Product Details

• Actors: David McCullough
• Directors: Ken Burns
• Format: Color, DVD, Full Screen, 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 Paramount
• DVD Release Date: September 28, 2004
• Run Time: 90 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000BITUG6
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #57,771 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

KEN BURNS:AMERICA COLLECTION CONGRES - DVD Movie

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars History of a vital, but much-aligned institution., May 21, 2000

By 

Joseph T. Reeves - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Congress [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Ken Burns' "The Congress" is a wonderful history of an essential but underrated American institution. In only ninety minutes, Burns captures the strengths and weaknesses of our legislative branch like few documentarians could. Congress, often accused of gridlock and pork barrelling, actually exemplifies the American ideal of self-rule. This film touches on key successes and failures of this body throughout its entire history. Burns examines the contributions of such pivotal congressmen as Joe Cannon, Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, George Norris and a host of others. Burns alters our current perspective of Congress to show us an organization of great power that has, at times, ruled the country in counterbalance to weak presidents.

Burns uses contemporary newspaper accounts, archival footage, personal interviews, and journals to transform Congress's history in a fascinating parade of men and women who represented the best and worst of America. A great film.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A resource for Teachers, sent from heaven, September 17, 2003

By 

"stuckinwi" (Milwaukee, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Congress (DVD)

My students loved it! My classroom was a scene of heated debate and excitement. I couldn't have asked for a better tool to aid in the teaching of our Congress.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Film with Great Insight, January 12, 2005

By 

Bob Hope "bobhope26" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Congress (DVD)

Good Film with great insight on such Congressmen as Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, Jeannette Rankin, Joe Cannon, and Sam Rayburn. I do wish the film was a little longer, but that may just be me.

It would be nice if Ken Burns makes and updated version in the next few years. I also wished Senators Strom Thurmond, Fritz Hollings and Edward M. Kennedy would have been quoted and/or interviewed. The film does include Senator John C. Stennis, which is nice. Even if Burns doesn't update the film, it stands up well over time. I think many people will like the quotes from James Madison given during the early part of the film.

I hope every Congressman owns a copy of this DVD.

"All men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree." --James Madison, speech at the Constitutional Convention, July 11, 1787

Some of Daniel Webster's speeches:
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~dwebster/speeches/