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Liberty! The American Revolution
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A More Perfect Union: America Becomes a NationBrigham Young University (1989)
Directed by Peter N. Johnson The film depicts events surrounding creation of the United States Constitution, focusing mainly on James Madison, the person who wrote most of that document. The period immediately following the American Revolutionary War was marked by intense political unrest, owing to huge debts, the interruption of trade and business, shortages of labor, and personal turmoils, all created by the War. It soon became painfully evident that the Articles of Confederation were insufficient to address the country's needs. A movement was soon afoot to upgrade or replace the Articles, and Madison was foremost in the movement. However, he needed the support of George Washington; he needed to show that a new government would be sufficient to address such challenges as Shays' Rebellion and the growing trade problems between the independent States. Madison was strongly opposed by those who feared a strong central government, people known either as States Rights Advocates or as Anti-Federalists, such as Roger Sherman and John Dickinson. Madison was in favor of a bicameral congress, but envisioned both houses being elected according to proportional representation. In this he was strongly opposed by the States Rights Advocates, and he eventually accepted the compromises necessary to address their concerns. The film highlights the basis for these compromises and also depicts their debate about the slave trade. |
Benjamin Franklin – Episode 3: The Chess Master
Twin Cities Public Television of Minneapolis-St. Paul (date)
Produced and directed by Ellen Hovde & Muffie Meyer BENJAMIN FRANKLIN is the story of one of the most remarkable and multi-talented human beings the world has ever known. An epic yarn spanning most of the 18th century, the three-part series follows Franklin's career from humble beginnings in Boston to international superstardom: first as a scientist and revolutionary, and then as a founding father and America's first diplomat to France. Drawing upon Franklin's own writings and those of his contemporaries, performed by actors, the narrative is set against a backdrop of breathtaking events in which Franklin played a central role: the age of Scientific Discovery, the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary war and the Constitutional Convention. Surprising, moving, and full of Franklin's own wit and wisdom, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN is the exuberant portrait of a true American original. The final 14 years of his life, nine of which were spent in Paris as ambassador to France from rebellious colonies across the sea. Franklin's primary objective was to secure financial and military aid, far from an easy task. To this he brought the skills of a chess master, able to think many moves ahead in the game. |
John & Abigail AdamsWGBH / PBS (2006)
Directed by Peter Jones Relying heavily on the extraordinary correspondence between the second president and his wife, this joint biography sheds light not only on the characters of two remarkable people, but also on the tumultuous times through which they lived. John and Abigail Adams played a critical role in many of the pivotal events of their era: he was a vociferous participant at the Continental Congress; she was an important eye-witness reporter during the Siege of Boston; he was an important war-time emissary to France. This AMERICAN EXPERIENCE reminds us that the Founding Fathers - and Mothers - were not men and women of marble following a script that made independence and American national success a pre-ordained conclusion, but rather real, flawed, multi-dimensional people, who had no idea how things would turn out. |
Thomas Jefferson – A Film by Ken Burns – Part 1
Florentine Films (1997)
Directed by Ken Burns THOMAS JEFFERSON is a two-part portrait of our enigmatic and brilliant third president, one of the most fascinating and complicated figures ever to grace America’s public stage. Thomas Jefferson embodies within his own life the most profound contradictions of American history: as the author of our most sacred document, the Declaration of Independence, he gave voice to our fervent desire for freedom, but he also owned more than 150 slaves and never saw fit to free them. Jefferson also made himself into a true Renaissance man: a scholar, a philosopher, a diplomat, an aesthete, and an architect. As a young man, he was transformed by the fire of the Enlightenment into America’s most articulate voice for human liberty. Torn between his desire for a serene family life at Monticello and his passion for politics, Jefferson endured ceaseless, heartrending personal loss. As president, he helped create the first American political party, with the Louisiana Purchase, he more than doubled the size of the new nation. Jefferson’s last years were spent founding the University of Virginia and reestablishing his friendship, after decades of estrangement, from his onetime rival John Adams. Jefferson's influence on and vision for our country is still keenly felt today. |
