Ken Burns’ “The War” Premieres on PBS
By Norm Schrager at September 23, 2007 | 4:08 pm | Print
Ken Burns, a master filmmaker who knows how to turn a movie into a viewing marathon, debuts his World War II opus, The War, on PBS tonight.
Has anyone actually watched any of Burns’ multipart films in its entirety? It’s tough. His subject matter, enormous details and long running times (The War is 15 1/2 hours long) are made for DVD. In fact, you can pre-order The War on DVD right now, before the film even airs.
VIDEO: Watch Burns discuss his team’s decision to make The War.
Of course, this is not Burns’ first foray into combat and the effect it has on its participants and the world. In 1990, the nine-part The Civil War brought Burns into the international spotlight, winning a slew of awards including Emmys and a Peabody.
THE STORY: With The War, Burns and producer Lynn Novick tell the World War II story through the eyes of four American towns: Waterbury, CT; Mobile, AL; Sacramento, CA; and Luverne, MN. Much of the series focuses on war’s most incomparably painful facet, what it’s like to kill and die in combat, told via incredible file footage and veterans’ recollections. The film’s tagline is “There are no ordinary lives.”
THE AIRINGS: The first episode, “A Necessary War,” covers December 1941 to December 1942, and airs tonight at 8pm ET.
Episodes #2-4 air Monday through Wednesday at 8pm ET — then parts #5-7 premiere next Sunday through Wednesday.
Tworm, 2 years ago
Last night got a rating of 5.1. Great for PBS
Norm Schrager, 2 years ago
- Tworm –
I don’t have a Nielsen box, but I was one of the many. Burns proves how little above-average filmmaking there is about historical events — he always seems to find remarkable photos or film that adds a lot to his storytelling. That was the feeling I got last night, at least.
I’m assuming the ratings will dip a little in the coming nights, and then power up again next week.
-Norm S.
John Miller, 2 years ago
I watched the first nights of the “WAR” and I liked it. I will have to watch the rest of it to really make a good decision.
Norm Schrager, 2 years ago
- John –
I like what I’ve seen too. It’s as peaceful as a Valium but appropriately dramatic and sad.
Thanks for joining us.
-Norm S.