Curapedi I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

KnotStronger This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

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

Rosie Searle It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

poe-48833 The Civil War has been referred to as "a Rich Man's war fought by Poor Men." Nothing new in that, but the mere notion that the Haves could so easily convince the Have-nots to intervene in their behalf (often to the everlasting regret of the Have-nots)- a practice that continues to this very day- is nothing short of mind-boggling. Again and again, we see disillusioned vets returning from foreign shores to hurl their medals in anger and frustration at the lifeless stone superstructures of the Haves who conned them into killing; again and again we hear the same horror stories about the murdering of innocent civilians; again and again and again... No documentary has ever captured the ESSENCE of this angst so fully as THE CIVIL WAR (nor is any likely to ever BETTER capture it). It's all here, in words and pictures and music- everything but battle footage shot on location during the actual battles. (Which is where World Wars Two and Three come in...) Anyone who thinks s/he wants to be a soldier should put aside the first-person shooter video games and do some serious research: the evidence suggesting that soldiering is a fool's game is abundant enough.

grantss The greatest documentary series ever made.Incredibly well researched, superbly narrated, insightful interviews. When I first watched the series, I didn't know much about the American Civil War. The series made me want to find out more as it showed the what for it was – the higher ideal. Of course, it also showed the military strategy nd tactics, but it showed a lot more than that. It showed the causes of it, the impacts on everyday people as well as senior politicians and generals. Plus it showed the ramifications of it.Over the years I have watched the series many more times. As my knowledge of the Civil War has grown, you would expect my enjoyment of the series to diminish. Not the case. Greater knowledge makes you appreciate the series even more, as you realise how much there is to know, and how they managed to condense it into such an entertaining series without straying from the truth or dumbing it down.Just having those prominent historians explain certain things is enthralling. Moreover, the impact of the gravitas of David McCullough's narration cannot be understated. Just hearing him say "The line held" is spine-tingling, and very emotional.A brilliant series.

Spondonman This seminal Ken Burns 9 part TV series tells you almost everything you should ever need to know about the American Civil War. It's as good in its own way as the BBC's Great War from the '60's and Thames' World At War from the '70's were in theirs. Those 2 had plenty of still pictures and movie reels whereas of course the Civil War had to rely on stills – and lots of 'em. At one point we're even informed over a million photographs were taken during the course of the war, you feel by the end you've seen a good proportion of them too. While the images may be occasionally hard to watch and the barbarity of the war hard to stomach the oft-reprised background music and pleasant burr of the narration is very easy on the ear. Every episode is presented logically and with battle descriptions instead of re-enactments linked by informative narration, maybe with a trifle romanticised and flowery language. By 1865 I'm astonished by the relentless quality and exhausted by the powerful message.The main theme of past war documentaries are often the same though – the relative pointlessness and bestiality of war and the constant heroism bafflingly displayed by all manner of people. Another theme is how when it suits them our Betters the Generals and politicians are horrified and chastened by the apparently endless and senseless waste of ordinary people's lives – the British and American brasshats and bigwigs were during WW1 and 2 and cried oceans of crocodile tears, but if necessary will be ready to shed them again in their present or next war. The American Civil War had far more of an ideal to fight for: the abolition or retention of Negro slavery in the South, even though it wasn't the declared object for the North's rulers until 1863. The 2 parts of the whole were rival capitalist economies going in 2 different directions, slavery was not the issue in 1861 but was morally useful in helping fighting the good fight. Although white riots ensued in the North after it had become a war of black emancipation. Lincoln seemed more concerned about winning his 2nd term as President in 1864 than the casualty lists. And after the War was won and lost it eventually paved (and is still paving) the way for downtrodden African Americans to live on the same footing as downtrodden American whites – as wage slaves dependent on the capitalists for their daily bread. At least 600,000 men, women and children of all races died in those 4 years fighting for or defending their masters. The history of class society through the ages has shown that the direct ownership of slaves can be more expensive for the rulers to maintain than the workers having to fend for themselves at the mercy of market forces. The world progressed but sadly slavery still has a long way to run; at least it's now simplified and colourless.Lincoln has certainly gone down in History, in its own much smaller way this TV documentary has too. Yes, no matter what your personal prejudices are or which side you're on this is a vast and useful treasure house of information, to dip into every few years and bolster up your opinions!

Mike B I have recently re-watched the Civil War series released on PBS in the early 90's and it is truly a magnificent and ground-breaking documentary. Considering that all the participants are long gone and there is no moving film footage, Ken Burns Civil War does come alive. It is ground-breaking for its length, detail and no historical re-enactments. Through-out he always reminds us that the underlying theme of the Civil War was the existence of slavery in the South.The narration, the interviews with historians and the quotes from participants are brilliant, human and captivating. The photos are remarkable. The range of historical characters presented is also what makes it so compelling. We expect to have Lincoln, Grant and Robert E. Lee – but having Walt Whitman, Frederick Douglas, Horace Greely adds scope.Ken Burns has also personalized the Civil War with the truly remarkable photos. He not merely presents us with battles and events but gives us the people who were there. His characters range from the high of Presidents and generals to the lowly foot soldiers of both North and South. The music is wonderful, although I did find out that Ashokan Farewell was written in the early 1980's!An outstanding documentary for all time that propels you to explore history further.