Rating: 
Summary: "Race and Space"; a window to an American, kaleidescopic man
Review: ...
I am humbled by this man Mark Twain. Ken Burns was his normal genius self in his interpretation of his life. But the life of this man Samuel Clemens and his incarnation of Mark Twain humbled me in ways--you were right--I had to see and experience.
I was ready to easily "forgive" Mark Twain for a racism that probably--if not obviously--never existed in him because it protected an ignorant perspective I had on both him and his work. Clemens grew up in 19th century America, which perhaps for anyone else says it all. But I see now not just where his work and genius codified if not invented true American literature, but how his work and genius in that context combined with the Civil Rights movements of the late 19th and later 20th centuries to save the collective American soul. This was metaphorically underscored by the almost trivial fact that he saw to it that that genius lawyer McGuinne, the Black laywer mentor of Thurgood Marshall, graduated from Yale Law School by paying his tuition (and he graduated at the top of his class). I call myself an American--sometimes even a literate American--and I knew nothing about this man before this DVD. Wow. And yet that is nothing to be ashamed of, depsite the new desire I have to know him as a function of better knowing and loving my own soul better and more welling up in me; feelings and desires that usually well up within me when shame is at the source driving them. I felt like a child discovering something beautiful and powerful for the first time when I watched Twain's life unfold in this DVD, in the way children in their innocence see the magic of both themselves and the universe simultaneously, and do so unashamed. This humility in discovery, leading to the outer world discovery being metaphorical to the inner, is the source of all art, and all life. And Samuel Clemens knew this better than most people alive in any time, let alone his own. He reminded me of Richard Burton (the actor's namesake)--who I also know next to nothing about, yet am also inspired by the romantic/spiritual quest of his life, and the knowledge and beauty it produced.
I haven't been this impressed by a single artist in history in a long time. (And he's a Sagittarius too! Ha-ha! Like Beethoven, Sinatra and Spielberg! Does it get any better?!) The review I write for this DVD will be a lot like the one I wrote for the autiobiography of Malcolm X.
I hope the irony of that will not be lost on anyone.
This Mark Twain DVD of Ken Burns is beautiful. It is not just awe-inspiring, it is in it's own artistic way life-altering--like its subject matter. I can only sit back, listen to authors and artists ranging from Arthur Miller to Bugs Bunny genius Chuck Jones share profound insghts, see both the triumphs and the tragedies of his life unfold, and feel the power of love upon reflecting on Twain's life, artistic legacy and Ken Burns' magesterial work in this DVD.
...
Rating:
Summary: Mark Twain and Ken Burns are both geniuses!
Review: Around the turn of the last century, Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) was considered to be one of the funniest men in the world, and one of the greatest American writers and storytellers of his day. He achieved the status of a very rich man - only to lose it investing foolishly in some of the new inventions of the burgeoning industrial age. His first great novel, Tom Sawyer, was an autobiographical tale of his life growing up on the banks of the Mississippi. The sequel and his most endearing work, Huckleberry Finn, written many years later, used the innocence of a ragged Southern boy traveling down the river with his friend, Nigger Joe, as a subtle indictment of slavery; Twain's motivation stemming from his disgust (as a Southerner) for the failure of emancipation several decades after the conclusion of the Civil War. In his later life, while still retaining his humor, Mark Twain became an outspoken opponent of racism, anti-Semitism, and American Imperialism (under Teddy Roosevelt) and an early advocate of women's suffrage. Mark Twain was the first to use the way ordinary Americans spoke - to create great literature. His earliest career was as a riverboat pilot. His penname, Mark Twain, in fact, means "twelve feet," and when called out while steaming, signals the transition from dangerously shallow waters into those that are safe. The movie is filled with great triumphs - and great sorrow. Watching the film caused me to careen uncontrollably between laughing and crying as though I were a drunkard. Anyone who loves writing (or reading) or spinning a few yarns of their own will come away knowing that Mark Twain - and Ken Burns, who lovingly restores him for us - are both geniuses!
Rating:
Summary: It can't be better!!
Review: Before I watched this DVD, I thought I was going to learn some biographical facts about Mark Twain with images, but I got a lot more. Mr. Burn's poetic touch to Mark Twain's life was like a marriage between art and the story of the greatest American writer. Mr. Burn's style of telling the story is very cinematic with well chosen sound tracks (a lot of good quality photos). It captivated me through out the whole 3 hour of it, which is divided into 2 parts. The DVD also shows the commentaries and interpretations of Mark Twain's work by present American writers. It can't be better!! I am also going to check out Mr. Burn's other works.
Rating:
Summary: It can't be better!!
Review: Before I watched this DVD, I thought I was going to learn some biographical facts about Mark Twain with images, but I got a lot more. Mr. Burn's poetic touch to Mark Twain's life was like a marriage between art and the story of the greatest American writer. Mr. Burn's style of telling the story is very cinematic with well chosen sound tracks (a lot of good quality photos). It captivated me through out the whole 3 hour of it, which is divided into 2 parts. The DVD also shows the commentaries and interpretations of Mark Twain's work by present American writers. It can't be better!! I am also going to check out Mr. Burn's other works.
