The War - A Film By Ken Burns and Lynn Novick
directed by: Ken Burns, Lynn Novick
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Product Description:
Studio: Paramount Home VideoRelease Date: 10/02/2007
Amazon.com:
Creating epic documentaries about war is nothing new for Ken Burns, nor is the subject of the Second World War, which never ceases to be a popular subject of films and TV shows. Yet with The War, Burns has definitely succeeded in breaking new ground, exploring in depth the effect of the war on common Americans, and not just the soldiers of The Greatest Generation that fought it. As the narration says at the beginning, "The war affected people in every house, on every street in every town in America."This is nothing less than an attempt to show how the war altered the lives of an entire nation through the portrayal of four individuals from four communities--Waterbury, Connecticut; Mobile, Alambama; Luverne, Minnesota; and Sacramento, California--that could represent any town in the country that went through the war. The result is another stunning achievement for Burns and co-director Lynn Novick. Togetherthe filmmaking team succeeds in bringing the war home through the testimonies, letters, and footage of the people from these towns. The storytelling is compelling--Burns and Novick manage to find the most vivid, intimate, and personal dimensions of a global catastrophe--and brought to life with exceptional voice work from marquee stars like Tom Hanks, Alan Arkin, and Samuel L. Jackson. Much of the footage is brilliantly restored; even the most die-hard History Channel buff will see clips here that they've never viewed before. Many old grainy family films look almost as clean and bright as if they were just shot using a modern camera with black-and-white film (keeping in mind that most of the footage was shot without sound, the audio effects work on The War is particularly impressive and should bring attention to the underappreciated work of the foley artist).It took Burns and Novick six years to make this seven-part, 15-hour film--not surprising, really, considering the miles of footage they must have accumulated in the course of their research--and the time and effort shows in the results.The DVD also includes a making-of featurette, deleted scenes, extensive commentaries, and more, in addition to a companion book, The War: An Intimate History.--Daniel Vancini
Studio: Paramount Home VideoRelease Date: 10/02/2007
Amazon.com:
Creating epic documentaries about war is nothing new for Ken Burns, nor is the subject of the Second World War, which never ceases to be a popular subject of films and TV shows. Yet with The War, Burns has definitely succeeded in breaking new ground, exploring in depth the effect of the war on common Americans, and not just the soldiers of The Greatest Generation that fought it. As the narration says at the beginning, "The war affected people in every house, on every street in every town in America."This is nothing less than an attempt to show how the war altered the lives of an entire nation through the portrayal of four individuals from four communities--Waterbury, Connecticut; Mobile, Alambama; Luverne, Minnesota; and Sacramento, California--that could represent any town in the country that went through the war. The result is another stunning achievement for Burns and co-director Lynn Novick. Togetherthe filmmaking team succeeds in bringing the war home through the testimonies, letters, and footage of the people from these towns. The storytelling is compelling--Burns and Novick manage to find the most vivid, intimate, and personal dimensions of a global catastrophe--and brought to life with exceptional voice work from marquee stars like Tom Hanks, Alan Arkin, and Samuel L. Jackson. Much of the footage is brilliantly restored; even the most die-hard History Channel buff will see clips here that they've never viewed before. Many old grainy family films look almost as clean and bright as if they were just shot using a modern camera with black-and-white film (keeping in mind that most of the footage was shot without sound, the audio effects work on The War is particularly impressive and should bring attention to the underappreciated work of the foley artist).It took Burns and Novick six years to make this seven-part, 15-hour film--not surprising, really, considering the miles of footage they must have accumulated in the course of their research--and the time and effort shows in the results.The DVD also includes a making-of featurette, deleted scenes, extensive commentaries, and more, in addition to a companion book, The War: An Intimate History.--Daniel Vancini
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- Inaccurate account of WWII
Too much narrative about what was wrong with the U.S. during the war vs. stressing the sense of duty and dedication to seeing victory.The book focused on issues such as Japanese detainment camps, woes of the blacks during the War, etc.Very little was mentioned about how the U.S. as a whole pull together to ensure victory.Instead of feeling uplifted by the monumental feat of pulling to country together to win the war, I walked away feeling depressed.Ken Burns once again wrote and directed ... Read More
