Product Details

• Actors: Ron Tough, Eric Jaillet, J. Smith-Cameron, Cecil Sharpe, Paula Dawson
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: PBS
• DVD Release Date: June 13, 2006
• Run Time: 88 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000FGG66G
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,419 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Studio: Pbs Release Date: 05/04/2009 Run time: 90 minutes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful glimpse into the life of a wife, mother, and midwife, September 5, 2007

By 

Suzi "smarie210" (Chi-town, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Experience - A Midwife's Tale (DVD)

This is a PBS documentary about the diary of an 18th century midwife named Martha Ballard. It is interesting to view how her life was chronicled in her own words and portrayed so beautifully through this film. I also got a better understanding of life in those difficult times and how life was constant work and toil, especially for a woman. There are a lot of parallels between Martha Ballard's life and the lives of wives, mothers, and women across various cultures and time periods. It is encouraging to know that there is a common thread among women who take on so much of the work involved in family life, childrearing, etc. I am inspired that she raised her children with so much tireless strength and dignity, and even went beyond her own family to help other women bring their children into the world.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Early Luminary Brought To Life, February 1, 2009

By 

J. Rose (Romulus, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: American Experience - A Midwife's Tale (DVD)

I originally had to watch this film for a women's history class. What began as a chore turned to so much more. This film is beautiful. I couldn't keep my eyes off the screen. The film depicts the life of Martha Ballard. Martha is an early American woman who records her daily life in her diary. It spans the years 1785-1812. The film brings to life the "ordinary" daily chores of 18th century women. However, we begin to see that those lives are never ordinary, but are riddled with constant obstacles. Martha is a midwife, as the title suggests. But, she is actually much more than that. She is also a nurse and physician. She is a great woman who cares for her neighbors in a way that would seem taboo today. The film delivers many great moments, and the aura left is nothing less than poetic. I recommend this film to all who cherish beauty at its best. You will not be disappointed.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfectly wonderful, December 19, 2006

By 

M. L. Carter (Austin, TX) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: American Experience - A Midwife's Tale (DVD)

Enthralling slice of life from a rare perspective. Beautifully filmed & acted. Research is academically strong.