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The National Parks: America's Best Idea [Blu-ray]
 
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The National Parks: America's Best Idea [Blu-ray]

Adam Arkin (Actor), Philip Bosco (Actor), Ken Burns;Dayton Duncan;Producer (Director), Writer (Director) | Format: Blu-ray
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (134 customer reviews)
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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

The National Parks: America's Best Idea [Blu-ray]
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Product Details

Special Features

The Making of The National Parks: America's Best Idea
Capturing the Parks
Musical Journeys Through the National Parks
Outtakes: An Interview With Nevada Barr and The Boss
The National Parks: This is America
Contemporary stories from America's National Parks

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The National Parks (six episodes, twelve hours) tells the human history of five of the nation’s most important and most heavily visited National Parks (Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Acadia, and Great Smoky Mountains) and the unforgettable Americans who made them possible. Set against some of the most beautiful landscapes on earth, each park’s story is filled with incidents and characters as gripping and fascinating as American history has to offer. Woven into the series will also be a broader, evolving story of the very idea of National Parks, as uniquely an American concept as jazz, baseball, and the Declaration of Independence as well as the expanding, constantly changing National Parks system (encompassing stories from other parks) and the growing role they all have come to play in our nation's sense of itself, its past, and its future.

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Customer Reviews

134 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.3 out of 5 stars (134 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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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.

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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.
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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
This review is from: The National Parks: America's Best Idea [Blu-ray] (Blu-ray)
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.
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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

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