America 1900 (18 Nov. 1998)

Exploration of life in America in the first year of the 20th century, using archive film footage and photographs.

Director:

David Grubin

Writers:

Judy Crichton, David Grubin

Stars:

David McCullough

Cast

Episode credited cast:
David McCullough	...	Narrator

Storyline

Exploration of life in America in the first year of the 20th century, using archive film footage and photographs.

---

Plot Keywords:

number in title

---

Genres:

Documentary | History

---

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 November 1998 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

David Grubin Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min 120 min (2 parts)

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Very good and interesting but perhaps a bit too negative in focus.

This episode of "The American Experience" examines the United States in this last year of the 19th century. Using lots of interviews, film clips, photos and the like, they paint an image of 1900 that purports to be a nation on the edge of greatness but perhaps indulges a bit too much in using hindsight to evaluate the era. In other words, while the nation was definitely coming into its own, its faults seemed to take up the vast focus of the film. Some of this was very warranted--such as the imperialist occupation of the Philippines. Some of it was indicative of ALL nations at the time and seemed to portray the US as the evil nation--such as problems with trade unions and child labor, a lack of women's suffrage, etc.. Discussing these things is valid, but focusing mostly on the shortcomings seemed a bit unfair. I am pretty sure that a film looking at life in Sweden or Swaziland or Germany or Uruguay of the time also could have addressed many issues of inequity. Valid points--but not necessarily something that should dominate an accurate window into 1900. Still, despite this revisionist focus, the show is quite interesting and worth seeing.