The National Parks: America's Best Idea (2009– )

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.

Stars:

Peter Coyote, Philip Bosco, Murphy Guyer

Won 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 5 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
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	...	1920-1933 (3 episodes, 2009)
Josh Lucas		(3 episodes, 2009)
Eli Wallach		(3 episodes, 2009)
Gene Jones		(3 episodes, 2009)

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

national park | tv mini series | conservation | nature

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Genres:

Documentary | History

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 September 2009 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Florentine Films, WETA

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min 120 min (6 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in Late Show with David Letterman: Episode #16.190 (2009)

User Reviews

a film of love

I absolutely love it! Extraordinary human stories behind the extraordinary beauty. Couldn't help watching it twice every night this week, thanks to WCMU, who broadcast each episode twice. Think I might catch it the third time in this weekend's marathon rerun!

What more can I add? I would love to hear Garrison Keillor's voice as he would be the best narrator for our national treasures (of which he is one himself).

Indeed, our National Parks are a place of love, as one commentator said so movingly in the film.

The history of our National Parks has enriched my appreciation of great nature with humanity... Enough talking, let's go to our National Parks now.