The Roosevelts: An Intimate History (TV Mini Series 2014) Poster

(2014)

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10/10
Intriguing insight
cordenw19 September 2014
There's no doubt that Ken Burns is one of the best documentary producers of our time and this one maintains the high standards. He chooses the right music at just the right time and seems to have no problems in getting the best reporters and researchers to make their contributions. Whenever you watch one of his series you are guaranteed to be educated with some formerly unknown details on the subject at hand, and Burns always does this with tact and grace.

The Roosevelts' story is typical of past power politics in the USA, where a compliant media ensured that truth was the first casualty. Having said that, the family certainly did more for the lot of the working US citizen than anyone since, and the personal foibles are minor compared to some of the antics of more recent incumbents.

You'd like to think that politics was on a constant path to self improvement but I think that the Roosevelts set as high a standard as you're going to get , the Trumans,Eisenhowers and Carters are the only ones who can compare. Watch this with wistfulness,you're not likely to see such integrity in your leaders again in this lifetime.
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10/10
Another amazing Ken Burns documentary series
planktonrules22 December 2015
Although folks adore Ken Burns' series on the Civil War and it will no doubt be his most famous series, to me this one on the Roosevelts is as good. It ostensibly covers from the birth of Teddy until the death of Eleanor, it in fact emphasizes Franklin Roosevelt foremost. So, although Teddy was born decades before them, starting in the first episode, the show kept bouncing back and forth between the lives of Teddy and Eleanor and Franklin on the other. This did short-change Teddy's portion of the film just a tad but even still, it really delves into them all in depth unlike any other biography on any of the Roosevelts.

Like other Burns series, this one consists of the roving camera over photos, lots of interviews as well as important celebrity impersonations of the particulars. Especially good among these was Meryl Streep's voicing for Eleanor, as it really sounded like her. In addition to all this, the show features quite a bit in the way of film footage and overall, they all create a gorgeous and loving look at these famous folks. Well worth seeing and exhaustive--clocking in at about 12 hours!
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10/10
An incredible series
kristinbauer16 May 2019
This is the best way to get history. So engaging. Understanding who these massive figures are that have shaped our american history, and the world's, was just a history test in high school for most of us. To understand the New Deal for example is fascinating. This series is so well done. The only wrinkle is I have no idea who's voice Meryl Streep is doing, but it's no one who ever lived. Very distracting from hearing Eleanor's incredible words. But everything and everyone else is A+
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Ken Burns Does Not Disappoint in this In-Depth 14-Hour Mini-Series about One of America's Foremost Families.
rannynm22 December 2014
This 14 hour mini-series by documentary icon Ken Burns, gives an in- depth look into the lives of this famous family. This documentary can make a person who does not know anything about The Roosevelt Dynasty into an expert in an entertaining and educational way.

This film has a fine feel of history supported by a very clear narration. The documentary covers facts that take place between 1858 and 1962. The subjects are mainly Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt and their entire lives from birth to death and everything in between.

The Roosevelts: An Intimate History is a wonderful look at the history of one of the greatest American Dynasties. I love the way they make some parts narrated as if a person from that era is talking. The only thing I have a small problem is the length. The entire thing is 14 hours long. This may be a bit challenging if you try to keep attention of younger audience but, if you stay with it, the film teaches you a lot about history. If you have the time, it is a great film to watch and learn from.

My favorite scene is when they talk about the birth of Theodore. He is sickly and is not expected to live long. However, he lives a very good and successful life even though every time he sees a doctor they say he has very little time left. He refuses to live with those limitations and to avoid stairs, hard hikes or anything challenging and he lives life to its fullest despite his sickness.

This film is very mature and talks about some touchy topics so I would recommend it for ages 12 to18. Younger kids may get confused of some things. I give this film 5 out of 5 stars for fantastic narration, wonderful layout and a fantastic educational background. After all Ken Burns wrote the book on documentaries! If you like learning about history – this is the way to go.

Reviewed by KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Gerry O.
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9/10
Stunning and Informative Presentation
ferguson-626 September 2014
Greetings again from the darkness. Ken Burns is renowned for his documentaries - two of my favorites are Baseball (1994) and Jazz (2001). The power he wields is measured by his ability to get 14 hours of documentary not just researched and filmed, but also broadcast via PBS. Think how many Hollywood producers can't get the green light for a 90 minute pet project. Mr. Burns is a national treasure who creates national treasures, and his latest is some of his finest work yet.

