Rating: 
Summary: Great introduction to a great writer
Review: I use this film every year in my American literature class to introduce my students to Mark Twain before they read Huckleberry Finn. My students stay glued to the television during the week that we watch the videos. I find it to be a far more effective introduction to Twain than I could ever give. And I love rewatching it every year. It never fails to make me tear up! This film brings Twain to life in a way that allows students to see him as a human being rather than as just another author to add to our list.
Rating:
Summary: Ken Burns continues his perfection
Review: If you have ever seen any of Ken Burns' documentaries (Civil War, Baseball, Jazz), you know that he has truly become the most revered directors of our time. MARK TWAIN is no exception. Going over such topics as Huckleberry Finn, and Twain's stint as a riverboat captain, you will be lost in this man's truly American life. Add this DVD to your set!
Rating:
Summary: A Must For Twain Fans
Review: If you like Mark Twain or are just interested in his life, buy this DVD. There are extras on the DVD that weren't shown on PBS.
I learned more about this remarkable American then I did from all the books I've read on his life. His life was more then books and this DVD shares his story with the world.
Rating: 
Summary: An excellent introduction for those new to Twain
Review: If you've never read a biography of Twain, this is an excellent introduction to his life. It covers all the high points and is replete with quotes, shots of living quarters, cities where he lived, and family photos, as well as a few shots and video clipes of Twain himself. The narration is pleasing; the voice acting for Twain is superb, and the audio commentary by Twain biographers is clear and helpful.If you're already familiar with Twain's life story, the DVD is not going to reveal anything new to you, and you will likely find it frustratingly scant on details. You don't learn, for example, much about Twain's approach to writing, his inability to accurately estimate how popular his works would be, his continuing schemes for sequels, or much detail at all about the printing machine that bankrupted him. Instead, the DVD mostly follows the major points of his life - where he lived, what he published, family details. The best bits for someone already familiar with Twain's life are the video clips interspersed throughout the DVD. It was a great joy for me to see Twain's famous shambling gate, as well as his cigar smoking. In any case, highly recommended to anyone, novice or expert.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoy history while you're watching
Review: It's very clear that this "musical biography" has been extremely well researched. Famous people often have multiple biographies, but very few have them turned into musicals. It takes a tremendous collection of talent to put together history, poetry (lyrics), music, costumes, staging, and acting into something like this. This video was shot during a live performance and yet there are close-ups and different camera angles which make for good TV. It's apparent that meticulous attention was paid to many details and it makes for a wonderful viewing experience. I found myself enjoying the parts of Twain's life I already knew about and also learned a few new things. The large production numbers are very entertaining and some of the individual performances are spectacular -- some of the solos are captivating. The music itself is very well done and it's surprising that this musical doesn't find its way to production companies around the country. This is a very entertaining way to get some history about this amazing person without your typical "documentary" flatness.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoy history while you're watching
Review: It's very clear that this "musical biography" has been extremely well researched. Famous people often have multiple biographies, but very few have them turned into musicals. It takes a tremendous collection of talent to put together history, poetry (lyrics), music, costumes, staging, and acting into something like this. This video was shot during a live performance and yet there are close-ups and different camera angles which make for good TV. It's apparent that meticulous attention was paid to many details and it makes for a wonderful viewing experience. I found myself enjoying the parts of Twain's life I already knew about and also learned a few new things. The large production numbers are very entertaining and some of the individual performances are spectacular -- some of the solos are captivating. The music itself is very well done and it's surprising that this musical doesn't find its way to production companies around the country. This is a very entertaining way to get some history about this amazing person without your typical "documentary" flatness.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous!
Review: Its on both sides of one DVD disk, and runs for several hours. It touches on all the wonderous parts and stages of his life, displays numerous hard to find photographs of people and places in his life, accompanied by very fitting music, and intersperced with Clemens's own words, and critical comments from Twain scholars, Hal Holbrook (who wrote and performed 'Mark Twain Tonight!'), William Styron ('Sophie's Choice', 'Confessions of Nat Turner') and others. You get immersed and drowned in it and emerge as from a novel or a dream. You feel you come to know Mark Twain by the end of it, and find yourself completely satisfied. Afterwards, you re-read Huckleberry Finn, ready to find all the things you missed the first time around.
Rating:
Summary: Thank God for Ken Burns
Review: Ken Burns and his staff consistently create documentary masterpieces from slices of history we thought we knew. In a mode that is at once intelligent, enlightening and emotionally moving, Burns' presentations illuminate our understanding of his subjects, etching them into our consciousness. In this sense the Burns' interpretation of Mark Twain's story is no different. Just as with "The Civil War", "Baseball", "Jazz", etc. the Twain biography informs us as to the historic aspects of the subject, elates us through Twain's unique sense of humor and moves us in regard to the many trials Twain found himself facing. Highly recommended. And please, Mr. Burns, keep the stories coming!!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: Ken Burns does a superb job (as always!) in portraying Mr. Twain as a person, and not an American Icon. Another triumph for Ken Burns.
Rating:
Summary: Ken Burns. Mark Twain. A perfect combination!
Review: Ken Burns has done it again! This time with a 220-minute masterpiece of a documentary about the life, times and work of America's best writer -- Mark Twain. Fantastic photographs, interviews, story-telling (and even some rare video footage of Twain himself) make this a marvel from beginning to end. Substantial time is devoted to Twain's wild youth, his wildly productive years and his (yes, wild) years before his death. Excellent interviews with Hal Holbrook and Athur Miller add to this important document (that, in this reviewers mind, was a long-time-coming).
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