APPALACHIANS - APPALACHIANS
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DVD details
DVD: Region Code 1.0Audio: English (Original Language)
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Published: 2005
Studio: MISC
DVD Reviews of APPALACHIANS - APPALACHIANS
DVD Review: Deep In The Hills And Hollow
Summary: 4 Stars
I have spend no little time over the past several months putting roots music, the historical roots of mountain music in the hills and hollows of the Appalachians, especially Kentucky and my own personal connection with the place as a son of a coal mining son of the region together. This film documentary takes two of those strands, roots music and the history of the region and tries to explain the values behind the music and behind the pioneer spirit that drove some of our forbears to those lonely hill and hollows to eke out a an existence and create a cultural gradient that is not always understandable to those of us not immersed in that milieu. Except those virtues of hard work, hard religion, hard times and hard liquor are not all that far from the mainstream experiences, at least of earlier generations. In a sense this film is a tribute to a vanishing breed, a breed the mined the coal in the eastern mines, and farmed those hard rock acres. I like to think that some of those virtues and, of course, the music would not die.
Along the way this documentary traces the roots of the original Northern European settlers as they fled, or were pushed , from the East Coast and sought the new virgin lands of the then `west' in the 17th and 18th centuries. Their uneasy relationship, finally untenable, with the various indigenous Native American tribes in the 19th century. The film also points out the gathering storm over the slavery issue that would literally become the "brothers' war" in much of the region in the mid-19th century civil war. In the post- Civil War period the outlines of a distinctive Appalachian cultural gradient became recognizable through an exploitation of the natural resources of the area generated by the needs of the emerging industrial age, especially mining of the abundant coal fields. The struggle between labor and capital takes center place as the driving force from then until the near present. This includes the titanic struggles for mine workers union recognition, the demise of labor intensive coal mining and the rise of mass high tech mining that has ravished the land.
But, mainly this film is an exposition on the music. Without straining credulity "mountain music" is the music of the simple folk of Appalachia, those who worked hard in the coal mines, on the hard scrabble farms and in the isolated mills of the region. This was their Saturday night entertainment and with the advent of radio was a unifying cultural experience. The songs "speak" of hard and lonely lives, the beauty of the then pristine countryside, the usual vagaries of love and lost and the mysterious ways of a very personal, if arbitrary, god. Throw in a few upbeat tunes reflecting the love of "corn" liquor, women and the sometimes funny side of coping with life's trials and tribulations and you have the mountain version of the folk experience. Sound familiar? Sure it does, except, it is done with simple guitar, a blazing fiddle and, hopefully, a full-bodied mandolin.
DVD Review: The Appalachians-The last Great place On Earth
Summary: 5 Stars
The Appalachians is a powerful documentary of the greatest geographic place and period of American history. I have watched these specials several times on PBS, and as a student of Appalachian Studies at Appalachian State University, I had to watch The Appalachians in class and write research papers based on certain interest on these documentary.
You will observe the early frontier days of the Appalachians, coal mining, economic problems, and the best: Appalachian Music. Johnny Cash makes one of his last appearances with his daughter Rosanne. This collection is a great asset if you are interested in gaining more knowledge and appreciation for our heritage and culture of the Appalachians. I am purchasing a set for my library. The Appalachians book is also available as a companion to the DVD's.
DVD Review: A Superb Documentary!
Summary: 5 Stars
The Appalachians is as informative as it it is beautiful to watch. A unique portrait of an area and people. Before watching this film, I had little knowledge of the history of the people or the role of mining in their lives and music. The damage of strip mining to our land and their lifestyle and culture is devastating. The visuals are as dramatic as the information and interviews, The music haunting...
Not to be missed, Johnny Cash participation!
DVD Review: A Must-See
Summary: 5 Stars
The Appalachians is a model of what a television documentary should be. You may start with little knowledge of or interest in the region; very soon you will find yourself deeply engaged. The program connects the culture and current problems of the region to its history, and makes every stage of that history clear and lively. The interviews, whether with citizens or (often native-born) scholars, are riveting, far beyond the usual "talking heads." Interviews, historical footage, still photos and paintings are superbly balanced - with scenes of unspoiled landscape and of areas ravaged by mining, and with the wonderful music of the region. (Note: before watching this show, I had no taste for "country"; now I'm an enthusiast.) The problems of the people of Appalachia - exploitation, pollution, stereotyping - are problems all Americans should be aware of; and their courage and will to survive are humbling. Highest possible recommendation.DVD Review: The Appalachians
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a must see! First of all it's beautiful, secondly the story of the area is extremely well written and the assembled cast authentic and articulate. Lastly - the music. The sound track alone is worth the series.
Description of APPALACHIANS - APPALACHIANS
The Appalachians tells the story of the people and the land of Appalachia. The film uses interviews with ordinary people, scholars, and musicians like Loretta Lynn, Marty Stuart, Rosanne Cash, Johnny Cash and others. This 3 disc DVD also contains excerpts from a never before seen interview with Johnny Cash (July 2003). The film's original soundtrack makes this truly special.General DVDs
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