American Experience - A Midwife's Tale
by Richard P. Rogers
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DVD details
Actor: Cecil Sharpe, Eric Jaillet, J. Smith-Cameron, Paula Dawson, Ron ToughDirector: Richard P. Rogers
Brand: PBS
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 88 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-06-13
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: PBS (Direct)
DVD Reviews of American Experience - A Midwife's Tale
DVD Review: An Excellent Example of Public History in Action
Summary: 5 Stars
The film itself was intriguing. From a layperson's point of view, the film gave an excellent overview of the book, a glimpse into 18th century life and an historian at work. From an historian's point of view, the film segments showing Ulrich and her meticulous research techniques was impressive. Unfortunately, personal computers with efficient software to make spreadsheets and databases a simple task, were not available in the 80s and early 90s which would have made the meticulous documentation of events from the diary much easier. Ulrich was actually recording events and charting trends by hand on a hardcopy chart which makes her effort and time devoted to the dairy of Martha Ballard even more impressive. The film illustrates to the general public that true history research and writing involves being a detective that interprets evidence to come to educated conclusions about how the past mostly likely played out instead of people who just regurgitate names, dates and events. Reading the book of course will give far more detail into the life of Martha Ballard and late 18th century and early 19th century rural culture and society in New England, but if you want an excellent brief picture of the past then the film performs this task well.DVD Review: History Brought to Life
Summary: 5 Stars
PBS created this wonderful production about Martha Ballard from the book of the same name. Martha Ballard's story is intertwined with the historical detective work of a modern day historian who was working with Martha's personal journal.
We all know about Benjamin Franklin, Abigail Adams, George Washington. However, "A Midwife's Tale" is about an ordinary citizen. Se was a wife, a mother, a caregiver, a citizen of a young country. We only know about her because she kept a detailed journal about her life and those around her. She attended over 1,000 women when they gave birth and never lost a mother. She tended to the sick. She grew her own herbs which were used as medication. She was a midwife, a doctor, a nurse and a pharmacist but never viewed herself as a hero.
As I watched this DVD I grew to know Martha Ballard and to respect her. I watched it again and and again was left with many thoughts about her. Our history is fraught with so many unsung heros like Martha Ballard whose story need to be told.
PBS did not make an effort to glamorize her story--costuming was true to her era; a minimum of make-up seemes to have been used; her home was simple and was shown as such. This is a fascinating story about an ordinary woman and it is done beatifully.
DVD Review: Federalists to Republican
Summary: 4 Stars
Movie is very interesing and very very well done. Not for those who do not enjoy historical reasearch and methodology.DVD Review: An Early Luminary Brought To Life
Summary: 5 Stars
I originally had to watch this film for a women's history class. What began as a chore turned to so much more. This film is beautiful. I couldn't keep my eyes off the screen. The film depicts the life of Martha Ballard. Martha is an early American woman who records her daily life in her diary. It spans the years 1785-1812. The film brings to life the "ordinary" daily chores of 18th century women. However, we begin to see that those lives are never ordinary, but are riddled with constant obstacles. Martha is a midwife, as the title suggests. But, she is actually much more than that. She is also a nurse and physician. She is a great woman who cares for her neighbors in a way that would seem taboo today. The film delivers many great moments, and the aura left is nothing less than poetic. I recommend this film to all who cherish beauty at its best. You will not be disappointed.DVD Review: Wonderful glimpse into the life of a wife, mother, and midwife
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a PBS documentary about the diary of an 18th century midwife named Martha Ballard. It is interesting to view how her life was chronicled in her own words and portrayed so beautifully through this film. I also got a better understanding of life in those difficult times and how life was constant work and toil, especially for a woman. There are a lot of parallels between Martha Ballard's life and the lives of wives, mothers, and women across various cultures and time periods. It is encouraging to know that there is a common thread among women who take on so much of the work involved in family life, childrearing, etc. I am inspired that she raised her children with so much tireless strength and dignity, and even went beyond her own family to help other women bring their children into the world.
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