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Prohibition

  • TV Mini Series
  • 20112011
  • 6h
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
3.2K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
20,218
1,029
Prohibition (2011)
DocumentaryHistory
The story of the American activist struggle against the influence of alcohol, climaxing in the failed early 20th century nationwide era when it was banned.The story of the American activist struggle against the influence of alcohol, climaxing in the failed early 20th century nationwide era when it was banned.The story of the American activist struggle against the influence of alcohol, climaxing in the failed early 20th century nationwide era when it was banned.
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
3.2K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
20,218
1,029
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Stars
      • Peter Coyote
      • Pete Hamill
      • Catherine Gilbert Murdock
    Top credits
    • Stars
      • Peter Coyote
      • Pete Hamill
      • Catherine Gilbert Murdock
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 23User reviews
    • 10Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Won 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 1 win & 3 nominations total

    Episodes3

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated
    1 Season
    2011

    Photos12

    Prohibition (2011)
    Prohibition (2011)
    Prohibition (2011)
    Prohibition (2011)
    Prohibition (2011)
    Prohibition (2011)
    Prohibition (2011)
    Prohibition (2011)
    Prohibition (2011)
    Prohibition (2011)
    Prohibition (2011)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Peter Coyote
    Peter Coyote
    • Self - Narrator
    3 episodes3 eps • 2011
    Pete Hamill
    Pete Hamill
    • Self - Writer
    3 episodes3 eps • 2011
    Catherine Gilbert Murdock
    • Self - Historian
    3 episodes3 eps • 2011
    Michael Lerner
    • Self - Historian
    3 episodes3 eps • 2011
    Daniel Okrent
    Daniel Okrent
    • Self - Writer
    3 episodes3 eps • 2011
    Noah Feldman
    • Self - Legal Scholar
    3 episodes3 eps • 2011
    Jack Roche
    • Self - Resident of Chicago
    3 episodes3 eps • 2011
    William Leuchtenburg
    • Self - Historian
    3 episodes3 eps • 2011
    Patricia Clarkson
    Patricia Clarkson
    • Reader…
    John Lithgow
    John Lithgow
    • Reader…
    Campbell Scott
    Campbell Scott
    • Reader
    Sam Waterston
    Sam Waterston
    • Reader
    John Paul Stevens
    John Paul Stevens
    • Self - Resident of Chicago
    2 episodes2 eps • 2011
    Jonathan Eig
    Jonathan Eig
    • Self - Writer
    2 episodes2 eps • 2011
    Margot Loines Wilkie
    • Self - Resident of Massachusetts
    2 episodes2 eps • 2011
    Martin Marty
    • Self - Theologian
    2 episodes2 eps • 2011
    Jack Clarke
    • Self - Resident of Chicago
    2 episodes2 eps • 2011
    Ruth Proskauer Smith
    • Self - Resident of New York
    2 episodes2 eps • 2011
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Although the documentary gives the etymology of the term 'bootlegging' (people selling illegal liquor from flasks that they kept in their boot legs), the origin of the term 'speakeasy' is not further explained. According to the Etymology Dictionary, these illegal liquor saloons were called 'speakeasies' "because of the practice of speaking quietly about such a place in public, or when inside it, so as not to alert the police or neighbors".
    • Connections
      Featured in CBS 11 News: Episode dated 17 August 2011 (2011)

    User reviews23

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Ken Burns' latest docu: goes great with ice and a twist of lime
    Daniel Okrent's "Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition" and Ken Burns and Lynn Novick's "Prohibition" mini-series were two similar projects that began together resulting in two different end products. Together, both provide a rather detailed account not only of Prohibition's place in American history, but the events leading up to such, the results of repeal and the long-lasting societal impact of the entire matter. Separate, both are still strong, informative and entertaining yet each tend to focus on different themes that sometimes do not intermingle and the result is noticeable.

    Ken Burns, in his trademarked fashion, intermingles fantastically- original photos and video with colorful interviews from subject-matter experts and first-hand histories over-laced with celebrity voice-overs, makes learning hip and brings about a passion for a dark, but necessary, time in American history. Burns' documentary was too light in certain instances where a deeper look at American history would have benefited the story. Okrent's novel definitely fills in such details that Burns either ignored or edited out but was definitely too heavy at times with whole sections coming across as a historical text book rather than an entertaining narrative.

    Burns, and Okrent as well, enlighten 21st-Century audiences to the fact that Prohibition, what can be now considered a silly arrangement, was not only responsible for the rise of Jazz, the introduction of mixed drinks and the invention of speed boats but also led to very beginnings of the Civil Rights Movement and the outright success of Women's Suffrage.

    Naturally, Burns provides much attention to that of the gangsters of the era, particularly Chicago's Al Capone. But again, he provides just enough details for a satisfactory display of information yet fails to get deeper. Similarly, this occurs when discussing the role of the Church and the Prohibition movement. Dry Congressmen and Senators knew how to convince their Baptist and Methodist ministers to use the pulpit to condemn the evils of alcohol, particularly in the Mid-West states.

    Likewise, Prohibition was an outcry not just against alcohol but also against the rise of poor immigrants filling America's urban centers. The Irish, the Germans, the Italians, all known for enjoying wine and spirits, and all Catholics, became a scary threat for "decent, Protestant country folks". Cutting off immigrants from their alcohol was a way to ensure that these new Americans were productive members of society, not a burden of filthy drunkards. Burns did not spend too much time on these ideals.

    However, Burns attention to detail and crafting of a narrative tale is shown in his vision and with what is presented. He does keep entertainment at the forefront of his documentary, much like what he has done in the past, especially with his must-see Baseball series. Some indirect humor is presented with history playing the comedian to a more naïve time. Burns does get political with some of his views, but at no time are such views sobering enough to prevent the viewer from seeking out a drink.
    helpful•5
    2
    • joker-4
    • Mar 5, 2012

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 2, 2011 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Förbudstiden i USA
    • Production companies
      • Florentine Films
      • Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)
      • WETA
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      6 hours
    • Color
      • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 16:9 HD

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