IMDb > "The National Parks: America's Best Idea" (2009)

"The National Parks: America's Best Idea" (2009) More at IMDbPro »TV mini-series

Photos (see all 16 | slideshow) Videos (see all 11)
"The National Parks: America's Best Idea" (2009): :  -- Clip: Trustee George Dorr offers the lands of the Hancock County Trust to the United States
"The National Parks: America's Best Idea" (2009): :  -- Clip: Theodore Roosevelt
"The National Parks: America's Best Idea" (2009): :  -- Clip: The national parks
"The National Parks: America's Best Idea" (2009): :  -- Clip: Senator Jon Conness proposes legislation to set aside land for the enjoyment of future generations
"The National Parks: America's Best Idea" (2009): :  -- Clip: Photographer Tuan Luong

Overview

User Rating:
9.1/10   170 votes
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View company contact information for The National Parks: America's Best Idea on IMDbPro.
Seasons:
Release Date:
27 September 2009 (USA) more
Genre:
Plot:
The history of the U.S. National Parks system, including the initial ideas which led to the world's first national parks and the expansion of the system over 150 years.
User Comments:
It All Works -- Another Ken Burns Masterpiece! more (7 total)

Cast

 (Series Cast Summary - 14 of 17)

Peter Coyote ... Narrator (6 episodes, 2009)
Philip Bosco (5 episodes, 2009)
Murphy Guyer (5 episodes, 2009)
Kevin Conway (5 episodes, 2009)

Tom Hanks (5 episodes, 2009)

Adam Arkin (4 episodes, 2009)
Lee Stetson (4 episodes, 2009)

Amy Madigan (4 episodes, 2009)
Tim Clark (3 episodes, 2009)

Derek Jacobi (3 episodes, 2009)
Carolyn McCormick (3 episodes, 2009)

Josh Lucas (3 episodes, 2009)

Eli Wallach (3 episodes, 2009)

Gene Jones (3 episodes, 2009)
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Additional Details

Runtime:
USA:120 min (6 episodes)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.78 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

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1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful.
It All Works -- Another Ken Burns Masterpiece!, 15 October 2009
10/10
Author: metrodyne from United States

It is another example of what Ken Burns does so well. It is a film that brings a well known but little understood aspect of American history to life. The broad scope of the film is monumental. It covers, in fair detail, the creation of all the major National Parks while delving into the people, the politics, the conflicts, and the personal stories behind the scenes. As with other of Ken's work, you begin to feel that the people in the story are family friends or people you have known for years. You understand how personalities shape events and move American custom and law. You are left with an appreciation of American democracy and freedom and the unruly way Americans sometimes resolve internal conflict…how popularity and simply "the right thing" can win the day after a good fight.

The film is interspersed with glimpses of typical Americans and reveals their most delicate feelings in experiencing the National Parks. It is very effective at illustrating the transformative power of natural beauty, its healing and empowering effects on the soul, and our deep connections to nature and wildlife and our deep needs for it. The film is as much about the why humans seek to preserve natural beauty as it is a history of it.

It all works. It is a masterful piece of art and you will enjoy and be moved by it.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for "The National Parks: America's Best Idea" (2009)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
What is the name of the music from Episode 5 TooSlim
First two days interesting....but then...ahhh...well... .yeah... slipslider
Just as bad as 'The War' jk1969dchs
Unknown music from promo dhirschman
Ken Burns and US Racism Bill-181
Example of s good park documentary pery-1
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