World Famous Comics: Gary Foreman The History Channel Presents The War of 1812
Gary Foreman The History Channel Presents The War of 1812
Starring: Mark D. Hutter, Sally E. Bennett, Dave Fagerberg, H. David Wright, Craig Fisher (II) Directed By: Gary Foreman Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Binding: DVD Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, NTSC Label: A&E Home Video Number of Items: 2 Region Code: 1 Release Date: February 22, 2005 Running Time: 280 minutes Theatrical Release Date: September 12, 2004
Description: From a seemingly disastrous decision to declare war to the glory of the stars and stripes, THE HISTORY CHANNEL® PRESENTS: THE WAR OF 1812 chronicles of one of america's most defining moments. Only 30 years after gaining independence, the upstart United States found itself once again battling Great Britain. At stake were the future of emocracy and America's Manifest Destiny. Pitted against the world's most powerful nation, victory seemed unlikely. But then Andrew Jackson's brilliant leadership, a lone sniper, and one of the most lopsided victories in military history turned the tide of the war. THE HISTORY CHANNEL® PRESENTS: THE WAR OF 1812 is the authoritative chronicle of one of America's most defining moments. THE HISTORY CHANNEL® PRESENTS: THE WAR OF 1812 contains the following programs: FIRST INVASION: THE WAR OF 1812--President James Madison declares war on Great Britain, a decision that at first appears disastrous. SAVE OUR HISTORY: THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER--The history of the stars and stripes and the poem penned as a tribute. THE BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS--General Andrew Jackson leads American forces to improbable victory. ANDREW JACKSON: A MAN FOR THE PEOPLE--A&E BIOGRAPHY® unveils the man behind the leader, from General to President. THE IRONCLADS--A revealing look at the battleships put to sea in the War of 1812. DVD FEATURES: Behind the Scenes of "First Invasion: The War of 1812"; "Surviving an 1812 Battleship" Episode From Extreme History, hosted by Roger Daltrey; Interactive Menus; Scene Selection
In Defense of The New American Nation If you do not, like most people, know anything about the War of 1812-the so-called- `forgotten war'- or even if you are familiar with its details then this History Channel presentation will give you more than you will ever want to know about that event. I know, despite my intense love of the study of history, that I had had enough once I got through this two volume four hours plus work. Mercifully it is broken up into sections so, for the faint-hearted, you can pick and choice. In any case, the section entitled First Invasion is must viewing to get an overall sense of the conflict.
So what is all the bother about? Well the short answer, very short is that this war against old Mother England was the definitive moment when the seemingly improbable American victory announced to the world that fragile as the Republic was, and as isolated and uncomplicated its people that it was now a factor, if at that time a small factor, in the international scheme of things. Not bad for a `forgotten war'. Remember if the bloody British had been victorious America would have a name like, say, the United States of Canada. The History Channel's presentation shows that this victory was a near thing. Suffering defeats, the torching of the capital, internal dissension and an apparently inevitable defeat at New Orleans after a peace treaty was signed this motley group of American yeomen and women broke through to preserve a slender democracy.
No look at the War of 1812 is complete without acknowledging the role of two men of opposing temperaments, James Madison under whose presidency the issues became clarified and the causes of war outlined and Andrew Jackson whose victory at New Orleans sealed the fate of the country. By this last point I do not mean merely Jackson's military victory but the rush toward a plebian democracy that the forces who fought the war unleashed. Later in the century the children and grandchildren of those fighters would be lost in the scramble to make an America a capitalist fortress but back then the American world was young and fresh. Take a look.
great for educational purposes As a US I teacher, I covered the entire War of 1812 in 4 days using this DVD. It contains all of the key events such as Battle of New Orleans, Gen. Andrew Jackson and the Star Spangled Banner. I highly recommend it especially for teachers.
Passable I thought this a solid documentary that informed me about nearly everything I wanted to know about The War of 1812. It is not spectacular but certainly is a valuable primer on a period of time often overlooked. It uses the same partial reenactment method which has made countless other History Channel productions resonate thoroughly over the years. The segments on the siege of Baltimore and the Battle of New Orleans are very well done. Indeed, I wanted to go out and read a biography of Andrew Jackson as soon as it was finished. For the amateur historian who is unfamiliar with the period this DVD will entertain and educate.
somewhat disappointing I was somewhat disappointed by this 2 disk set. It ended up being a 2 hr. program on the war of 1812 with some similarly themed history channel programs. While the main program was informative, the additional programs repeated alot of info. 1 program, 'The Ironclads', had nothing to do with the war of 1812.
Should be shown in very school Long forgotten conflict filled with irony, disaster and triumph. They don't make Presidents like Andrew Jackson anymore and our youth should be aware of same. The quality Civil War ironclad show is an added bonus. -- Louis J Sheehan