Rating: TV-14
Starring:
Adam Arkin
Bobby Cannavale
Keith David
Tom Hanks
Samuel L. Jackson
Josh Lucas
Robert Wahlberg
Eli Wallach
Special Features:
Making “The War” Featurette
Commentary by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick
Exclusive Deleted Scenes
Additional Interviews
Biographies
Photo Gallery
Educational Resources
Other Info:
Widescreen
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Running Time: 15 Hours
Synopsis:
The following is from the DVD cover:
“‘The War,’ a seven-part series directed and produced by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, tells the story of the Second World War through the personal accounts of a handful of men and women from four quintessentially American towns. The series explores the most intimate human dimensions of the greates cataclysm in history — a worldwide catastrophe that touched the lives of every family on every street in every town in America — and demonstrates that in extraordinary times, there are no ordinary lives.”
“The War” is rated TV-14.
Mini Review:
The other day I was at lunch with a co-worker and he said he had seen a great documentary on PBS about World War II. It didn’t take me long to realize he was talking about “The War” by Ken Burns and that I had recently received the entire series on DVD. This co-worker praised Burns’ interviews with WWII veterans, the focus on the homefront, and the interesting stories from obscure corners of the war. Having seen it myself, I am in complete agreement with him. Burns somehow manages to find stories about WWII and tells them from rarely seen angles. I was also struck by the graphic vintage footage. There are horrific films and photos of murdered children, naked corpses, and other gut wrenching images of war. It’s very difficult to watch, but it certainly paints a more realistic picture of what went on than many other WWII documentaries. I think if you’re into WWII documentaries or if you liked “Band of Brothers,” then this series is required viewing for you. Not only do you get all 7 parts of the documentary, but you get new bonus features too. They include commentaries, additional interviews, photo galleries, deleted scenes, and a “making of” featurette.
