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4.5
this review is based on my recollection of the original PBS broadcast, which I remember as being in 1983; the 100th anniversary of the opening of the bridge. if this is slightly inaccurate, so be the rest of the review.as a mid-westerner with no experience in new york, I found the Burn's interpretation of events compelling. i was studying for my engineering degree at the time and had worked in civil projects up to that point. i was stunned to learn that the plans were mostly pictures and contained little written language. i saw for the first time how the suspension structure was actually achieved. and i understood for the first time what a marvel the erection of the bridge represented in its time. i continue to marvel, today, at the functionality of the structure. I have not seen the documentary except for the one time. i do remember the section of interviews with the bridge's contemporary cohabitants. i thought that was as important and revealing as the function of the bridge today. the film has left such an impression on me that I intend to buy a copy and share it with anyone showing the fainest interest.When it sticks to the engineering, it's good. But it goes off track and seems pretentious and stilted when it treats as if valuable the comments from the poets and intellectuals who add no value beyond the bridge itself. Ken, not everyone is impressed with poetic twaddle and metaphoric nonsense, as you seem to be. The poems are doggerel, written by artsy, academic fops showing off. Including so much of it weakens this. See through their pomp and their pedestrian ideas merely cloaked in an impressive manner.An excellent documentary. Ken Burns does a great job explaining how the magnificent bridge was built starting in the 1860’sThis movie helped me to understand the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge. Thank you so much!Fantastic historical information for fans of the Brooklyn Bridge and/or treasures of New York.Very informative, loved it. Glad it was delivered as promised. Thank you.This was I think Ken Burns' first documentary. I was telling a friend about it and decided to re-view it. Still great.Ken Burns produces another excellent documentary. He brings life to a tale that could be otherwise uninteresting, but that is what makes Ken Burns the master storyteller that he is. Fascinating for the whole family to watch,Great DVD would highly recommend thank youexcellent
