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American Experience: Blackout DVD

Name: American Experience: Blackout DVD
Brand: UNIVERSAL SCREEN ARTS
SKU: WA9362
Price: 24.99 USD
Availability: OutOfStock
Rating: 4.38095 (21 reviews)

$24.99

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Item #: WA9362

A look at what happened in New York City the night the lights went out in July of 1977, plunging 7 million city residents into darkness. By the time power was restored, stores and businesses had been looted and burned and thousands had been arrested.

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Customer Reviews

Additional Information

American Experience: Blackout

On July 13, 1977, New Yorkers prepared themselves for another sweltering day. But high temperatures weren't the only thing making them sweat: unemployment was high, police and firefighters had been laid off, municipal services had been cut, and a serial killer named Son of Sam was still on the loose, keeping everyone on edge. That evening, lightning struck a power line outside the city, increasing demand on surrounding lines. Despite Con Edison's efforts to control the cascading effects and prevent a catastrophic system failure, the lights went out, plunging some seven million city residents into darkness.

In the city that never sleeps, the divide between the haves and the have-nots became ever more apparent, as mayhem broke out under the cover of darkness. By the time the lights went back on more than a day later, more than 1,600 businesses had been looted, over 3,700 people had been arrested, and firefighters had battled more than 1,000 fires.

Told through the memories of ordinary New Yorkers who lived through the events, Blackout explores what happened on the night the lights went out.

Producer: Callie T. Wiser, David Murdock
Production Year: 2015
Rating: TV-PG
Number of Discs: 1
Length: 60 minutes
Subtitled: Y
Subtitle Languages: English
DVI: N
Audio Format: 5.1 Surround
Aspect Ratio: 16x9 Widescreen

Customer Reviews

4.3 21 Reviews

21 Reviews

Lou

07/17/20

American Experience?

The film was dark and critical of people who were persecuted because of their beliefs. There was a failure to describe the courage of those who fought to save them and the miraculous triumphs of these simple, God fearing people. Myles Standish was barely mentioned? It was more like a sad attempt to cover up the miracles that were afforded the pilgrims by God. I have read several accounts, both firsthand and others. This is not a good film. I am a descendant of Myles Standish.

Teacher H.

07/17/20

Very Informative - beautifully filmed

Excellant film! I have done research on this subject, and appreciate the varied details. It is somber but- no doubt - that was the reality of the times and place. The Thanksgiving story simply could not have been as fun and colorful as we were taught in school. This film has clearly been researched extensively.research Great commentary from experts. The camera work is beautifully done, as one can feel as if there. The film depicts the Pilgrims as the very real, brave and flawed people they were - and not one more story about a feast with happy Pilgrims and Indians. The reality is far more interesting than the usual storybook version.

The C.

07/17/20

Would give this as a gift and recommend to others

Well done, well balanced presentation of a time that most people know very little abut.

Mister P.

07/17/20

Factual, But Unnecessary Dark Politically Correct....

I was really looking forward to watching this documentary on the Pilgrims. My own understanding of them was fairly basic. And i wanted to fill in a lot of gaps. This DVD does give a lot of factual information. Especially at the start of the show. About who they were,there beginnings in England etc. That was great. But by the middle of the show it started to get very dark and foreboding. And showing most of the Pilgrim village scenes in bleak winter. By the end, i thought i was watching the village of the dead. Then it also started getting very PC regarding the Pilgrims relationship with the Indians. This is especially evident in the deleted scenes section. The facts about history are most often harsh and brutal. The strong cultures have always overtaken the weak ones. We need a well balanced view of the truth. The Indians were also very cruel and brutal in there way too. And most importantly, we cant put 21st century morals on those of the past. And this is what happened in this docu. I generally liked the facts it gave. But its the mood and presentation that failed this show. And left an overall negative and confusing view of these brave people.

Malcolm M.

07/17/20

Excellent reminder of that day. One forgets so quickly!

Excellent reminder of that day. One forgets so quickly! Yes east-siders had a different experience. It was party time. Until we left and saw the hordes of people. We came together.

Lu C.

07/17/20

A little too truthful

I was a bit appalled by the brutality of these early settlers; however, the truth needs to be told.

