The Shakers

Starring:David McCullough (II)
Director: Ken Burns
Studio: Pbs Paramount
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
From America's documentarian Ken Burns (The Civil War, Baseball, Jazz) comes this intimate portrait of a "serene creed" whose members considered themselves America's "chosen people." They called themselves the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, but because of their ecstatic dancing, they are more popularly known as the Shakers. Its members put their "hands to work and their hearts to God," creating a legacy of fine and priceless furniture and magnificent architecture. A model for the world's utopians, the Shakers believed in social, economic, and spiritual equality, and in pacifism, feminism, and joyful personal worship. They also believed in celibacy, which is why, when Burns filmed this in 1989, there were but a dozen Shakers left in America. On-location footage, contemporary interviews with historians and present and former members, and dramatic voice-overs culled from diaries create a moving portrait of the Shakers and "[keep] the light shining bright." --Donald Liebenson

The Backyardigans - Movers & Shakers
Average customer rating:

OUTSTANDING PURCHASE

One of the better collections!

Just as good as the rest

Good, but not great

Eight is great, but the music is getting weirder

The Backyardigans - Movers & Shakers
Starring: Backyardigans
Manufacturer: Nick Jr. DVD/Paramount DVD
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The Backyardigans - Into the Deep

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The Backyardigans - It's Great To Be A Ghost

The Backyardigans - Surf's Up!

ASIN: B000NA21YK
Release Date: 2007-05-29

Customer Reviews:

OUTSTANDING PURCHASE.......2007-06-27

Shipping was fast. Product just as decribed. The new pre-order stories are wonderful. My grand-daughter loves them!

One of the better collections!.......2007-06-20

My girls (and I!) love the "Clown" episode - very fun and fast paced! The "Arabian Movers" episode is probably the weakest one on the disc, and it's still good. Even if you don't have all the DVD's (like we do) you would probably want to pick this one up.

TIP: use the "Chapter Up / Next Chapter" key on your remote to get by the THIRTEEN previews. I swear they should start paying us to allow these things into our homes with all the advertisements they put on DVDs these days.

Just as good as the rest.......2007-06-18

Four more episodes, as described in the previous reviews. As usual my sons love them, the songs, animation, and choreography are top notch, and the story lines fun and interesting for kids young and old.

"Cops and Robots" is the big favorite from this DVD as far as my 3 year old is concerned. I am sure yours will love it too.

Some previous DVD's offered English and French (why French?). This one appears to be English only and I would love to see English AND Spanish languages supported. Not sure why they don't produce them for Region 1 with English/Spanish.

"Can't stop the cops!"

Good, but not great.......2007-06-11

Just to resolve the controversy over the episodes included:
The bonus episodes are "Sinbad Sails Alone" and "Best Clowns in Town"; "Save the Day" will probably appear on upcoming Into the Deep DVD.

My son loves Backyardigans, but this one is a mixed bag. He didn't care for "Movers of Arabia", but "Cops and Robots" is one his all-time favorites. The two 'bonus' episodes are a novelty right now, but don't seem memorable to me; Tasha appears in the first and Austin in the second.

Eight is great, but the music is getting weirder.......2007-06-10

This is the eighth DVD in the series, and includes four episodes from Season Two of the brilliant children's television series, The Backyardigans.

1. Movers of Arabia
2. Cops and Robots
3. Sinbad Sails Alone
4. The Best Clowns In Town

1. Movers of Arabia (Tyrone, Pablo, Uniqua, Austin)

Tyrone is a Sultan
And he's got a cave of stuff
He needs a team of movers
'cause the job is really tough

A genie in a bottle helps
To speed the job along
They have to learn to say "I wish"
Whenever things go wrong

2. Cops and Robots (Tyrone, Uniqua, Pablo, Tasha)

Two cops patrolling outer space
Must stop an evil scheme
When robots storm a factory
To start a new regime

3. Sinbad Sails Alone (Tyrone, Pablo, Uniqua, Tasha)

Tyrone is a sailor
And he's going on a quest
To sail his ship to rainbow's end
Because he is the best

Pablo stows away on board
Without Tyrone's permission
The Siren and Medusa skits
Enhance this expedition

4. The Best Clowns In Town (Tyrone, Uniqua, Pablo, Austin)

Three little clowns looking for work
But Tyrone isn't willing
To have them as a circus act
Though they deserve top billing

None of the episodes feature all five characters, with Austin and Tasha alternating, and although each has its defining moments, this isn't the best DVD of the series. Next up is "Into the Deep" which will be released at the end of July 2007.

