The Statue of Liberty (History Channel)

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Starring: James Baldwin
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Type: DVD
Directed By: Ken Burns
Studio: A&E Home Video
Release Date: 2004-02-24
Ken Burns's fourth short film gives us a clear taste for the style that he made famous with The Civil War and Baseball. The first half of this hour-long program examines the design and construction of the Statue of Liberty using drawings, photographs, and readings (Jeremy Irons gives voice to French sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi, who designed the statue). As narrator David McCullough states, no one at the dedication ceremony mentioned immigration, but the statue became a towering symbol of America's open-door policy. The second half examines the meaning of the statue and of liberty itself. Comments by author James Baldwin, director Milos Forman, and politicians Barbara Jordan and Mario Cuomo reverberate, as does Paul Simon's song "American Tune," which bookends the picture. --Doug Thomas

Statue and Symbolism
As much an exposition on liberty as it is the history of the statue, this is a thought-provoking film. It is an honest portrayal of the beautiful ideal of liberty, but also political challenges and problems associated with its application. To African-American James Baldwin, liberty is a bitter joke.

The statue was meant as a symbol of friendship between two republics, America and France, but the process of construction also demonstrates that the strain of dislike in the relationship has a long history. Bartholdi didn't even know if he liked Americans, apparently! But New York harbor offered an ideal place for his artistic ambition, statues on a giant scale.

The pedestal was an American creation, based on a classical Egyptian model.

I liked the old films of immigrants, and their jubilation at reaching the New World.

Film is clearly dated, but the subject matter is timeless.

Celebrating Freedom and the American Experiment
What does liberty and freedom mean - to 20th century Americans, 19th century Frenchmen, and our 18th century founding fathers? Statue of Liberty, Ken Burns' award-winning documentary originally broadcast in 1985, asks that simple question in a refreshingly poignant manner. 21st century audiences will recognize the universal spirit and appreciate the classical questions raised in this moving film.
Conceived, directed, and broadcast long before Burns' became an American television legend for his insightful The Civil War and Jazz series, this inspiring documentary features illuminating interviews with Mario Cuomo, Barbara Jordan, James Baldwin, and Jerzy Kosinski reflecting on the unique aspirations of the American experiment in personal liberty. Burns, like in his more famous documentaries, combines a vast array of primary source material (diary entries, letters, newspaper articles) along with photographs, paintings, and drawings to tell the riveting story behind the making, exporting, and celebrating of the Statue of Liberty in New York's Harbor. Historian David McCullough provides, as he so often does on PBS documentaries, a calm narration sensitive to both the text and context of historical figures and events.
One can only hope that this outstanding work will be shown to schoolchildren, taught in citizenship classes, and kept in libraries across the United States and France. The enlightenment ideals of personal liberty still need to be remembered, celebrated, and protected.

Excellent film by Ken Burns, DVD a little disappointing
I am a big fan of the films by Ken Burns, and this one is very good. It is very short compared to other multi-episode films like the Civil War, but is still inspiring, enjoyable, and educational.

The quality of the DVD is good, but the amount of content is rather low considering the price. The extras include two short features on Ken Burns, making this entire DVD about 1.5 hours of viewing. Should be priced at 9.99 or 12.99, or maybe combined with another Burns film, such as Brooklyn Bridge.

Wake up, America!
After seeing this video, I thought deeply about what the Statue of Liberty means to people who are coming to this country for the first time. If what is presented in the video is true, why was it such a controversial statue? It is not just a symbol of liberty or freedom or two countries coming together, nor does it have any political significance. It is about people and their search for solace and shelter in an uncaring world. The passage at the bottom of the statue, the time that it was built and erected, and its location, these seem to have more significance.

Well, enough of my ramblings. This video is a must-see for Americans and for historians of all ages. It really stirs the soul. That's what it did to me. My parents are immigrants and a lot of what was said rang true for me. Thanks for reading this.

Statue of Liberty - Past to Present
The thing I liked most about this A&E production on the Statue of Liberty was its focus on not only the monument itself, but also the historical and social forces that have evolved around it. The film provides some interesting, little-known facts about the statue, from its shaky financial origins to its unstable architectural idiosynchrasies. Despite these weaknesses, the Statue of Liberty served as the inspiration for America's great waves of European immigrants. The film documents their late 19th/early 20th century struggle to become citizens of the United States. Its focus on the Statue's sister-monument, Ellis Island, is also quite elucidating and poignant. I would recommend the film to anyone interested in turn-of-the-century American History and/or Modern Architecture. This volumn in the Modern Marvels series is truly inspiring.