. . .no frills, no gimmicks, just solid film-making.
Excellent cinematography frames this hour-long film based on the sweeping biotransformation of the American Midwest in late 19th/early 20th centuries. A very well-balanced script, which avoids the common cliché of villainizing the settlers, farmers and ranchers responsible for the conversion of the vast native grasslands (the "Lost Landscape" of the title) into arable land necessary for westward expansion of the US, is narrated beautifully by Annabeth Gish. The striking scenery is augmented by a lush score composed and performed by Brian Keane, veteran of numerous docs (including one of my all-time favorites, George Roy's brilliant "Curse of the Bambino").
All in all, a worthwhile film for those of an ecological and historical bent.
Excellent cinematography frames this hour-long film based on the sweeping biotransformation of the American Midwest in late 19th/early 20th centuries. A very well-balanced script, which avoids the common cliché of villainizing the settlers, farmers and ranchers responsible for the conversion of the vast native grasslands (the "Lost Landscape" of the title) into arable land necessary for westward expansion of the US, is narrated beautifully by Annabeth Gish. The striking scenery is augmented by a lush score composed and performed by Brian Keane, veteran of numerous docs (including one of my all-time favorites, George Roy's brilliant "Curse of the Bambino").
All in all, a worthwhile film for those of an ecological and historical bent.
