Last night, Ken Burns’ latest, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, debuted with two hours of the sort of scenery that is almost unspeakable (that Read the full post.
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I agree that the historical text and certainly the photography are beautiful. The Parks are a treasure of natural beauty. Still, this documentary strikes me as false. The concept of nature protection being a strictly American Democratic ideal is wrong. Dictators, the Soviets, and certainly modern Europe set aside land. Good governments and bad are capable of this. We should praise the beauty of nature everywhere and seek to protect it everywhere. In many ways we have failed in the USA with high CO2 emissions, and suburban sprawl. Let’s not keep patting ourselves on the back for something that Teddy Roosevelt did so many years ago. Let’s do something spectacular now.
For us the series was too long and repetitive. I will admit I found the other stories concerning the Parks Service, while noble, of no interest. The stories of the personalities involved was fine but way too long. I would like someone to help me on this point. Why on earth was Mt.Rushmore given the “bums rush”. Its a story into itself. Only a few scenes? Mt.Rushmore is far more interesting than the way too long Everglades saga. I am glad we have all the parks, but ignoring Mt. Rushomre!
the best show case of the parks I have ever seen, besides going there many many years ago. I was very emotional. my Father was passionate about taking our family to several of our National parks. And to top it off he would come home and paint the places where we had been. I am hoping our grandchildren will get this privilage some day of seeing the most precious places on God’s earth.
The best show case of the parks I have ever seen, besides going there many many years ago. I was very emotional. My Father was passionate about taking our family to several of our National parks. And to top it off he would go home and paint the places where we had visited. I am hoping our grandchildren will get this privilage some day of seeing the most precious places on God’s earth. Spectacular!
In this time of no civility, corrupt government, trash T.V. and our constant desire to build up and then tear down everything and everyone, thank you Ken Burns for presenting something positive that we as Americans can be thankful for and proud of
How disappointing. The pictures, obviously, can not capture what the eye sees. We got dragged through the repeated photos, repeated dialogue….I was really looking forward to something good. I was bored by the end of the first night. I gave it a 2nd and 3rd chance the following nights and never watched again.
hey there,
i think you might enjoy this exclusive web short the colbert report did with
ken burns. here is the link:
http://tinyurl.com/yz5zb5m
you can also use this one:
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/252360/october-02-200
9/exclusive—backstage-with-ken-burns
hope you like!
thanks,
nick
That’s 2 clever by half and 2×2 clever 4 me. Thnask!
Leave it to such an “industry leader” as EW to trivialize such remarkable work that Ken Burns’ turns out. I said “industry leader” with the same sarcastic tone and disdain that EW used in its descriptions of this series. I feel the same kind of disdain when they compared watching such high quality programming as “National Parks” to programs they’re more accustomed to viewing like the “Gossip Girls” and “Dancing with the Stars.” They, EW, are clearly unaccustomed and ill-equipped to review non-trivial fare.
I saw only 3 episodes on PBS and I was hooked. I liked the National Parks so much, I bought the DVD set and book. I am from Alberta Canada and my love for the parks is deep. This documentary is the best I have seen to date. America is fortunate to have the likes of Ken Burns and his team produce such a historical masterpiece. The history behind the parks and the personalities that made the park system a reality just boggles my imagination. What if John Muir did not go west and Teddy R never became President. Ken Burns has done a remarkable job of bringing out these national heroes. This needs to be shown in the school system and I am sure it will. I hope it wins an Oscar. I have to admit that I am a bit of a global warming skeptic…not because I don’t believe in it but because I do not like the hypocrisy that goes with the controversy. I am what Americans would call a Republican here in Canada. However, having said this, Ken Burns production has a sense of National Pride, dignity, respect, unity, and truth. I have seen his documentary on WW2 and can only conclude that this is a man I would trust to bring the truth to the television and theater screens. I guess what I am trying to say is that if he had produced/directed “An Inconvenient Truth”, his message would resonate with more people. Thank you Ken Burns…well done! America is a better place with the likes of you.
You’re right. Shelton Johnson is amazing; I could listen to him for hours! He has such a poetic sensibility. I hope to see more of him in the future.
I really don’t know why I’m not surprised…
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