Tweet This Page

Reconstruction: America after the Civil War  Review by Suzanne Lanoue 4/30/19

This is a 4-hour documentary, narrated by a Harvard scholar. I know that might sound boring, but it's anything but. It's a fascinating explanation of what happened in our history after the Civil War (especially to black people in the south).

They use dramatic readings, old photos and some film to discuss what happened. It's much more interesting than anything you probably heard in school.

This would make a great gift to anyone interested in civil rights or American history. Even though it's 4 hours long, it did not drag. There are no features or extras, but none are needed. 

MORE INFORMATION:

THIS APRIL PBS DISTRIBUTION RELEASES

HIGHLY ANTICIPATED AND CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED TITLES INCLUDING “VICTORIA, SEASON 3,” “MASTERPIECE: MRS. WILSON” AND HENRY LOUIS GATES JR.’S “RECONSTRUCTION: AMERICA AFTER THE CIVIL WAR” AMONG MANY OTHERS

Programs Available on DVD/Blu-ray and Digital Download

Arlington, VA – March 26, 2019 – This April, PBS Distribution will be releasing a plethora of new programs on DVD and digitally, including the critically acclaimed, “VICTORIA, SEASON 3,” the highly-anticipated “MRS. WILSON,” the fascinating “RECONSTRUCTION: AMERICA AFTER THE CIVIL WAR,” and the eye-opening “CHARM CITY.”

RECONSTRUCTION: AMERICA AFTER THE CIVIL WAR

Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. presents the definitive history of one of the least understood chapters in American history — the transformative years following the American Civil War, when the nation struggled to rebuild itself in the face of profound loss, massive destruction and revolutionary social change. The film takes a broad view of the Reconstruction era and its aftermath.

The first half of the documentary centers on the pivotal and hopeful decade following the Civil War rebellion, charting black progress and highlighting the accomplishments of the many political leaders who emerged to usher their communities into this new era of freedom. The series’ second half looks beyond that hopeful decade, when the arc of history bent backwards. Tracing the unraveling of Reconstruction and the rise of Jim Crow segregation in the closing years of the 19th century, the film looks at the myriad ways in which black people continued to acquire land, build institutions and strengthen communities amidst increasing racial violence and repression.

The film also explores the flowering of African American art, music, literature and culture as tools of resistance in the struggle against Jim Crow racism, and the surge of political activism that marked the launch of iconic civil rights organizations.

-        Street Date: April 30, 2019

-        Run Time: 240 minutes on 2 discs

-        SRP: DVD, $29.99

-        Format: DVD, Digital

-        Genre: History: United States

About PBS Distribution

PBS Distribution is a leading distributor of public media content around the world, reaching audiences through multiple platforms and formats including direct-to-consumer subscription video-on-demand (DTC-SVOD), transactional video-on-demand (TVOD), subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) licensing, and physical products on DVD and Blu-ray.  In addition, the company operates two Prime Video channels – PBS MASTERPIECE and PBS KIDS – as well as a theatrical releasing division, and educational, non-theatrical, inflight and international licensing businesses.    

PBS Distribution offers consumers and educators over 4,000 programming hours of the highest quality factual, scripted and children’s programming, including films from producer Ken Burns, hit dramas from MASTERPIECE, entertaining and educational children’s series and award-winning documentaries from NOVA, FRONTLINE, AMERICAN MASTERS, NATURE, AMERICAN EXPERIENCE and many independent producers. For over 20 years, the company has extended the reach of programming beyond broadcast while generating revenue for the public television system, stations and producers.

Follow PBS Distribution on Facebook and Twitter.