Ken Burns's America - The Statue of Liberty

Starring:Jeremy Irons, David McCullough (II), Mario Cuomo, Jerzy Kosinski, James Baldwin, Derek Jacobi, Milos Forman, Arthur Miller, Barbara Jordan
Director: Ken Burns
Studio: Pbs Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Ken Burns's fourth short film gives us a clear taste for the style that he made famous with The Civil War and Baseball. The first half of this hour-long program examines the design and construction of the Statue of Liberty using drawings, photographs, and readings (Jeremy Irons gives voice to French sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, who designed the statue). As narrator David McCullough states, no one at the dedication ceremony mentioned immigration, but the statue became a towering symbol of America's open-door policy. The second half examines the meaning of the statue and of liberty itself. Comments by author James Baldwin, director Milos Forman, and politicians Barbara Jordan and Mario Cuomo reverberate, as does Paul Simon's song "American Tune," which bookends the picture. --Doug Thomas

Description

Filmmaker Ken Burns presents the definitive portrait of this great lady of the American imagination, in a program that won nominations for both an Academy Award and an Emmy. Follow her life, from her creation by French sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, through her painstaking construction and accident-prone dedication in 1886. Interviews with ordinary Americans reveal a deep understanding of the unique place the statue holds in our hearts.

Customer Reviews:

Statue and Symbolism.......2007-04-26

As much an exposition on liberty as it is the history of the statue, this is a thought-provoking film. It is an honest portrayal of the beautiful ideal of liberty, but also political challenges and problems associated with its application. To African-American James Baldwin, liberty is a bitter joke.

The statue was meant as a symbol of friendship between two republics, America and France, but the process of construction also demonstrates that the strain of dislike in the relationship has a long history. Bartholdi didn't even know if he liked Americans, apparently! But New York harbor offered an ideal place for his artistic ambition, statues on a giant scale.

The pedestal was an American creation, based on a classical Egyptian model.

I liked the old films of immigrants, and their jubilation at reaching the New World.

Film is clearly dated, but the subject matter is timeless.

Celebrating Freedom and the American Experiment.......2004-03-18

What does liberty and freedom mean - to 20th century Americans, 19th century Frenchmen, and our 18th century founding fathers? Statue of Liberty, Ken Burns' award-winning documentary originally broadcast in 1985, asks that simple question in a refreshingly poignant manner. 21st century audiences will recognize the universal spirit and appreciate the classical questions raised in this moving film.
Conceived, directed, and broadcast long before Burns' became an American television legend for his insightful The Civil War and Jazz series, this inspiring documentary features illuminating interviews with Mario Cuomo, Barbara Jordan, James Baldwin, and Jerzy Kosinski reflecting on the unique aspirations of the American experiment in personal liberty. Burns, like in his more famous documentaries, combines a vast array of primary source material (diary entries, letters, newspaper articles) along with photographs, paintings, and drawings to tell the riveting story behind the making, exporting, and celebrating of the Statue of Liberty in New York's Harbor. Historian David McCullough provides, as he so often does on PBS documentaries, a calm narration sensitive to both the text and context of historical figures and events.
One can only hope that this outstanding work will be shown to schoolchildren, taught in citizenship classes, and kept in libraries across the United States and France. The enlightenment ideals of personal liberty still need to be remembered, celebrated, and protected.

Excellent film by Ken Burns, DVD a little disappointing.......2002-11-29

I am a big fan of the films by Ken Burns, and this one is very good. It is very short compared to other multi-episode films like the Civil War, but is still inspiring, enjoyable, and educational.

The quality of the DVD is good, but the amount of content is rather low considering the price. The extras include two short features on Ken Burns, making this entire DVD about 1.5 hours of viewing. Should be priced at 9.99 or 12.99, or maybe combined with another Burns film, such as Brooklyn Bridge.

Wake up, America!.......2001-07-11

After seeing this video, I thought deeply about what the Statue of Liberty means to people who are coming to this country for the first time. If what is presented in the video is true, why was it such a controversial statue? It is not just a symbol of liberty or freedom or two countries coming together, nor does it have any political significance. It is about people and their search for solace and shelter in an uncaring world. The passage at the bottom of the statue, the time that it was built and erected, and its location, these seem to have more significance.

Well, enough of my ramblings. This video is a must-see for Americans and for historians of all ages. It really stirs the soul. That's what it did to me. My parents are immigrants and a lot of what was said rang true for me. Thanks for reading this.

Solid documentary of an important American icon........2000-05-21

"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.

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 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.

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