Customer Reviews

Africans in America [VHS]

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Narrated by Academy Award nominee Angela Bassett, "Africans in America" is the first television/video documentary which works to chronicle the full history of slavery in America. The documentary is an incredibily ambitious effort that employs relevant scholarly data, interviews with noted historians, lively story-telling, and vivid accounts from slave descendants to detail, in four ninety-minute episodes, events from when Black and White indentured servants worked side by side (the colonial era) to the freedom from slavery that came at the end of the Civil War. "Africans in America" could not come at at a better time, when issues of racial strife continue to have a stranglehold on this nation. By looking at our racial past, we may be able to understand our racial present and future. The first part of the documentary, "The Terrible Transformation," details the origins of slavery in America. It dispels misconceptions that slavery was a sudden, full-blown institution. Rather, it shows that during the early 17th century slavery became institutionalized over many decades, law by law. Part two, "Revolution," focuses on the popularity of slavery in both the South and North, and on George Washington's role in legalizing slavery. Again, little known facts are highlighted, such as the role slaves played as combatants in the American Revolution. Part three, "Brotherly Love," turns to the then capital of the nation, Philadelphia, to recount how the government recommitted to slavery for Blacks while promising Whites liberty. This part also explores how the White scientific community worked to link the Black race with biological inferiority, thereby justifying the enslavement of African Americans. The final part of the documentary, "Judgment," covers antebellum and post-antebellum years. It reminds us of the constitutional amendment to free the slaves. More importantly, this final part challenges viewers to consider if slavery was really an inevitable institution, and, based on past behaviors, whether this country can ever gain racial harmony. "Africans in America" is thorough-- it took 10 years and millions of dollars to produce. It was shot on location across 12 states and 3 continents. It draws upon documents, scholars' insights, and a few well-knows such as Gen. Colin Powell. In all, it is a masterful educative effort. This is a journey that every American must make-- preferably through more than one viewing-- so that salient events are understood and so that we may begin to comprehend that the journey to racial reconcilation is far from over.

I have always been interested in the issue of slavery. This video series is like none I have ever seen before, it is excellent! Its as if there are hundreds of slave narratives combined with countless facts and documents to back them up. These videos are more than history, they are windows into the the lives and hearts of American slaves. I would recommend this to any American, whether you are black or white. It is time for the truth.

Originally produced for PBS in 1998, this DVD includes all four installments of this POWERFUL DOCUMENTARY! The focus here is on SLAVERY IN AMERICA, starting with JAMESTOWN in 1607 and ending with the start of the CIVIL WAR in 1861! This documentary combines FIRST-PERSON ACCOUNTS and HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS with INTERVIEWS with not only historians but the descendants of those slaves! This might be the FINEST look at America's PECULIAR INSTITUTION available on DVD!

You won't be the same after watching this amazing well done documentary. There are moments that will move you to tears. It's a declaration that Black American history IS AMERICAN HISTORY! How can an American go through life not knowing so many famous names like Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth, you don't get more American than that. EXCELLENT, a must buy!

I am absolutely NOT a history buff, so when I didn't have to take a bunch of history classes in high school, I was okay with that. But when I got to Northern Michigan University and realized how some locations can completely snub African American literature by not teaching it, it annoyed me. It also made me want to learn more. Since then, I have found interesting ways to learn more about my own history. An Amazon friend gave this DVD such a high rating (and he doesn't like much of anything) so I had to check it out. I picked it up at the library figuring it was going to be pretty dry but educational. Wrong! Not only was it educational, but it was the most interesting way to ever learn about African American history for someone like me. Bassett has a wonderful storytelling voice, there were enough anecdotes to make it feel heartwrenching, the information was endless, and it was so well documented. I am completely impressed and bought a copy for myself. It's such a satisfying feeling to be able to back up emotions with actual facts and this DVD gave a lot of hidden information that we'll never find in "American" history books. Great job!

I actually watched this series when it was on PBS a couple of years ago and it almost brought me to tears. It was incredibly sad to hear about the way that the slaves were treated.

This video would be a great learning experience for classes. I am thinking about using it as an visual aide for my speech on slavery in NY.

Reading the book of the same name prompted me to purchase this DVD and I was not disappointed. It provided the same atmosphere, despair, anger, amazement, etc however I highly suggest you read the book first. As with all movies made from a book, you lose a little something because of the time constraints but this is a good way for the kids/teenagers to wet their American/Black history appetite. It is also a good way for the family to view it together and to discuss it, after, each chapter and get immediate feedback. One way or the other, you can't watch this movie and not be moved. The movie is a must in your DVD collection.

This is a great piece of history. Didn't receive 5 stars because I think the history should have continued and not ended at the point it did.

This DVD is great. It talks and tells alot of stuff I didnt know nor had any idea. Like exactly how Haiti became... Haiti, Our presidents... how the north and south were different and how they were the same at one point... USA fighting for independence and at the same time, Africans in America fighting for independence as well... and it talks about Native Americans as well. This is very very helpful for those who are actually interested in American history.

I love history to death also. Looking back and studying history can help you find out who you are and where the world is going due to history often repeats itself. This six hour dvd is packed with information about slavery and its history. The documentary goes so deep into detail that it will have unknown information for the most scholarly historian. Features like this are important for children of afrikan descent due to the fact it seems that the school system isn't teaching this aspect of history and making sure our youth understands the importance of the events that happened. This documentary is highly recommended for your collection.