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American History by Way of Media
By an Amazon.com customer
The New WorldThe New World
Buy new: $10.49 / Used from: $1.23
Follows the first English colony at Jamestown. A beautiful, well meaning film that gets a lot of history right and some wrong, like the relationship between John Smith and Pocahontas.
The Crucible (Penguin Classics)The Crucible (Penguin Classics) by Arthur Miller
Buy new: $9.60 / Used from: $0.56
The town of Salem is ripped apart by accusations that there are witches living amougst them in this classic play. Captures perfectly the more fundalmental and conservative nature of the early northern colonies.
The Last of the Mohicans (Director's Expanded Edition)The Last of the Mohicans (Director's Expanded Edition)
Buy new: $9.49 / Used from: $6.47
Before the Revolutionary War, Americans fought against the French in the French-Idian War. The fictional story follows English born/Indian raised Hawkeye as tries to protect a British colonel's daughter during this time of war.
Johnny TremainJohnny Tremain by Esther Hoskins Forbes
Buy new: $11.56 / Used from: $0.01
A young apprentice in the colonies finds his world changed as the dawn of the American Revolution rises.
John Adams (HBO Miniseries)John Adams (HBO Miniseries)
Buy new: $23.99 / Used from: $22.80
This HBO mini-series follows the up and down life of founding father John Adams, from the Boston Massacre to beyond his one term as President.
Lewis & Clark - The Journey of the Corps of DiscoveryLewis & Clark - The Journey of the Corps of Discovery
Buy new: $22.99 / Used from: $15.98
Tells the often suprising and incredible tale of America's first trek across the west.
AmistadAmistad
Buy new: $8.49 / Used from: $2.98
In 1839 a group of slaves took over the ship that was transporting them to North America. This film mostly follows the court battle that followed.
Roots (Four-Disc 30th Anniversary Edition)Roots (Four-Disc 30th Anniversary Edition)
Buy new: $44.99 / Used from: $30.55
Based on true events, this famous mini-series follows the story of one slave family in America from pre-revolution to just after the Civil War.
Gangs of New York (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)Gangs of New York (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $2.05
Just before the Civil War, New York City was nothing more than a grouping of various neighborhoods each with their own ethnic overlord. This movie, looslet based in fact, follows one of those overlords, Bill "The Butcher" Cutting, and the man who wants to kill him.
The Civil War - A Film by Ken BurnsThe Civil War - A Film by Ken Burns
Buy new: $103.99 / Used from: $64.95
Follows the war from its origins to its sad and often conversial conculsions.
GloryGlory
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $5.29
The true story of America's 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment, one of the first all black regiment during the Civil War.
The Killer AngelsThe Killer Angels by Michael Shaara
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $0.01
A captivating look at the battle of Gettysberg.
Dances with Wolves (Full Screen Theatrical Edition)Dances with Wolves (Full Screen Theatrical Edition)
Buy new: $10.99 / Used from: $2.46
This fictional tale is set in the very real conflict of the American Indian Wars as one U.S. Solider finds peace with a native tribe.
The Long RidersThe Long Riders
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $3.48
A very realistic looking western that follows a some what fictional take on the James-Younger gang.
TombstoneTombstone
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $8.33
One of the better looking films based upon the showdown at the O.K. Corral.
RagtimeRagtime
Buy new: $8.49 / Used from: $4.18
Set in the early 1900's this part fact part fiction drama fully captures a new America at the turn of the 20th century.
The Untouchables (Special Collector's Edition)The Untouchables (Special Collector's Edition)
Buy new: $8.99 / Used from: $2.48
Al Capone has his grip on rohibition Chicago and only one man can stop him...Federal Agent Elliot Ness. The outline of the story is true, but that's about it.
Bonnie and ClydeBonnie and Clyde
Buy new: $13.49 / Used from: $3.99
Follows the crime spree of Bonnie Elizabeth Parker and Clyde Barrow two notorious outlaws during the depression.
Patton (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)Patton (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $7.60
Looks at one of America's most charismatic generals of WWII and follows his success through Africa and into Europe with his tank corps.
Midway (Collector's Edition)Midway (Collector's Edition)
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $6.75
Using real footage from the battle itself, Midway is a detailed account of the battle for control of the Pacific during WWII.
The Longest Day (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)The Longest Day (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $9.94
Follows, in detail, the invsion of Normandy in 1944 by the Allied forces.
Good Night and Good Luck [Blu-ray]Good Night and Good Luck [Blu-ray]
Buy new: $19.95 / Used from: $12.48
A look at the Communist Scare during the 1950's and the news reporter that put a stop to it.
Thirteen Days (Infinifilm Edition)Thirteen Days (Infinifilm Edition)
Buy new: $8.99 / Used from: $2.00
A well done film based on the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 that centers on JFK and his White House staff.
Hamburger Hill (20th Anniversary Edition)Hamburger Hill (20th Anniversary Edition)
Buy new: $17.99 / Used from: $9.99
A detailed and gastly look at the fight for Hill 937 during the Vietnam War.
The U.S. vs. John LennonThe U.S. vs. John Lennon
Buy new: $10.49 / Used from: $6.99
An interesting look at the counter culture that was putting pressure on the Nixon administration to end the war in Vietnam and how a lone singer from a sucessfull singer group (The Beatles) found himself as one of the leader of this movement.
The Fog of War - Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamaraThe Fog of War - Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara
Buy new: $10.49 / Used from: $5.84
Ex Sec. of Defense Robert S. McNamara looks back at his successes and failures, mostly falures, during the Vietnam War
All the President's Men (Two-Disc Special Edition)All the President's Men (Two-Disc Special Edition)
Buy new: $9.99 / Used from: $10.29
What was Watergate? How did it bring a U.S. President down. This film shows waht happen at The Washington Post, the paper that broke the story and toppled a government.
The People vs. Larry Flynt (Special Edition)The People vs. Larry Flynt (Special Edition)
Buy new: $17.99 / Used from: $4.96
Larry Flynt went all the way to the Supreme Court to fight for the right to publish and sell his nudy magazine. A great examination of the 1st Amendment
United 93 (Widescreen Edition)United 93 (Widescreen Edition)
Buy new: $5.99 / Used from: $0.20
A detailed look at September 11th 2001 and the crisis that was unfolding in the skies over America that fatefull day.
No End in SightNo End in Sight
Buy new: $16.99 / Used from: $9.25
Follows failed the U.S. government policy following the fall of Iraq.