Ken Burns: National Parks - America's Best Idea |  | Director: Ken Burns
Actors: Adam Arkin, Philip Bosco, Kevin Conway, Peter Coyote, Andy Garcia
Studio: PBS (DIRECT)
Category: DVD
List Price: $99.99
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Rating:  134 reviews
Sales Rank: 1249
Format: Box set, Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Languages: English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), English (Original Language), Spanish (Dubbed)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 1
Discs: 6
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Running Time: 720 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.9
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5.5 x 1.5
UPC: 841887009881
EAN: 0841887009881
ASIN: B002BO2R4K
Release Date: October 6, 2009
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Filmed over the course of more than six years at some of nature's most spectacular locales - from Acadia to Yosemite Yellowstone to the Grand Canyon the Everglades of Florida to the Gates of the Arctic in Alaska - The National Parks: America's Best Idea is nonetheless a story of people: people from every conceivable background - rich and poor; famous and unknown; soldiers and scientists; natives and newcomers; idealists artists and entrepreneurs; people who were willing to devote themselves to saving some precious portion of the land they loved and in doing so reminded their fellow citizens of the full meaning of democracy.It is a story full of struggle and conflict high ideals and crass opportunism stirring adventure and enduring inspiration - set against the most breathtaking backdrops imaginable. ?The National Parks America?s Best Idea? is stunning and restorative like the parks themselves.? Timothy Egan NEW YORK TIMES July 12 2009 ??The National Parks? film ? thoughtful reflective powerful ? is vintage Burns another of his pulse takes on America?s institutions and characters a la his long looks at jazz the Civil War baseball Mark Twain and other subjects.? ? Brett Johnson VENTURA COUNTY STAR March 20 2009 ?With their next documentary ? 'The National Parks: America's Best Idea' ? the filmmakers take on their greenest project yet delving into the often-contentious history of our 58 national parks while probing the notion that our best landscapes should be preserved for everyone.? ?Scott Learn THE OREGONIAN March 6 2009 Burns is erudite and entertaining and in an era when old-fashioned storytelling is threatened with becoming blasé encouraging as well. Few other filmmakers make history seem so compelling make the viewers feel as much a part of the story as what is being shown onscreen.? ? Chris Kaltenback BALTIMORE SUN March 4 2009 Bonus Features: Featurettes Outtakes The National Parks: This is America The Making of The Nationa
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 134
 A VISION REALIZED September 30, 2009
Randy Ingersoll
78 out of 84 found this review helpful
I live in Gardiner, Montana (location of the Roosevelt Arch) and work in Yellowstone, and I experienced firsthand the genuine passion and forthright efforts of Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan and their staff as they took their vision and turned it into a poetic masterpiece. Their years of hard work not only in Yellowstone but throughout the entire national park system have paid off, and we are the lucky beneficiaries of their skillful and spirited tenacity.
This film speaks gently and lovingly of the National Parks idea. The majestic vistas, the enlightening interviews, the background music -- woven together they demonstrate the power of "place", and fill us with a desire to further protect and honor these sacred sites.
We cannot live without the land, and we cannot live well without understanding our past. "The National Parks: America's Best Idea" is an authentic rendering of those very truths, and like all things good and beautiful, will be experienced and revered for ages to come, just as will the national parks themselves.
America's Best *IDEA* September 29, 2009
Jonathan L. Hicks
53 out of 57 found this review helpful
Not sure why people are complaining about not getting more geological data or wildlife info. This documentary is about the IDEA of our National Park systems which includes inspirations and motivations. As history lover's review says...its how (and why) our National Parks came to be. I'm sure Burns included the term "idea" for good reason. The idea that Burns goes after seems to be a philosophy against commercialism and greed which makes sense after seeing the first episode. Who cares if spirituality was one of the inspirations though? For many, appreciating nature is a spiritual or at least meditative experience regardless of what they do or don't believe. So far this documentary is organized much the same as Burns' other films. Nice music, nice scenery captured in nice camera work with nice photographs- all interwoven with Park Rangers, historians, writers and other experts on the people and places mentioned. So far so good! Leave it to Burns to use National Parks to provide another reminder that not everything in this country is money motivated. If the rest of the episodes are as good as what I've seen it'll be worth a purchase.
