Narrated by Elizabeth McGovern It’s not just about who we were then. It’s about who we are now. “First-rate…compelling” —James Lighthizer, President, Civil War Trust In this revealing documentary, Elizabeth McGovern (Downton Abbey) recounts how the struggle between North and South—long defined by battles like Gettysburg, Antietam, and Bull Run—was quite dependent on events in the lands then known as “the West.” Although often overlooked, the western theatre—between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River—saw some of the conflict’s bloodiest encounters, such as Shiloh, Vicksburg, and Chickamauga. It featured iconic leaders like the Union’s Ulysses S. Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman as well as the Confederacy’s Albert Sidney Johnston and John Bell Hood. This series also tells inspirational and untold stories of African Americans—from enslaved to emancipated to fighting for their freedom. Using dramatic battle recreations, compelling archival imagery, 3-D maps, and insightful interviews with top Civil War scholars, this five-part series shows why the West played such a vital part in the outcome of the war.
S**N
Rounds out the history of the Civil War
A shift in focus to the Mississippi River and the middle states, the railroads, farms, supply lines, slaves as a resource shows how the South was really crippled and beaten VS a more typical focus preoccupied with apotheosizing Lee and the Southern military victories in the East until Grant and Sherman could gut the Souths support infrastructure and close in and force surrender. A more balanced picture than most.
J**A
Excellent Docudrama for Civil War Buffs and Newbies
I so enjoyed this documentary on the Civil War when it ran on my PBS station that I bought the DVD set for future viewings and to share with friends. It focuses on the major battles of the western front -- Shiloh, Vicksburg, Corinth, Stones River, Perryville, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, etc. -- and shows how critical the western battles were to the outcome of the war. The clear writing and chronological progression made the 5 hour-long episodes flow very well. The story is told at a level basic enough that young viewers and those new to the Civil War can follow it. Yet there is enough action and interesting perspective that Civil War buffs should enjoy it as well.Many other pluses: The participation of hundreds of soldier reenactors, whether nervously waiting to fight, engaging in battle, or resting or mourning afterward, gave a real "You are there" feeling to the dramatic events. These guys are not professional actors but they sure took their work seriously and put their hearts into the fight. The cinematography of battle sites and the re-enacted battle scenes were awesome. The computer graphics that showed the positions of troops during battles were helpful. They were easy to follow and made me understand the movements and tactics better. I also liked the many personal anecdotes that were included, showing how people, from humble privates to generals to wives at home to slaves, all got caught up in the life-changing events. Some of the personal dramas are acted out, giving the series a kind of docudrama feeling. Included in the usual comments by historians are US park rangers who oversee the historic battle sites. They are very well-informed and skilled at sharing battlefield stories. Finally, I enjoyed the narration by actress Elizabeth McGovern. She seemed an odd choice for a war documentary, but her voice was consistently clear, strong and engaging. I guess sometimes it's good to have our expectations upended!I highly recommend this series. It's outstanding all around. Congrats to Nashville Public TV and Great Divide Pictures for producing such a quality series.
B**N
Good, but could have been better
This is a documentary history of the Civil War in the west, focusing on the major battles there.First of all, this idea that the war in the West is an "untold story" is absurd. Yes, the war in the east received far more attention for most of the 100 years after the war, but since the mid- to late-1900s, the war in the west has received abundant attention. In fact, I don't think there has been any unturned stone of the Civil War, so there probably are NO untold stories of the Civil War.Secondly, there is a mix of reenactment and other footage that makes this enjoyable to watch. Quite different from the Ken Burn's approach. This probably has more appeal to younger viewers. It does a good job of relaying the events, though I wish it tied them all together a bit better. Several key events of the war in the West are left out. Of course, you can't cover everything, but I felt that this series could have been much better. I'm surprised it has not been more popular than it is, but maybe these are some of the reasons why. Also, while the narration is excellent, it seems weird to have female narration of Civil War battles. Super minor, but it just sounds strange while watching it.I recommend this series, but it could have been better.
G**N
Western Campaign Well Described.....
I had never thought much about the "Western Campaign" of the Civil war. I had not real idea of the significance of those battled...that is, until I watched this series. What I got from this was a new found appreciation for the importance of what those battles contributed to the Civil War's eventual outcome. This docu-drama explains all of that in such a way to make it very plain and clear to the viewer, what those battles were and how they generally turned out. It leaves the viewer with just enough of an appetite to want to go look up those individual battles, just to learn more about them. This series is well directed. The re-enactors are excellent as is the use of computer graphics in explaining overall map layouts for the tactical situation before and during each battle. From the initial fights in Kentucky, to Sherman's move up the East Coast, this covers it all from Tenn, Miss, Ala, GA. South Carolina is given a passing mention which would be my only complaint but having said that, the coverage and explanation about what took place leading up to the Battle for Atlanta and then the subsequent battles around that city and that outcome was well done. I have watched this series numerous times and every time, I learn something new. It's just a well done Docu-drama, well worth adding to your library.
H**N
Forget Ken Burns. This is the real story
This is a far more perceptive and accurate account of the Civil War than Ken Burns's glossy multi-part series, which bent over backward to pretend there was anything redeeming about the Confederacy or its foul "Cause". Burns repeatedly showed the conditions of slavery with horrible photos and inspiring music, but never really made the connection between the Confederacy and slavery, especially in his glorification of Confederate generals. This in depth documentary does a far better job of laying out the causes of the Civil War and how it played out, including the fact that some 700,000 Americans died for absolutely nothing as the former Confederate states were allowed back into the union without conditions, allowed to resume racist policies that placed once free Blacks into a new form of slavery that continues in some ways to this very day, and allowed the Confederate war criminals off scott free. Later they were honored with countless monuments and statues that racists are still defending. The Civil War never ended.
M**N
Up there with the best.
You do need a multi-region player to view this. However, it's among the best Civil War DVD sets that I've seen. It covers the largely overlooked Western area of operations (Shiloh, Chickamauga, Vicksburg etc.). It's a nice blend of very realistic battle sequences, archive photos, comments from historians all held together by a superb narrator. Not only does it cover the battles, but it covers the consequences, particularly concerning the freed slaves. If you have a interest in the Civil War, this should be in your collection.
L**N
Positive purchase
Prompt shipping, good product
A**E
One Star
good
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