Product Details

• Actors: Ric Burns
• Format: Box set, Black & White, Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 4
• Studio: Shanachie
• VHS Release Date: May 23, 1995
• Run Time: 360 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6303434355
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #320,383 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Of two minds..., February 18, 2001

By A Customer

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

Whenever I try to compare "The Way West" with the Ken Burns series "The West", I'm always of two minds. On the one hand, I consider TWW to be superior in terms of entertainment; the soundtrack remains one of my favorite CDs, and stands well on its own separate from the film. I also find myself somewhat more engrossed in "The Way West" than "The West". However, from a historical perspective, I consider "The West" to be the better production. TW gives a broader and more balanced historical view, with more variety of speakers, than TWW. In its attempt to portray the genocide of the western Indian tribes, "The Way West" glosses over some important points: for example, that the Lakota were recent inhabitants of the Black Hills, having wrested it from other tribes by warfare during the 1700s...while one would get the impression from the Lakota representatives in TWW that the land was always theirs, and that they were a peaceable tribe until the Whites came. It is omissions like this which make one wonder what else wasn't being covered. On the other hand, TWW does go into more detail of the fight for the Black Hills than "The West" could, because of time constraints. Both are strong in their own ways, and well worth owning.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Much more moving than The West, December 5, 2003

By A Customer

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

After seeing this documentary in 1995, I found 1996's The West lacking the emotional impact this story should have. Perhaps that's because The Way West focuses almost entirely on the tragedy of the American Indian, while The West (yes, the titles get confusing) covered ealier history (the Spanish in Mexico), the Mormans, the Chinese and much more on the settlers.

This documentary covers primarily the conflict between whites and the Native Americans in excruciating detail. The sad truth is that, no matter what the government's policy toward the Indians, these wars and their tragic outcomes were probably inevitable because of the difference in cultures. The white man's obsession with owning and farming land and his obsession with gold would never have allowed the Indians to keep their land. The blatant racism against Indians and their culture is never-ending, as quoted in numerous newspaper editorials from the period and comments from the generals who tried to annihilate both.

So, buy The West for more information. But buy The Way West for one of the most emotionally moving documentaries ever made.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Rape of the West, June 25, 2000

By A Customer

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

This 4 volume series is a clear reflection of a nation turned against itself in a politically correct age. Nevertheless, I sympathize with the emphasis of the series on the sufferings and injustices inflicted on the American Indians by the U.S government throughout the centuries. The first episode is rather slow, but the remaining 3 episodes are well worth watching. The series focuses primarily on the Sioux people of the Dakotas, only mentions the Nez Perce tribe in passing, and does not mention Gerononimo at all. Much of the photography is beautiful and tastefully done. The series starts in the year of 1845--the opening of the West, and ends with the tragic closing of the West in 1890 with the final slaughter of Indian men, women, and children. The arrogance of Custer is juxtaposed with the nobility of Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse, and Red Cloud. As the series progresses one feels true heart-felt sorrow over the genocidal destruction of the American Indians, and it arouses anyone to righteous indignation. On the other hand, however, one gets the impression that the excessive focus of the videos on the view point of the Native Americans tends to undermine any pride and awe that one may feel for the truly great achievements of this country. As we look at our past and face the grim realities of the injustices committed, we should never lose sight of the great gifts that the United States has also bequeathed to humanity.