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Ken Burns: The Roosevelts: An Intimate History DVD & Blu-ray

$99.99 $89.99
71 Reviews Write a Review
Item #: WA7832
Ken Burns chronicles the lives of Theodore, Franklin, and Eleanor Roosevelt, three members of the most prominent and influential family in American politics. It is the first time in a major documentary television series that their individual stories have been interwoven into a single narrative. This seven-part, 14 hour film follows the Roosevelts for more than a century, from Theodore's ... More
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Ken Burns chronicles the lives of Theodore, Franklin, and Eleanor Roosevelt, three members of the most prominent and influential family in American politics. It is the first time in a major documentary television series that their individual stories have been interwoven into a single narrative. This seven-part, 14 hour film follows the Roosevelts for more than a century, from Theodore's birth in 1858 to Eleanor's death in 1962.

The Roosevelts: An Intimate History - A Film by Ken Burns

The Roosevelts: An Intimate History chronicles the lives of Theodore, Franklin, and Eleanor Roosevelt, three members of the most prominent and influential family in American politics. It is the first time in a major documentary television series that their individual stories have been interwoven into a single narrative. This seven-part, 14 hour film follows the Roosevelts for more than a century, from Theodore's birth in 1858 to Eleanor's death in 1962. Over the course of those years, Theodore would become the 26th President of the United States and his beloved niece, Eleanor, would marry his fifth cousin, Franklin, who became the 32nd President of the United States. Together, these three individuals not only redefined the relationship Americans had with their government and with each other, but also redefined the role of the United States within the wider world. The series encompasses the history the Roosevelts helped to shape: the creation of National Parks, the digging of the Panama Canal, the passage of innovative New Deal programs, the defeat of Hitler, and the postwar struggles for civil rights at home and human rights abroad. It is also an intimate human story about love, betrayal, family loyalty, personal courage, and the conquest of fear.

Episodes include…

Get Action (1858-1901)
In the Arena (1901-1910) (TV-PG-V,L)
The Fire of Life (1910-1919)
The Storm (1920-1933)
The Rising Road (1933-1939) (TV-PG-V,L)
The Common Cause (1939-1944) (TV-14)
A Strong and Active Faith (1944-1962)

Special Bonus Video includes…
FDR's Great Secret
David Cieri, Composer
Hyde Park, Springwood
Sagamore Hill
Oak Terrace
Someone in the Shadows
The Roosevelt Home Movies
Warm Springs
Campbello
Able-Bodied
Fala
The Porcellian Club
Franklin's Freedom

And also…
Deleted Scenes with an Introduction by Ken Burns
Making of The Roosevelts

This Blu-ray features…
- Descriptive Video for the Visually Impaired
- Subtitles in English (SDH)
- Subtitles in Spanish
- A Spanish Audio Track (SAP)

Producer: Ken Burns
Production Company: WETA; Florentine Films
Production Year: 2014
Copyright Year: 2014
Rating: TV-PG
Director: Ken Burns
Narrator: Peter Coyote
Talent: Paul Giamatti, Edward Herrman, Meryl Streep
Writers: Geoffrey C. Ward
Number of Discs: 7
Length: 840 minutes
Subtitled: Y
Subtitle Languages: English (SDH)
Language Track: Spanish
DVI: Y
Audio Format: 5.1 Surround
Aspect Ratio: 16x9 Widescreen

