The Civil War: A Film Directed By Ken Burns (DVD, 2004, 5-Disc Set)

I first saw The Civil War when it aired in 1991. IF you love American history, and especially Civil War history, you NEED to own this set. Ken Burns is a genius at melding historical fact, pricelss photography, haunting period music and narrative. This 11 hour epic has so much information and provokes so much thought, it cannot be taken in and fully appreciated in just one viewing. I wanted it so I could take my time and soak it all in. There is no ohher place on the internet to purchase this set for this low price, and the shipping was lightening fast. I couldn't be happier with my purchase. In a nutshell, The Civil War is the best documentary ever shown on PBS, in fact, it is the finest documentary I have seen.

It matters little how old you are, this program will give you a thirst to absorb it all and come back for more. You can generalize and say this about any of the titles Ken Burns has produced as all are wonderfully entertaining. Something amazing about what Ken Burns produces is that the photography is an incredible montage of still pictures that have been gathered from a huge list of sources, woven together as a rich, visual tapestry and added to narrations which are collaborations by historians, actors, and a wonderful group that bring to life the words of men and women, soldiers from both sides, slaves and politicians. When put together the project gels as a solid and detailed depiction of facts. If you have no real clue about how the war began, or what made it so important that it divided out young nation, the answer lies here in a wonderful retelling. Maps, dates, details and the printed words of those who lived through the time, join and connect you. You have to imagine that, at the time, nothing may have seemed clear as everything was a confetti- bomb of confusion and, as does happen, there were those ready willing and able to take advantage of that- for profit...What you thought you knew about our American history, is put into perspective when the events and facts behind actions come together and clarify for us the details, as much as the historians involved could at any rate, what exactly went on behind the scenes and in the front lines and everywhere else, during the Civil War in America. The explanation of what happened and who was where and when, and how things developed is so richly described for us by a well gathered group of historians and painted for us in this visual history lesson. The input from personal journals from both soldier and civilian alike, relating details of the times and the wonderful voice overs by some wonderful actors and others, helps to connect us and make this a more personal experience. As we begin to understand how people thought then and behaved accordingly, we manage to sit on the edge of our chairs, even though we know the outcome, as in all great news or story telling. You find yourself rooting for humanity- that is to say, from all angles, one can see how the war had to eventually occur because both sides have more than one reasoning, and each of these spider-web into multifaceted reasoning that could not be compromised. It is fascinating and you empathize with all sides as the cruelty and innocence collide, leaving devastation in their wake at every turn. This is a great way to get school kids to be interested in American history without them realizing they are being educated. At the end of each and every chapter, you begin to look for more, you want to find and know more... Our history isn't pretty as shown in the sheer ugliness of it; this is who we were then as a young and developing nation. As Americans, who we are becoming is always a work in progress! It is easy to see why Ken Burns is an award winning film maker, let us hope he continues to be enthusiastic about anything and everything, and puts it out there visually for us to enjoy for years to come! Bravo!!

I don't think enough could be said as to really just how good this documentary is. It is excellent.

Ken Burns civil war covers the political, civil, geographical and human side of the civil war in a completely unbiased way. It is exceptional in the way that it is told using using pictures that are real and show what is taking place even though they are stills. The anecdotal tid bits and side information that is brought out is fabulous. The interviews that are mingled in with the program is perfect.

I felt as though I had been there without being there. I got to know Grant, Lee, Sherman, Lincoln. It is the best presentation of the Civil War with its political, social, civil, and human issues of its kind.

The sound track is perfect at setting mood and feel to the documentary. You feel the cold, heat and wet of climate.

Overall it is one of the finest documentaries of the Civil War I have seen. I have watched it 3 times straight through and still reference sections. I have read the companion Coffee book which is outstanding and have read Shelby foote's 3 volume set on the civil war - but by far Ken Burns' Civil War is one of THE best pieces to truely learn and understand how the Civil War defined us as a country.

Great mini-series on the Civil War that aired on PBS in 1990 set to DVD format. Probably the best and most complete film documentary on the subject ever made with expert interviews, pictures, period music, and letters written by those that lived it. A must have for those interested in history, the American Civil War, or just want to get an indepth understanding of the events that would form this country as we know it today. If you never say it in 1990, you missed out. If you have seen it before, it's worth watching again.

I bought Ken Burns' The Civil War because I saw the series on television, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I decided I had to have it in my DVD collection. The Civil War brings that historical period to our consciousness in a way that no history book ever can. The comments by Civil War historians are fascinating in that they include little known details about the war. The causes leading up to the conflict, the photographs of the battle scenes, the historical narratives by witnesses to the war, and the music of the period are all seamlessly brought together. They convey both the horror and the tenderness of that period in our history. Ken Burns' Civil War could make the study of the years 1861-1865 come to life for a student, and it would be the perfect gift for a Civil War history buff.