The Civil War (1990)
American Documentaries Inc.

Description

Hailed as a film masterpiece and landmark in historical storytelling, Ken Burns's epic documentary brings to life America's most destructive - and defining - conflict. Here is the saga of celebrated generals and ordinary soldiers, a heroic and transcendent president and a country that had to divide itself in two in order to become one.

Collected reviews and ratings

10 DVD Town | Yunda Eddie Feng

Meticulously, Burns traces the war through the years, and the well-written narration makes the battles and campaigns feel as if they were happening right in your living room.
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10 digitallyobsessed.com | Jesse Shanks

The Civil War is an awesome achievement of filmmaking and an amazing viewing experience. There is so much to be learned about war in general and about our nation that can be found in the story of this bloody conflict.
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9.8 DVD Verdict | Bill Gibron

Ken Burns' The Civil War, the landmark PBS documentary presentation from 1990, is one such brilliant, enlightened torch. It should be mandatory viewing for every citizen of the United States, from the self-centered to the self-sacrificing, for it truly speaks of who we are today.
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8.8 Reel | James Plath

If you're wondering how a history lesson featuring 11 hours of archival photos (pan each one, slowly zoom in, fade out, over and over again) can be so compelling, I'd credit two things: the music that lends emotion and brings life to those old tintypes, and Burns' acute sense of humanity and irony.
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8.0 DVD Talk | Phillip Duncan

Burns popularized the now common documentary style of telling a story using a creative combination of live location shots, copious photos and first-person voice-overs. Blended with a beautiful selection of music, the information is enchanting and appealing to watch.
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7.0 UpcomingDiscs.com | Jeremy Frost

No one seems to be able to chronicle history like Burns… and sure, the 11 hours of content will drain anyone, but it sure is complete.
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