e: Now that the series is over I can say I really enjoyed it. I feel pretty much the same as my initial review above. I do agree with some of the other reviews that this series didn't feel as cohesive as some of Burns' other films but it was still a really good one. My only gripe was that although I enjoyed the music (especially the guitar-work) I wish there was more variety. I wish they had recorded more music for this specific film so that songs weren't reused as much. It didn't detract from the film all that much though. When it was all said and done, not only did I learn about interesting things about interesting people and places, this film inspired more appreciation for our National Parks from me. That's enough for me to say its worth a watch and worth owning. Recommended.
Great Ideas Are Often Hard Fought October 2, 2009
Natureshots (Silicon Valley)
39 out of 42 found this review helpful
I have always been in awe when visiting America's National Parks. Like most people, I take these wonders for granted, never had a good understanding of how they came to being. This documentary, though it contains breathtaking scenes, isn't all about the ooohhhs and aaahhhhhs of the National Parks. As the title suggests it's America's Best Idea, the documentary builds on how hard fought the idea was, like many great ideas. Most of us know very little about our national treasures. We may know that John Muir fought hard as a conservationist but many may not know that trying to prevent Hetch Hetchy valley from being dammed and flooded took the life out of him. I remember learning Teddy Roosevelt was a Rough Rider in school but never knew the major role he played at conservation and that even he and all his powers as President could only made the Grand Canyon a National Monument. Those of us who enjoy the great outdoors owe it to Muir and Roosevelt and others such as Stephen Mather and John D. Rockefeller, Jr. The idea didn't come easy or free and some people put their lives and/or fortunes into making sure that Nature's Majesties are conserved for all to enjoy. Besides the beautiful scenes, the documentary is very informative and educational and a must for those who enjoy America's National Parks. This series would make a very nice addition to one's video collection and a must for those who enjoy the great outdoors.
Brilliant October 1, 2009
C. E. Cassidy (Pacific, MO USA)
38 out of 41 found this review helpful
In reading some of the previous comments/reviews, it is apparent that it would behoove some people to look up the definition of 'documentary'. It just might be a revelation that they mainly consist of historical content. If an endless montage of pretty pictures is all it takes to satisfy you (or that is all you can handle), stick to the National Geographic channel. I am not knocking their content, but you won't find this kind of depth/detail there. This series has the perfect balance of beautiful landscapes and historical narration. The point of this documentary is not simply to show the wonderous beauty that the National Parks have to offer. Rather, it is about exploring the origin and necessity of the parks and the journey from a grand idea to magnificent fruition. Learning what it took and the obstacles faced to make the National Parks a reality is very interesting and truly awe-inspiring. We are blessed to have these amazing places that we can all call our own.
Breathtaking scenes and great tales of triumph and sacrifice October 6, 2009
P. Harris (San Francisco Bay Area)
18 out of 18 found this review helpful
An earlier reviewer states "You will not be seeing much of the actual National Parks here". The Ken Burns series I just saw in the high def PBS-TV showing had hours of breathtaking and spectacular scenes of National Parks, scenes I've never seen before. The scenes ranged from small detailed views to grand majestic panoramas, and everything in between.
Yes the earlier reviewer is partially correct in stating "it is really about the people and politics of making National Parks". Much of it is a tale of individuals, starting with John Muir, and followed by many more, who fought against all kinds of adversity and obstacles, and won! They won their individual battles to preseve these beautiful places. It is a tale of human beings who made a difference, a story of triumph and sacrifice. The stories are of famous people and of little known people. The stories unwind in a fascinating way, little by little, as the series progresses.
But the most prominent part of the series is the high def, wide screen, visual presentation of the incredible beauty of our National Parks. In my estimation this is Ken Burns best so far.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 134
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