or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.

Watch it Instantly
Includes the Video On Demand version at no extra charge. (Learn more)
Express Checkout with PayPhrase
What's this? | Create PayPhrase
More Buying Choices
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
or
Get a $25.00 Amazon.com Gift Card
Watch It Now
 
Ken Burns: National Parks - America's Best Idea
 
See larger image
 

Ken Burns: National Parks - America's Best Idea

Adam Arkin , Philip Bosco , Ken Burns    NR   DVD
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (134 customer reviews)

List Price: $99.99
Price: $65.49 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details
You Save: $34.50 (35%)
  Special Offers Available
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
Want it delivered Wednesday, September 8? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details
21 new from $53.33 6 used from $50.00 1 collectible from $87.89
 
 
Buy This DVD and Watch it Instantly
Watch the Video On Demand version on your PC, Mac, compatible TV or compatible device at no charge when you buy this DVD season from Amazon.com. The Video On Demand version will be available in Your Video Library and is provided as a gift with disc purchase. Available to US customers only. See Details.
 
 
This product may not be compatible with some DVD players manufactured before 2006. If this DVD is not compatible with your player, you may contact customer service for a refund.
Coming Soon: Fall TV Week Daily Deals
Starting Monday, find new deep discounts every day of the week on popular TV-series collections. Get a sneak peek in our guide to Fall TV Week.

Check Out Related Media



Special Offers and Product Promotions

  • Get $4 worth of eligible movies and TV shows from Amazon Video On Demand after you order your item. Limited to one promotional credit per customer. Here's how (restrictions apply)
  • For a limited time, save 40% on Seasons One through Three of thirtysomething.

  • Save up to 60% on selected movies and TV shows on DVD and Blu-ray disc.

  • DVD Bargains. For a limited time, load up on select DVD favorites for only $8.99. Hurry, offer ends September 30, 2010. Learn more.


What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Ken Burns: National Parks - America's Best Idea
92% buy the item featured on this page:
Ken Burns: National Parks - America's Best Idea 4.3 out of 5 stars (134)
$65.49
The Civil War - A Film by Ken Burns
2% buy
The Civil War - A Film by Ken Burns 4.7 out of 5 stars (148)
$84.99
Ken Burns Presents: The West
2% buy
Ken Burns Presents: The West 4.3 out of 5 stars (33)
$87.49
Treasures of America's National Parks
2% buy
Treasures of America's National Parks 5.0 out of 5 stars (5)
$29.99

Product Details

  • Actors: Adam Arkin, Philip Bosco, Kevin Conway, Peter Coyote, Andy Garcia
  • Directors: Ken Burns
  • Format: Box set, Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
  • Language: English
  • Subtitles: English, Spanish
  • Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
  • Number of discs: 6
  • Rated: NR (Not Rated)
  • Studio: PBS (DIRECT)
  • DVD Release Date: October 6, 2009
  • Run Time: 720 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (134 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B002BO2R4K
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,061 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
    #2 in  Movies & TV > Documentary > By Director > Burns, Ken
    #4 in  Movies & TV > Educational > Social Studies > History
    #3 in  Movies & TV > Documentary > History
  • For more information about "Ken Burns: National Parks - America's Best Idea" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Special Features

Disc 1:

  • "The Making of The National Parks" (Includes Spanish Audio and Subtitles);
Disc 2:

  • "Capturing the Parks" -A behind-the-scenes look at filming of The National Parks: America's Best Idea
Disc 3:

  • Musical Journeys through the National Parks (National Parks Timeline, Peace at Last/ Across the Ocean, Horizons, Green Groves of Erin, The Shores of Ogygia, Teddy Bears' Picnic)
Disc 4:

  • Outtakes (An Interview with Nevada Barr, author and former National Park Service ranger; and The Boss, the story of Frank Pinkley and Casa Grande. Narrated by Ken Burns);
Disc 5:

  • The National Parks: This Is America (Mini Documentary, Includes Spanish Audio and Subtitles)
Disc 6:

  • Contemporary Stories from America's National Parks (San Antonio Missions: Keeping History Alive, Yosemite's Buffalo Soldiers, Mount Rushmore: Telling America's Stories, Manzanar: "Never Again," City Kids in National Parks, Includes Spanish Audio and Subtitles).

