The Roosevelts: An Intimate History - Ken Burns, PBS (1 Viewer)

[BLReed]

Starts airing on PBS end of this month depending on your local PBS Channel

http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/films/the-roosevelts

A film by Ken Burns.

"The Roosevelts: An Intimate History chronicles the lives of Theodore, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, three members of the most prominent and influential family in American politics. It is the first time in a major documentary television series that their individual stories have been interwoven into a single narrative. This seven-part, fourteen hour film follows the Roosevelts for more than a century, from Theodore’s birth in 1858 to Eleanor’s death in 1962. Over the course of those years, Theodore would become the 26th President of the United States and his beloved niece, Eleanor, would marry his fifth cousin, Franklin, who became the 32nd President of the United States. Together, these three individuals not only redefined the relationship Americans had with their government and with each other, but also redefined the role of the United States within the wider world. The series encompasses the history the Roosevelts helped to shape: the creation of National Parks, the digging of the Panama Canal, the passage of innovative New Deal programs, the defeat of Hitler, and the postwar struggles for civil rights at home and human rights abroad. It is also an intimate human story about love, betrayal, family loyalty, personal courage and the conquest of fear."

 

[gk5717]

The Roosevelts

Was looking forward to this series but it was so boring I kept nodding off. Finally after an hours worth I said quit torturing myself and went to watching reruns of Dragnet!
I am recording it tho, so maybe I will be inspired to try and watch it again. I will say this Eleanore Roosevelt might have been a great woman but she sure could in the terms of the day be called handsome, whew, no wonder Franklin strayed.
Gary

 

[BLReed]

Not the best. I don't think I'll be watching for fourteen hours. Like the
take on Theodore, but could care less about the rest.

 

[jazzeum]

Watched the first episode and found it compelling. The Roosevelts, particularly FDR, were heroes of mind when I was a kid.

My Grandmother was very good friends with Eleanor Roosevelt in the post WW II years. Mrs. Roosevelt was a great woman and the death of her parents must have scarred her for life. Her husband's infidelity must have magnified those feelings.

 

[Al Fisher]

Thought I knew my American history until I started watching this series! Must say I little realized how much TR had done for our society. . Well done in the typical Ken Burns style.

\Bosun Al

 

[jazzeum]

I forgot to add what Al said about the Burns style. If you don't like that, then you may not like the series. His style seems to have changed a little. It's more narration than letting contemporaries documents, etc. tell the story. I also think that mixing the two families may be a little cumbersome. Otherwise, enjoyable.

 

[Combat]

The Edmund Morris book trilogy on TR is top notch. I've liked some of Burns' stuff like the Civil War but disliked many others like the WWII series.

 

[BLReed]

Here is a brief synopsis of each of the seven episodes

"Get Action: 1858-1901" (113:39)
Distant cousins born in different eras, Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin Delano Roosevelt shared a common political destiny, interested in serving America and bringing the country to prominence. For Theodore, the road to such glory was paved with misery, suffering the debilitating loss of his first wife and mother in the same day, while a subsequent character-building excursion as a rancher in the Badlands ended in a financial loss. Still, such setbacks only motivated his spirit, winding through a political career that was boosted by stints as the police commissioner of New York and the rise of the Rough Riders. His run for Vice President, a move he considered political death, would quickly offer him absolute power after an assassin's bullet killed President William McKinley. As a child, FDR was adored by his mother and raised as a proper young man, but couldn't find popularity in school. His fascination with Theodore's career would trigger his own ambitions. And Eleanor, the daughter of Theodore's self-destructive brother, would be raised in loneliness after the death of her parent, struggling with her identity at the family's estate at Hyde Park.

"In the Arena: 1901-1910" (114:33)
Rising to the presidential challenge, Theodore ruffles feathers with one of his first ceremonial acts: inviting Booker T. Washington to dinner. His efforts to thwart a possible coal strike go on to challenge his moral obligation instead of his constitutional commitment, while a plan to bring the Panama Canal to life results in dubious agreements with foreign leaders. Theodore also defines his presidency with the Treaty of Portsmith, which won him the Noble Peace Prize but failed to quench his thirst for war. After a disastrous stint at Harvard, FDR settles into adult life, showing interest in distant cousin Eleanor, with their engagement horrifying his mother, forcing the pair to hide their love. And facing the end of his presidency, Theodore takes off to Africa, where a big game hunting trip restores bravado diluted during his time in office.

"The Fire of Life: 1910-1919" (114:44)
Refusing to remain out of the political spotlight for long, Theodore runs for a third term. Unable to see eye to eye with the Republican Party, he establishes the Progressive Party, running against President Taft and Woodrow Wilson for the presidency. FDR commences his gradual climb to power, accepting government positions that provide him with a unique education. As World War I creeps across the globe, both Theodore and FDR endeavor to play a role in America's entrance into the conflict -- a devastating struggle that's responsible for Theodore's public withdrawal. And Eleanor is troubled by her role as a homemaker, rocked by the revelation of an affair between FDR and a prettier, younger woman, altering the dynamic of their marriage.

"The Storm: 1920-1933" (114:51)
Presented with an opportunity to run for vice president with James M. Cox, FDR campaigns with vigor, sensing a golden opportunity to advance his career while trying to interest Eleanor in the machinations of the position, sparking her interest in the common people. As FDR battles with polio and juggles an affair with a distant cousin, Eleanor rises to represent the couple in the media, growing into a confident speaker and organizer. Struggling to find a cure for his broken body, FDR wins the governorship of New York and then the presidency, faced with a new world of misery as the 1929 stock market crash deals the country a catastrophic hand, challenging the new leader.

"The Rising Road: 1933-1939" (114:55)
Commencing a presidency in the shadow of The Great Depression, FDR is faced with a mess that requires a delicate clean-up process. Establishing the "fireside chat," he manages to refocus the country, averting disaster, strengthening America with a wave of social programs: the "New Deal." Maintaining a careful media presence to disguise his disability, FDR remains an enigma for many, while Eleanor takes the spotlight, creating her own political agenda along the way. The years are turbulent for the couple, with newfound unrest in Europe caused by Adolph Hitler pushing FDR to consider America's position of involvement in the oncoming war.

"The Common Cause: 1939-1944" (113:17)
As Germany begins toppling empires in Europe, FDR works to create a plan of protection as his presidency slides into an unprecedented third term. Establishing America's military might to help the Allied effort, FDR's entry into war is triggered by the Pearl Harbor bombing, teaming with Winston Churchill to create a plan strong enough to topple Hitler's threat. Eleanor reaches out to the troops through arduous travel plans, solidifying herself as a force of sympathy to soften the hardness of politics. As the war plays out with great loss and honor, FDR is hit with a mystery illness on the eve of an election year.

"A Strong and Active Faith: 1944-1962" (109:47)
Working on a post-war strategy, FDR establishes what will become the United Nations, also aiding veterans with the G.I. Bill of Rights. After winning his fourth term of presidency, FDR struggles to fulfill his obligations, eventually passing away in 1945, with Truman leaning on Eleanor to keep up the Roosevelt spirit, taking a seat at the U.N. Now focused on her own issues of equality and safety, Eleanor defines a new chapter in her life, committed to the causes of the country.

 

[gk5717]

I gave it a second try last night and finished watching episode #1 and it turned out pretty good, so I stand corrected.
Gary

 

[jazzeum]

I gave it a second try last night and finished watching episode #1 and it turned out pretty good, so I stand corrected.
Gary

Bully for you! ^&grin

 

[gk5717]

Bully for you! ^&grin

Yea it was DElightfull!
Gary