Amanda Richards, June 9, 2007

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Average customer rating:

Skimpy overview of the Shakers

Ken Burns' America: The Shakers
Starring: David McCullough
Director: Ken Burns
Manufacturer: PBS Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

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Similar Items:

The Shaker Experience in America: A History of the United Society of Believers
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Shakers: Hands To Work, Hearts To God, The (An Aperture Book)
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Ken Burns' America: Thomas Hart Benton

ASIN: B000BITUIY
Release Date: 2004-09-28

Customer Reviews:

Skimpy overview of the Shakers.......2006-07-18

The Shakers were an American religious sect that nurtured an explosion of creativity in theology, social experimentation, architecture, music, design, and invention. Never larger than a few thousand men and women, this group accomplished an amazing amount and their legacy is out of all proportion to their numbers. Ken Burns does a very superficial job here. Next to nothing is said about their radical theology: Mother Ann was seen as the second coming of Christ in female form. Ken Burns, who did such a good job with the Civil War, never mentions that the Shakers' numbers grew radically after the upheavals of the Civil War left many people seeking extreme religious lifestyles. While there are examples of Shaker music, no one discusses the unique style of their hymns. The vast Shaker thological literature that survives seems to have little interest to him. It is as if Burns spent a weekend doing research and figured that he had learned enough. He didn't.

This Is Your Life Music Movers and Shakers - Bobby Darin and Dick Clark

Average customer rating:

This is Your Life - Bobby Darin & Dick Clark

This Is Your Life Music Movers and Shakers - Bobby Darin and Dick Clark

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Seeing Is Believing
In Concert Series: Bobby Darin [Region 2]
Bobby Darin - Beyond the Song
Darin Invasion
Bobby Darin - Mack Is Back

ASIN: B000JJSDGK
Release Date: 2006-10-12

Description

Bobby Darin - This rock and roll idol "Splish Splashed" past adversity to become a teen sensation and nightclub and recording star. Guests include Sammy Davis, Jr. and George Burns. Dick Clark - Star-making producer and host who took American Bandstand to the top of the charts. A parade of talent pays tribute to Dick including Fabian, Frankie Avalon, Connie Francis and more.

Customer Reviews:

This is Your Life - Bobby Darin & Dick Clark.......2007-01-25

It was good to see portions of the life of these two icons (in my opinion). Dick Clark will live forever in our hearts. Bobby Darin never got the attention that he deserved in his short lifetime.
This DVD was most interesting. Thanks to those who made it.

Average customer rating:

Detailed explanation of a religious movement that did many good things but is largely misunderstood
Excellent documentary that left me wanting more
Good, but what about the Socialisim references?
Not worth the time!
Well done documentary on an interesting topic

The Shakers
Starring: David McCullough (II)
Director: Ken Burns
Manufacturer: Pbs Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

Religion | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

All | PBS | Specialty Stores | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

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The Shaker Experience in America: A History of the United Society of Believers
Simple Gifts: Lessons in Living from a Shaker Village
Devil's Playground

ASIN: B0002JP52C
Release Date: 2004-09-28

Amazon.com

From America's documentarian Ken Burns (The Civil War, Baseball, Jazz) comes this intimate portrait of a "serene creed" whose members considered themselves America's "chosen people." They called themselves the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, but because of their ecstatic dancing, they are more popularly known as the Shakers. Its members put their "hands to work and their hearts to God," creating a legacy of fine and priceless furniture and magnificent architecture. A model for the world's utopians, the Shakers believed in social, economic, and spiritual equality, and in pacifism, feminism, and joyful personal worship. They also believed in celibacy, which is why, when Burns filmed this in 1989, there were but a dozen Shakers left in America. On-location footage, contemporary interviews with historians and present and former members, and dramatic voice-overs culled from diaries create a moving portrait of the Shakers and "[keep] the light shining bright." --Donald Liebenson

Customer Reviews:

Detailed explanation of a religious movement that did many good things but is largely misunderstood.......2006-07-07