Watch Free Previews and Buy Episodes from Amazon Video On Demand (Learn More)

The National Parks: America's Best Idea Season 1

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...A strong candidate for the most beautiful program ever to air on American television. It's the Burns effort that most closely rivals "The Civil War," his masterpiece." --Orlando Sentinel

Product Description

THE NATIONAL PARKS is the story of an idea as uniquely American as the Declaration of Independence: that the most special places in the nation should be preserved for everyone. The series traces the birth of the national park idea in the mid-1800s and follows its evolution for nearly 150 years, chronicling the addition of new parks through the stories of the people who helped create them.

This film is presented in "widescreen" format. Enchanced for 16x9 televisions.

Audio: English 5.1 Surround, English 2.0 Stereo, Spanish 2.0 Stereo, Described Video for the Visualy Impaired

Subtitles: English & Spanish

Region: NTSC 1

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought


Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
 
(19)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

 

Customer Reviews

134 Reviews
5 star:
 (93)
4 star:
 (12)
3 star:
 (10)
2 star:
 (10)
1 star:
 (9)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.3 out of 5 stars (134 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
78 of 84 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A VISION REALIZED, September 29, 2009
This review is from: Ken Burns: National Parks - America's Best Idea (DVD)
I live in Gardiner, Montana (location of the Roosevelt Arch) and work in Yellowstone, and I experienced firsthand the genuine passion and forthright efforts of Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan and their staff as they took their vision and turned it into a poetic masterpiece. Their years of hard work not only in Yellowstone but throughout the entire national park system have paid off, and we are the lucky beneficiaries of their skillful and spirited tenacity.

This film speaks gently and lovingly of the National Parks idea. The majestic vistas, the enlightening interviews, the background music -- woven together they demonstrate the power of "place", and fill us with a desire to further protect and honor these sacred sites.

We cannot live without the land, and we cannot live well without understanding our past. "The National Parks: America's Best Idea" is an authentic rendering of those very truths, and like all things good and beautiful, will be experienced and revered for ages to come, just as will the national parks themselves.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


 
53 of 57 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars America's Best *IDEA*, September 29, 2009
This review is from: Ken Burns: National Parks - America's Best Idea (DVD)
Not sure why people are complaining about not getting more geological data or wildlife info. This documentary is about the IDEA of our National Park systems which includes inspirations and motivations. As history lover's review says...its how (and why) our National Parks came to be. I'm sure Burns included the term "idea" for good reason. The idea that Burns goes after seems to be a philosophy against commercialism and greed which makes sense after seeing the first episode. Who cares if spirituality was one of the inspirations though? For many, appreciating nature is a spiritual or at least meditative experience regardless of what they do or don't believe. So far this documentary is organized much the same as Burns' other films. Nice music, nice scenery captured in nice camera work with nice photographs- all interwoven with Park Rangers, historians, writers and other experts on the people and places mentioned. So far so good! Leave it to Burns to use National Parks to provide another reminder that not everything in this country is money motivated. If the rest of the episodes are as good as what I've seen it'll be worth a purchase.

e: Now that the series is over I can say I really enjoyed it. I feel pretty much the same as my initial review above. I do agree with some of the other reviews that this series didn't feel as cohesive as some of Burns' other films but it was still a really good one. My only gripe was that although I enjoyed the music (especially the guitar-work) I wish there was more variety. I wish they had recorded more music for this specific film so that songs weren't reused as much. It didn't detract from the film all that much though. When it was all said and done, not only did I learn about interesting things about interesting people and places, this film inspired more appreciation for our National Parks from me. That's enough for me to say its worth a watch and worth owning. Recommended.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


