I have yet to watch anything by Ken Burns and his usual crew/co-creators that doesn't inform, educate, entertain and fulfill my expectations. Even a subject like baseball is presented in a way that pulls you into its heart and soul. His forte, is of course, the immense detail and unknown angles that he presents to the viewer, especially when it comes to historical events that can be tedious. This is perfectly exemplified by his handling of the complex subject of Mark Twain/Samuel Clements. His wit, profound understanding of the human psyche and his complicated life are dealt with in such a respectful yet honest way. I knew a bit about the author and had read some of his books, but after watching this biography, I felt I understood him a bit more as a fully-realized human being. The background music, the voices (narrators), the unknown facts and the beautiful photography makes for compelling watching. I cannot imagine a more thorough and even-handed telling of the Civil War, or the Vietnam War, where you are not subjected to the victor's viewpoint alone. I regard Ken Burns as the ultimate storyteller and teacher for not just his American audience, but for all of us who are unaware of or lacking the exposure to the themes he covers so well. Entertainment can and should be more than just mindless viewing. Here is proof it can be many things. And the best.
Review of Mark Twain
