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Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Binding: VHS Tape EAN: 9780780620131 Format: Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC ISBN: 0780620135 Label: Pbs Home Video Manufacturer: Pbs Home Video Number Of Items: 3 Publisher: Pbs Home Video Release Date: June 09, 1998 Running Time: 360 minutes Sales Rank: 9241 Studio: Pbs Home Video Theatrical Release Date: November 23, 1997
Description: Featuring dramatic readings from letters and diaries of the period plus live-action re-creations, this compelling series traces the events leading up to the war and America's fight for freedom. In 1763, the French have left and America is at peace under British rule. But dissension is mounting, signified by the Boston Tea Party and publication of Tom Paine's book, Common Sense. Follow the course of revolution as George Washington assumes leadership, Benjamin Franklin goes to France seeking support, and ordinary Americans come together in a conflict that will forge a new nation.
< P>Titles are: "The Reluctant Revolutionaries," "The Times that Try Men's Souls," and "Are We to be a Nation?"
Amazon.com: Looking for an overview of the American Revolution akin to Ken Burns's The Civil War? Look no further! Liberty! The American Revolution successfully takes a unique, detailed peek into the 25 years of events that led to the establishment of the United States of America. The British are not painted as rigid "bad guys," nor the colonists as the rebellious "good guys." Instead, it correlates the complicated struggle between Britain and the American colonies to a stern mother and her teenage child longing for independence. Beginning after the French and Indian War (1763), Liberty! kicks off with the issue of taxation, the colonies' revolt, a declaration of independence, war with the British, eventual victory, and the establishment of a country and constitution unlike any in the history of mankind. The men and women involved are portrayed by actors and actresses reciting original documents, letters, and articles from the times. Well-edited, these soliloquies create an interesting feeling of conversation and continuity, almost as though you are getting a firsthand account of the events as they unravel. Though there are good battle descriptions (particularly Gen. Washington crossing the Delaware, Gen. Burgoyne at Saratoga, and Cornwallis at the Battle of Yorktown), the emphasis of Liberty! is on policy, events leading to war, deteriorating relationships, and ongoing governing challenges rather then actual military strategy. Nonetheless, this documentary is as exciting and interesting as any historical movie you will likely see, and a lot more accurate. --Rob Bracco
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Beware of buying from Fot Records
Liberty: The American Revolution has great depth of information, but it's a little too much for junior high age students. Unfortunately we bought the DVD from Fot Records who will not allow returns if the package has been opened without penalizing the buyer a hefty 80%!
We are a school library, and we must preview every DVD we buy before we show it to our students. When we realized the DVD was inappropriate for our age group, we returned it to Fot Records only to find out that we were receiving only $8.99 of our original $44.98 because we had opened the package! Essentially we ... Read More
Rating: - Better than an introduction
Liberty! The American Revolution is an excellent foray into the events of the Revolutionary war. Beginning in 1765 with the Stamp Act, the documentary covers the events that lead up to the war thus giving a good background both from the Colonist and the British points of view.
There are history talking heads throughout the documentary that illuminate the event being shown at the time. Re-enactments are some of the best I've seen, with not just a shot of soldiers' feet marching and such ilk. There are battle scenes showing the full view of the battle lines of the soldiers.
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Rating: - Highly informative and highly entertaining
A most enjoyable way for learning the basics of the American revolution. The book by Thomas Fleming really compliments it quite well.
I really enjoyed the actor portrayals of the men and women involved giving voice to the words they actually wrote. And the way they were combined by the film served quite well. Thomas Hutchinson really comes across as Parliment's Quisling, seeking their support for his ambitions to hold local offices. Contrasting Hutchinson is Ben Franklin (extremely well portrayed) whose ambitions are clearly imperial. Or Rochambou, seasoned and experienced, contrast ... Read More
Rating: - Give me liberty!
'Liberty! The American Revolution' is a wonderful PBS series, a six-part treatment of the period leading up to and including the American Revolution in the mid-to-late 1700s.
As this series shows, the seeds of the American Revolution were planted long before the actual conflicts began. This was not an overnight decision on the part ofthe colonists or the British; intense negotiations and political attempts were made for years prior to the outbreak of hostilities. The colonists largely came from Britain; the leadership certainly looked to Britain for political, moral and cultural guidance, ... Read More
Rating: - Good, but 3rd place for me...
I'd read glowing reviews here and elsewhere for "Liberty" as THE documentary for the American Revolution, but I preferred both "The American Revolution" and "The Revolutionary War" over Liberty. I'll say this, Liberty does do a better job of covering the time leading up the war, but for as long as this series is (where you figure it would be pretty thorough), I was amazed at some of the events/people that were not covered at all. How does a documentary on the American Revolution make no mention of Ethan Allen, Nathan Hale, John Paul Jones, etc? I was also surprised at how little focus Thomas Jefferson ... Read More
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