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

The Civil War, an absorbing and fascinating series!!

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!!Read full review...

Best Documentary on PBS, EVER

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.Read full review...

Ken Burns Civil War --- Stunningly outstanding

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.Read full review...

Ken Burns’ Civil War

Still widely regarded as THE documentary on the American Civil War. It contains expert commentary and amazing archival photography. While Burns has a lengthy filmography to date, this film might quite possibly be the best of the lot. Highly recommended!Read full review...

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The Perfect Gift for Civil War History Buffs

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.Read full review...

Making the Civil War a Personal Experience

Capturing Ken Burns' work on DVD was an effort worth waiting for. The DVD set delivers a high quality recording of what to date has been the best compilation of Civil War highlights I've seen. Mr. Burns avoided a droning monologue of flat historical facts by setting the foundation of the war as it unfolded then salting the facts with individual stories. This is the difference between Mr. Burns' work and that of other historians...his ability to represent the war using personal accounts via "letters home" and diaries by the soldiers and sailors who fought, died and survived this horrific chapter in American history. Additional interpretations offered by current historians helps greatly in understanding the context of each skirmish, each battle and each campaign. I highly recommend adding this to your library.Read full review...

We Can Not Forget

As time passes we tend to forget those sacrifices made by generations before us without which we as a nation would not exist in the 21st century. Some are small know only to a few and there are those that by their nature impacted on the very character of our great land and none had a greater impact then the Civil War.

Ken Burmn's "The Civil War" helps to bring this sorrowful time to light through
the then primitive medium of photography and through the living words of many who bore witness to it and or were directly involved in the fighting of it. This work stands alone as an examination of a time when Americans were killing each other by the "wagon load". But in the words of Lincoln, people will little note or long remember the words I write here but with Ken Burns "The Civil War" you will never be able to forget or ignore four of the most turbulent years in our history. Haunted by its images and by a musical score that framed those images most elinquiently. A piece of history that lead to a peace for our nation if only we remember the cost of that peace.Read full review...

Ken Burns Civil War, One-Sided

I like the visusal presentation of this film. Mr. Burns does an excellent job of creating a visual timeline of events with mostly still pictures. The history of the reasons for the civil war are easily one-sided... the U.S. side. It's almost as if Lincoln's Chief of staff, Henry W. Halleck, wrote the histoy of the south's reason for succession. Succession was caused by a multitude of reasons and slavery was a small part of it, about 6% (Those of you that know history will know what I mean by 6%). What I am saying is this is a great presentation of the Civil War but just like with any subject in history, gather information from several sources not just one.Read full review...

Ken Burns brings the Civil War to life and makes learning entertaining.

This an excellent series on the Civil War. I owned this on VHS but it has gone the way of cassette tapes so I purchased a DVD version of this series. I never tire of watching it because it is so well done. I believe that this is the most important work that Ken Burns has ever done, even though he has produced many other series for PBS. When it was originally done, it was groundbreaking and continues to be a excellent example of the art of making history entertaining as well as informative. I am very pleased with this DVD version of The Civil War. It is easier to view and locate portions that you want to review. I loved it on VHS and I love it more on DVD. Great work!Read full review...

civil war

I first saw this film on PBS and was so impressed I had to get a copy. Ken Burn's use of period pictures and music interlaced with narration, sound affects and interviews, brings this period of American history to life. This is not about facts and figures, instead you come to know the human side of that bitter conflict as well as it's causes and affects. If you have any interest in our countries history this is a must see!Read full review...