The Roosevelts: An Intimate History Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

The Roosevelts: An Intimate History Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf September 16, 2014

In American politics, there have been many dynasties, but few have represented the nation’s spirit of determination and authority quite like the Roosevelts. Enter celebrated documentarian Ken Burns, who undertakes an exhaustive exploration of the family with “The Roosevelts: An Intimate History,” spotlighting the trials and triumphs of Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Eleanor Roosevelt. In typical Burns fashion, historical fixation results in television gold, devoting 14 hours to the understanding of motivation, hubris, and compassion, while reinforcing a criminally outdated concept of near-selfless public service that helped to secure the longevity of the family name.

“The Roosevelts: An Intimate History” covers separate factions of the family as they conduct business in their home state of New York, with sanctuaries built in Oyster Bay and Hyde Park. While time is spent examining the incredible rise of power for these three individuals, Burns is most interested in the emotional drive that fueled inconceivable political ambition. Theodore was the first out in the field, with his physical vitality and overwhelming personality guarding considerable pain brought on by the death of loved ones, transforming him into a machine of publicity and a theatrical figure of war. FDR proceeded in a quieter fashion, inspired by his distant cousin to enter politics, with his patrician upbringing facilitating professional advancement in key political positions, while wife Eleanor grew from a role of marital support to one of public representation due to FDR’s battle with polio.

It’s a remarkable story that spans time and inspects several glories and tragedies, remaining close to the subjects to best grasp their headspace during tumultuous periods of war, death, and the unknown. Armed with a team of researchers, Burns surges forward with a pastiche of evidence pulled from film and photo archives, newspapers, and even personal diaries and letters, using talents such as Paul Giamatti, Meryl Streep, and Edward Herrmann (who’s no stranger to a dramatic reading of FDR) to give life to intimate thoughts. It’s an amazing collection of sights and sounds, supported by expert testimony, with journalists and biographers contributing their own interpretation of psychological wear and tear, helping Burns build a sophisticated examination of these public figures and the private woe that inspired them to take action.

Episodes

“Get Action: 1858-1901” (113:39)

Distant cousins born in different eras, Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin Delano Roosevelt shared a common political destiny, interested in serving America and bringing the country to prominence. For Theodore, the road to such glory was paved with misery, suffering the debilitating loss of his first wife and mother in the same day, while a subsequent character-building excursion as a rancher in the Badlands ended in a financial loss. Still, such setbacks only motivated his spirit, winding through a political career that was boosted by stints as the police commissioner of New York and the rise of the Rough Riders. His run for Vice President, a move he considered political death, would quickly offer him absolute power after an assassin’s bullet killed President William McKinley. As a child, FDR was adored by his mother and raised as a proper young man, but couldn’t find popularity in school. His fascination with Theodore’s career would trigger his own ambitions. And Eleanor, the daughter of Theodore’s self-destructive brother, would be raised in loneliness after the death of her parent, struggling with her identity at the family’s estate at Hyde Park.

“In the Arena: 1901-1910” (114:33)

Rising to the presidential challenge, Theodore ruffles feathers with one of his first ceremonial acts: inviting Booker T. Washington to dinner. His efforts to thwart a possible coal strike go on to challenge his moral obligation instead of his constitutional commitment, while a plan to bring the Panama Canal to life results in dubious agreements with foreign leaders. Theodore also defines his presidency with the Treaty of Portsmith, which won him the Noble Peace Prize but failed to quench his thirst for war. After a disastrous stint at Harvard, FDR settles into adult life, showing interest in distant cousin Eleanor, with their engagement horrifying his mother, forcing the pair to hide their love. And facing the end of his presidency, Theodore takes off to Africa, where a big game hunting trip restores bravado diluted during his time in office.

“The Fire of Life: 1910-1919” (114:44)

Refusing to remain out of the political spotlight for long, Theodore runs for a third term. Unable to see eye to eye with the Republican Party, he establishes the Progressive Party, running against President Taft and Woodrow Wilson for the presidency. FDR commences his gradual climb to power, accepting government positions that provide him with a unique education. As World War I creeps across the globe, both Theodore and FDR endeavor to play a role in America’s entrance into the conflict -- a devastating struggle that’s responsible for Theodore’s public withdrawal. And Eleanor is troubled by her role as a homemaker, rocked by the revelation of an affair between FDR and a prettier, younger woman, altering the dynamic of their marriage.

