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 - An American masterpieceIf you're gonna watch one documentary in your life, this would be it. And yes, as Ken Burns says, it was about slavery. Rating: - Magnificent achievementKen Burns' the Civil War is definitely the best civil war documentary, probably the best war documentary and possibly the best documentary I've ever seen, period. There are 9 episodes of just over an hour long. The main body of narrative is made up of letters, articles, memoirs, novels and diaries from the period. Leading historians contribute stories of their own; Shelby Foote in particular - a southern gentlemen judging from his dialect - is full of laugh-out-loud anecdotes and fresh insights. My favourite is the story of the southern politician who, on the eve of the conflict, was so confident the war would be over quickly, that he offered to mop up every single drop of blood with his pocket handkerchief. Shelby Foote is sure that there's a PhD for anybody who can calculate how many pocket handkerchiefs it would have taken to mop up the blood shed during the war. The narrative is brought to life by photographs from the period - some beautiful, some startling, some terrible, but all fascinating. These are worth the admission price alone. There is also modern day film footage of the key places of the war. What is truly remarkable, however, is how this vividly this period is brought to life without a SINGLE RECONSTRUCTION. The viewer is encouraged to use his/her own imagination. And I haven't even mentioned the actors who do the voices: Morgan Freeman, Jeremy Irons, Derek Jacobi, Sam Waterston, Jason Robards to name just a few. I've seen a few documentaries about the American civil war, but Mr. Ken Burns has rendered them all obsolete. This is a shimmering beauty in the genre. Rating:  - DVD never recievedThis was a gift and never recieved seller refunded money, no hassle. Thank you for standing behind transaction. Rating: - First ClassThis is the finest program that I have ever seen on television in my life. The music and interviews just add to the excellence. This is a must have for any history buff. Treat yourself to this gem. You won't be sorry. Rating: - DelightfulThis documentary is the one that touches me the most. Ken Burns is a master. The prescence of vintage photos, letters, and the narrations left me in awe. The most touching part (to me) is the letter a soldier writes his beloved wife, in which he shares his immenent demise on the field of battle, his love for her, etc., etc. You will be moved and you will know how it is important to remember the past. In my opinion it's the greatest documentary ever. I won't spoil it any further for you. It's a "must have".
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