"The War" Ken Burns

[Music Joe]

Just thought this deserved a thread. Wife and I have been riveted to this 7 part documentary. Which continues tonight with part 6.

[Frank Z]

Ken Burns is a phenominal film maker. My wife bought me the 10disc box set "Jazz," a must have for any Jazz fan or anyone wanting to gain a greater understanding of this truly American art form.

I'm looking forward to getting the box set of "War" as well. I caught one episode this weekend and couldn't stop watching it. Simply amazing work.

[hoosier21]

I do not know why, I love WWII stuff, but this is not keeping my interest, watched several shows and it's just not doing it for me.

[auto_pilot]

I do not know why, I love WWII stuff, but this is not keeping my interest, watched several shows and it's just not doing it for me.

Me too...it seemed to wander at parts, and go into more socieonomic details...while relevant, didn't keep my interest.

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

Anyone else have thoughts on this - any good? I was a huge fan of band of Brothers. I know this is completely different, curious though what people thought...

[F1nut]

I enjoyed it enough to watch every part at least twice.

[Roy Munson]

When they started advertising The War I was really looking forward to seeing it. While it's good and definitely worth seeing, it just left something lacking for me. I couldn't put my finger on it but perhaps it was how Burns concentrated exclusively on the four communities..I don't know. Anyway, I don't think it's one of Burn's best efforts, the Civil War, Jazz, and Baseball were better IMHO. Worth seeing though.

[Music Joe]

Ken Burns stated in interview, that he didn't want to take on such a massive subject. He thought the task was so daunting, however the alarming daily loss of witnesses to the period compelled him to make The War.

In that light I don't really see The War in terms of wether it's his best or not. I'm just glad he attempted to convey this vital history. Burns probably chose this perspective to keep such a huge undertaking managable. I think it will age well.

He gave light to some less widely known history, attacks along coastal US, shipyard riots, slipshod commands and missions, racial divisions.

He also conveyed the threat, the missions importance of victory, the great nobility and sacrifice of the soldier. The weight of the world on the shoulders of leaders.

A perfect picture of a period? I'm not old enough to have experienced it directly. I'm a direct product of those forces that shaped the world we now live in. Many probably have family that fought each other in that war. I did.

Youtube has great page of various interviews and Q&As Burns did on his motivations and tribulations. Note some of the comments there which made me sad.