Ken Burns’ “THE CIVIL WAR” is now available as a five-disc boxed set from PBS.  George Will is quoted as stating about the series, “If there has ever been a finer use of television, I have never seen it”.  Will was absolutely correct. Many documentaries have been made since the documentary series’ first television airing twelve years ago, and several by Burns himself, but none have equaled the power, quality, and magnitude of this groundbreaking show.  Modern technology has advanced a great deal in the last twelve years, as evidenced by “dvd” itself.  When “THE CIVIL WAR” was released on laserdisc years ago, it weighted a ton, and took up quite a number of full size laserdiscs to encompass the whole series.  Now, the entire series is available in a lightweight boxed set, attractive in its simplicity.

       More importantly, advances in software and film technology have led Burns and his team to go back and restore the original series. While photographs from the period make up a great deal of the imagery, there are is also a great deal of live action film and interviews with “Civil War” authorities.  A documentary explains the time-consuming process involved in “cleaning up” the scratches and imperfections of both the footage and original photos, using a “DataCine” machine and newly developed imaging software.  The results, considering the photos are more than 140 years old, is incredible.  The restoration process really makes this transfer shine!

        PBS has also remixed the audio for this dvd release.  While the original source material on video and laserdisc, featured monaural sound, this one sports a new Dolby Digital 5. soundmix.  Much of the documentary features a narrative fixed on the center channel, but there is a surprising amount of surround effects which encompass all speakers effectively.  The beautiful, subtle score is also well complimented with 5.1 processing.

The series stands out for many reasons, but one of the most important is that it helps new audiences appreciate history, and its effects on the present.  The Civil War
enveloped a large and complex place in our history, and any show even attempting to explain its fundamental causes and effects has a large task at hand.  It’s to Burns’ credit that he wisely utilizes such a diverse group of thought-leaders, historians, and novelists.  In “The Civil War”, one of them makes a statement that at least feels like it could “almost” define the Civil War.   He states “Before the Civil War, people talked about the United States as separate entities. They’d say the United States “are”. After the Civil War, they’d say the United States “is”.”   This is but one of many memorable and thought provoking moments from the lengthy, but never dull, series.

Episode 1:The Cause-Discussing some of the pivotal players, the attack at Fort Sumter, and the divisiveness of slavery on the north and south.

Episode 2: A Very Bloody Affair- Lincoln’s political dilemma, military advances and technology, and a realistic portrait of a soldier’s daily existence.

Episode 3: Forever Free- Lincoln’s most important decision regarding slavery in the South, the Emancipation Proclomation. Concerns about the possible European support for the South.

Episode 4: Simply Murder- Stonewall Jackson, issues regarding daily tribulations of a soldier, including food problems with worms. Problems facing both the North and the South.

Episode 5:  The Universe of Battle-Gettsyburg!  Surprising events leading up to this showdown, information about Negro troops and women. The Gettysburg address!

Episode 6: The Valley of the Shadow of Death- Information about the development of hospitals, Walt Whitman and his humanitarian assistance to the North, including his reading of poems.

Episode 7: Most Hallowed Ground- Lincoln’s troubles towards reelection. Information, about black soldiers, and the Arlington National Cemetery.

Episode 8: War is All Hell- Sherman’s march, John Wilkes Booth.

Episode 9: The Better Angels of Our Nature-Lincoln’s assassination. A cumulative look at what the war meant for the nation.


The menu provided within each disc is outstanding. It makes shifting through such an abundance of material relatively easy.

Ken Burns has provided a running commentary option with each disc. While it’s not overly enthused, he adds some necessary and relevant information to each episode.

A trivia section has also been included, allowing the fans who will certainly be won over after viewing this, to display their knowledge of each episode.

“THE CIVIL WAR” makes a great addition to any collection. It’s hard to imagine a nicer Holiday gift, even at its SRP $129.00.