Product Details

• Actors: Charley Carfrey, Michael Kelberg, Maggie Lakis
• Directors: Joshua Alper
• Writers: Joshua Alper, Raymond Bridgers
• Producers: Dolores Gavin, Raymond Bridgers
• Format: Black & White, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: A&E Home Video
• DVD Release Date: February 22, 2005
• Run Time: 100 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000742FZM
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #114,640 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Ben Franklin (History Channel)" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Inventor, writer, businessman, scientist, diplomat, and the face gracing the hundred-dollar bill--this stately figure is the Benjamin Franklin history has taught us to remember. Now, in this revealing yet informal History Channel® presentation, the real man behind the myth is finally brought to light. By his own admission, the man who negotiated an alliance with France, helped write the Declaration of Independence and was the first to tame lightning was far from perfect. A self-promoter and occasionally ruthless competitor, this Founding Father never made a penny from his achievements and was more comfortable speaking in front of the British Parliament than he was being with his own family. Narrated in an easy, conversational tone by Edward Herrmann (Intolerable Cruelty, The Practice), BEN FRANKLIN features in-depth interviews with renowned biographers and historians, as well as reenactments shot in High-Definition video on locations in Philadelphia--a truly remarkable virtual "walk" in Franklin's footsteps. Available on DVD for the first time, BEN FRANKLIN is a fresh, down-to-earth, informative look at one of America's most essential human monuments. DVD Features: "Declaration of Independence" episode of SAVE OUR HISTORY; "The Many Faces of Ben Franklin" Making-of Featurette; Timeline; Anecdotes; Quotes; List of Innovations & Inventions; Interactive Menus; Scene Selection

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great man great DVD, January 20, 2006

By 

nick202 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ben Franklin (History Channel) (DVD)

This is a must have for any history fan or any Benjamin franklin fan. The DVD covers Ben's many accomplishments as a scientist, printer, statesman, and don't forget the adulterey in his life. It also covers how Ben franklin had trouble with his family, and how he had many affairs while he wa in Europe. In conclusion this DVD gives an in depth look at Ben franklin's life with interesting re-enactments.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Declaration Feature is a great bonus to this great biography, October 25, 2005

By 

James Garritson "Digee" (Escondido, California USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ben Franklin (History Channel) (DVD)

I found this A&E special excellent. I purchased this DVD not just for the biography of Franklin, but for the great Declaration of Independence special. I used this documentary for my middle school class and know they all enjoyed the Declaration feature. I also showed clips from the Franklin biography and can tell you in one word: excellent! I highly recommend this history feature for the content. Franklin was an amazing American Renaissance Man that needs to have a feature movie made about his wonderful personality traits.

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Family Viewing with Care, July 3, 2006

By 

William Haugen (Dallas, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ben Franklin (History Channel) (DVD)

Good to excellent documentary covering all aspects of Benjamin Franklin's life. However would recommend for family viewing with care due to extensive coverage of Ben Franklin's personal life including an artist's rendering of an intimate situation involving Benjamin Franklin. While Ben Franklin's personal life is of interest and does shed light on important events in his life, it was distracting from the reason this DVD was purchased which was to learn more about the role Benjamin Franklin played in the early history of the United States.

9/16/2008 Addition - Have also watched the PBS Ben Franklin DVD and at least for me this History Channel presentation was more interesting and informative and as another reviewer mentioned there is an excellent approximately one hour History Channel special on the Declaration of Independence included. Other special features include The Many Faces of Ben Franklin featurette and a Ben Franklin timeline, quotes and list of innovations and inventions. Overall this is a great DVD with lots of special features and between the PBS documentary and this History Channel presentation at least for me was a better value and more interesting.