From the creative minds behind Planet Earth, the exhilarating 12-part series portraying the dramatic events that shaped America’s 400 year history, America the Story of Us, arrives in a multi-platform release featuring DVD, Blu-Ray, 412 page companion book and iTunes/Zune/Playstation downloads, on September 12, 2010.
To celebrate this epic release, FilmFetish is giving away 2 copies of the complete America the Story of Us 3-DVD series set to two lucky readers.
In order to be entered into the random drawing for your free copy of America the Story of Us, you must:
- Reply to this post and name your favorite historical film, and why you enjoyed it.
I’ll be running the America the Story of Us contest through Thursday, September 30, 2010.
More about the America the Story of Us DVD set
The most in-depth television series ever produced by History, America the Story of Us is the first television event in nearly 40 years to present a comprehensive telling of America’s monumental history, and the most elaborate and ambitious in the scale of its cinematic vision. And, on September 14, A&E Home Entertainment unveils this mother of all history lessons, a powerful and compelling 12-part series from the creative minds that brought us Planet Earth, featuring highly realistic CGI animation (the most ambitious CGI the network has ever applied to a historical narrative), dramatic re-creations and thoughtful insights from some of America’s most respected artists, business leaders, academics and intellectuals – as well as a very special introduction from President Barack Obama. For Americans of all walks, this extraordinary release will be available day-and-date on both extras-laden DVD and Blu-ray, online downloads, along with a stunning 412-page companion book containing heavily illustrated pages with over 300 full-color images, “charticles” and text.
Making history itself as the most watched premiere in network history – seen by nearly 6 million viewers – America the Story of Us tells the extraordinary story of how America was invented, looking at the moments where Americans harnessed technology to advance human progress – from the rigors of linking the continent by transcontinental railroad, the internet of its day, to triumphing over vertical space through construction of steel structured buildings to putting a man on the moon. This is history with roots in the physical world: wilderness, animals, weather, and the sea, and it’s brought to amazing life firsthand through patriots, frontiersmen, slaves, abolitionists, Native Americans, pioneers, immigrants, entrepreneurs and inventors. The series is also a story of conflict – Native American wars, slavery, the revolutionary war that birthed the nation, the civil war that divided it and the great world wars that shaped its future and an intensive look at the forces that have shaped our nation – the people, places and things that created this most astounding country.
Historical events covered in America the Story of Us include: the arrival of the first English settlers, the Revolutionary War, westward expansion, economic growth of the north and south, the Civil War, the settling of the Great Plains, the development of modern, industrialized cities, the California Gold Rush and the western frontier, the Great Depression and the Second World Wars right up to present day. And, among the breathtaking historical eras and events that have been meticulously recreated with CGI effects are a meteor that crashes through the Appalachian Mountains 300 million years ago to create the Cumberland Gap, the British Navy’s spectacular bombardment of the New York Harbor at the dawn of the Revolutionary War, New England whalers risking their lives to kill their valuable prey, the wide open western plains teeming with massive herds of buffalo, the construction of the Statue of Liberty, and the Erie Canal and transcontinental railroad that opened up central commercial routes and connected the continent together.
Special consultants include Professors Daniel Walker Howe, David M. Kennedy and Henry Louis Gates, Jr. As well, reflecting on pivotal events in American history are some of the most respected names from the arts, letters, media, politics, business and academia who share their personal thoughts on what American history means to them, including: Brian Williams, Buzz Aldrin, Colin Powell, David Baldacci, General David H. Petraeus, Donald Trump, Michael Douglas, General Tommy Franks and many more.
From the revolutionary war that birthed the nation to the civil war that divided it, and to the making of the modern world, America the Story of Us is an epic, dramatic, heartbreaking and triumphant journey that reminds us that American history truly belongs to we, the people.
America the Story of Us DVD set packaging
America: The Story of Us by Kevin Baker is a 412 page elegant and authoritative companion book that’s additional stories and incredible photography. America The Story of Us brings to life the vast forces that shaped this remarkable country and the ways in which revolutions in technology and transportation altered the way Americans lived, made money, and fought one another. Explored in these pages is the struggle between settlers and Native Americans; the epic conflict of slavery, from cotton gin to Civil War; the creation of the transcontinental railroad alongside the thundering herds of buffalo across the West; and how American ingenuity and determination both carried us through the Great Depression and won the Second World War.
Below are some related Limited Edition Shirt Designs created in celebration of the release and this holiday weekend. We hope you enjoy yours!
I think Roots would be my favorite (I think I’m showing my age.)
The Patriot
I would have to say The Patriot and Gone with the Wind both! I don’t think Gone with the Wind has quite as much substance in a way but shows the hardships of civilian life and is something I can show my daughter she can empathize with in history and gain a little insight on that era in the US.