Their true name was the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, but to the world and even to themselves, they were known as the Shakers. This was because of the ecstatic dancing they engaged in during their group activities. The Shakers were a religious movement that survived for decades, despite the fact that they were celibate. Men and women were housed in separate areas and with no children being born to replenish their numbers, it was necessary to recruit people into the movement if they were to survive over the long term.
There is much to admire about the Shakers. They believed in strict equality for all people, they were one of the very few organizations that treated men and women equally. Blacks were also accepted as equals and theirs was a truly communal society. They produced very high quality merchandise, as they strove for perfection and simplicity in everything they did. They were pacifists, when the government tried to conscript Shaker men into the military during the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln was persuaded to grant them exemptions from the draft.
Ken Burns uses archival photos, diary entries, interviews with some of the few surviving Shakers, statements of historians, readings of commentators of the time and film of their merchandise and structures that still exist to tell their story. The Shakers were quite inventive; it is stated that a Shaker woman invented the circular saw. They worked hard and valued all labor, believing that it was the will of God. Unfortunately for their movement, the Industrial Revolution allowed factories to make goods far cheaper than the Shakers could. Society also changed a great deal after the Civil War, the opportunities that existed outside their community were a strong attraction that many of the young Shakers could not resist. Finally, the strict vow of celibacy meant that their numbers could not be replenished from within. It became harder and harder to attract new people into the movement, and when people began leaving faster than they were recruited in, the decline began. This started a negative feedback loop, as the numbers dropped; fewer people wanted to join.
Burns captures all of this in the film. As one of the historians' states, the Shakers were the first group to do many positive things. Social commentators as prominent as Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels are quoted as commenting favorably on the Shaker society. Even though the movement was a casualty of the changes in society, the Shakers did many very positive things and had a strong influence on the development of the country. Their influence went far beyond their numbers and Burns does an excellent job in capturing and explaining all that they accomplished.

Excellent documentary that left me wanting more.......2004-07-06

Ken Burns brings his inimitable style and "emotional archaeology" to one of the most fascinating and least understood religious sect in American history.

I love the images and the sweeping scope of the narration. But that is where I have to fault the film -- I don't think it goes deep enough. Some of the most engaging images and topics are treated with only a cursory touch. I wanted to hear and learn much more.

Unlike Burns' later work, this film actually felt a bit rushed in places.

As a primer on the Shakers, this film is virtually peerless, but I'm afraid it had me asking more questions than it answered. Still and all, it is beautiful and compelling.
****1/2

Good, but what about the Socialisim references?.......2003-09-18

This video was helpful in my studies of the Communial Communities that sprung up around the US in the advent of our country. However, I was unhappy that the director omitted the fact that these communities depict early socialist ideals. It is important in the understanding of where American Socialist movements began or where their inspiration may have come from. I recommend this movie if you are looking for religous movement info or insight on the first religous "Great Awakenning" that took place in the US.

Not worth the time!.......2001-01-09

Although this video does contain some interesting photos andmusic, it's attributes end there. As a historical work it ismisleading at best by perpetuating uninformed myths andstereotypes. He does nothing to really explore the foundations ofShaker spirtuality, which gathered thousands to Shaker Villages fromMaine to Kentucky. He neglects to give the viewer a true insight toMother Ann and the Church that she brought to America. But ratherfocuses on the temporal by products of their faith (furniture,architecture, and the like). Worst of all Mr. Burns leaves theviewer with the incorrect notion that the Shakers are about tovanish. A total misrepresentation of the facts. The community atSabbathday Lake contuines to grow and is excited about thefuture. Even at the time this video was made several new coverts hadrecently joined the community at Sabbathday Lake. It seems odd thatMr. Burns would leave such an important detail out of hisdocumentary. Or maybe editorial is a better word. The BBC did videoon the Shakers in 1990, 4 years after the Burns video. It is stillavalable, and will give you a much better picture of the Shakers pastand PRESENT.

Well done documentary on an interesting topic.......2000-06-09

While I was watching this documentary by myself (the fam is more into action packed dramas), my hubby stuck his head in the door, became interested in this video on Shakers and watched most of it with me.

Now *that's* an endorsement!

It is a very well done piece with some amazing insights into the day to day life of Shakers, with many interesting tidbits about their history and American history.

They were an ultra-strict group and they strove for perfection in everything they did. Some of the tidbits I enjoyed most - a woman Shaker is credited with inventing the circular saw and Shakers are also credited with the invention of the clothes pin.

Shakers were devoted, devout, quiet, principled and deeply religious people. Above all, they were highly disciplined, rising at 4:30 each morning to begin prayers and chores.

Description

These seven brilliant programs by America's foremost documentary filmmaker comprise a glorious anthem to a great nation and its people. "Brooklyn Bridge" and "Statue of Liberty" chronicle the conception and building of these magnificent structures that grace New York Harbor. "Empire of the Air" is an absorbing history of radio and the men who created it, while "The Congress" is a fascinating portrait of this unique American institution. Opposites in almost every way, artist "Thomas Hart Benton" and politician "Huey Long" are portrayed in compelling biographies. "The Shakers" is a moving tribute to the most enduring religious experiment in American history.