71 Reviews
D
Diane
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
03/12/24
Wonderful Story
Review by Diane on 03/12/24 review stating Wonderful Story
Wonderful story that everyone should see.
A
Anne
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
01/13/23
One of the GREATEST
Review by Anne on 01/13/23 review stating One of the GREATEST
WELL DONE AS USUAL VIA KEN B
R
Ronny
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
12/21/22
Superb Details Intertwined
Review by Ronny on 12/21/22 review stating Superb Details Intertwined
The information has been put together so well intertwining the Roosevelts as a family, driven apart by class and politics, and exploring how so many of them were living in the same time periods. It was hard to stop each episode, just wanting to go and on.
I
Irene
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
10/18/22
Theodore Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt
Review by Irene on 10/18/22 review stating Theodore Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt
Theodore Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt come alive in this great documentary
M
Monique G.
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
09/02/22
Should be seen by every American
Review by Monique G. on 09/02/22 review stating Should be seen by every American
This documentary has given me some guidance. Whenever I feel worried for the future of our beautiful nation, I watch this and realize how much harder life was back then. I had an idea from leons I might have be taught in school but this piece really puts it into perspective. It's humbling to the core. I feel hope that we will all pull together eventually. I pray in my lifetime to see a President take office with the courage and strength seen in the Roosevelts. This is a masterpiece. I recommend it highly. Watch it with the whole family. God ble
C
Catherine
Verified Buyer
4.0 star rating
08/11/22
Easy to watch, informative
Review by Catherine on 08/11/22 review stating Easy to watch, informative
Seems to go from great detail in spots to passing over some areas very quickly. Things I expected from past readings were not included or in such detail as expected. Overall, a sympathetic presentation.
C
Cheryl
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
08/08/22
I have watched this a
Review by Cheryl on 08/08/22 review stating I have watched this a
I have watched this a number of times on my PBS station and enjoyed it each time. Being a history buff, I decided I wanted a copy for my library. It is so well done and the Roosevelts come to life under the mastery of Ken Burns and his crew.
B
BEVERLY
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
07/06/22
My husband is a big
Review by BEVERLY on 07/06/22 review stating My husband is a big
My husband is a big Ken Burns fan.. This item was the perfect gift for him.
D
Deborah
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
04/12/22
On-Line Ordering
Review by Deborah on 04/12/22 review stating On-Line Ordering
Web site is easy to navigate. On-line ordering is a breeze. Delivery after ordering is great. Packages received with no damage.
D
Donald
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
03/03/22
Wonderful Series!
Review by Donald on 03/03/22 review stating Wonderful Series!
Wonderful Series!
E
Elizabeth
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
02/03/22
It was fantastic!
Review by Elizabeth on 02/03/22 review stating It was fantastic!
It was fantastic!
K
Ken
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
12/19/21
Loved it.
Review by Ken on 12/19/21 review stating Loved it.
Loved it.
B
Bruce
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
07/27/21
The Roosevelts: Leading The USA To Becoming A Superpower
Review by Bruce on 07/27/21 review stating The Roosevelts: Leading The USA To Becoming A Superpower
With Ken Burns and PBS, its a sure win situation. The USA begins it rise as a superpower with TR. Saved USA from collapse and revolution, led the defeat of fascism, and established USA as a superpower by FDR. Eleanor Roosevelt an advocate for common people. While all the time dealing with personal dilemmas. Can watch this series over and over again.
p
paula
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
07/23/21
GREAT GREAT GREAT
Review by paula on 07/23/21 review stating GREAT GREAT GREAT
GREAT GREAT GREAT
L
Louise
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/21/21
Good can come out of afflictions
Review by Louise on 07/21/21 review stating Good can come out of afflictions
I was amazed at how little we knew of the 3 Roosevelts until this dvd. Eleanor has been an inspiration in the fact that she had to battle depression along with so many other things (the rejection of her mother, her husbands infidelity, etc.), but she continued to persevere - one of the most amazing women!
T
The K.
Anonymous User
4.0 star rating
06/23/21
Very powerful with only minor weaknesses
Review by The K. on 06/23/21 review stating Very powerful with only minor weaknesses
An extremelly interesting story not just for an American audience but also for the international community about (a) how much a country can accomplish when working together with a common goal, (b) how far an individual can go despite major disabilities when he or she establish for his or her life a common good goal (or objective) so powerful to become a lifes passion, in which everything else is subordinated to such a passion. The latter trait explains the unique roles of the Roosevelt partnership versus the traditional marriages roles. Weaknesses of the film are the old footage which is used as well as the translation to spanish, which is not always fortunate; i.e., using Nuevo Trato for New Deal. Translation or subtitles to more languages would enrich the appeal to foreign audiences.
H
Hal
Anonymous User
1.0 star rating
06/23/21
Ken Burns on the Roosevelts -- A Masterp
Review by Hal on 06/23/21 review stating Ken Burns on the Roosevelts -- A Masterp
I want to thank you Ken Burns for doing this documentary on the Roosevelts. Mr. Burns, of all the wonderful documentaries you have done, I personally consider this your best ever. I say this not only because of its quality and depth as a historical document but also because of the opportunity it gave me to literally relive the era in which I formed my own social consciousness. I was born in 1926 in a New England Democratic family, remember Franklin Roosevelts first election in 1932 (I have one of those memories!) and every detail of his subsequent political career. Ultimately I am a byproduct of FDRs political achievements -- working-class origins; US Navy in WW2; GI Bill afterwards; a PhD; a career as a university professor; nine books published;and a life beyond anything my humble origins ever allowed me to imagine; all made possible by the New Deal.Thank you for enablisg me to relive it all!!
S
SUSAN
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
04/18/21
Anything Ken Burns is invloved with he does with perfection.
Review by SUSAN on 04/18/21 review stating Anything Ken Burns is invloved with he does with perfection.
We ordered this as a gift for a cousin, and she was delighted to receive it.
F
Frances B.
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
12/07/20
Id like this series to be required viewing to all youth.
Review by Frances B. on 12/07/20 review stating Id like this series to be required viewing to all youth.
we enjoyed the whole series and I found it difficult to wait for the next session. It is so well narrated and with so much warmth of family and challenges. There was so much to learn and realize how important their name is to our history. The pictures were great too. Thank you for having it to offer.
S
Sarah
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Ken Burns and his Staff Do Excellent Work!
Review by Sarah on 07/17/20 review stating Ken Burns and his Staff Do Excellent Work!
This was a wonderful program and an excellently portrayed history of three influential Roosevelts: Theodore, Franklin, and Eleanor. After watching this through the first time, I found myself wanting to watch it through another time, in case I missed anything. The detail, historical accuracy, and both psychological and emotional insight into these three individuals is phenomenal. I learned a vast amount.

