Ken Burns: Thomas Jefferson (2pc) [VHS]
starring: Ossie Davis, Michael Potts, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sam Waterston, Blythe Danner
directed by: Ken Burns
directed by: Ken Burns
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The complicated life of Thomas Jefferson is the subject of this excellent documentary by noted filmmaker Ken Burns. Using techniques that will seem comfortably familiar to viewers of other films by Burns, historians and writers (including Joseph Ellis, Daniel Boorstin, Garry Wills, and Gore Vidal) appear on camera to speak about Jefferson, a cast of actors read the words of Jefferson and others. The visuals include beautifully photographed shots of Jefferson's famed estate, Monticello, other locations where Jefferson lived and worked, and a vast number of period drawings and paintings. Jefferson, who was born into a prosperous Virginia family but lost his father when he was young, became a skilled lawyer despite his natural shyness. And the story of how he became a public figure and rose to prominence during the American Revolution is told intelligently. Commentators, including the noted African American historian John Hope Franklin, grapple with the peculiar inconsistencies of Jefferson's life. The man who wrote the Declaration of Independence owned slaves, and some of what he wrote about race is both troubling and puzzling. This film (which covers Jefferson's entire life, including his two terms as the young country's president and his later years in Virginia) doesn't sidestep controversy but provides a balanced account of one of the most fascinating of all Americans. --Robert J. McNamara
Description:
Revered as the author of the Declaration of Independence yet condemned as a slave owner, Thomas Jefferson has entered a new era of controversy. This penetrating biography first portrays the young Jefferson from the Virginia wilderness, transformed by the philosophic fire of the American Revolution. Torn between his career and family life at Monticello, he suffers heartrending personal loss even as he pens a new concept in democratic government. Follow Jefferson's rising star as he becomes U.S. Minister to France, enters national politics, fulfills his destiny as President and begins his busy retirement years.
The complicated life of Thomas Jefferson is the subject of this excellent documentary by noted filmmaker Ken Burns. Using techniques that will seem comfortably familiar to viewers of other films by Burns, historians and writers (including Joseph Ellis, Daniel Boorstin, Garry Wills, and Gore Vidal) appear on camera to speak about Jefferson, a cast of actors read the words of Jefferson and others. The visuals include beautifully photographed shots of Jefferson's famed estate, Monticello, other locations where Jefferson lived and worked, and a vast number of period drawings and paintings. Jefferson, who was born into a prosperous Virginia family but lost his father when he was young, became a skilled lawyer despite his natural shyness. And the story of how he became a public figure and rose to prominence during the American Revolution is told intelligently. Commentators, including the noted African American historian John Hope Franklin, grapple with the peculiar inconsistencies of Jefferson's life. The man who wrote the Declaration of Independence owned slaves, and some of what he wrote about race is both troubling and puzzling. This film (which covers Jefferson's entire life, including his two terms as the young country's president and his later years in Virginia) doesn't sidestep controversy but provides a balanced account of one of the most fascinating of all Americans. --Robert J. McNamara
Description:
Revered as the author of the Declaration of Independence yet condemned as a slave owner, Thomas Jefferson has entered a new era of controversy. This penetrating biography first portrays the young Jefferson from the Virginia wilderness, transformed by the philosophic fire of the American Revolution. Torn between his career and family life at Monticello, he suffers heartrending personal loss even as he pens a new concept in democratic government. Follow Jefferson's rising star as he becomes U.S. Minister to France, enters national politics, fulfills his destiny as President and begins his busy retirement years.
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- In The Time Of The Promise Of The American Republic
Parts of this review have been used previously in reviewing John Dos Passos' "The Shackles of Power". Many of the points addressed in that review on Jefferson and the nature of the Jeffersonian period in American history apply here as well.
I have spent gallons of ink around this July 4th celebratory time every year, and I believe justifiably so given the objectives of this site, drawing some strong distinction between various periods of the common American historical experience. I have ... Read More
Rating: 
- Almost as dead as Jefferson
I teach high school history, American and World to advanced placement students.For some reason that I have never fathomed, it is extremely easy to find engaging and interesting videos on World History that students love and look forward to seeing (CNN's Millennium Series comes to mind along with the History Channel's Engineering Empire series).But for American History-----good gosh!Did they sit down and decide to make the narrators sound like they're going to sleep?Do they want the students to ... Read More
Rating: - Nice refresher.
Not being a history buff, I watched this documentary because I think we should all have at least a basic knowledge of how our country came to be, and its been many years since I've had an American history class. This was visually a pleasant program to watch.The rural setting of Monticello with its gardens and trees gives a feel for the agrarian nature of America during Jefferson's time, and emphasizes his strong connection to the land and agriculture. And, it seems to me that, more than just trying to ... Read More
Rating: - Thomas Jefferson - A Film by Ken Burns
I enjoyed this film very much. You can alway expect a in-depth program from Ken Burns.My only complaint is that when they got to the area of Jefferson life regarding Sally Hemings they really just skimmed the surface and really did not have the interviews or research that I thought would occur.I found it very insulting that two of the historians thought it was impossible for him to have had a relationship with a slave. After that I lost interest in anything that they said.Besides that issue the program ... Read More
Rating: - Ken Burns Does History Well
The DVD was informative and engaging.Burns utilizes the most compelling narrators and resources to substatiate his effort.His history becomes dramatic, multi-faceted, and memorable.
- In The Time Of The Promise Of The American RepublicParts of this review have been used previously in reviewing John Dos Passos' "The Shackles of Power". Many of the points addressed in that review on Jefferson and the nature of the Jeffersonian period in American history apply here as well.
I have spent gallons of ink around this July 4th celebratory time every year, and I believe justifiably so given the objectives of this site, drawing some strong distinction between various periods of the common American historical experience. I have ... Read More
- Almost as dead as JeffersonI teach high school history, American and World to advanced placement students.For some reason that I have never fathomed, it is extremely easy to find engaging and interesting videos on World History that students love and look forward to seeing (CNN's Millennium Series comes to mind along with the History Channel's Engineering Empire series).But for American History-----good gosh!Did they sit down and decide to make the narrators sound like they're going to sleep?Do they want the students to ... Read More
- Nice refresher.Not being a history buff, I watched this documentary because I think we should all have at least a basic knowledge of how our country came to be, and its been many years since I've had an American history class. This was visually a pleasant program to watch.The rural setting of Monticello with its gardens and trees gives a feel for the agrarian nature of America during Jefferson's time, and emphasizes his strong connection to the land and agriculture. And, it seems to me that, more than just trying to ... Read More
- Thomas Jefferson - A Film by Ken BurnsI enjoyed this film very much. You can alway expect a in-depth program from Ken Burns.My only complaint is that when they got to the area of Jefferson life regarding Sally Hemings they really just skimmed the surface and really did not have the interviews or research that I thought would occur.I found it very insulting that two of the historians thought it was impossible for him to have had a relationship with a slave. After that I lost interest in anything that they said.Besides that issue the program ... Read More
- Ken Burns Does History WellThe DVD was informative and engaging.Burns utilizes the most compelling narrators and resources to substatiate his effort.His history becomes dramatic, multi-faceted, and memorable.
