Thomas Hart Benton

Starring:Jason Robards
Director: Ken Burns
Studio: Pbs Paramount
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

This hard-drinking "bantam rooster" of a painter was arguably as famous for his art-world politics as he was for his remarkable body of work, according to Ken Burns's dynamic documentary. Using the usual interviews with friends, family, critics, and historians combined with old newsreels, television interviews, and myriad paintings as backdrops, Burns has produced an unusually entertaining work. His subject matter helps: Benton embodied contradiction. A sophisticate who yearned to be simple, he observed and painted a world of factory work, saloon frequenting, and prizefighting. He mentored Jackson Pollack, but publicly lambasted abstract impressionism. In his 85 years he struggled, became the rage, and saw his oeuvre go out of style. Benton's outspokenness is augmented by Burn's unwillingness to coddle his subject. Students laud him, but critics get their say, too, calling him talentless and questioning his legacy. The DVD comes with two short "conversations" with Burns about his work. --Kimberly Heinrichs

Customer Reviews:

great narrative.......2004-08-28

What is remarkable is what a cohesive story this truly comprehensive bio of THB makes. As all documentarians do, Burns clearly had to help along/trace out the narrative thread, but the brilliance of this particular film is that the story of it just seems to emerge on its own.

Also, the story of THB's death is particularly moving. The entire film is a great intro to THB and is accessible for any audience. Even those who feel distanced from the "aloof" world of art will really enjoy this film. This film opened my eyes to actually appreciate art. Previously I was turned off completely by what I saw (and indeed often still see) as pretension.

SUMMARY: The film traces THB's childhood and early training, his time of formal training in Europe and life in NY. After that, THB rejected the elitist world of the NY art scene and instead went back to Missouri and became one of the triumvirate of American Regionalists (John Stueart Curry and Grant Wood were the other two--FYI GW painted American Gothic, the most famous American painting of a farmer and his daughter, though most people think it's his wife. Anyway, THB's work is in much the same vein--Americana). In his work, THB tried to capture America and all its ambivalences. That's why I say it's honest. Though critics might say he was too "Pollyanna"-ish, I would disagree, and I think you will after seeing this film.

I cannot recommend this film enough. Anyone who is interested in the concept of "America" (you know, the optimism, hope, dream, nightmare, utopia, distopia, democratic promise, dark underbelly--all the contradictory impulses within the myth of America) will find this a vital part of that dialogue.

Superb documentary of a great American painter........2000-05-21

"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.

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

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

Customer Reviews:

great narrative.......2004-08-28

Superb documentary of a great American painter........2000-05-21

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