23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Terrific Exploration Of A Complex & Extraordinary American, October 13, 2000
No one in modern American history stirs as much controversy and disagreement as does General Douglas MacArthur. In this terrific documentary which PBS originally presented as part of the "American Experience" series, narrated by noted historian and author David McCollough ("Truman") in an exhaustive four hour excursion into the remarkable, incredibly flamboyant and star-crossed life of Douglas MacArthur, a endlessly complex, brilliant, but vainglorious general so many Americans learned to either love or hate.
It is all here, from his ignominious (although officially ordered) personal withdrawal from the Philippines by PT boat, leaving his entrapped garrison behind to the rebuilding of American presence in the south pacific, and the first tentative efforts to stem the tide of Japanese aggression in New Guinea. MacArthur was a virtual dynamo, and was instrumental in slowly but methodically turning the tide against the Japanese, first by leap-frogging his way slowly up the coast of New Guinea, and then by island hopping his way closer to a return to the Philippines. By late 1944 he was ready to invade the Philippines, and did so boldly and with a smashing success first in Leyte, and then eventually retook all of the islands. Finally, he oversaw the signing of the instruments of surrender in Tokyo Bay, and the terrific footage of the actual signing of the peace accords is by itself worth the price of the video.
The documentary is full of informative details concerning MacArthur's life, from his obsession with equaling or surpassing his Medal Of Honor winning father's career as a late 19th century Army general to his fear and difficult relationship with his adoring but domineering mother, who actually cohabited with him as late as when he was Commandant of West Point in his mid-forties after World War One. We learn a great deal about the career thrust of "Dugout Doug" in this fascinating personal portrait of him which depicts him as vain, a publicity hound, and a wry but sometimes naïve politician and darling of the Republican right wing, who protected him from suffering the court martial and disgrace of the commanding general and admiral at Pearl Harbor.
The historic and constitutionally charged clashes between President Harry Truman and MacArthur over the strategy in Korea are carefully examined, leaving this viewer both admiring MacArthur's position based on his knowledge of the combat situation as well as his resolve not to appease the Chinese, but yet also understanding that too much was at stake politically and strategically to be as aggressive and as provocative as MacArthur tended to be. This documentary provides the viewer with four hours of edifying detail concerning one of history's most instrumental and successful military leaders during his times at destiny's door. I really enjoyed this video, and suspect you will, too.
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28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Biography, May 14, 2000
This is one of the best biography's I ever viewed on video. Not only did it hold my interest from beginning to end, it was very educational and revealing. This work was well researched and well written. It presents an in-depth look at a man who had a significant influence on our nation's history. But it does not stop there. It also gives an in-depth look at ourselves, and our own history as a people. It helps us to reflect upon our moods and attitudes during World War II an the Korean war. It puts in perspective the history of America's relationships with The Philipines, Japan and China. Most revealing are the power struggles that take place behind the scenes at the highest levels of government. It puts a human face on superstardom. If you want to learn how Japan got to where it is today after loosing World War II, why we dropped the atom bomb, and why our relationship with China is what it is today, this video will help. General Douglas McArthur not only had a major influence on the history of his time, but because of his policies and actions, he is still a major influence on our history today, and will be for a very long time.
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26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Greatest Military mind this country has ever produced, May 30, 1999
By A Customer
Far from being sick, General MacArthur was a stable personality. He did have an immense ego, name me a general who didn't. The fact is that no other military mind can come close to him. His personal bravery in WW I led to six silver stars, in WW II he lost less men in the southwest Pacific in four years than General Eisenhower lost in the Battle of the Bulge alone, and the invasion at Inchon was the height of daring and risk but he and the US forces pulled it off. This PBS set is an excellent addition to any video collection.
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