Glory is my favorite historical film. It envoked real emotion and portrayed the Civil War with great story telling.
My favorite historical film would be Schindler’s List. It really touches your heart to think of all the people he saved.
I liked Saving Private Ryan because of the war scenes.
Dr. Zhivago is my fav one
It’s historical, but it’s not about the US. The movie “Hotel Rowanda” is a very good movie.
“Milk”; it is a motivational and moving film.
One of my favorite historical films was Amadeus. The life and times of Mozart was wonderful to watch, and the music inspiring
My favorite historical film was Saving Private Ryan. It really puts you in the moment!
The Patriot because it demonstrated the struggles of life during our early American history and also showed a father’s love for his family.
The Patriot because it holds true to the fact that during that time in our history American Patriots wanted to be free from the monarchy and wanted by the most peaceable means possible. The enemy hit below the belt and did the dirtiest of deeds and pushed the patriots to fight to defend themselves, their families, their land, their country, their beliefs, their constitution and their freedom.
“Pride and Prejudice”
Braveheart, it’s such an epic tale
My favorite historical film is Aguirre, the Wrath of God. It is compelling and vastly entertaining. Not only does it tell the nearly-forgetten story of the mad explorer, Lope de Aguirre, it is simply one of the best — and most influential — films ever made.
My favorite historical film is “Iron Jawed Angels,” it’s a story that isn’t told nearly enough.
I really enjoyed “The Patriot” because it was set in my favorite historical period (The American Revolution).
Band of Brothers is my favorite historical movie/miniseries.
My favorite historical film was Son of the Morning Star because it gave a true account of Custer’s Last Stand from both sides.
My favorite is Braveheart.
Wow, there are so many great ones, but Lawrence of Arabia is one of the greatest: compelling story, sweeping desert shots, haunting soundtrack, incredible performance by a young Peter O’Toole…
My favorite historical film was John Adams Because it depicted the founding fathers and the trails that they went through Thanks for the giveaway
My favorite historical film is Empire of the Sun. However, Dr. Zhivago is a close second.
Saving Private Ryan was excellent.
My favorite was The October Revolution, about Ukrainians, young and old, coming to the square in Moscow and staging a protest for days when they felt that the election for a Ukrainian president had been rigged. Of course I am Ukrainian (born in New York City but my parents came from Ukraine right beforehand) and was raised Ukrainian, immersed in culture, language, arts, dance and culinary skills, and could understand the Ukrainian parts without the subtitles. I also believe that all historicial films that are well-made serve a very educational purpose for generations to come.
I really enjoyed John and Abigail Adams
My favorite Historical Film is Cleopatra. I thought the scenes were spectactular. I have watched it many times.
Saving Private Ryan for a movie because I love the way a group of men deal with war.
Though it’s a newer film (or rather, mini-series), my husband and I really enjoyed The Pacific on HBO this past spring.
“Pride and Prejudice” well-acted, good story
I like MASH. It’s fiction, but it gives a good feel for the Korean War. Good mix of drama and comedy and a great cast.
sign me up
I think Pearl Harbor, though Saving Private Ryan was good also.
THE LONGEST DAY. I learned a lot from both sides in a brutal war.
The cast was excellent especially JOHN WAYNE.
Gods and Generals the squeal to Gettysburg. I loved both books by Jeffrey Shaara. I actually cried when Robert E. Lee died (in the book). The movies show the horror of the civil war unlike so many movies which romanticize war.
I have many favorites, but for some reason “The Last of the Mohicans” comes to mind right now. Thanks for the chance to win the America set.
Can we count “The Patriot? It was such a good film, although not historically totally true, the backdrop was and it gave a good idea of what families went thru during the revolution.
Sorry about the dupe. Had trouble with the Captcha
1776
The musical “1776″ enjoy and ignore the inaccuracies.
I loved the 300-I loved how it looked, and the great story.
My favorite historical film was Ken Burns’ Civil War because I learned so much.
my favorite historical film? Saving Private Ryan. It really puts you in the moment.
My favorite historical film is the Dutch film “The Black Book” starring Carice Van Houten because it is the most accurate, raw and detailed portrayal of WWII that I have seen on film.
I think Black Book is a stunning film also!
Band of Brothers was great.
Enjoyed “The Good Earth”. Farmer, Wang Lung, who wants to better his life and that of his family and the long-suffering farmer’s wife, O-Lan who with her quiet strength and selflessness is the glue that holds the family together. An old movie from 1937 adapted from the novel by Pearl S. Buck. The story is about China in the 1900s.
A Bridge Too Far. It tried so hard to have everything WWII-period and realistic in its portrayal. I say its still one of the finest WWII movies.
It may have been a bit Hollywood-ized but I have to say the Band of Brothers was great.
jason and the argonauts, loved it as a kid, ok effects for the day