Focusing on an incredibly prominent American family - one that dominated politics and history for years - the stories are presented in chronological order, interconnecting the biographies of Theodore, Franklin and Eleanor with the key events in history that they helped shape. But it's not all politics, as we also learn about the families and the individual make-up (flaws and all) of the 3 principals. We learn of the Republican Roosevelts of Oyster Bay and the Democrats of Hyde Park.

Mr. Burns has set the bar very high for his productions, yet somehow we still managed to be struck by the photographs, archival footage and insights of these people and the times. The sheer number of previously unseen photographs and footage is staggering. Add to that the commentary from writers and historians, and it's easy to imagine this being the foundation for a high school or college history course ... one that students would actually enjoy.

There are seven parts to the whole, each presented in chronological order: Pt 1 Get Action 1858-1901, Pt 2 In The Arena 1901-1910, Pt 3 The Fire of Life 1910-1919, Pt 4 The Storm 1920-1933, Pt 5 The Rising road 1933-39, Pt 6 The Common Cause 1939-44, Pt 7 A Strong and Active Faith 1944-62.

We witness the rise to power and fame for TR, FDR and Eleanor. The deaths of each is also highlighted, as well as their respective impact on politics and history. It's not surprising that some of the character flaws and even questionable political decisions are glossed over, but this is not without it's acknowledgment of such.

The insight into the obstacles all 3 Roosevelts overcame is fascinating. We hear recordings of each, and the voice acting fills the gaps - Meryl Streep as Eleanor, Edward Herrmann as FDR, and Paul Giamatti as TR. Peter Coyote does a nice job throughout as the narrator, and numerous other actors are utilized through the production, including the final screen appearance of Eli Wallach. This is an incredible documentary covering some giants of US politics and some of the most historical events ... each with visual and audio depth that makes this an extraordinary viewing opportunity.
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10/10
An excellent look into one of America's most influential families
WellBullyForYou31 May 2016
This is indeed my favorite documentary. It's an intimate look at the life of the best president ever Teddy Roosevelt, his niece Eleanor Roosevelt, and her husband Franklin Roosevelt. I am biased, you see, so I will admit that my favorite bits are about teddy, and his war hero sons.

Although Eleanor's accomplishments are incredible and I'm more impressed with her than I am with her husband Frank.

If you only see one documentary this year, make it this one. For I can only describe it with one word: BULLY!

And remember, speak softly and carry a big stick!
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9/10
An intimate documentary series
Leofwine_draca16 December 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Another exemplary documentary from the fine American documentary maker Ken Burns. This one has a smaller scope than the other documentary series I've seen from Burns, which typically explore wars the like; this one examines the Roosevelt family, which gave America two presidents alongside many other interesting historical figures. The film has an intimate, personal tone and I'm not ashamed to say I was involved enough to shed tears in the final instalment. This is because the series is so good that it makes you feel like you know the characters involved. I had my suspicions that there wouldn't be enough material to sustain a lengthy running time, but I needn't have worried; this is endlessly engaging, fascinating in fact.
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10/10
Wonderful show
dbbl4 August 2019
I'm an Australian and always wondered what the relationship was between Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt. Wasn't aware that Eleanor was a Roosevelt in her own right. I was in for a big surprise. So very impressed by these three large characters and imagine, or hope, that Americans are very proud of what each Roosevelt achieved. Especially surprised at what Theodore, a Republican, did for the 'little people'. I urge anyone with an interest in history to watch this magnificent show. (In 2019, the Presidency of the USA has nothing at all in common with the Roosevelts. How they must be all turning in their respective graves.)
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10/10
Another Ken Burns Masterpiece
Hollywood_Yoda22 February 2015
I will say, this mini-series did seem biased at times, but honestly, all political documentaries are at times. Ken Burns made the Roosevelts seem empathetic, making them more human than we realized. Franklin, with his diseases that most people knew nothing about at the time to his philandering. Mind blowing to say the least.

The presidency has sure changed a lot since the end of FDR's tenure in 1945, especially with the health concerns of the leader. The pictures of Franklin's declining health shown in the series were eerie, and surreal, most unseen before. A great leader, he was, but under it all, that's what ultimately ended his presidency and his life.

After his death, it explores the fight for progress that Eleanor was a part of, until her death in 1962. A renowned woman for her time, she was "First Lady of the World," a phrase coined by President Harry Truman. Very historical documentary.

