Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Binding: VHS Tape EAN: 9780780606197 Format: Box set, Black & White, Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC ISBN: 0780606191 Label: Pbs Home Video Manufacturer: Pbs Home Video Number Of Items: 4 Publisher: Pbs Home Video Release Date: June 09, 1998 Running Time: 240 minutes Sales Rank: 2361 Studio: Pbs Home Video Theatrical Release Date: December 26, 1992
Amazon.com: This four-hour biography of Abraham Lincoln, which aired originally on PBS, is a masterful presentation featuring hundreds of authentic photographs and a thoughtful narration delivered by actor James Earl Jones. Prominent actors, including Jason Robards as the voice of Lincoln, deliver excerpts from letters, speeches, and diaries, and if that format seems familiar, the selection of material is innovative and often fascinating. The documentary begins by describing Lincoln humbly packing his own bags in Springfield, Illinois, affixing labels reading "A. Lincoln, White House, Washington," and setting off to assume the presidency at a deeply troubled time in the nation's history. The entire story of Lincoln's life is eventually told, though the Civil War and the monumental toll it took on Lincoln is, appropriately, the focus of the story.
The copious material on the war and its principal personalities, especially General Ulysses S. Grant, will be a delight to Civil War buffs, and material about how Lincoln conducted the war (enraging his many enemies in the process) may surprise some viewers. Indeed, in his own time, Lincoln was hardly the icon he later became, and this documentary presents him flaws and all. This is a magnificent historical documentary that, despite its length, is never less than thoroughly absorbing. --Robert J. McNamara
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Informative and very entertaining.
***** I found this 4-series biography set to be ONE OF THE BEST BIOGRAPHIES I HAVE EVER SEEN. There was more information about Abraham Lincoln in these videos than the shorter,and less interesting, A&E or History Channel versions. The presentation was done very tastefully and thoroughly. The pictures and theme music seem historically accurate.Also,the voices of James Earl Jones and Jason Robards literally gave me the chills for their perfect portrayals and narration.Also, no one voices a better Mary Lincoln than the one-and-only Glenn Close. On a whole, the video was excellent. These videos even ... Read More
Rating: - A story of a man being great when greatness was needed
There is no doubt that the two greatest presidents of the United States were George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Differentiating between them is reduced to a matter of personal taste rather than historical significance. One was present at the birth of the nation and the other was president at the time of greatest internal trial. Despite the vast differences in their origin and societies, both men shared one powerful characteristic, that of humility. Even though he was urged to march at the head of his army and seize power, Washington did something that few in history have ever done. He resigned ... Read More
Rating: - Insightful and Well-done documentary
I was lucky enough to have bought the companion book before I saw this documentary. Once I saw it, I had to have it. This is THE definitive Abraham Lincoln biography. Not only does it show us the Abe we all remember from grade school, but the videos do a great job of showing us the many levels of Lincoln: the man, the husband, the father, the President, the lawyer. Can't say enough good things about this.
Rating: - A wonderful documentary series about the 16th President
This series which originally aired on ABC in 1992 is an excellent documentary about Abraham Lincoln. Using period pictures and the words of Lincoln and his contemporaries, this series produced by the Kunhardt family covers the full span of Lincoln's life, focusing primarily on his Presidency.
The only difficulty one might have is that the video often jumps around through Lincoln's life. One moment they are talking about the Emancipation Proclamation and slavery issues and then the video jumps back 5 years to the Lincoln-Douglas Debates.
- 