“The Civil War A Film by Ken Burns”
Review of the Film for Amazon By Bob Johnson bob@kmocoffee.com www.kmocoffee.com March 11, 2009
The Civil War – A Film by Ken Burns Review by Bob Johnson for Amazon.com It’s been many years since originally glued to I think HBO to watch this magnificent portrayal of the fight between the gray and the blue. It is a bit pricey, but it is polished and insightful. When I purchased it, I’d just finished reading "The Civil War" by Bruce Catton, and the Catton Trilogy on the Civil War, and I realized I simply had to re-watch this engaging film by Ken Burns. Ken Burns I think started the era of talking heads and documentary's using experts along the way. It works well in his film (but I do wish others would find another way – it is getting old). There is one man in this film, Shelby Foote who is just priceless. He knows how southerners feel about the war, and northerners who think the civil war over, while correct, underestimate the feelings of loss that are present in the south. At one point Foote discusses how proud many Americans are of our record in wars. "We have never lost" many think and say. I paraphrase Foote now; he says with an ironic look on his face, "Not in the South". I've found that talk of the Civil War in social circles is a topic best left at the door. I've been told in no uncertain terms, after bringing it up is some way, "We don't talk about that down here". I recall vividly being surprised and feeling foolish. Later I wondered why, for I see the Civil Was as a great tragedy and example of the failure of compromise, and the lack of will to solve very difficult problems. We must learn how to deal with supposedly insolvable problems. The Civil War is also an excellent example of how a war must be fought, and, the power of resources and logistics. The north had many generals who were the bane of Lincoln's life; generals who may have been sympathetic to the southern cause and unwilling to slaughter people with whom they agreed. McClellan is the primary example of a fumbling pompous man who thought of himself as Savior and real president and commander and chief. While Lincoln bemoaned their behavior - he had to lose sleep over his judgment and ability to appoint real fighting men – he knew the north could not lose if only he could get the army to fight. And then along came Grant and Sherman.
Lee recognized that without manpower, supplies, and transportation he had to whittle away at the will of northerners, lowering their will to fight to a point where resignation to the idea of a Confederacy might win for his beloved Virginia and the south. His swift and incisive victory's almost carried the day. And then along came Grant and Sherman. The Battle of Richmond with Grant continuously moving to outflank Lee on the left, and Lee anticipating the move and beating back Grant, demonstrates Lee's warrior skills and Grant's willingness to keep the fight going. Grant knew he could not loss; eventually Lee would run out of men, literally, and supplies. Sherman waged total war. (We might think about this offensive before going to war. Can this nation repeat it? Is it a necessity in order to win a war?) The obliteration of cities, towns and fields and people, put an effective end to the war for the south lost its base of supply and I think realized the war would be lost. This was especially true in South Carolina; Sherman punished the state for leading the secessionists to fight. This invitation to review “The Civil War - A Film by Ken Burns” comes with an urge to watch it yet again. The playing of Ashokan Farewell while reading a soldier's letter home to Sarah, his wife, and his acceptance of his coming death, is a stunning and emotional point in the film. There are many others, and I will watch it again, and urge you to do so as well. I hope you will write to bob@kmocoffee.com with your comments and thoughts. After of course, you watch this incredible film, and if you find the time, read some of Catton's work on the Civil War. Bob Johnson