However, I do wish they had gone into more detail about the Japanese internment camps and the failures of FDR's presidency.
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10/10
Wonderful series!
sirk197113 February 2017
I've watched this series multiple times. I'm not political. I've never really paid much attention to the Roosevelt's. But I absolutely love biographies. Ken Burns has done a fantastic job with this series. I totally recommend anyone who enjoys biographies to watch this series. I came away thinking that our country could use another Teddy Roosevelt. His beliefs and tactics is something our country could definitely use right now. Not too fond of FDR based on this series. Wish it would have went more into Elanor since she was a true Roosevelt by blood (side note....I knew they were cousins before I watched this and it's still very icky that he married his cousin). I would love for Mr. Burns to create more biographies of this nature. I've tried watching others and they've failed to keep my interest like this one did.
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10/10
The good, the bad, and the ugly
david-868645 December 2015
Again, another of Ken Burn's masterpieces well worth watching and learning. In the following, I will be exposing the reader to historical events. If one does not want to learn of them at this time, please do not go any farther.

Of all that Theodore managed to accomplish in his seven years as President by:

  • Taking on the monopolies of big business and threatening to use the Army to run them for the sake of maintaining fairness and a continual flow of necessities at a reasonable cost


  • Setting aside national parks and preserves at the combined size of Texas, including the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone, among others


  • Reaching out to the average man and giving him hope


  • Buying and building the Panama Canal after taking that region from the Columbians by arming the Panamanians and sending in troops


  • His willingness to display courage and aggression against who he perceived as the enemy, i.e. during the taking of Juan hill in Cuba ...and there is so much more for which he deserves praise.


But, I cannot get my thoughts around the fact that within the space of eleven months, while hunting big game in Africa -- a pastime I hate so very much -- he sent and carried back home with him over 11,000 pelts of lions, tigers, elephants, rhinos, birds, and every conceivable animal from that continent. I hate him for displaying such evil and wickedness, and wish he had been the one born disabled so as to make him unable to initiate such a horrible holocaust.
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8/10
..."I welcome their hatred"
gsaint0920 September 2014
Government, backed by masses of people organised to craft a government that works more for ordinary people than it does for hyper-rich elites, can help to engender a more benign and inclusive society, worth living in by ordinary people...

Franklin Delano Roosevelt had been in office nearly four years and was up for re-election when he made a speech in New York's Madison Square Garden on 31 October 1936. Here is an excerpt:

"We had to struggle with the old enemies of peace-- business and financial monopoly, speculation, reckless banking, class antagonism, sectionalism, war profiteering. They had begun to consider the Government of the United States as a mere appendage to their own affairs. We know now that Government by organized money is just as dangerous as Government by organized mob. Never before in all our history have these forces been so united against one candidate as they stand today. They are unanimous in their hate for me--and I welcome their hatred."
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6/10
Informative, but too political and long-winded
jljacobi3 October 2014
I was slightly startled to find that while there were seven episodes, only two covered TR--a man that accomplished more in his lifetime than any other three humans I can think of, including FDR and Eleanor.

There are numerous assumptions of espoused political and social attitudes being in fact correct, with lip service given to opposing views. The sections on domestic and social agendas drag on and on, especially in the FDR/Eleanor episodes. To the point where I started losing interest. I saw strong hints of political bias in many sections.

All that said, though I've read several biographies of TR and FDR, I learned a great deal new about all three of the major players and the restored photography and video is great. But by devoting only two sections to TR, they glossed over some amazing parts of his story.
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5/10
A Historian's View
TheExpatriate70021 September 2014
The Roosevelts is an informative if flawed documentary series on one of the preeminent families of American history, tracing its exploits from Theodore Roosevelt to the presidency of FDR. It offers a wealth of detail for devotees of American history to chew on, but at times glosses over both context and the flaws of its subjects.

The series' strongest point is the amount of information it marshals on its protagonists. All but the most devoted Roosevelt fans will learn something new here. The series discusses not only the presidencies of Theodore and Franklin, but also their family lives, their travels, and their struggles. Perhaps the most moving portion is the section dealing with FDR's struggle with polio, a subject that receives too little attention in most discussions of his character.

The film also benefits from the wealth of primary sources that Ken Burns always brings to his series. We get the correspondence between the various Roosevelts, as well as commentary from other contemporary figures on their activities. All these sources are read by a talented voice cast that includes Meryl Streep and Ed Harris.

