No, not the one in Iraq. Let's take a break from calling each other names and say that Todd has the goods on Ken Burns's The War, now being shown on PBS. I have only caught parts of two episodes, but Todd's analysis seems right on: good not great television. I agree that the series lacks the scholar to serve the analyst role Shelby Foote provided in The Civil War. Too bad Stephen Ambrose is dead. He was made for that role.
Also, the music, provided by Wynton Marsalis, is a bit odd. One episode I saw, the D-Day episode, had imagery of dead and dying men backed with groovy bebop jazz. Talk about incongruous. The series could be better served by period music as was successfully done in The Civil War. Todd suggests big band and I would include the greatest popular singer ever, Bing Crosby. The best music in the show is the piano rendition of "It's Been A Long, Long Time" that is heard behind some scenes from the home front.
I disagree with Todd that the series suffers from lack of perspective. The point of the documentary is to show America during wartime. It is not meant to be a history of the Second World War.
It sounds like I am dumping on the film. Do not get me wrong. The subject matter itself is compelling and one cannot deny Burns's power as a story teller. If you are like me and you have missed some episodes, PBS is replaying them in the coming weeks. See The War.
Update: Todd, I see my comment is now on the KELO Blog.
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