Highlighted Customer Reviews

M
Mary N. reviewed Ken Burns: The Roosevelts: An Intimate History DVD & Blu-ray
5 star rating
INFORMATIVE-SHOWED THEM FOR REAL
Review by Mary N. review stating INFORMATIVE-SHOWED THEM FOR REAL
My spouse has always been a history buff especially the WWII era and the Great Depression. I have Post-Polio and was very interested in seeing how Franklin Roosevelt handled and survived his personal fight with Polio. It is something you never forget. We thought we won the first time, but it has come back to get us later on- Post-Polio Sequale. Unless you experienced it first hand there are many things that you know that others do not understand. I especially enjoyed seeing and learning more about The Little Wight House, Warm Springs, GA. I grew and as an adult met many people who had been there themselves. We hope to visit there sometime soon.
J
Jane reviewed Ken Burns: The Roosevelts: An Intimate History DVD & Blu-ray
5 star rating
Illuminating
Review by Jane review stating Illuminating
This program made the Roosevelts real people with difficult problems and great talent.
H
History B. reviewed Ken Burns: The Roosevelts: An Intimate History DVD & Blu-ray
5 star rating
History at its finest with PBS
Review by History B. review stating History at its finest with PBS
I was born in January 1942 as the USA was entering WW2. I had grown up listening to the stories of family members who had fought in the war and how well-loved President Roosevelt was. Eleanor was an inspiration to women for generations and still is. This was my first in-depth exposure to Teddy and I came away with intense admiration for him. I intend to share this movie with my grandchildren as Im sure they will learn a lot about our history from it. All of my grandparents were immigrants and growing up, they all talked about Franklin Roosevelt with great admiration. Another wonderful effort by Ken Burns. Bravo!
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