However, the series also suffers from the weaknesses of many of Burns's films, including a lack of historical context and a tendency to gloss over uncomfortable subjects. As informative as the film is about Franklin, Eleanor, and Theodore, we get very little understanding of the times they lived in. For instance, the film does not discuss the causes of the Great Depression. Rather than an event with roots in previous economic policy, it comes across as a storm that just rose up out of the blue.

More disconcerting, The Roosevelts often downplays the rougher edges of its subjects. For example, although it at times references Theodore Roosevelt's callousness towards the suffering caused by war, it tends to play down his often vociferous racism. It briefly mentions an incident where TR unjustly drummed a group of black soldiers, including former comrades of his, out of the service after false accusations of murder by racist whites, it largely ignores his role as a prominent defender of eugenics and racist immigration policies. (Interesting historical tidbit: TR attacked Margaret Sanger, who is much more commonly vilified for her eugenic sympathies, because he feared her birth control clinics would dampen the birth rate of the "racially pure.") The most egregious omission, however, is in the sixth episode, dealing with the early years of World War II. It devotes at most two minutes to discussing the internment of Japanese Americans, most of which focuses on Eleanor Roosevelt's ambivalence towards her husband's policy. To essentially gloss over a major tragedy in American history is simply unacceptable. Whatever one's feelings about the internment, the series should at least have looked at the policy discussions underlying Roosevelt's internment decision. An interview with a surviving internee would also have been a good addition.

That said, the series does offset these omissions to a certain extent by featuring commentary from modern critics of the Roosevelts. George Will and Clay Jenkinson offer particularly incisive remarks. For all its flaws, The Roosevelts is still an informative series and could be useful for classroom use, especially in short segments.
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8/10
Ken Burns is Back on PBS
DKosty12320 September 2014
Warning: Spoilers
The master of this type of documentary, Ken Burns has picked a very good subject again for this history series. There can be no doubt the Roosevelts are as close to Lincoln as there was for leadership in the 20th century. Sad how modern Democrats like Clinton and the current administration have not taken leadership lessons from FDR or even LBJ. They have turned away from this type of Leadership at this countries peril. While that is still playing out-

I am hearing things about all the 2000 communications between FDR and Churchill yet not hearing many quotes from those communications. Maybe they are still classified?

Comparing this with the epic The Civil War, this one does not seem to go quite as deep as the prior one did. It does still follow the same format, though the picture of FDR's real private life are hard to come by due to hiding of his illness and frail condition because of the war.

It is interesting that FDR despite his health was keeping company with someone other than Eleanor. This does seem to fit the playboy reputation of Democrat leaders. What comes over for me though is because of FDR's health, I doubt if these private affairs were much more than keeping company. As is told, a lot of people around FDR took a lot of very special care of him, and I think any mistresses were a part of that care.

I am glad to see some of the photos that were gotten out for this documentary. While a lot of the themes have been covered before, this fresh series does point out things I did not realize. I never knew Churchill spent a whole 3 weeks with FDR. The series is not over as I write this but I am hoping for more focus on the letters and communications between FDR, Stalin, Japan, and any world leaders at the time. Teddy Roosevelt was in many ways larger than life itself and some of that definitely shows in the series.

Glad to see some of the focus on the race issues including the correct points about Conservative Southern Democrats problems with race and how they conflicted with FDR Roosevelt. Modern Democrats are trying to paint themselves as a party which is not racist and have been since the Kennedy/LBJ era. That is historic revisionism and from the latest installment Ken Burns is getting this right.

Just because a party has the first Black President, does not mean they do not have a race problem. It shows up constantly with Democrats in the main stream media who are keeping it alive and well to divide people.The section on policy of FDR bringing the country out of depression is very well done. It correctly points out what FDR did to save the banking system. Unfortunately for the country, the wall (glass-Spiegel) that FDR built to protect our financial system was torn down by Clinton era progressives and this directly led to the big melt downs 1998-2010 era. Losing this wall, the financial system is still at risk now.

Great leaders lead, as the Roosevelts did. They were not perfect leaders as that is impossible, but they do not blame others for their problems. Just imagine if at the beginning of World War 2, if FDR had made a speech blaming Henry Ford and Thomas Watson Sr. for providing financial aid and arms to Adolf Hitler (which they did) for all the worlds troubles. At that critical junction of History, that would not have united people when they needed to stand tall.

I was a bit surprised that when covering discrimination against Blacks in war related hiring, that the issue of hiring women for war related industries was not mentioned. Women being hired was historic at the time and FDR's progressive policies were in part responsible for that. The series might make up for this later.

