fascinating documentary about new york


[image error]


I just finished the 7-part 14.5-hour documentary series New York by PBS home video directed by Ric Burns. I started watching it with my husband when I was in New York doing a play. We found it in January and watched a little at a time.
 
I took kind of a long break after watching the first four DVDs in January and watched four more just now. Anywho I just finished the series and it was so great! I learned so much and I think it's a very important series to see.
 
It starts by showing how New York was "discovered" by Henry Hudson an Englishman employed by the Dutch. Back then it was all hills and wild & beautiful countryside. The series shows how it was gradually flattened into the grid you see in New York today.
 
There were really inspiring moments throughout as well as some that made me so mad…all the way up to the world trade center coming down which made me cry.
 
The draft riots in the 1800s were disgusting and very upsetting as was the tragedy of the women who threw themselves out of the triangle building in 1911. The women who then fought and went on strike were so brave to stand up against an unjust labor system.
 
The redlining of buildings in the 1930s was deplorable and segregated the city providing no opportunities for Blacks or Jews to grow or strive for economic parity. Interestingly rap was born out of the Brooklyn slums that were created by the practice of redlining.
 
New York also covered the great accomplishments of President Abraham Lincoln and the politician Al Smith who seemed like such a caring mayor! The builder Robert Moses was an extraordinary engineer but the way he planned and created New York's highways bridges and tunnels ruined neighborhoods and separated communities.
 
An amazing event that happened in 1974 was Phillippe Petit's tightrope walk between the two world trade towers there is an incredible documentary about this called Man On Wire. It was amazing and insane – New York covers this and so many other incredible events that have shaped the city and American culture.
 
I highly recommend this film to anyone interested in America the story of Americans and history in general. It is very powerful and inspiring! You can find out more about the series here and it is also available on Netflix.


Have you seen any great documentaries lately?

 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on November 03, 2010 15:00
No comments have been added yet.


Alicia Silverstone's Blog

Alicia Silverstone
Alicia Silverstone isn't a Goodreads Author (yet), but they do have a blog, so here are some recent posts imported from their feed.
Follow Alicia Silverstone's blog with rss.