The War - A Film By Ken Burns and Lynn Novick | 
 enlarge | Directors: Ken Burns, Lynn Novick
Studio: PBS
Category: DVD
List Price: $129.99
Buy New: $79.99
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Avg. Customer Rating:  289 reviews
Sales Rank: 284
Format: Anamorphic, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 6
Running Time: 900
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.8 x 5.9 x 1.3
MPN: PARD705212D
UPC: 841887052122
EAN: 0841887052122
ASIN: B000R7NBMK
Theatrical Release Date: October 2, 2007
Release Date: October 2, 2007
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
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Product Description
Studio: Paramount Home Video Release 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. Together the 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: Read 284 more reviews...
 Achieved its goals well December 3, 2008
The documentary has achieved its goals well. It never set out to be a definitive history of WWII so trying to compare it with other documentaries such as `World at War' is not fair. Yes it is American orientated, but it clearly defines that at the start and never tries to be anything else.
Looking at the various campaigns and finding the errors in the military command is a fair assessment as it is all done from hind sight. To claim that the campaigns were executed with excellent precision and divine clarity would be ridiculous. I think there have been few if any military campaigns that have been performed successfully in a test book fashion and WWII is no exception. All side made monumental mistakes in assessing the opposition, deployment of troops, supplies, strategies and tactics. Invariably it was decisions made in the field and the morale of those on the front line that won or lost actions. All we can do now is sit back view where the mistakes were made and debate why.
EXCELLENT!!! November 2, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This series is one of the best documentaries about WWII.
Ken Burns is a master.
TAH
The War November 1, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
The DVD was delivered to me in a timely fashion in excellent condition. It was though I had just bought it at a department store. The DVD plays like brand new.
Amazing October 30, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Emotional, informative, incredible. Best WWII documentary I've ever come across. Best multi-part series you're likely to see, of any kind.
 Can't rate the product because I never received it. October 24, 2008
0 out of 7 found this review helpful
The video/dvd was never received. I ordered it on 9/23. It was supposed to be delivered no later than 10/15. On 10/14, I e-mailed the seller, Royal Video, and asked when it was shipped. I never received a reply. I then called Amazon Help. That person told me there had been a delay, and if I did not receive what I ordered in three days to request an Amazon refund (I paid by PayPal). Again, it did not arrive, so I requested a refund through the Amazon A-Z guarantee. This caused me considerable inconvenience because I needed "The War by Ken Burns" to teach a class. I went out the night before the class and purchased it at retail price from a Barnes and Noble store. I hope I also get a refund for postage, because I think the seller never had any intention of filling the order.
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