The War of 1812 DVD

Delivery was prompt and Secrets of the Viking Sword was all I hoped it would be. But apparently someone in the distribution center must have concluded my interests were too bellicose and substituted The Buddha for The War of 1812. Great respect to The Enlightened One but I didnt order it. Now well see how good yall are with returns and re-deliveries.

The War of 1812 is Americas forgotten war and among all the hoopla about a star spangled banner, this was a war that the United States definitely did not win. In fact this country was fortunate to come out of the war in pretty good shape. Since I live along the shore of Lake Erie, I am very familiar with the Battle of Lake Erie and Commodore Perry. There is an annual celebration on the weekend after Labor Day on Put-iin-Bay in Ohio celebrating the victory and the two hundred years of peace between the United States, Canada and Great Britain. Most years I attend that ceremony since it is a great weekend to spend on the island which is not Ohios answer to Key West. There is a great back story about Commodore Perry and the Battle of Lake Erie that was not in the program, perhaps because it might have made the program too long. But a young 28 year old New Englander was asked to come to Erie PA,recruit a bunch of frontiersmen and turn them into sailors capable of defeating a British naval squadron of experenced sailors. They built a fleet of ships and within one year were ready to take on the British. An exact replica of Perrys flagship, the Niagara, sails on Lake Erie today and two years ago I was privileged to sail on it. In fact the Niagara was used in the making og the PBS documentary Into the Deep about Yankee whaling in the 19th century. That documentary was filmed on Lake Erie since I recognized some of the shoreline as I regularly go sailing on Lake Erie each summer. I reccomend this to anyone who is interested in a war that helped shape the United States of today, especially with the bicentennial of the war beginning this year.

This documentary was very needed as quite a few people thought the war of 1812 was only involved the song by Johnny Horton Battle of New Orleans. It made me proud as a British Canadian whose ancestors fought in this war but sad as a Metis whose ancestors lost everything in this war. My mothers people lost nearly everything they were promised and fared far worse in the U.S. but thats another story. This was only the beginning fr them.

As a historian of Ontario history I would recommend this DVD to citizens on both sides of the border. For too long this conflict has been overtaken by less than accurate definition by both sides. This presentation represents a defining moment for the people of Ontario and adds a bit of lustre to the Provinces motto - Loyal she began. Loyal she remains. I hope it is as well received in the south as well as the north. Also both sides need to remember how totally tragic the wars outcome was to the aboriginal people who were the true losers in the end.

As a history teacher raised in the U.S. and living in Canada, Ive observed first hand the very different popular opinions about what happened in the War of 1812. This program is the most even-handed, clear, fair explanation Ive ever seen of not only the facts, but also why the different interpretations have developed. And of course its high production values and good writing also make it very enjoyable to watch. Really.

One of the first documentaries of the war of 1812 that appears more factual than emotional. Even though American made, it shows the errors and follies of the American government and armies of the day - something that is usually ignored or glossed over. Does not put a lot of weight of the Battle of New Orleans, as the war was over when that was fought. Shows that the real winner was the new Canadian identity, and the real losers were the natives (as usual).

AN INTERESTING LOOK AT A RATHER UNKNOWN CONFLICT FROM DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES. WITH REENACTORS BEING USED EFFECTIVELY, INTERSPERSED WITH PERIOD PHOTOS.IT IS SURPRISING TO LEARN WHAT ACTUALLY TRIGGER ED THIS WAR-OUR TRADE WITH OUR FRIEND-FRANCE!

Perhaps the only comprehensive telling of the war. It inclusion of so many Canadian and First Nations scholars made it a broad and complete representation. Worth many re-viewings.

This documentary is very informative. Reinactments help portray the battles. Because there was no national army, there was confusion ineptness in military leadership. It details the lack of coordination, political climate, vastness of the areas.

As a rule, this war is not embraced in schools as one of the first of world wars, but it was. It gave rise to an authentic American dictator dressed as a Prsident who practiced genocide in his own country, it meant the demise of a Corsican dictator bent on world domination, and it set the stage for further carnage in the next century. This production is an insight into how America, Canada, and Indeginous Americans have become what we are today. It is worthy of scrutiny, and is put in a very entertaining format.

There has been a treaty between the US and Canada that did not allow warships to enter the St. Lawrence and the Great Lakes since the War of 1812. That is, until 1959, when 28 warships entered the waterway and lakes in celebration of the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway all the way to the far reaches of the Great Lakes. I was on one of those warships, knew about the treaty but didnt know why I was part of history. The little known and remembered war, in the US at least, was brought to life and fully explained in this documentary.

The story outlined all of the disparate conflicts, reasons for the conflicts, and how the outcomes shaped 19th century history. It fills a big gap in understanding US History. Well done.

This video is an excellent presentation of the entire war and the factions represented. It gives perspective from Colonial, British, Canadian, and Native-American sides. The time line now makes much more sense. Even an American history teacher found this valuable.

Comprehensive review of a seldom covered war, which was a turning point in our history.

I enjoy this movie.

I enjoyed this PBS program very much during this year when we observe the anniversary of the War of 1812. Will watch it more than once.

Excellent documentary on a war we never really studied in school. Very interesting and informative. Must see for all Americans!

This program taught me more about this war, than I learned in U.S History. I enjoyed this program so much, that I will be watching it again in the near future. Watch this program on PBS or purchase your DVD. You wont regret it.

Very insightful

This should be used in all history classess in schools. Not many people know much about this war