“The Storm: 1920-1933” (114:51)

Presented with an opportunity to run for vice president with James M. Cox, FDR campaigns with vigor, sensing a golden opportunity to advance his career while trying to interest Eleanor in the machinations of the position, sparking her interest in the common people. As FDR battles with polio and juggles an affair with a distant cousin, Eleanor rises to represent the couple in the media, growing into a confident speaker and organizer. Struggling to find a cure for his broken body, FDR wins the governorship of New York and then the presidency, faced with a new world of misery as the 1929 stock market crash deals the country a catastrophic hand, challenging the new leader.

“The Rising Road: 1933-1939” (114:55)

Commencing a presidency in the shadow of The Great Depression, FDR is faced with a mess that requires a delicate clean-up process. Establishing the “fireside chat,” he manages to refocus the country, averting disaster, strengthening America with a wave of social programs: the “New Deal.” Maintaining a careful media presence to disguise his disability, FDR remains an enigma for many, while Eleanor takes the spotlight, creating her own political agenda along the way. The years are turbulent for the couple, with newfound unrest in Europe caused by Adolph Hitler pushing FDR to consider America’s position of involvement in the oncoming war.

“The Common Cause: 1939-1944” (113:17)

As Germany begins toppling empires in Europe, FDR works to create a plan of protection as his presidency slides into an unprecedented third term. Establishing America’s military might to help the Allied effort, FDR’s entry into war is triggered by the Pearl Harbor bombing, teaming with Winston Churchill to create a plan strong enough to topple Hitler’s threat. Eleanor reaches out to the troops through arduous travel plans, solidifying herself as a force of sympathy to soften the hardness of politics. As the war plays out with great loss and honor, FDR is hit with a mystery illness on the eve of an election year.

“A Strong and Active Faith: 1944-1962” (109:47)

Working on a post-war strategy, FDR establishes what will become the United Nations, also aiding veterans with the G.I. Bill of Rights. After winning his fourth term of presidency, FDR struggles to fulfill his obligations, eventually passing away in 1945, with Truman leaning on Eleanor to keep up the Roosevelt spirit, taking a seat at the U.N. Now focused on her own issues of equality and safety, Eleanor defines a new chapter in her life, committed to the causes of the country.

The Roosevelts: An Intimate History Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation gracefully weaves together a complex network of film footage and stills. Age is evident, yet the viewing experience crisply and cleanly examines the considerable amount of evidence laid out by the production. Favoring black and white to capture the era, levels are secure and expressive, while more natural, everyday hues begin to creep into view as the years pass, allowing the series to enjoy more vivid sights while remaining consistent to the overall work. Black levels are communicative. Sharpness is strong, with terrific detail on interviewees and the archival selections, which carry satisfactory textures.

The Roosevelts: An Intimate History Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix secures a striking presence, making an effort to utilize surrounds with evocative atmospherics, generating an unexpected circular event that provides immersion few documentaries dare to examine. Warfare supplies directional effects, while offering the mix some low-end rumble. Narration is clean and fresh, managing accents and disparate performances with consistency. Scoring is nuanced, with precise instrumentation that supports comfortably, rising in intensity as dramatic needs require.

The Roosevelts: An Intimate History Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Disc One

• Bonus Videos (69:42, HD) gather additional segments, including a peek at the interior of Sagamore Hill, a look at Roosevelt home movies, and an overview of the musical efforts provided by composer David Cieri.

Disc Seven

• Making Of (31:31, HD) covers Burns's determination to create a documentary solely about the Roosevelts after touching on their accomplishments in previous productions. Instead of breaking down technical challenges, this featurette is a promotional piece, with extended clips included and interviewees selling the documentary instead of dissecting it. Still, it's always rewarding to hear Burns discuss his own work.

• Deleted Scenes (26:48, HD) explores snipped segments from all episodes, including a deeper understanding of Theodore's childhood, the creation of John Singer Sargent's White House portrait of Theodore, and Eleanor's interaction with the Tuskegee Airmen.

The Roosevelts: An Intimate History Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Roosevelts: An Intimate History" finds ways to renew interest in its already extensively covered subjects, using a substantial run time to provide deep cuts of experience and reflection. The series provides a whole new appreciation of these leaders, with their weaknesses and power reimagined as extensions of destiny, not just daily business conquered and set aside. It's powerful work from Burns, thorough and wholly enlightening.