Rating: - America Won WW2
I have no argument with this being an Americacentric series-even if they did come in, as usual, 2 years late but why does it neglect or underplay the allies role? American victories are portrayed as such but non american victories (yes,there were some) are depicted as allied victories. The link up between Russian and other allied forces were described as 'American and Russian' yet clearly there was a British (soldier holding Union Jack)contingent.Where were the Australians mentioned or given adequate ... Read More
Rating: 
- Evocative, emotional, honest and gripping series
Given the focus is on the USA and the involvement of a number of individuals from small towns in the USA, and the facts are substantiated, this series packs an emotional wallop that must resonate with every parent. The use of music contemporary to the time plus much classical music underpinning events, the words of individuals who were involved speaking to the viewer, correspondence by the likes of Babe, a 20 year old Italian American who never wrote home a letter that was not encouraging and positive ... Read More
Rating: 
- It's Not as if Ken Burns Owned It, You Know
It hardly seems necessary for Ken Burns to attach his name so prominently to this film, because it is so immediately obvious to anyone who has watched any of his other documentaries, especially "The Civil War". He has a distinctive "look" to his productions, which is obvious to the point of being easily parodied; erudite and ponderously earnest narration, gorgeously restored vintage photography and film footage, all garnished by period music alternating with a plonkingly solemn piano. That being said, ... Read More
Rating: - Gut wrenching
Ken Burns' The War is a fifteen hour gut wrenching masterpiece of a history lesson. Difficult to watch, and best taken in small doses, this was absolutely captivating TV. Always the military history buff, I remember being impressed by his Civil War documentary, but I really loved this one. You don't watch this series so much as you feel it. As usual, Burn's exclusive use of primary visual sources and first person accounts sets him apart from all other historical documentary film makers. But what really ... Read More
- Inaccurate account of WWIIToo much narrative about what was wrong with the U.S. during the war vs. stressing the sense of duty and dedication to seeing victory.The book focused on issues such as Japanese detainment camps, woes of the blacks during the War, etc.Very little was mentioned about how the U.S. as a whole pull together to ensure victory.Instead of feeling uplifted by the monumental feat of pulling to country together to win the war, I walked away feeling depressed.Ken Burns once again wrote and directed ... Read More
- America Won WW2I have no argument with this being an Americacentric series-even if they did come in, as usual, 2 years late but why does it neglect or underplay the allies role? American victories are portrayed as such but non american victories (yes,there were some) are depicted as allied victories. The link up between Russian and other allied forces were described as 'American and Russian' yet clearly there was a British (soldier holding Union Jack)contingent.Where were the Australians mentioned or given adequate ... Read More
- Evocative, emotional, honest and gripping seriesGiven the focus is on the USA and the involvement of a number of individuals from small towns in the USA, and the facts are substantiated, this series packs an emotional wallop that must resonate with every parent. The use of music contemporary to the time plus much classical music underpinning events, the words of individuals who were involved speaking to the viewer, correspondence by the likes of Babe, a 20 year old Italian American who never wrote home a letter that was not encouraging and positive ... Read More
- It's Not as if Ken Burns Owned It, You KnowIt hardly seems necessary for Ken Burns to attach his name so prominently to this film, because it is so immediately obvious to anyone who has watched any of his other documentaries, especially "The Civil War". He has a distinctive "look" to his productions, which is obvious to the point of being easily parodied; erudite and ponderously earnest narration, gorgeously restored vintage photography and film footage, all garnished by period music alternating with a plonkingly solemn piano. That being said, ... Read More
- Gut wrenchingKen Burns' The War is a fifteen hour gut wrenching masterpiece of a history lesson. Difficult to watch, and best taken in small doses, this was absolutely captivating TV. Always the military history buff, I remember being impressed by his Civil War documentary, but I really loved this one. You don't watch this series so much as you feel it. As usual, Burn's exclusive use of primary visual sources and first person accounts sets him apart from all other historical documentary film makers. But what really ... Read More
