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The Leonard Lopate Show

Ken Burns on “The War”

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

It took six years for Ken Burns to complete his new seven-part, 15-hour epic documentary, “The War.” This World War II documentary weaves interviews with ordinary Americans from four small towns with rare photos and footage. World War II is often referred to as “The Good War,” but the film presents a story that indicates otherwise. Mr. Burns is joined by his co-director and co-producer, Lynn Novick.

To learn more about “The War,” visit PBS.

Events: Ken Burns will be in conversation with Robert Stone
Thursday, September 27 at 7pm
Celeste Bartos Forum
The Main Branch of the New York Public Library
Fifth Avenue, at 42nd Street
For tickets, visit the NYPL website or call 212-868-4444.

Weigh in: Do you consider World War II to be a good war?

Weigh in: We want to hear from World War II veterans. If you have already seen the documentary, what do you think of its depiction of the war?

If you can't see the video click here


Comments

  • [1] Peter from Park Slope September 26, 2007 - 09:32AM

    I have been watching "The War" with great interest. In the backdrop of the holocaust, it is easy to forget the level of racism in the United States during WWII. Mr. Burns appropriately paints a war at home for civil rights as he discusses the war abroad. I am curious if Mr. Burns considers himself a revisionist historian when it comes to racism during WWII?

    Peter
  • [2] Matt Zuzeck from Woodside NY September 26, 2007 - 12:05PM

    It was a necessary war that created the international organizations that prevented another global conflict until now.

    My father was in the army and fought in Pacific Theater in New Guinea and the Philippines. He rolled in his grave when 'The War' had the Marine Corp landing at Cape Gloucester in Western New Guinea in 1943. My Marine Corp landed in New Britain.
  • [3] Joe Bilby from Wall Township, NJ September 26, 2007 - 12:08PM

    As a historian, veteran and citizen, I love Ken Burns' work. It is splendid. I do have a nit picking minor complaint, however. In a film of this scope, with all of the professional people and technology at the film makers' disposal, why are there so many reversed or negative film images, with jeep drivers appearing to drive on the wrong side of the vehicle and soldiers operate bolt action weapons left handed? A small, I know, but disconcerting distraction.
  • [4] Jerry from Maryland September 26, 2007 - 07:08PM

    I have watched every episode and last night my wife and I cried. It is spectacular and every

    American should see watch it. Thank God for The Greatest Generation!
  • [5] Yorkville September 26, 2007 - 10:23PM

    Has Burns ever produced anything that wasn't anti-white? Has he ever found anything redeeming about anything our White Christian forefathers did? I'm glad the Hispanic community is giving him a hardtime. That was a pretty lame excuse St. Burns gave them.
  • [6] KK October 04, 2007 - 03:40AM

    I cried like a baby watching part 7 of the series. I think that every high school should make this manditory as part of the history lessons of WW II. My 17 yr.old son and 22 yr. old daughter watched parts of it but I will insist they watch at least the entire part 7, then I will order the dvd's and we will watch it all together.....thank you such brave men and women who made the way for our continued freedom and thank you Mr. Burns, I think that you got the point across. PS please forgive some of this spoilt brat baby boomers for some of their sick comments....forgive them, they know not what they say. Forbid that they or their children ever have to experience a war even close to that, the'd never survive, weennies.

This thread is closed.


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