Rating: 
Summary: wonderful
Review: Anyone with an interest in history will love this video. It is very well done. It will hold the interest of anyone who sees it.
Rating:
Summary: History taught the way it was meant to be taught!
Review: Being a product of the deep south I am well versed in the Civil War. But "Lewis and Clark" was pared down to "some guys who went west." I never realized the undertaking that these courageous people endeavored to accomplish. This is a moving and touching film that reaches the explorer deep inside everyone. And, to think Ken Burns did not major in history! I loved it so much I bought several copies for friends. What else can one say as an endorsement? Thanks Ken Burns for bringing this monumental adventure to life.
Rating:
Summary: Visionary Enchantment
Review: Dayton Duncan's deft writing style, coupled with Hal Holbrook's brilliant narration delivery and Stephen Ambrose's deep insights, only enhance the magical talent of Ken Burns. There are few films of this kind that have the power to transport you body and soul into the film as this one can. I found myself yearning to make journey myself in the hope of somehow sharing in the personal growth and glory of the men who demonstrated "undaunted courage" in their effort to discover, for the first time, the great interior of our country. Not only was this work a vast contribution to film making, but it is profoundly valuable as a historical record. The sound track is magnificent too, and worth adding to your collection (if you can find a copy). Bobby Horton and Peter Ostroushko add an immense dimension to the film with heartland compositions that will bring tears to your eyes as well as lift your soul. This is clearly my favorite Ken Burns film. Own it and share it with everyone you know. ---Ed Curley, Imageworks
Rating: 
Summary: Nice documentary.
Review: For the first 20 minutes or so, one has the vague impression that this is a low budget production, since the film comprises mainly slow pans of maps and other paper documents, as well as interviews with various scholars. Eventually, one becomes aware of the fine landscape photography. For example, the cinematographer takes care to wait for late evening (or early morning), when the oblique angle of the sunshine brings contrast and color to the gentle ripples on the Missouri River. The fine views of the Bitterroot Mountains bring to mind the landscape photography of Art Wolfe, second in greatness only to David Meunsch, as far as color landscape photography is concerned. The bluegrass music is in-character, and provides a fetching accompaniment to the narration and photography. From the credits, the bluegrass music seems to have been specially performed for this video. The only actors are performers in silhouette. Would it have added too much to the budget to provide some live action of Sacagawea and her fellow-voyagers??? Is there any shortage of good actors at the many colleges and community theaters in Missouri? I would think not. The video production takes two cassettes. The drama and suspense tend to pick up a bit in the second video cassette, and then one almost gains the mental impression of watching a live-action drama, apparently because of the carefully crafted monologue. What one learns from the film is: ( 1 ) The amazing coincidence of Sacagawea meeting her long-lost brother; ( 2 ) The surprise of the explorers in discovering the treeless great plains; ( 3 ) Lewis' mental problems; and ( 4 ) The near-encounters with Spanish soldiers. What is missing in the narration is a few minutes of commentary on the political milieu of the time, e.g., the relations between the U.S.A., Spain, France, and England. How was it that this vast land somehow "belonged" to France in the first place??? A drawback of the production is that I cannot fathom any reason to watch this production a second time. It is too bad that the explorations of Lewis and Clark did not take them along the Awaawapuhi trail or the Waimea Canyon of Kauai, since the scenery along the Missouri River is noted for its dullness. If they had taken this sort of detour, then I'd want to watch this video repeatedly. Perhaps the cinematographer could have provided us with views of the glorious sea stacks found in the vicinity of the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon. Some of these sea stacks constitute some of the most glorious geological features in all North America. Sea stacks do appear in the background of the video, in a panoramic view taken in between some trees, but what is missing is a closeup. Another thing missing is Multnomah Falls, visible from the Columbia River. So many opportunities missed in what has turned out to be a very bland film, at least from the visual standpoint.
