GrimPrecise I'll tell you why so serious

Stevecorp Don't listen to the negative reviews

Stoutor It's not great by any means, but it's a pretty good movie that didn't leave me filled with regret for investing time in it.

Invaderbank The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

mark.waltz Both loved and loathed, the former New Amsterdam is arguably the best known city in the United States, the best known city under 500 years old, and love them or despise them, the tourist trap of all tourist traps. But how did that all begin? It's been documented in volumes of books, some now dusty archives in the bowels of the New York public library. It's a city of immigrants, a city of transients, a city of the proud native who wouldn't leave the city, let alone their neighborhood, for anything. This is a tale of how the five Burroughs got together as one mega city, how the names were influenced by its residents. Through readings, poetry of those who loved the city more than any other place on earth, through the memories of those still living remembering important people and events. Racial tensions, depression, war, political corruption, yet home to the greatest arts in America, that to rival the great museums and music halls and theaters of Europe.The seven part documentary focuses on the history, the very important people both good and bad, the architecture, the social impact of every race, religion, culture and creed and how the financial industry was formulated. Vintage footage dating back to the nineteenth century shows the growth of the city. Lovingly narrated by veteran stage, screen and TV actor Davis Ogden Steirs, this never drags. Impacts of the end of slavery resulting in race riots and the Triangle Fire with have you in shock over their impact on every level of humanity.Then there's the political machine, from the days of Alexander Hamilton (yes, the Hamilton of a certain rap musical drama) to Boss Tweed (a character in a forgotten musical called "Up in Central Park") to James J. Walker and Fiorello LaGuardia, subjects of their own Broadway shows. More famous and infamous New Yorkers are legendary today than residents of any other city. Is it any wonder that there are more songs about New York than any other city in the world?While this ends just before the tragedy of September 11, 2001, there's enough history here to keep you glued. In fact, there is enough history in New York City itself to have a weekly documentary for a full year. Memories of historical New York exists everywhere you go, and if this opens you up to taking a walking tour to see those places, don't be surprised to feel the presence of ghostly figures. This is a city that has seen its triumphs and tragedies, its cruelties and kindnesses, and the welcoming of those who sought a new life after hearing about that amazing lady with the torch who still guards our harbor today.

pismo10 If you are looking for another "Civil War" quality production, this documentary is not up to par. This is a very racist, preachy, agenda driven account of New York's history. It is very slow and dwells constantly on how awful the blacks were to the irish, how awful the irish were to the blacks, how awful the protestants were to the catholics, etc and on and on for endless hours. This is the theme of this documentary. It is much more a very biased social study of the history of NYC. Very negative, looking continually at the darkest sides of man in a very exaggerated, highly dramatic (today's Hollywood) manner. Virtually every line has a reference to race, religion, class. Always negative of course. Pathetic. Could not get through it all as it became completely predictable. Every story turned in to one on the evils of man and society. Nice pictures, lousy story. A long, boring, repetitive sermon. Absolutely terrible.

gonzofilms In addition to the excellent documentary work that Ric Burns did on the original New York series, I am here to review the latest installment; Part 8" Warning: Spoilers Ric Burns is an vibrant documentalist. In the first part of Volume 8, the documentary gives incredible depth to all aspects relating to the concept and erection of the Twin Towers. It further caputres the essence of the public sentiment before, during, and after its completion. Mr. Burns ability to not only recount events factually, but to also "breath" life into his film by delicately interweaving feelings and opinions from important figures, truly takes you back in time. And that's just the first two hours.In the last hour, the documentary takes on the extremely sensitive nature of what truly has become New York's tragedy, or rather, one of the worst man-made moments in world history. He portrayes it with a intensely private, personal angle that it truly deserves.Volume 8 "towers" above as landmark television, as its central focal point towers among the other skyscrapers. Additionally, it also stands out from the rest of the volumes in this incredible series as well. The lack of thoroughness and rushed atmosphere that volume 7 created was instantly erased with this offering. Kudos again to Ric Burns and James Sanders for writing this episode that spans from carefully laying out the foundation of the World Trade Center, to its still unthinkable end. Here in volume 8, everything is told, nothing is held back, and history is respectfully preserved. I highly recommend this film.

CabbyG3 The Ric Burns (Civil War, Jazz) documentary is thorough enough to teach even New Yorkers about native home. At 14 hours, perhaps that's not a hard thing to do, but it is worth every minute. At its heart, it's the story of NY from 1609 to 2000. But at its core, what you will take away from it is that New York's is the tale of America. "New York, more than any other city in the United States, tells the story of America to itself."-- and it does. Most enlightening to potential viewers will be the last chapter "The city and the world" that brings us from the end of WWII into the present. The meat here is the whole "urban renewal" failure of the 80's and 90's, as well as the once and future problem of suburban expansion. And, as always, they show how New York was THE leader of the pack in all of these urban questions. In watching the documentary, you cannot help but realize that what happens in NY, inevitably happens in the rest of the USA. Ric Burns' documentary is so much more, part 3 is the true story of New York that Scorsese hopes to capture in "Gangs of New York" this December (not even he has a shot at this). This documentary is delightful in its simplicity and subtle in its sentimentality (no bashing over the head, "NY rules", and its all la-tee-da). Lovers and haters of NY are all interviewed and allowed to give their slant. Although the villification of Robert Moses and complete hatred of him is made manifest-- because it was true then and is true now. The films does not go into detail during wars, which I might have liked to see more of, but the fact is that NY (as you will see) has not played a large role in war, except as a stage for the rest of the US to play on (a-la VJ-day). Urbanists, the NY-curious, educators, the educated-- see this documentary.The story of Walt Whitman, the story of Abe Lincoln, Vanderbilt, Rockefeller, Carnegie, Al Smith, la Guardia, FDR, George Washington, Stuyvesant, and more were MADE in New York City. New York has been referred to as a foreign city with over 50% of its people born outside of the country, but it turns out to be the most American of any city-- the real mixing pot, where everyone is forced to get along and to find a way to work together (the United Nations?). This film won 2001 Emmys for best editing and best non-fiction programming to give you an idea of its cinematic quality.It is NOT about September 11th, but you connect 'what happens to NY, happens to the rest 10 years later' to that date, it begs the question. There are other documentaries about that NY event. NY was the first to experience a massive suicide bombing (episode 3) and it will likely be the first city again. Since the Civil War, you will see, it has been the First City of the world, the Capitol of the world. The best damn city, with one of the most remarkable histories of any place you could name-- laid out with great storytelling by Ric Burns' PBS documentary. 9.5/10