Mthefox

07/17/20

Slow beginning but then speeds up to make a worthwhile watch

There was almost too much information in the beginning about the Separatists in England and their experiences in the Netherlands. Once their voyage began it speeds up and is a very enjoyable learning experience.

Miss G.

07/17/20

The Pilgrims - Excellent Program

We watched this entire program that was so well done and truly captured our interest. We learned so much about the pilgrims that we had never heard before. We immediately ordered the DVD to have on hand. It is a wonderful historial resource!!!

Bob

07/17/20

What Lurks in the Dark

Blackout chronicles the rioting and looting that took place during a power failure in 1977. It is a damning commentary on one segment of American society. It could have been written and filmed today.

Rosalie

07/17/20

Moving pilgrim documentary

Historically accurate documentary with the wonderful Roger Reesgiving a very moving performance filmed in part at the recreated 17th century pilgrim village in Plymouth Massachusetts. Packed with historical facts ordinarily omitted from the telling of the pilgrim story. Highly recommended.

Callie1

07/17/20

Glad they came

Very interested since family came over on Mayflower. Thank you for all of the wonderful shows.

Chris H.

07/17/20

The final now for Roger Rees in a great program

Roger Rees (Nicholas Nickleby) is reflective and subltle in this last performance of his life, reciting from William Bradfords third person account of the Pilgrims. Not to be missed as the final bow of a greet carrier.. The documentary is supported by a pantheon of great writers; including Nathaniel Philbrick; author of Mayflower. A great documentary for American and British history collections

Browne D.

07/17/20

Excellent and deeply moving film.

This film gives you more a sense of the hardships the pilgrims went through. My many times great grandfather, Peter J. Browne, came here on the Mayflower, so it was with great personal interest that we watched it. A family member has his Bible that he brought over with him. In reference to Bradfords wife, he wrote on one of the page margins, Dorothy May was drowned on the 7th of December 1620 in Cape Cod harbor.

Scopecat

07/17/20

educational

very educational.

Lisa P.

07/17/20

A Thanksgiving Highlight!

I am asking for the DVD as a Christmas present because I watched this terrific program twice over Thanksgiving - while preparing the meal - very appropriate! It is a quiet, marvelous rendition of the entire Pilgrim experience - from the reasons why this small band of religious zealots wanted to brave the unknown to the understanding of how their utopia basically failed, especially from Bradfords point of view. But, as a legacy of our American experience and a testament to our annual Thanksgiving feast, it should be on everyones menu. Thank you for airing this marvelous production!

Avidreader

07/17/20

A real telling of the pilgrims

Here is a vivid retelling of the story of the pilgrims. This realistically told and filmed so it is not the same story you heard in school. You end up really appreciating what the pilgrims went through to establish colonies here.

Lori

07/17/20

Real human beings.

The telling is not so much of the iconic, historical figures, but of struggling people with a purpose, who created a lasting legacy.

Linda R.

07/17/20

PBS DVD, The Pilgrims excellent program

This DVD gives a thorough background of who the Pilgrims were and why they came to American when they did. The interviews with historians are interesting and the many reflections on Bradfords Of Plymouth Plantation help you understand the harsh challenges this band of colonists endured. The narration at the end is very touching.

Sam

07/17/20

Excellent Production

This historical account of a people seeking religious freedom and opportunity to lead their lives according to their own determinations is a well researched, gripping documentary of yearning and dedication, illusion and determination of a Pilgrim colony lead by its long-suffering, dedicated, spiritually-driven leader, William Bradford, whose fortitude and vision grounded a people in a time and place that helped give rise to the birth of a nation.

Hello B.

07/17/20

GREAT!

Very informative documentary and well done! Thanks KEN BURNS!

Highlighted Customer Reviews

White B. reviewed American Experience: Blackout DVD

Thanksgiving Debunked

Very informative regarding the actual events surrounding the original Thanksgiving versus what we have traditionally been taught.

Hello B. reviewed American Experience: Blackout DVD

GREAT!

Very informative documentary and well done! Thanks KEN BURNS!

Sam reviewed American Experience: Blackout DVD

Excellent Production