 
39 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Ideas Are Often Hard Fought, October 2, 2009
By Natureshots (Silicon Valley) - See all my reviews
I have always been in awe when visiting America's National Parks. Like most people, I take these wonders for granted, never had a good understanding of how they came to being. This documentary, though it contains breathtaking scenes, isn't all about the ooohhhs and aaahhhhhs of the National Parks. As the title suggests it's America's Best Idea, the documentary builds on how hard fought the idea was, like many great ideas. Most of us know very little about our national treasures. We may know that John Muir fought hard as a conservationist but many may not know that trying to prevent Hetch Hetchy valley from being dammed and flooded took the life out of him. I remember learning Teddy Roosevelt was a Rough Rider in school but never knew the major role he played at conservation and that even he and all his powers as President could only made the Grand Canyon a National Monument. Those of us who enjoy the great outdoors owe it to Muir and Roosevelt and others such as Stephen Mather and John D. Rockefeller, Jr. The idea didn't come easy or free and some people put their lives and/or fortunes into making sure that Nature's Majesties are conserved for all to enjoy. Besides the beautiful scenes, the documentary is very informative and educational and a must for those who enjoy America's National Parks. This series would make a very nice addition to one's video collection and a must for those who enjoy the great outdoors.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars An extremely left-sided view of history
I truly believe there are special moments in this documentary and all you need to do is read the positive reviews for that. Read more
Published 3 days ago by davepicc

5.0 out of 5 stars Uplift!
No home in the USA should be without this compelling series! The human stories are as inspiring as the Parks themselves.
Published 8 days ago by gal

5.0 out of 5 stars A must see
If you enjoy the grand beauty of nature this DVD set is a must. Ken Burns has once again shown us a glimpse of our nation that is unique, full of wonder and beautiful. Read more
Published 14 days ago by Michael Massurin

3.0 out of 5 stars National Parks certainly aren't America's "best idea."
Contrary to the views of the makers of this documentary, I do not believe that national parks are "America's best idea. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Michael Gordon

5.0 out of 5 stars Ken Burns: National Parks - America's Best Idea
This series is very informative and detailed. The scenery is absolutely gorgeous. Watching this makes me appreciate all the beauty we have in our own backyard. Read more
Published 2 months ago by K. Tekautz

5.0 out of 5 stars Best of Ken Burns
This has truly been a wonderful research and subsequent video. Every American should see it to realize the importance of our Parks system. Charlaine
Published 2 months ago by Charlaine McAnany

5.0 out of 5 stars Must See Documentary
This is perhaps the finest documentary series I have ever seen. The historical significance of the story of our National Parks is not only awe inspiring and moving, it is... Read more
Published 3 months ago by The Dave 3000

4.0 out of 5 stars National parks documentary
A number of American national parks are featured in this documentary. Yellowstone and Yosemite get more coverage than most, which I don't mind because I worked in Yosemited. Read more
Published 3 months ago by D. E. Levi

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!
I have been pleased with every purchase from Amazon! Prompt service from all suppliers! This video was brand new, a great price(half of the PBS price) and a priceless review of... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Cheryl C. Maddox

4.0 out of 5 stars Another Ken Burns winner
I've been a fan of Ken Burns for years but wondered how his methods (talking heads/historic photos) would work for such a visually compelling subject as America's national parks... Read more
Published 5 months ago by C. G. Vickery

Only search this product's reviews



Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
Ken Burns: National Parks 1 July 2009
See all discussions...  
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
   
Explore more




IMDb Says...

Learn more about Ken Burns: National Parks - America's Best Idea opens new browser window on IMDb.com opens new browser window the Internet Movie Database.
IMDb Logo


Look for Similar Items by Category


Look for Similar Items by Subject

Search Movies & TV by subject:







i.e., each DVD must be in subject 1 AND subject 2 AND ...
 

Feedback

If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.
 Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
Is there any other feedback you would like to provide?

Your comments can help make our site better for everyone.


Your Recent History

 (What's this?)

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.