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American Experience: George Washington: The Man Who Wouldn't Be King DVD

$24.99 $17.99
Item #: WA9542
George Washington: The Man Who Wouldn't Be King is the story of a man who grew into greatness by accepting the challenge of leading a fractious, rag-tag army against the might of the British government. As a young man, Washington was a social climber, a land-hungry Virginia surveyor and self-conscious military officer, often blaming others for his own mistakes. However, ... More
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George Washington: The Man Who Wouldn't Be King is the story of a man who grew into greatness by accepting the challenge of leading a fractious, rag-tag army against the might of the British government. As a young man, Washington was a social climber, a land-hungry Virginia surveyor and self-conscious military officer, often blaming others for his own mistakes. However, he gradually built a reputation as a gentleman by educating himself in the classics and sciences, entering politics, and marrying one of the wealthiest women in Virginia.

It was at the battle of Trenton where everything changed. Brilliantly timing his attack on Christmas night, Trenton was a psychological victory both for America and for Washington himself. His growing skill and unwavering bravery transformed Washington into the very symbol of the Revolutionary War. After leading his army to the final victory at Yorktown, his officers--unpaid and distrustful of Congress--wanted him to assume even greater power.

Using impressionistic photography and rare paintings, etchings and prints from museums, libraries, and private collections, George Washington: The Man Who Wouldn't Be King goes beyond the standard textbook portrait to reveal the real George Washington.

Producer: David Sutherland Productions
Actors: David Ogden Steirs, David McCullough, Linda Hunt, Live Schreiber
Number of Discs: 1
Length: 60 minutes
Subtitled: Y
Subtitle Languages: English (SDH)
Audio Format: Stereo
Aspect Ratio: 4x3 Full Screen

