The Dust Bowl: Reaping the Whirlwind (2012)
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
The second part of Ken Burns' documentary starts off right after "Black Sunday," which to many farmers was the last straw. We see the destruction that this caused and why it led many to pick up their belongings and head out to California in search of a better life. While this is going on the government must try and save the land for the future and the settlers find themselves not wanting in California. THE DUST BOWL: REAPING THE WHIRLWIND is a very good way to close out the two-part series as one really gets a great idea of everything that was going on during this period. Burns has always been terrific at giving so many details that really give you a complete picture of what's going on and that continues here. Not only do we get countless photos of the events as well as some motion picture footage, the highlight comes from interviews with many people who lived through the events. Being able to get first-hand accounts is something so special and rather rare today so it's great that for future generations we have something like this where we can hear from those directly involved. The film also covers the various labor issues that broke out in California and the various laws broken by people trying to keep the settlers out.
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
The second part of Ken Burns' documentary starts off right after "Black Sunday," which to many farmers was the last straw. We see the destruction that this caused and why it led many to pick up their belongings and head out to California in search of a better life. While this is going on the government must try and save the land for the future and the settlers find themselves not wanting in California. THE DUST BOWL: REAPING THE WHIRLWIND is a very good way to close out the two-part series as one really gets a great idea of everything that was going on during this period. Burns has always been terrific at giving so many details that really give you a complete picture of what's going on and that continues here. Not only do we get countless photos of the events as well as some motion picture footage, the highlight comes from interviews with many people who lived through the events. Being able to get first-hand accounts is something so special and rather rare today so it's great that for future generations we have something like this where we can hear from those directly involved. The film also covers the various labor issues that broke out in California and the various laws broken by people trying to keep the settlers out.