Customer Reviews:

Never Received.......2006-11-06

I ordered this item, but Amazon was unable to obtain and ship the item.

Great Collection of brilliant film maker.......2004-10-12

I have been waiting for this box set to come out - Now for the first many of Mr. Burns best work are collected in one set - Having seen several of these works on PBS, I feel qualified to rate this set highly - He can take an interesting subject matter and enchance it or take a subject I know little about and have me fascinated - Buy this set, enjoy and learn

Excellent collection of Ken Burns' shorter works........2000-05-25

This collection contains seven of Ken Burns' shorter documentary works that range from his early days as a film maker to those that show him at the height of his craft. While "The Brooklyn Bridge" is rather weak, the other six films more than make up for it. Truly an excellent showcase for Burns. See below for a review of each film in this collection.

"The Brooklyn Bridge: Running Time: 60 minutes Narrated by David McCullough

Although parts of "The Brooklyn Bridge" hint at the excellent work Ken Burns would produce in later films, this particular documentary falters in its last 20 minutes.

The Brooklyn Bridge is many stories, but it's mainly the tale of how perseverance can make an almost impossible vision take form. The Bridge took many years and several million dollars to build. It faced political and social opposition. It weathered scandals and corruption. And when it was over, it stood as a monument to mechanical brilliance and souful aspirations. Burns only spends forty minutes on the story of the Bridge's construction. He spends the last 20 minutes focusing on what the Bridge means to various scholars, poets and New Yorkers; this is where the film lags. Admittedly, the Bridge is important as a cultural icon, not just for New York, but for America. However, if Burns was going to devote this much time to testimonials, then the film should have been at least 90 minutes or, better yet, two hours.

When the film concentrates on the Bridge's construction, it shines. Burns has carefully selected photos, drawings, contemporary newspaper accounts and personal journals of key participants in the Bridge's inception to vibrantly tell this story. He just should have spent more time on his subject. The pace of this documentary is so hurried and awkward, you can tell where Burns is skipping key parts of the story in order to get to the testimonials. A good effort, but it pales before his later output.

"The Statue of Liberty" Running Time: 60 minutes Narrated by David McCullough

"The Statue of Liberty" by Ken Burns is a moving testament to the spirit of the American ideal. Like Burns' earlier "Brooklyn Bridge," this film also chronicles the construction of an American landmark as well as the reactions of various people to what that landmark stands for. Unlike the "Brooklyn Bridge," however, this approach works in "The Statue of Liberty." What the Statue means to one person or another is part of its importance, and Burns has captured that beautifully.

Using wonderful footage, sketches, photos and personal accounts of its construction, Burns ably documents the struggle to make a vision a reality. Burns well captures the engineering brilliance required to build the Statue. He also illustrates how the Statue has become a representation of the best and worst of our American ideals. The Statue is a symbol of new hope and second chances, and this film illuminates the power of that symbol.

"The Shakers: Hands to Work, Hearts to God" Running Time: 60 minutes Narrated by David McCullough

In "The Shakers: Hands to Work, Hearts to God" Ken Burns truly hit his stride as a documentarian. By combining personal journals of early Shakers, historic and social commentary of scholars and contemporaries, and wonderfully insightful interviews with present day Shakers, Burns tells a simple story, but tells it beautifully. By illustrating the Shaker life and ideology, Burns presents a group of dedicated people who strove to put God into every aspect of their lives.

If you know the Shakers for only their furniture and ritual dancing, then this film will illuminate your understanding of early America's most powerful Utopian movement.

"Thomas Hart Benton" Running Time: 60 minutes Narrated by Jason Robards

"Thomas Hart Benton" is a revealing and immensely watchable biography of an artist who probably reached more Americans than any other. As Ken Burns ably proves, Benton's work captured the spirit and history of the average American man and woman.

Combining samples of Benton's work, interviews with art critics, family, friends and enemies as well as footage of Benton himself, Burns presents a perfectly balanced approach to an artist's life and his statement of America as a struggling, vibrant land.

You don't have to like Benton's art to like this film. In fact, several of the critics Burns interviewed for this one-hour documentary dismiss Benton as a serious artist. However, what they say about Benton is as revealing as the praise of critics who revere him. Perfectly balanced and entertaining. "Empire of the Air" Running Time: 120 minutes Narrated by Jason Robards

Although Marconi may have invented the technology for radio, three men made it a force for change. "Empire of the Air" examines the lives of those men, Lee de Forest, Edwin Armstrong and David Sarnoff. All three would contribute some necessary component to radio's development, but could never agree or acknowledge the work of the other.

