Customer Reviews

Mark Twain's America (IMAX)

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

 

 

You really can't get into this movie. It's too short, and could have been more in depth.
That's not to say it's not interesting...I just wish it could have been longer, and I wish the producers would have taken better advantage of the IMAX techology...

A the very start, of the narration, I could tell this was below average. The actor tells of a village on the banks of the Mississippi, Hannibal, "a little democracy which was full of liberty, equality, and the forth of July". Not a quote I would choose for accuracy, even if those were Twain's words. You have to imagine how former slaves recalled that village, however few slaves it had.

Speaking of the actor, his attempt to sound old got old right quick. I'd sooner hear more of Twain's words than his voice.

Many of the old photos seemed to have barely any connection to Mark Twain. For example, black and white children together on a donkey. I'm not convinced young Samuel ever saw that happen.

Some of the modern scenes were interesting, I have to say, but they don't save the final product. BTW, contrary to the editorial review, there is no scene selection.

I don't know why anyone, myself included, ever thought this was an IMAX subject. Never the Twain shall meet IMAX and mix well.

I had owned the 33 1/3 album ( Columbia Masterworks, the 1959 41st street Theater in NewY York) for many many years, gotten rid of all phonograph players and wanted to present this performance to the English classes at the school where I am the Library Media Specialist. Finding this wonderful DVD was most thrilling and became useful and appreciated.
Bill Stoll

In middle school, we cover a unit on Mark Twain and this video is the best one I have found that depicts America during his lifetime and gives students a visual and auditory view of history and his life. It truly held their interest and could be shown in one class period. It was so detailed and interesting that I was able to create a quiz that corresponds with it very easily to assess my students' interaction with it. Also, the history included in the video coincided well with their history class.