Thomas Jefferson – A Film by Ken Burns – Part 2
Florentine Films (1997)
Directed by Ken Burns THOMAS JEFFERSON is a two-part portrait of our enigmatic and brilliant third president, one of the most fascinating and complicated figures ever to grace America’s public stage. Thomas Jefferson embodies within his own life the most profound contradictions of American history: as the author of our most sacred document, the Declaration of Independence, he gave voice to our fervent desire for freedom, but he also owned more than 150 slaves and never saw fit to free them. Jefferson also made himself into a true Renaissance man: a scholar, a philosopher, a diplomat, an aesthete, and an architect. As a young man, he was transformed by the fire of the Enlightenment into America’s most articulate voice for human liberty. Torn between his desire for a serene family life at Monticello and his passion for politics, Jefferson endured ceaseless, heartrending personal loss. As president, he helped create the first American political party, with the Louisiana Purchase, he more than doubled the size of the new nation. Jefferson’s last years were spent founding the University of Virginia and reestablishing his friendship, after decades of estrangement, from his onetime rival John Adams. Jefferson's influence on and vision for our country is still keenly felt today. |
Jefferson and the Barbary PiratesHistoriVision, LLC. (2010)
Directed by Richard Ware, Jeff Hix, & Ricardo Andrade Pirates prowl the seas again, challenging the world's strongest navies - just as they did when President Thomas Jefferson ordered America's first marines to the shores of Tripoli to fight the Barbary Pirates. |
Alexander HamiltonMiddlemarch Films / PBS (2007)
Directed by Muffie Meyer One of the most controversial men of his age, Alexander Hamilton was a gifted statesman brought down by the fatal flaws of stubbornness, extreme candor and arrogance. His life and career were marked by a stunning rise to power, scandal and tragedy. But his contributions survive. As Secretary of the Treasury during the tumultuous early years of the republic, Hamilton led the transformation of the young country into industrial powerhouse. From his humble beginnings as an immigrant, to his infamous death, the life and legacy of Alexander Hamilton is explored in this film. |
The Duel
WGBN / PBS (2000)
Directed by Carl Byker & Mitch Wilson The most famous duel in American history climaxed a long-standing conflict between two of the most important men in the country. Alexander Hamilton, an impoverished immigrant from the West Indies, rose to become a framer of the U.S. Constitution and the architect of America's political economy. Aaron Burr, grandson of the theologian Jonathan Edwards, served with distinction in the Revolutionary War and was nearly elected the nation's third president. In 1804 they met in a duel - an honor match that changed the course of American history. |
First Invasion: The War of 1812
Native Sun Productions / The History Channel (2004)
Directed by Gary L. Foreman Elaborate reenactments are juxtaposed with comments by historians in this glossy review of America's "Second War of Independence" against Britain (1812-15). Includes the causes of the conflict; American plans to attack Canada; the burning of Washington D.C.; and the Battle of New Orleans. |
The War of 1812Florentine Films / PBS (2011)
Directed by Diane Garey & Lawrence Hott For two and a half years, Americans fought Against the British, Canadian colonists, and native nations. In the years to come, the War of 1812 would be celebrated in some places and essentially forgotten in others. But it is a war worth remembering-a struggle that threatened the existence of Canada, then divided the United States so deeply that the nation almost broke apart. Some of its battles and heroes became legendary, yet its blunders and cowards were just as prominent. The film shows how the glories of war became enshrined in history - how failures are quickly forgotten - how inconvenient truths are ignored forever. With stunning re-enactments, evocative animation and the incisive commentary of key experts, The War of 1812 presents the conflict that forged the destiny of a continent. |
Andrew Jackson: Good, Evil, and the Presidency
KCET / PBS (2008)
Directed by Carl Byker & Mitch Wilson This biography explores whether Americans should celebrate Jackson or apologize for him. The program reveals the world of Americas 7th president, who boldly founded the Democratic Party yet was viewed by his enemies as an American Napoleon. Narrated by Martin Sheen, the film tells a story with startling relevance to the modern presidency by bringing to life one of the most remarkable, yet divisive presidents in our history. |
Into the Deep: America, Whaling, & the World
WGBH / PBS (2010)
Directed by Ric Burns For two centuries, American whale oil lit the world illuminating and powering the start of the industrial revolution, and laying the groundwork for a truly global economy. This two-hour film will tell the riveting and extraordinary story of the American whaling industry, from its origins off the coast of New England and Cape Cod, through the great golden age of deep-ocean whaling, to the industry’s spectacular demise. |