Customer Reviews

The Way West [VHS]

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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.

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.

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.

In the documentary world, Ken Burns is the number one name. But his brother, Ric Burns, has made a 4 part documentary called "The Way West", that was released in 1995, that is one of the best documentaries that I have ever seen! The topic is the westward expansion of the USA, including the Oregon and Mormon Trails, the enounters between whites and Indians, the Gold Rush, and the building of the Transcontinental Railroad.
In his brother's tradition in the "Civil War", Ric Burns does a standup job in using the still photos, and make them come to life with music and sound effects, utilizing various excellent historians, such as Momaday, and Stephen Ambrose, and Utley, in the commentary of each and every historical aspect in the docmentary, and the use of various actors portraying the major historical characters, from Custer to Sitting Bull.

This documentary is simply one of the best in portraying these pivitol events in our history. As much as the Civil War has been influential in forming what this nation is now, the binding of the east and west, to the west, the history of the movement of Americans to the west, and the binding of the east to the west with the technological marvel of the 19th century, the Transcontinental Railroad, is one of the greatest periods of our history, and is even more defining that the Civil War, in my opinion.

I think the most chilling portrayal is that of the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Of all the dramatization of this event that I have ever seen, from movies to all other documentaries on the subject, this one is the most accurate, breathtaking, and chillingly real portrayal I have ever seen. "It took as long to kill Custer and his men as it took a hungry man to eat his dinner"..."NOT A LAST STAND"! "It was like hunting scared buffalo". These comments are from the film, and Burns does a fine job in using the Indian accounts of the battle, after all, they were the ones who survived it!

If you like this, check out for sure the other documentaries by Ric Burns' brother Ken Burns, particularly "The Civil War", "The West", and "Lewis and Clarke".

Ric Burns does a magnificent job of delivering a picture of Native American life and resistance from 1845-1893. It is superior to Ken Burns' The West as far as the Indian wars are concerned. Stephen Ambrose, Ian Frazer, Robert Utley and others give this Russell Baker narrated Documentary life and insight. Highly recommended!