Rating: 
Summary: Live!!!
Review: Burns has talent at making history come alive as if you are watching it live. His choice of using Mark Twain is without question great and the whole film (as i viewed on PBS) was excellent and i looked forward to the next night's episode. I also think that Burns' filmaking has not really changed at all. Its almost the same as the Civil War. I guess there is only so much you can do with archival footage but i would like to see him go out on a limb and do something inovative in his next major project. Twain is definately worth the money though an excellent story of a real person that embodies the fiction he created.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful experience! AND... an unavoidably narrow view
Review: First: This is a great DVD, and anyone who loves Twain, literature, or Americana must see it. Second: This is one person's version of what is most important about Twain's life. But how could it be otherwise? Vast areas of interest are either glossed, or omitted. Twain's big time interest in spirituality and the then emergent metaphysics was not covered. And yet, in his later real life, this was arguably Twain's consuming passion, resulting in virtually all of his writings from the late 1880s onwards. That's just an example. There are others, including Twain's own writings about his Civil War experiences as a Confederate gunboat pilot; his personal relationships and related "drama" with authors Hawthorn and Longfellow, and ex-general and ex-president U.S. Grant, to name but a few. And his intense friendship and mentoree-ship with William Dean Howells. Etc.... On the other hand, who can say what features would be salient if we could have been a friend or associate of Samuel Clemens? The real-life mix might have been quite different from what any of us would imagine, and different from the version director Ken Burns has wrought. After I watched this DVD, I wished fervently that this could have been a 15-hour documentary. There is simply so much to say. And some of the dramatic renditions of Twains writings-- presented as snippets here and there-- would have made important and powerful contributions had they been presented in their entirety. Burns did an admirable job given the limited time available. This production is not quite the sweeping and definitive statement his earlier "Civil War" series was; but the topic is no less important. To paraphrase Burns, and Twain, a study of Twain the man and author is to study America herself. As Twain said, he wasn't AN American, he was THE American. The hundreds of never before seen photos add a thrilling and haunting dimensional peek into our history. The onscreen remarks of actor Hal Holbrook and playwrite Arthur Miller are profoundly meaningful. The remarks of the other "Twain scholars" are mixed. All made valuable contributions, although one of the guys seemed a little dissociated and sterile at times. Imagine trying to cram a man like Mark Twain into some modern psychological theory-du-jour! Can't be done; shouldn't be tried. So, enjoy this important DVD. And continue to read collections of Twains letters, journals, and his stories. Watch all the other rich sources of insights into this amazing force of Nature, and don't be afraid to form your own conclusions, perhaps not cast, as this DVD occasionally was, in the PC zeitgeist of our current age.
Rating: 
Summary: yet another Ken Burns ode to himself
Review: How many times can one man pan around a still photo? We do not know yet. Every K.B. documentary is as bland and self-glorifying as the last. The voice overs, the predictable music, the lack of insight, the glossing over the dark side of every single topic.
How much more can the American public take of this simplified, sanitized, sacchrine view of history? We do not know yet.
Rating:
Summary: I am THE American
Review: I always admired Mark Twain, but his character gained entirely new dimensions for me when I saw him through the eyes of the scholars that Ken Burns captures on film. I thought of him simply as a great story teller with funny and fun characters like Tom Sawyer. I never thought of Mark as a social agitator and yet, I realize now just how much he edged into society. I have never read Huckleberry Finn, so I never realized just how dramatic that piece was. As Huckleberry Finn comes to think of "... Jim" as a man and the great and conflicting quotes that Sam Clemens puts into the mouth of the "babe" that is Huck Finn, "Now, it's not right, you stealin' yourself like that, Jim," are today, so sarcastic and comical. So funny in fact, that they hurt.
I never realized just how painfully and subtly Mark Twain was able to reach into the general psyche of the American consciousness and point out that which was obviously contradictory, obviously hypocritical. Clemens was a genuis and his real insight may yet be unknown. This is a simply fantastic view of a great man.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent film
Review: I know I rated this picture just one star, but I just wanted to be next to those who rated it the same. Ken Burns is a master story teller. If you want "just the facts" go to the library. I don't know why he catches flack from some people, but I guess it's their lose. It's hard to believe you could be so wrapped up in a story about any historical figure. I only wish my teachers and proffesors could have kept me this intrested. Amazing.
Rating:
Summary: must-see viewing!
Review: I saw this on PBS, missing the first part. What I did see was absolutely stunning. I'm ordering from Amazon to see the whole thing and to loan to friends. I can't recommend this highly enough! 5 stars is way too low. Ken Burns is a GENIUS. This is a fascinating look into a life that most people know very little about, myself included. Mark Twain is thought of as a funny, witty writer, but there is so much more to the story that makes him an American Legend. Stunning collection of archival photos, quotes, haunting period music, comments by Hal Holbrook and others and a story that is Americana ar its finest. A classic.
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