functions best as an introduction for younger viewers completely unfamiliar with the events of the time.
Though Brokaw´s presence suggests the documentary is aimed at the Baby Boomer generation that lived through the 60s, it functions best as an introduction for younger viewers completely unfamiliar with the events of the time. It works well enough in that regard but if you´re looking for insight you´re going to be disappointed. If you´re looking for some feel good flag waving, however, this´ll get her done.
Video
The program is presented in a 1.78:1 widescreen format. The interlaced transfer shows some minor instances of combing, and the quality of the archival footage ranges from adequate to dreadful. Overall, it´s a solid, professional job that looks about the way you´d expect a History Channel documentary to look like.
Audio
The DVD is presented in Dolby Digital Stereo. No subtitles are provided.
Extras
There are a bunch of short interviews collected under two headings. Tom Brokaw´s Personal Perspectives (4 min. total running times) reinforces material from the program. There are also seven short Interviews (13 min. total) with some of the talking heads from the documentary.
Film Value
Let me finish with something positive to say about this lackluster documentary. Tommy Smothers is one cool dude. I am too young to remember the Smothers Brothers show, and I never realized just subversive the program was at the time. Brokaw spends a surprising amount of time talking about the show´s audacity in directly criticizing the administration with biting sarcasm. He also played guitar on John Lennon´s "Give Peace a Chance." Jon Stewart also appears in "1968" to discuss the ways in which his work and, by proxy, "The Daily Show" was strongly influenced by the Smothers Brothers.
A technical note: The music from the original broadcast has been replaced for the DVD release. I don´t know which pop songs populated the broadcast track, but you won´t find them here.
Video
The program is presented in a 1.78:1 widescreen format. The interlaced transfer shows some minor instances of combing, and the quality of the archival footage ranges from adequate to dreadful. Overall, it´s a solid, professional job that looks about the way you´d expect a History Channel documentary to look like.
Audio
The DVD is presented in Dolby Digital Stereo. No subtitles are provided.
Extras
There are a bunch of short interviews collected under two headings. Tom Brokaw´s Personal Perspectives (4 min. total running times) reinforces material from the program. There are also seven short Interviews (13 min. total) with some of the talking heads from the documentary.
Film Value
Let me finish with something positive to say about this lackluster documentary. Tommy Smothers is one cool dude. I am too young to remember the Smothers Brothers show, and I never realized just subversive the program was at the time. Brokaw spends a surprising amount of time talking about the show´s audacity in directly criticizing the administration with biting sarcasm. He also played guitar on John Lennon´s "Give Peace a Chance." Jon Stewart also appears in "1968" to discuss the ways in which his work and, by proxy, "The Daily Show" was strongly influenced by the Smothers Brothers.
A technical note: The music from the original broadcast has been replaced for the DVD release. I don´t know which pop songs populated the broadcast track, but you won´t find them here.
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