the United States Congress, Burns explores the history and promise of one of the country’s most important and least understood institutions. Using historical photographs and newsreels, live cinematography and interviews, the film chronicles the personalities, events and issues that have animated the first 200 years of Congress. Narrated by David McCullough. Made in 1988.
Duration
90 mins

Title
Thomas Jefferson
Synopsis
A portrait of America’s third president, Thomas Jefferson, revered as the author of the most sacred document in American history and also condemned as a lifelong owner of slaves. Made in 1997.
Duration
180 mins

Title
Statue of Liberty
Synopsis
The first half of this hour-long programme examines the design and construction of the Statue of Liberty using drawings, photographs, and readings. As narrator David McCullough states, no one at the dedication ceremony mentioned immigration, but the statue became a towering symbol of America’s open-door policy. The second half examines the meaning of the statue and of liberty itself. Made in 1985.
Duration
60 mins

Title
Brooklyn Bridge
Synopsis
This film by Ken Burns recaptures all the drama, struggles and personal tragedies behind this greatest of all achievements of America’s industrial age. As the programme reveals, it was the largest bridge of its era, marked by enormous construction problems and ingenious solutions. The film details the human heroics of the larger-than-life men who built the bridge that seized the imagination of New Yorkers and all Americans. Made in 1982.
Duration
118 mins

Title
Empire of the Air: the Men who made Radio
Synopsis
Ken Burns’ two-hour documentary on the history of radio, adapted from the book ‘Empire’ by Tom Lewis’, follows the successes, failures and ambitions of three great American pioneers of radio: foppish inventor Lee de Forest; Edwin Howard Armstrong, the engineer’s engineer; and Russian immigrant David Sarnoff, who became head of RCA. The film includes on-air interviews with people who knew them. Made in 1991.
Duration
120 mins

Title
Huey Long
Synopsis
A virtual dictator in his home state of Louisiana, Huey Long’s presidential hopes were halted only by his assassination in 1935. This profile reveals a real political tragedy of a man with great ability and initialidealism who squandered and misused his abilities. Robert Penn Warren’s ‘All the king’s men’ and the film made from it, were based on Long’s colourful life. Made in 1985.
Duration
88 mins

Title
Shakers: Hands to work, Hearts to God
Synopsis
This film by Ken Burns portrays 200 years of Shaker life in America, guided by the recollections of three of the twelve surviving members of the faith, along with archival material from over 40 collections. The Shakers put their "hands to work and their hearts to God," creating a legacy of fine and priceless furniture and magnificent architecture. A model for the world’s utopians, the Shakers believed in social, economic, and spiritual equality, and in pacifism, feminism, celibacy and joyful personal worship. Shot at existing Shaker location, the film includes Shaker music recreated from authentic inspirational songs. Made in 1989.
Duration
57 mins

Distributor

 

Available from retail outlets

Name

Simply Media

Contact
Laura Smith
Email
info@simplymedia.tv
Web
http://www.simplymedia.tv/ External site opens in new window
Phone
0203 542 3722
Address
Highlight House
57 Margaret Street
London W1W 8SJ
Notes
Formerly known as DD Home Entertainment or DDHE

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