Product Details

• Actors: David McCullough
• Directors: Ken Burns, Amy Stechler
• Writers: Amy Stechler
• Producers: Ken Burns, Amy Stechler
• Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, 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
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: PBS (Direct)
• DVD Release Date: November 12, 2002
• Run Time: 57 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00007KE4I
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #83,815 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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  Movies & TV > Documentary > By Director > Burns, Ken

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
From America's documentarian Ken Burns (The Civil War, Baseball, Jazz) comes this intimate portrait of a "serene creed" whose members considered themselves America's "chosen people." They called themselves the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, but because of their ecstatic dancing, they are more popularly known as the Shakers. Its members put their "hands to work and their hearts to God," creating a legacy of fine and priceless furniture and magnificent architecture. A model for the world's utopians, the Shakers believed in social, economic, and spiritual equality, and in pacifism, feminism, and joyful personal worship. They also believed in celibacy, which is why, when Burns filmed this in 1989, there were but a dozen Shakers left in America. On-location footage, contemporary interviews with historians and present and former members, and dramatic voice-overs culled from diaries create a moving portrait of the Shakers and "[keep] the light shining bright." --Donald Liebenson

Product Description
This revealing and poignant film by Ken Burns portrays 200 years of Shaker life in America, guided by the recollections of the three surviving members of the faith, along with a wealth of archival material from over 40 collections. Explore every aspect of this strange and noble sect that produced some of the greatest architecture and furniture in American history. It is the story of devotion, invention, industry and ingenuity, of simple crafts and dance. Shot at existing Shaker locations and narrated by David McCullough, the film includes Shaker music recreated from authentic inspirational songs.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A history of the Shakers, a, February 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Ken Burns' America - The Shakers [VHS] (VHS Tape)

After viewing this beautifully mastered film by Burns et al at Florentine Films, you will never think of another task or job as a waste of time. The Shakers did not strive for producing the most things, but that each action was done to perfection. They worked as though "Today is the last day of your life" and they worked as though "they had the rest of time" to perform each and every task". Slow your life down; watch this film!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and simple history of a misunderstood religion., May 21, 2000

By	Joseph T. Reeves (Fort Meade, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ken Burns' America - The Shakers [VHS] (VHS Tape)

In The Shakers: Hands to Work, Hearts to God" Ken Burns truly hit his stride as a documentarian. By combining personal journals of shakers, historic and social commentary of scholars and contemporaries, and wonderfully insightful interviews with present day Shakers, Burns tells a simple story, but tells it beautifully. By illustrating the Shaker life and ideology, Burns presents a group of dedicated people who strove to put God into every aspect of their lives.

If you know the Shakers for only their furniture and ritual dancing, then this film will illuminate your understanding of early America's most powerful Utopian movement.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well done documentary on an interesting topic, June 8, 2000

By	Rosemary Thornton "The Houses That Sears Built" (Norfolk, VA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Ken Burns' America - The Shakers [VHS] (VHS Tape)

While I was watching this documentary by myself (the fam is more into action packed dramas), my hubby stuck his head in the door, became interested in this video on Shakers and watched most of it with me.

Now *that's* an endorsement!

It is a very well done piece with some amazing insights into the day to day life of Shakers, with many interesting tidbits about their history and American history.

They were an ultra-strict group and they strove for perfection in everything they did. Some of the tidbits I enjoyed most - a woman Shaker is credited with inventing the circular saw and Shakers are also credited with the invention of the clothes pin.

Shakers were devoted, devout, quiet, principled and deeply religious people. Above all, they were highly disciplined, rising at 4:30 each morning to begin prayers and chores.

I highly recommend this video - even if you have only a passing interest in Shakers. It is a compelling documentary.