Ken Burns - The Dust Bowl [Region 2 UK Version] [DVD]

I bought this for my historian husband who is a Ken Burns fan. He enjoyed this documentary very much.

This video opened a door to so much I didn't know about the dust bowl.So much new knowledge about what happened during the dust bowl.The fate of so many persons! Previously I've only seen the photos, and heard it was "hard". But this movie opened the lid on this catastrophe. Wow. See it.

Ken Burns is a legend in the genre so I knew that this would be a quality documentary, rather than the kind of programme which is now favoured even by the various documentary channels, with choppy, recap-laden footage for the ADD generation.'The Dust Bowl' is a double DVD set so if you're planning to watch it all in one sitting, make sure you have a few hours at your disposal and that you're awake and rested: the grainy, black and white footage together with the ominous soundtrack have a rather hypnotic effect (my husband was asleep in no time).This documentary is heavily based on the book by Timothy Egan,  The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl ; if you are intending to read the book, I would recommend doing that first, as the anecdotes recounted in the film are the same. I was only half way through Egan's book when I watched this DVD and it somewhat spoiled the rest of the reading.Beautifully filmed and interspersed with interviews to Dust Bowl survivors, this is essential viewing for anyone interested in one of the greatest man-made environmental catastrophes in modern history.

Another great film from the masterful Ken Burns. I have always had an interest in this strange period in America where people became strangers in their own land ( If you ain't got the doh ray me, as Woody Guthrie put it). It was a period chronicled brilliantly by its own troubadour/bard in the immortal Woody, and happily full use has been made of his songs which articulate the common man's experience to perfection. I had not appreciated quite what a double blow the Depression and the environmental disaster had been, although it's probably obvious when you think about it. Another lesson was FDR's Socialism which was rather forced upon him as a practical solution to a Capitalist crisis rather than born of idealogical conviction. After all, it is a bit stupid to allow people to starve when there are food surpluses as so memorably highlighted in "The Grapes of Wrath"as the oranges that cannot be sold due to market conditions are burned in front of the starving people. A great film and a memorable experience.

An excellent documentary containing informative personal accounts of a difficult time in the grain belt of the USA; a lesson learnt the hard way as to what not to do in cultivating land. A wonderful social and economic documentary.

Amazingly written and wonderful pictures considering the age of the pictures used, wonderful collection! Delighted, I love Ken Burn's films and this one is outstanding, worth every penny. An education on the original settlers and their fortitude, they don't make many like that now sadly, though their are some..A tribute to the family structure both men and their amazing women! A commentary too on how the expectations of our generation have changed for the superficial and acquisitive 'must have it all now' society. They certainly made America Great then, we can be proud of their determination to succeed.in such hostile conditions! Of course many still do!

The Dust Bowl' creation and lasting affects are well documented and easily understood in the usual way that Ken Burns relates the events. The images included are a stark reminder of what man can do to the environment.

I knew nothing of the Dust Bowl before I watched this dvd,but I knew of Ken Burns.Nobody can make a documentary like him so I knew it was a safe purchase.Not only was I not disappointed by the all round story,but was truly amazed by how these people overcame appalling adversity.I thought life was hard enough for those people who trekked west in Ken Burns : The West:,but these people survived inconceivable hardship. To all those in todays society who think they are having a hard time,may I suggest they look at this brilliant documentary, and if this doesn't show them how lucky they are today,then nothing will.