New York: A Documentary Film
Ric Burns (brother of the famed documentarian Ken Burns) presents an exhaustive history of New York City from the settling of the area by the Dutch to the attack by terrorists nearly 400 years later. Told in a sentimental tone, Burns weaves a lyrical tale of the great metropolis that encompasses not only the city's streets, but also that of the history of America. Though around fourteen hours in length, this epic documentary presents a thoughtful, entertaining look at our relatively young country.
- 1999-2003
- 1 season
- PBS Home Video
- Documentary
Ric Burns (brother of the famed documentarian Ken Burns) presents an exhaustive history of New York City from the settling of the area by the Dutch to the attack by terrorists nearly 400 years later. Told in a sentimental tone, Burns weaves a lyrical tale of the great metropolis that encompasses not only the city's streets, but also that of the history of America. Though around fourteen hours in length, this epic documentary presents a thoughtful, entertaining look at our relatively young country.
Season 1 Episode Guide
8 Episodes 1999 - 2003
Episode 1
The Country and The City
Sun, Nov 14, 1999 111 mins
Chronicles the rise of New York from its settlement by the Dutch in the early 17th century through the explosion of commercial growth sparked by the completion of the Erie Canal in 1825. Beginning with a consideration of themes to be explored throughout the entire series, it goes on to treat five crucial chapters in New York's fascinating early history: the defining role the Dutch played in establishing the city's character, the impact of the British empire, New York's strange sea fateful role in the American Revolution, its brief tenure as the nation's capital, and the extraordinary burst of entrepreneurial energy that in the early 19th century launched it on its course to becoming the greatest city on earth.
Episode 2
Order and Disorder
Mon, Nov 15, 1999 113 mins
The period of 1825 to 1865 in the history on New York City is narrated by David Ogden Stiers. We see the rise of the city as a cultural centre, to influx of blacks, Italians and Germans. This show concludes with the Civil War Draft Riots, American's bloodiest civil disturbance.
Episode 3
Sunshine and Shadow
Tue, Nov 16, 1999 110 mins
The Gilded Age following the Civil War saw the rise of the robber barons and the schism between wealth and poverty widen dramatically. The political life of the city, exemplified by William M. Tweed and Tammany Hall descended into total corruption. As the turn of the century dawned, New York City annexes Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.
Episode 4
The Power and The People
Wed, Nov 17, 1999 113 mins
This episode covers the period from 1898 to 1914, and documents the rise of Al Smith to governer after he enacted laws to protect working people in the state of New York after the terrible fire of the Shirt Waist Garement Factory of 1911. This episode is emotional, sad and poignant.
Episode 5
Cosmopolis
Thu, Nov 18, 1999 113 mins
Following World War I, Manhattan becomes the cultural capital of the world, serving as the home to the brand new industries of radio broadcasting, magazines, advertising and public relations. Major cultural contributions were made by F. Scott Fitzgerald, George Gershwin, Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong, and the Harlem Renaissance was the banner under which an explosion of African American culture and creativity lived. As the Great Depression dawned, the Chrysler Building and Empire State Building were completed.
Episode 6
City of Tomorrow
Sun, Sep 30, 2001 113 mins
Episode six reveals the immense new forces were unleashed in New York, from the Depression to the New Deal, which permanently altered the city. Along the way, Mayor Fiorello La Guardia and master builder Robert Moses attempted to create a bold new city of the future.
Episode 7
The City and the World (1945-2000)
Mon, Oct 1, 2001 136 mins
Episode seven chronicles the history of New York from the end of the Second World War to the present, exploring the complexities of the modern city and the turbulent years of physical, social and cultural change in the decades following the war.
Episode 8
The Center of The World
Mon, Sep 8, 2003 177 mins
This final chapter provides a powerful portrait of the events leading up to and following 9/11, reaching back to when the idea of a "world trade center" was first conceived and the towers were constructed. Explore the physical, economic, and symbolic aftermath of the attack and what Americans can learn from the recovery effort.