Search - Liberty! The American Revolution on DVD

TEACHERS---you'll love this!

Thomas B. Cox | Winder, GA USA | 09/07/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I teach AP American History in high school and I've been looking for something useful and entertaining for the classroom on the American Revolution. This is it! It's every bit as good as Ken Burns' Civil War series and the students enjoy it as much as any documentary. I bought the series in search of something on the causes of the Revolution (Stamp Act, Intolerables, etc.), which has been tougher than I expected. This DVD has one entire episode devoted to that era. As a bonus, I discovered that it also has an entire episode on the period from 1783 up through the Constitutional Convention, including covereage/or at least mention of Shay's Rebellion, the Articles of Confederation and social & economic developments in the country. Yes, most of the 6 part DVD set is devoted to the military aspects of the war, but these first and last episodes are worth the price of the whole set in my estimation. And besides those episodes, just pick your favorite periods of the actual war to show in class---there's more to pick from than you can possibly use. This beats the History Channel's American Revolution in quality by a far margin. I agree with those who say this is the best PBS product I've ever seen. And this is good for probably grades 8-12."

Complete, with its ramifications for today

Keith A. Mussey | Cleveland, OH | 09/24/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The American Revolution encompasses four parts: 1) the lead-up; 2) the war; 3) the revolution/creation of American democracy; the continuing debate. This documentary clearly covers all aspects of the American drama by using period paintings, broadsides, music, recent actors, and academics. It is wonderfully narrated by Edward Herrman, and all together, they create a most remarkable story of how we evolved from the colonial social system of deference to "our social betters", to personal liberty and democratic thought.



All the major players of the period are wonderfully portrayed by using current actors to re-create the actual writings of John Adams, Ben Franklin, King George, and a host of others. My favorite is Joseph Plum Martin brought to life by a young Philip Seymour Hoffman, as he fought through-out the entire war.



One of my favorite parts of the drama is the last part: the fight for the Constitution and its implications for today. In that the Revolution is still being waged and that we are all players in determining the final scope of "what the fundamental role of government is". How big should the government be? What is its proper role? What is its proper relationship to the States? To the people? Who determines this, and what was the original intent and purpose of its authors? Here, George Will brilliantly deciphers James Madison by descriping how a vast republic of a "multitude of factions" would counteract each other. In other words, "ambition would fight ambition".



Pauline Maier, acurately notes that American Revolution is often overlooked, and that credit is (wrongly) given to others such as the Russian or French Revolutions. The American Revolution and Constitution has exceeded the wildest expections of those who helped create it. CAN WE KEEP IT?

"

Give me Liberty

J. Strandberg | Portland, Oregon | 11/17/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Often documentaries end up dry and boring, lots of names and dates but very little depth to help understand why events happened the way they did, not so with Liberty! The actors are first rate and the depth given to characters aids in understanding the reasons behind the events. Highly recommend."

Historically accurate & entertaining!

Tiffany P | Illinois, USA | 12/17/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"PBS did an amazing job with this series. "Liberty" is historically accurate and easy to understand even if the viewer does not have a strong background in US history. It is also extremely entertaining! I love it! It does not compare to any History Channel series that I have seen."