REVIEW

DVD Review: The American Revolution - One Nation's Rise To Independence From The History Channel

Written by T. Michael Testi
Published December 26, 2007

The American Revolution: One Nation's Rise To Independence is a collection of ten documentaries that chronicle the war of independence beginning with the first rumblings that could be heard as early as the French and Indian War and concludes with the signing of the Treaty of Paris which secures American independence.

The American Revolution: One Nation's Rise To Independence contains over eight hours of History Channel and A&E programming and is presented on five DVDs. The first three DVDs contain the American Revolution materials and the last two DVDs present biographies of George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Paul Revere, and Benedict Arnold.

Disk one contains the segments "The American Revolution: The Conflict Ignites" where we are shown the elements that lead up to the eventual war with England. It examines the war of ideas that eventually set the stage for the "shot heard round the world". "The American Revolution: 1776" examines how, once we had open conflict with England, we selected a Virginia farmer to head up the Continental Army. It also shows that the leaders tried to come to some agreement with the King, but he would have none of it; and that led to the drafting and signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Disk two begins with "The American Revolution: Washington & Arnold" and shows how after defeats in New York and Long Island and being on the ropes, Washington crosses the Delaware and captures Trenton and Princeton. Under Arnold, the British suffer further defeats at Saratoga. At this time Franklin is also negotiating with the French to declare war on England and recognize America as new nation. "The American Revolution: The World At War" describes the bitter winter at Valley Forge and how the soldiers are forged into a superior army. Shown here are the Battle of Monmouth, the western clashes between the loyalists who fight against the likes of George Rogers Clark, John Butler, and Daniel Boone.

Disk three contains "The American Revolution: England's Last Chance" which finds Benedict Arnold guilty of treason as he escapes to Britain. The war is also being fought on the high seas, with Captain John Paul Jones defeating the British frigate Seapis in a battle on the North Sea coast of England. Also featured is the victory at Charleston, the Battle of Cowpens, and Cornwallis' retreat to Virginia. "The American Revolution: Birth of the Republic" concludes the revolution with Cornwallis's surrender to Washington at Yorktown on October 19, 1781, and the signing of the Treaty of Paris two years later. Finally there is a look at what happened to the key figures who participated in this war.

Disk four features "Biography: George Washington - Founding Father" which takes a close look at the man behind the myth, who symbolized the spirit and values of the world's first democratic nation and looks at how the only man who could have taken complete power of America and become king set the precedent of remaining in office for only two terms. It also features "Biography: Benjamin Franklin - Citizen of the World," which examines the creator of Poor Richard's Almanac, the post office, the public library system, and the man who negotiated with France for the recognition of the infant America.

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T. Michael Testi is a photographer, writer, software developer and ardent fan of fantasy football and horse race handicapping. He also blogs at PhotographyTodayNet and at All This and Everything Else.
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DVD Review: The American Revolution - One Nation's Rise To Independence From The History Channel
Published: December 26, 2007
Type: Review
Section: Video
Filed Under: Video: Television, Video: Military, Video: Historical, Video: Documentary
Writer: T. Michael Testi
T. Michael Testi's BC Writer page
T. Michael Testi's personal site
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