I really, really enjoyed this documentary and now I am reading the Kent Family Chronicles. One thing that really surprised me was that I found myself wondering which side I would’ve actually been on. Which is VERY weird because I’d always assumed …
Big Revolutionary War fan here! Grew up near Philly, and have read at least 4 biographies of some of the heroes of this period. I hope the upcoming year makes all of us realize how amazing our forefathers' work was, and that we continue to fight to keep their ideals going, and evolving as they have.
I, too, have watched all 12 hours & concur with most of assessments, Sarah, especially that the "Revolution was brutal, hypocritical, & world-changing," sometimes all at once. Yes to that. My only real disagreement is with your final assessment of Washington. I can't say his integrity led him to have a greater impact than other leaders, not after he ordered the slaughter of native Americans & the burning of their fields & villages. Maybe it was his strength of will, the power of his personality, a clarity of vision--there was clearly something. But I can't call it integrity after he issued those orders. Which leads me to the 1 thing I'd add to your assessment. In the same category as the impact of slavery, I'd include the impact of the patriots' treatment of native people & their rights & lands. Such a painful part of the story. And yet, as you said, this brutal, hypocritical effort changed the world for the better. For those of you looking forward to watching, I'll just say you should not expect the documentary to be always enjoyable. For me it was interesting, informative, powerful, & sometimes hard to watch.
Yes the Ken Burns documentary was great and provided a wider coverage of issues and people involved in the American Revolution. Provides a window into the messiness of our nation and was strangely reassuring. My post WW2 upbringing was often too positive a picture and then during and after Vietnam everything was depicted as very bad. That negative idea still holds on and has provoked the backlash toward a return to a so-called “positive” interpretation of history. We really are in charge of ourselves and it takes a great deal of participation to pull it off.
I’m on episode 4 and already planning a rewatch. Enlightening! And who doesn’t love to listen to Ken Burns? So calm and soothing while delivering a poignant message.
I've been out on horror movies ever since my son, in high school at the time, made me watch the first Saw movie. Give me a good cry or mystery.
I will watch this series after this endorsement.
This is my thesis:
Civil wars and revolutions are exactly the same when they start.
It’s how they FINISH which determines what they are.
In a revolution, the rebels win.
In a civil war, the rebels lose.
Change my mind.
I really, really enjoyed this documentary and now I am reading the Kent Family Chronicles. One thing that really surprised me was that I found myself wondering which side I would’ve actually been on. Which is VERY weird because I’d always assumed …
Big Revolutionary War fan here! Grew up near Philly, and have read at least 4 biographies of some of the heroes of this period. I hope the upcoming year makes all of us realize how amazing our forefathers' work was, and that we continue to fight to keep their ideals going, and evolving as they have.
I, too, have watched all 12 hours & concur with most of assessments, Sarah, especially that the "Revolution was brutal, hypocritical, & world-changing," sometimes all at once. Yes to that. My only real disagreement is with your final assessment of Washington. I can't say his integrity led him to have a greater impact than other leaders, not after he ordered the slaughter of native Americans & the burning of their fields & villages. Maybe it was his strength of will, the power of his personality, a clarity of vision--there was clearly something. But I can't call it integrity after he issued those orders. Which leads me to the 1 thing I'd add to your assessment. In the same category as the impact of slavery, I'd include the impact of the patriots' treatment of native people & their rights & lands. Such a painful part of the story. And yet, as you said, this brutal, hypocritical effort changed the world for the better. For those of you looking forward to watching, I'll just say you should not expect the documentary to be always enjoyable. For me it was interesting, informative, powerful, & sometimes hard to watch.
His Country Music documentary was absolutely incredible and after this review, I can’t wait to watch this one!
I did two episodes right away, but never returned. Your commentary has inspired me to finish watching. Thank you!
Yes the Ken Burns documentary was great and provided a wider coverage of issues and people involved in the American Revolution. Provides a window into the messiness of our nation and was strangely reassuring. My post WW2 upbringing was often too positive a picture and then during and after Vietnam everything was depicted as very bad. That negative idea still holds on and has provoked the backlash toward a return to a so-called “positive” interpretation of history. We really are in charge of ourselves and it takes a great deal of participation to pull it off.
I'm taking it as a personal affront that @Maggie didn't include The Hunger Games in the franchise debate.
this tracks
Norma! Did you know I wrote my masters thesis on the symbolism of food in the Hunger Games series? (Yes, I’m so fun at parties 😂😂)
No! But I would ask you all about it if we were at the same party
I'm sorry!!! There wasn't a sequel released this year - I was trying to stick with 2025 movies
Hahaha. Fair. No movie in 2025. I’ll look for it on the 2026 poll.
I just saw the commercial for the next Toy Story to come out and I just can't. At some point we need new things!
I definitely need to go watch this doc now. I'm glad good old George was the first president.
Ugh. I didn’t know they were making ANOTHER one! 🤦🏻♀️ I would have picked Toy Story if they stopped at 3. I don’t consider 4 as part of Toy Story. 😆
Right!!! I saw the preview last time I was at the movies and nearly threw something 🤪
It was sooooo good!
Thank you for this! I always intended to watch but you have upped my level of interest a lot!
I’m on episode 4 and already planning a rewatch. Enlightening! And who doesn’t love to listen to Ken Burns? So calm and soothing while delivering a poignant message.
The narrator isn't Ken Burns. It's Peter Coyote. I'm obsessed with him and his voice!
K, love him. Sorry, Ken! I’m sure you have a nice voice, too. 😆