Lewis & Clark - The Journey of the Corps of Discovery (1997)

Another reliably well-crafted, generally engrossing documentary from Ken Burns, Lewis & Clark employs the director's now-familiar approach to his subjects, from its elegant juxtaposition of period illustrations and portraits against newly filmed footage of historic sites to Burns's repertory of accomplished actors to provide gravitas for quotes from the key figures. Granted the formula has become familiar enough to allow parody, but Burns knows how to invest his historical investigations with movement and drama, making this four-hour journey a worthwhile trip.

As narrated by Hal Holbrook, Dayton Duncan's script explicates the agenda presented by Thomas Jefferson to Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, placing it in the context of the young country's gamble in Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase, and the expedition's goals for opening the West. While preserving the heroic scale of the undertaking, Burns also finds time to delve into the politics of the venture and the disparate personalities of the two explorers; in particular, Duncan and Burns look at the career of Lewis, the presidential protégé, his moody demeanor, and his untimely death. The film also looks beyond its titular leaders to examine the personalities of their corps of soldiers, their boatmen, and the Indians they met and depended on, most notably their female Shosone guide, Sacagawea. --Sam Sutherland Amazon.com essential video

Worth the view!

An incredible visual experience to document an amazing historical event. You will feel like you were there with the Corps of Discovery at every turn of their adventure. September 18, 2008

Visual support to the Lewis & Clark expedition

An excellent companion almost essential to to the Lewis & Clark journals and other books on the Journey of the Corps of Discovery. May 28, 2008

Ken Burns is the best

As someone who's working on a novel about western 19th century America, this documentary is amazing. The questions it leaves us with are one's of wonder--how did they survive? They traipsed across the country in a boat, in horseback, and by foot. And back. They survived weather at -38 degrees; climbed mountains only to find more mountains, traversed deserts only to find more deserts. And through it all only two people died. In this day of GPS systems, luxury cars, cell phones, and motor homes that are motels on wheels, we can only view Lewis and Clark's journey as one of toughness, grit, and faith not found today. Ken Burns captures it all. March 24, 2008

Lewis & Clark, The Corps of Discovery

Excellent, Awesome photography. Narration very well done and the historians made the story come alive. January 18, 2008

Lewis and Clark-The Journey of the Corps of Discover (DVD)

The CD arrived in excellent condition. I grew up in the Northwest and this was always part of our history. I enjoyed going over the history again. December 18, 2007

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