Industries after the war went back to this discrimination against women until the late 1970's when the women's movement at last started to take hold on corporate management. The country went from rosie the riveter to rosie the housewife, and then moved to where we are today where 2 parties are both busy trying to keep any woman out of the White House except for the First Ladies.
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8/10
Great documentary, but with one Grating Performance
steve-829-46300417 April 2019
I would agree with most of the reviews already left here. It's a Ken Burns documentary - very well-informed, great details, etc.

But the one surprising flaw, at least to my ear, is Meryl Streep. I very much hope that the film doesn't cause some viewers to believe that Eleanor Roosevelt was as one-dimensional and devoid of emotion as Ms. Streep portrays her. She reads each quote with the same measured cadence; they're so similar it makes me want to mute the audio each time she comes on.

Eleanor Roosevelt was an interesting, dynamic, and driven firebrand. She brought as much personality and purpose to the role of first lady as her husband brought to the presidency. Maybe more. To be sure, her public speeches were measured and deliberate, and perhaps that was the only model Ms. Streep had to go on. But surely she let her hair down a tad when speaking informally.
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10/10
A truly masterpiece
pkuwangfengquan15 October 2023
This is truly a masterpiece produced by Ken Burns. As one of the historians in the series has said, you cannot always expect people like them (the three Roosevelts) to appear in the history. What strikes me the most is that, for those great leaders in human history, their desire for power or fame has never overshadowed their consciences, sense of justice, and responsibility to their citizens or the wider world. The courage, determination to move on and confront with the obstacles from life directly, and the character to make the right judgement in adversity, shapes their figure, and make me feel heart-moving and rethink what life I really want to live, and how to live it 'widely and fully'. Remember, never turn your back to your life, and face it with no fear.
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9/10
Riveting
ianhuntercowan9 July 2020
Only watched first 5 episodes before it was removed from Netflix but I was thoroughly enjoying it!
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10/10
Ken Burns is a national treasure
nc971037 September 2023
No one makes documentaries like Ken Burns. The collection of archival photographs and video documentation here is truly incredible. Edward Herrmann as the voice of FDR and Paul Giamatti as Teddy are incredible choices to depict these great leaders. But the real eye-opener is our education as to the remarkable person that was Eleanor Roosevelt. What a remarkable woman! Her work with civil rights and the United Nations is not ignored. This is truly history that should be viewed by all. I'm constantly amazed when I see a Ken Burns documentary in the collection of rare photographs that exist. Bravo!
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7/10
informative hagiography needs a little balance
cherold1 July 2018
Ken Burns wants you to know the Roosevelts were really awesome. Noble hardworking, intelligent people who devoted their lives to public service. And yes, they were. But they also had some serious flaws, and the only way you'll know that after watching this documentary series is if you knew it before watching it.

FDR gets more time than anyone else, and while the series spends endless amounts of time on political minutia and his love life, it spends about two minutes on the greatest stain of his presidency; the Japanese internment camps. When it is mentioned it's cheated by focusing on Eleanor's rather mild early objections to the program.

I have read elsewhere that, like most white people of the time FDR told racist jokes and seemed put off by other peoples, such as Asians and Jews, but there's not a hint of that here.

The approach to Teddy is similar, obsessed with stories of his strong will and good deeds, but TR was a decidedly problematic character and we see little of that.

This doesn't mean there's not a lot of interesting information, nor that the series doesn't make it's narrative compelling, but simply that I don't trust that narrative. To me there's something problematic about spending hours on a World War II president without looking at American antisemitism and those times when America rejected refugees just as we are today. The world is a complex place full of complex people, and I don't see the point in turning politicians into Prince Charmings.

As Ken Burns documentaries go, I didn't find this one as engaging as my favorites, like Jazz and The Dust Bowl, but overall it's worth watching, even if it loses momentum towards the end.
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4/10
Too long
starlite-2242529 August 2019
I enjoy documentaries but this one is way too long. After a while I lost interest. It could have been done in 2 part or 3 but 7 episodes at 2hrs each? Way too long.
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3/10
Even David M. makes mistakes
kcv478112 July 2019
Teddy had his faults. Many faults. Don't get me started. However.. FDR was Regan without nuclear weapons. The only Roosevelt that to this day is causing pain. After all, I'd rather live a life of depression, than to sell my soul to the filth of humanity. Say hello to Prescott, Henry and Adolph for me. If your family has any money left, send it to the surviving Pearl Harbor families.
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