Today we take radio's constant presence and role for granted, but this documentary proves what a struggle it was to bring it into being. Burns uses personal interviews with the key players in radio's development and their contemporaries, as well as archival footage and historical commentary to illustrate how radio has impacted us as a society. The story of radio's three primary "fathers" plays like a radio drama full of struggle, triumph and tragedy. This is an outstanding documentary.

"Huey Long" Running Time: 90 minutes Narrated by David McCullough

Although forgotten or largely discounted today, Huey Long came closer to becoming a total dictator than any other American. This film by Ken Burns brings the power and presence of Long into its proper context of a poor and desperate state in the throes of a crippling depression. Burns illustrates this documentary with excellent interviews with Long's contemporaries, constituents, friends and opponents. There is also revealing footage of Long himself that reflects his intended image of a "countrified buffoon," which caused his enemies to underestimate him. This doucmentary brings Long back to life as a veritable dictator who might have won the presidency if not for his assassination.

The film's main strength lies in its balanced approach to this controversial figure. Although Burns interviewed many of Long's enemies, he also sought the opinion of the average Louisiana citizen who benefited from Long's provision of free school books and hospital care. These people were Long's source of strength of power who still regard him as a great man and never cared how Long managed to give them these things. Again, Burns balances the man who provided relief to a struggling people, and the dictator who compromised decomcracy in order to provide that relief. This is an excellent documentary.

"The Congress" Running Time: 90 minutes Narrated by David McCullough

Ken Burns' "The Congress" is a wonderful history of an essential but underrated American institution. In only ninety minutes, Burns captures the strengths and weaknesses of our legislative branch like few documentarians could. Congress, often accused of gridlock and pork barrelling, actually exemplifies the American ideal of self-rule. This film touches on key successes and failures of this body throughout its entire history. Burns examines the contributions of such pivotal congressmen as Joe Cannon, Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, George Norris and a host of others. Burns alters our current perspective of Congress to show us an organization of great power that has, at times, ruled the country in counterbalance to weak presidents.

Amazon.com

Description

This revealing and poignant film by Ken Burns portrays 200 years of Shaker life in America, guided by the recollections of the three surviving members of the faith, along with a wealth of archival material from over 40 collections. Explore every aspect of this strange and noble sect that produced some of the greatest architecture and furniture in American history. It is the story of devotion, invention, industry and ingenuity, of simple crafts and dance. Shot at existing Shaker locations and narrated by David McCullough, the film includes Shaker music recreated from authentic inspirational songs.

Customer Reviews:

Detailed explanation of a religious movement that did many good things but is largely misunderstood.......2006-07-07

Excellent documentary that left me wanting more.......2004-07-06

Ken Burns brings his inimitable style and "emotional archaeology" to one of the most fascinating and least understood religious sect in American history.

Unlike Burns' later work, this film actually felt a bit rushed in places.

As a primer on the Shakers, this film is virtually peerless, but I'm afraid it had me asking more questions than it answered. Still and all, it is beautiful and compelling.
****1/2

Good, but what about the Socialisim references?.......2003-09-18

Not worth the time!.......2001-01-09

Well done documentary on an interesting topic.......2000-06-09

Now *that's* an endorsement!

It is a very well done piece with some amazing insights into the day to day life of Shakers, with many interesting tidbits about their history and American history.

Shakers were devoted, devout, quiet, principled and deeply religious people. Above all, they were highly disciplined, rising at 4:30 each morning to begin prayers and chores.

Product Description

In this instructional video, shekere maestro Michael Pluznick guides you through the basics of how to play the African-beaded gourd or "shekere". The shekere (sekere) or calabash is originally from the Yoruba people of Nigeria. It surfaced again via Cuba, employed in the African music which is played there. There are, it should be mentioned, gourds and beaded gourds with various names throughout Africa. Volume One covers basic techniques for holding, moving and shaking the instrument, traditional rhythm patterns and shekere patterns for popular music. This video aims to instruct step by step in easy-to-follow segments. Get your instrument, follow along, learn and play. Also covered are rhythm patterns for 12/8 and 4/4, various techniques, exercises and solos. Highly recommended for beginners and advanced players alike. Michael has been playing and teaching percussion and drumming for over 30 years. He currently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and performs with Les Percussions Malinke.

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