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The West
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Purchase options and add-ons
Genre | Special Interests |
Format | Box set, Multiple Formats, Color, Full Screen, NTSC |
Contributor | Stephen Ives, . |
Language | English |
Number Of Discs | 5 |
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Product Description
Award winning documentary filmmaker Ken Burns captures the magic, spirit, legends and myths of the West from early frontier settlements to the present day in this epic miniseries. 5 DVDs. 1996/color-b&w/12 hrs/NR.
Product details
- Aspect Ratio : 1.33:1
- Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : No
- MPAA rating : Unrated (Not Rated)
- Product Dimensions : 0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 0.01 ounces
- Item model number : 5Videos
- Director : Stephen Ives
- Media Format : Box set, Multiple Formats, Color, Full Screen, NTSC
- Run time : 11 hours and 47 minutes
- Release date : September 28, 2004
- Dubbed: : English
- Language : English (Stereo)
- Studio : PBS
- ASIN : B000BITUFC
- Number of discs : 5
- Best Sellers Rank: #5,928 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
- #35 in Documentary (Movies & TV)
- #37 in Special Interests (Movies & TV)
- Customer Reviews:
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonTop reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2024This dvd was very informative about the west . Stuff I have not really thought about before.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2011Ken Burns' work is always first rate. I own most of his work on DVD, and The West plays second fiddle to none of them. Rather than taking the safe, politically correct road, demonizing European settlers while glorifying the Native American cultures, he paints a balanced picture. Whites were responsible not just for atrocities, such as deliberately exposing Native American tribes to smallpox via infected blankets they sold them, but they brought some amazing good things, like railroads and telegraphs. And the Native Americans were not all innocent children of the Earth, victimized by the incoming white settlers. To quote one of the Native American historians from the film (who is Native American herself,) they did some "pretty terrible things" themselves. There was good and there was bad, and both white and native cultures perpetrated their share of each. Burns does a superb job of bringing this out without taking sides.
As with all his projects, productions values are off the charts. The photography alone is deserving of awards. The music is gorgeous, and compliments the exquisite photography. The dialogues weave seamlessly between narration, authority guest speakers, and excerpts from journals, diaries, and other source records of the period. When all is said and done, this may arguably become Burn's Magnum Opus. It ought to be required viewing in public schools, and I can think of nothing on film that would be more worthwhile for a family to sit and watch together, especially if there are children. In particular, have them pay close attention to what it means to make a gift of a horse. There are lessons in this poignant story we can all learn from.
Do not pass this one up!
- Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2009I recently purchased this DVD set/documentary from Amazon, even though I read the single negative review first. I have learned to sense invalid positive or negative reviews, particularly when they stand out vis a vis all the other reviews, and the reviewer who criticized this documentary was simply totally in error, as to his facts and comments!
This is an absolutely beautiful documentary, and it meets all of Ken Burns' own directoral standards, and more. But of course this would have to be the case, just in terms of basic logic, since Burns put up the money for this project.
The criticism of Peter Coyote, and of those interviewed in this documentary, couldn't be more invalid.....Coyote's voice and demeanor and attitude are all perfect for this project and I cannot imagine anyone else matching the high quality of his voice-over comments.
The experts interviewed throughout this film, are the best in the world when it comes to the history of the West (including J.S. Holliday, the premier historian/writer of California gold rush history).
As for the negative reviewer's criticism of the "panning" of some of the photos, this panning movement is done with the same high quality that Ken Burns provided when he directed his other documentaries, and is only used in specific cases, where the photograph gained value-added by the technique.
This is such a beautiful documentary set, and is done so professionally and with such sensitivity and skill throughout, that it would be a shame if any of you who are considering purchasing "The West" DVD set, failed to acquire this wonderful documentary, because of a single, off-the-wall, inappropriate, and invalid review.
But then the above comments are simply my opinion, and you the reader of these reviews, will have to judge for yourself.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2024It’s ok !
- Reviewed in the United States on January 8, 2024This was a gift, and the recipient is happy with it.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2021When I first put this on, I was looking forward to a very good educational experience. After watching this 2 times, I can truly say I'm almost ashamed to say I'm an American. After seeing how we treated the native Indians who were here not years before we were here, but, truly here centuries before we set foot on North American soil. I would truly recommend that all Americans watch this and see how truly despicably disgusting we were toward the native Indians
- Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2023This had an excellent time line of events in history of the west !
- Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2022I found this DVD collection one which I could watch over and over, so much about the west and well shown. If you are interested in the history of the west this would be a good one to watch.
Top reviews from other countries
- Steve LambertReviewed in Canada on December 10, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars The best take on the west
Thorough, factual, and informative. More than any other documentary I’ve seen, this tackles complex subjects, some very uncomfortable truths, and some triumphs in the development of the west.
- Elizabeth A. DaviesReviewed in Australia on June 9, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating program
Like all the other Ken Burns productions, The West was fascinating from start to finish.
- Wild horsesReviewed in Canada on May 23, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Very important history
I liked everything about it.
- mark wellerReviewed in Canada on August 15, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars well done
Hello
I received the program really fast as always with PRIME
Ken Burns documentary's are always good and this one was great.
I really enjoyed it.
Thankyou
Mark
- mjujazz1Reviewed in Canada on May 9, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars This is history.
A thorough history of the American West. It's disappointing that it does not cover the Canadian west at the same time.