Rating:
Summary: BURNS BEST WORK
Review: His big series on the "Civil War" and "Baseball" get all the hype but,with Hal Holbrook narrarting and a "who's who" in history backing him up with the running color commentary, this is his most engrossing work. This documentary gives you a real sense of accomplishment when you have finished and if you can resist reading about the expedition after you've seen it, then check your pulse I think you need a doctor. The basis of the movie is the journals kept by Lewis and Clark during the trip. They were truly diverse men that could not only handle the hardships of the journey but, eloquently place the events in writing. Any fiction writer would be pressed to keep you as interested as the actual events recorded. This is fantastic stuff.
Rating:
Summary: BURNS BEST WORK
Review: His big series on the "Civil War" and "Baseball" get all the hype but,with Hal Holbrook narrarting and a "who's who" in history backing him up with the running color commentary, this is his most engrossing work. This documentary gives you a real sense of accomplishment when you have finished and if you can resist reading about the expedition after you've seen it, then check your pulse I think you need a doctor. The basis of the movie is the journals kept by Lewis and Clark during the trip. They were truly diverse men that could not only handle the hardships of the journey but, eloquently place the events in writing. Any fiction writer would be pressed to keep you as interested as the actual events recorded. This is fantastic stuff.
Rating:
Summary: Too teach history to kids and adults too!
Review: History is boring! NO WAY!
This DVD is pretty long, so we watched it in 4 forths (you have big chapters to cut at). But the story is breath-taking. One of Ken Burns master pieces!I would recommend having the AAA road atlas, or any other map on hand. It's important to follow their journey on a US map, and it's fun to follow their journey state by state. Lots of places are easy to find on the map, some are more tricky!
For kids, prepare a paper band, with the scale: each 60 miles in black or white. Showing them how big is an 1 hour car ride compared to a day, or a month of boating against the river, is very impressive.
Rating:
Summary: Ken Burns strikes gold once again
Review: I am a complete history buff and have seen film after film about Lewis & Clark. I can safetly say however that this is the absolute best. It isn't dry like most documentaries, but really brings you back to the early 1800's. It makes you think about exactly what it would have been like for these explorers to see the west for the first time, as a vast prarie unblemished by human technology. There is masterful cinematography and excellent use of quotes from the journals of the actual Corps members. I also highly recommend the soundtrack that goes with this film!
Rating:
Summary: Ken Burns does it again!
Review: I am a HUGE Ken Burns fan and absolutely love his other works that I've watched: Civil War and Thomas Jefferson. This one is top notch in bringing history alive and all its current signifigance in an enjoyable fashion. I had read about Lewis and Clark in grade school...everyone has...but it's not until I'm 40 years of age watching these Ken Burns movies do I finally understand the context and the signifigance of the events. Highlights in this movie for me include:
1) The portrayal of Sacagawea. I am going to have to biography of this strong and fascinating woman to learn more and satisfy my curiousity.
2) The comments by one of the historians named Duncan. At one point his lip is quivering and he is on the brink of tears as he describes Lewis' suicide several years after the journey. I am going to have to find a book or two by this historian on this topic.
3) The DVD extras. There are some interviews with Ken Burns and the making of this DVD that are excellent. After seeing several of his movies I had no idea what Ken Burns was like, his life, his motivation...and these shorts gave me some insight.
4) The beautiful scenery and music. I watch one of these movies and I invigorates my enjoyment of history and I end up adding 2 or 3 related books to my reading list. If this is your first Ken Burns movie, you'll love it and this is a good one to start with. If you're already a Ken Burns fan, you will not be disappointed. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: PBS Video has a quality control problem
Review: I bought this video as a gift, and so far Amazon had sent me two defective copies. Neither copy will play all the way through on any DVD player we have tried. The problem on both is shortly before "The Portage" begins. I have never had a problem with any other DVD, so I was extremely surprised that PBS Video has failed twice. I would love to be able to give this gift permanently, as the narrative is interesting, and the scenery is beautiful, and I would otherwise give 5 stars. Amazon's customer service also deserves some of the star deductions. I've never had to test the return policies of any other DVD distributors.
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