Product Description

When he called himself "a skinny kid with a funny name" at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, his political star was already on the rise. By the time he decimated the competition in 2004 race for the Illinois Senate, he was the bona fide golden child of a Democratic party desperately in need of a winner. In many ways, the story of Barack Obama is a uniquely American tale of the 21st century, where racial lines are blurry and the most interesting chapter is just beginning.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #62601 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-10-30
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 50 minutes

Amazon.com
This cable-television biography about the life of Illinois senator Barack Obama was made before he began campaigning to be the Democratic party's candidate for the 2008 presidential race. Still, the program suggests Obama has one or another kind of profound, Anerican destiny as a mixed-race activist who never comfortably fit into one or another group, and had to look deep into his own roots to understand his identity. The son of a white American mother and black Kenyan father, Obama was abandoned by the latter when he returned to his native country to work for its improvement. Raised by his mother--whom Obama credits with teaching him many of his values--and his grandmother, Obama lived in Hawaii as a child but moved to Indonesia for a few years when his mom remarried. There, Obama saw cyclical poverty and the underlying factors that perpetuate it before returning to Hawaii. Interviews with childhood friends and his sister describe Obama's restlessness before attending Harvard law school and propelling himself into a life of public service and community activism. Often accused of lacking enough political experience to qualify him for the White House, Obama comes across in this show as a visionary and experienced consensus-builder who can reach across opposing points of view. --Tom Keogh (Rereleased in a 2008 Election Update edition)

Customer Reviews

Obama Documentaries
I share the same opinion as many who've seen this DVD. I mean it's alright, but I feel like I wanted to see something that confronted the issues and ideals of the campaign AND talked about his personal story. I've been following and working on Obama's campaign from the very start, and I have to say that it's been a long journey to success. I think that the best DVD I've seen so far has been President Barack Obama: The Man and His Journey. Vivendi Entertainment put it out, and it is really informative and comprehensive. It has the song by Brian McKnight, "Yes We Can," and of course his life story and the road to Congress. There are really good interviews and special features in general, too. Mainly, the story is presented in such a well rounded way, that I was even more impressed AFTER I watched it at how incredible Obama and the campaign have been. It officially comes out Inauguration Day--January 20th, I believe.

Lite and thin. A few of the basics, but little more.
I can't imagine buying this lightweight biography of Barack Obama. I was interested to learn about the man's childhood and his rise to power, but found myself wanting a good deal more. For one thing, there's little critique at all. I'm an ardent Obama supporter, but I would have appreciated a more well-rounded discussion. Furthermore, the producers might have bothered to discuss his legislation, his political philosophy, and his place with regard to the major issues of the day. But no mention of 9/11, fiscal policies, war, or health care. Very little is offered other than some biography about the man's family. In a sense, this video exempflifies the deplorably shallow state of US journali$m today. Afraid to ask questions of power, US info-tainment ends up only serving power.

Okay
I will start by saying that I have been a huge supporter of Barack Obama, and was a big participant during his campaign. I love most anything that furthers his message and his cause, but this wasn't my favorite. Some of the other reviews have said it better, and I feel it's a bit overpriced for what you get. I think the "Biography" labeling is not so accurate either.