29 Reviews
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Catherine
Verified Buyer
5.0 star rating
05/06/22
PBS Videos
Review by Catherine on 05/06/22 review stating PBS Videos
My husband and I have not yet watched the George Washington video, but I gave it an excellent rating because we know it will be! PBS videos are all very high quality. Thank you!
B
Bb
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Best documentary Ive ever seen
Review by Bb on 07/17/20 review stating Best documentary Ive ever seen
I have watched this several times on PBS. I could watch it every night for a month. So much history, so much heritage, and so much pain. Its all there for the world to see. I was 13 when JFK died; it was my first experience with grief, and it was overwhelming. Things like that never go away. Buy it and share it. Its part of who we are.
F
Frankc32
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Fascinating Frightening
Review by Frankc32 on 07/17/20 review stating Fascinating Frightening
this is an amazing story, and the presentation is brilliant, as we have come to expect from Mr. Burns. Best sequence; as the Party realizes it has missed its opportunity to cross the pass through the Sierra Nevada range, and they have to trudge back down the mountain to the lake, ...Down by the lake and up on the dark summit above them it snowed. And it snowed. And it snowed. Just chilling stuff (no pun intended). Turn off the lights, start a fire, get some popcorn going and enjoy this harrowing tale of ambition, greed, hope and desperation. Frank
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Patty
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
I was spellbound...
Review by Patty on 07/17/20 review stating I was spellbound...
I was spellbound as I watched this program on PBS. As a native of Sacramento, California, I have visited Sutters Fort and other local museums many times. I can still recall looking through the glass case at Patty Reeds doll. It amazed me that she had carried this little doll on her journey to Sacramento. I think I always identified with her because we shared the same first name. Of course I knew the story of the Donner Party. We learned about them in school. I had seen the pictures and some of the diaries in the museums. As I watched the film, I felt like I was actually there during the winter of 1846. The Partys diaries were used to (partially) narrate the story. I could feel the cold and smell the fires...It was horrible and fascinating at the same time. How awesome it was to see Patty holding her doll at the conclusion... I simply must have this program in my Library. I feel as if its part of MY history.
D
Derek
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
A Classic.....
Review by Derek on 07/17/20 review stating A Classic.....
The tale of the Donner Party isnt widely known in the UK. My wife and I found this film fascinating when it was broadcast by the BBC a number of years ago. Weve watched it a dozen times since and still find it gripping. Along with The American Civil War it must be the best film of its type ever made?
S
Student H.
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Very informative; well done
Review by Student H. on 07/17/20 review stating Very informative; well done
Recommend for all school students. History jumps off the pages of the history books when you know more about the personality of the our founding fathers. It shows why and how things happened, not just names and dates to be memorized.
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Riff R.
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Creepy, Engrossing
Review by Riff R. on 07/17/20 review stating Creepy, Engrossing
My husband and I picked this up from the Oakland library one winter before heading up to a cabin in Donners Pass. It is a little slow, but really creepy. A little haunting. A lot of the narration is from diaries kept at the camp where the Donners lived, so there is a lot of first hand account of the desolation and desperation they felt after such a long journey. Also interesting to hear about the entire cross country trip and how a few mistakes cost them their lives. It is amazing what a Saint Louis-California trip entailed back in those days compared to now. We have since rented this from the library multiple times and are now buying it as a present for our parents before we drag them up into the snowy sierras.
E
Eric (.
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Awesome.
Review by Eric (. on 07/17/20 review stating Awesome.
I watched this my junior year of high school and was taken away by the visuals. The quality of the sound and video takes me away into distant dream world i experienced as a very young child when i slept or walked around my backyard in search of a comfortable spot to lie down and stare at the sky. Something is so bitterly nostalgic about the film, and i really cant put my finger on it. The ariel shots of the woodlands and sierras are what Id see in my dreams. Its like a Boards of Canada record. I could put this film on mute and put on Farewell Fire and drift away. Its beautiful. I recommend it.
E
Eric R.
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Amazing film
Review by Eric R. on 07/17/20 review stating Amazing film
I watched this my junior year of high school and was taken away by the visuals. The quality of the sound and video takes me away into distant dream world i experienced as a very young child when i slept or walked around my backyard in search of a comfortable spot to lie down and stare at the sky. Something is so bitterly nostalgic about the film, and i really cant put my finger on it. The ariel shots of the woodlands and sierras are what Id see in my dreams. Its like a Boards of Canada record. I could put this film on mute and put on Farewell Fire and drift away. Its beautiful. I recommend it.
J
Jim R.
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
5-Oct
Review by Jim R. on 07/17/20 review stating 5-Oct
Funniest movie i have ever seen. i thought it was a parody, but it wasnt, and made it twenty times better. i thought the reenacted assassination was pretty accurate, with all the screaming people and black and white. Cant make this comedy any better :)
J
Jumbo
Anonymous User
1.0 star rating
07/17/20
So glad I didnt buy this
Review by Jumbo on 07/17/20 review stating So glad I didnt buy this
Borrowed from library. Not impressed with negative opinions Amazing how these guys think they are mind readers
A
Avid R.
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
This series: of documentaries is excellent
Review by Avid R. on 07/17/20 review stating This series: of documentaries is excellent
This series: of documentaries is excellent. It isnt really a series in the common sense but in the fact they did videos about several historical American figuresm Excellent in each case.
N
Nessy
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
George Washington; the man who wouldnt
Review by Nessy on 07/17/20 review stating George Washington; the man who wouldnt
My father was very happy with this gift. He is an avid Washingtonian.
A
Ami
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Westward-Ho Map Not Told!
Review by Ami on 07/17/20 review stating Westward-Ho Map Not Told!
I found this story very useful in illustrating the perils of traveling West to seek a different fortune. It hit home to any of my students who are immigrants as they could identify with the need to seek a better life along with its dangers ad unknowns. Both were brave souls!
B
Beth
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Educational
Review by Beth on 07/17/20 review stating Educational
During a trip around the country this year we went past a sign that read Donners Pass. We were heading elsewhere and did not visit it, now I wish we had after seeing this DVD which I found extremely educational ...
G
Gary S.
Anonymous User
4.0 star rating
07/17/20
Interesting insights
Review by Gary S. on 07/17/20 review stating Interesting insights
I enjoyed the story completely except I wish the story had continued on until the time of his death. I am sure the last years of his life were just as interesting are the rest of the years.
J
Jlaplante24
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
What an amazing story of survival!
Review by Jlaplante24 on 07/17/20 review stating What an amazing story of survival!
Its hard to imagine the context of life for westward pioneers in 1846, but this PBS film takes you up close and personal with the tail end of the Donner Partys very long trek. Incredible story of survival and the movie captures even the smallest detail. I was moved by the courage of all but especially the women. Excellent, excellent job by the film makers.
S
Sandy S.
Anonymous User
4.0 star rating
07/17/20
American Experience: The Kennedys
Review by Sandy S. on 07/17/20 review stating American Experience: The Kennedys
Basically, the film was great. Alot was said about JFK and Joseph Kennedy. I liked alot what was said about Bobby Kennedy. The only thing I found missing was the funeral train ride and that Ethel Kennedy was pregnant with her last child Rory. I highly recommend the film and see it again.
M
Mountain B.
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
pbs covers more on washington
Review by Mountain B. on 07/17/20 review stating pbs covers more on washington
the george washington that i hadnt heard about bafore. thank you pbs
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Pat
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Great DVD
Review by Pat on 07/17/20 review stating Great DVD
A wonderful telling of the life of the Kennedys...their joys and sorrows...good deeds and sins. Stacy Keach narrates beautifully and a joy to watch visually.

Highlighted Customer Reviews


haunting
Review by Somba review stating haunting
I remember watching this with my family 15 years ago when I was in middle school and it has stayed with me ever since. Oddly enough, we still frequently quote two lines from the narrative: Never take no cutoffs and hurry right along and If I never you again, do the best that you can. Now, I am a high school history teacher and refer my students to this film. I recently re-watched it and it is just as poignant as it was when I saw it as a girl. Check it out. You will never forget this story.
Donner Party
Review by Gary review stating Donner Party
This was a great show that everyone should see!! What these people went through was beyond courage and determination to survive!!
One of the great documentaries
Review by Ra/El review stating One of the great documentaries
this documentary is a classic, still looked to as one of the best -- and studied by film students as an example of how to tell a great story on film with just a few photographs and some gorgeous writing.

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