Baseball – A Movie By Ken Burns
$39.94
Value: $39.94
(as of Apr 21, 2025 08:35:46 UTC – Particulars)
Ken Burns tops himself with this epic of American historical past, advised in “9 innings,” with a talented narration by John Chancellor and the voices of Paul Newman, Jason Robards, Billy Crystal, and different stars. The sequence spans 150 years, beginning with the myth-debunking story of baseball’s true beginnings — when it was a recreation “one diploma above mayhem.” Then observe the expansion of America’s Nationwide Pastime by the a long time of glory and record-setting achievements, in addition to the scandals, the bigotry, and the massive cash. The sequence portrays the sport as a mirror of America itself — the passions, prejudices, and ambitions which have form the nation.
Side Ratio : 1.33:1
Is Discontinued By Producer : No
MPAA score : NR (Not Rated)
Product Dimensions : 7.5 x 5.5 x 3 inches; 1.65 Kilos
Director : Ken Burns
Media Format : A number of Codecs, Field set, NTSC, Coloration
Run time : 19 hours
Launch date : September 28, 2004
Actors : Mamie Ruth Moberly, Hank Aaron, Bud Abbott, Roger Angell, Arthur Ashe
Studio : PBS Paramount
ASIN : B000BITUDO
Variety of discs : 10
Stephanie Walter –
Ken Burns Baseball
I got this for my husband because he watches it every year after the World Series when it’s on TV. He was complaining about all the commercials that it had in 2024 since it wasn’t on PBS. No more commercials.
Bruce A. Manke –
Ken Burns’ “Baseball”: Everyone Should See This Program
I grew up around lots of people who KNEW baseball lore and were of course very up to date on what was happening day by day during any particular season. What often baffled me was “how could they know all of this stuff about things that happened in games SO many years ago; a particular play in a particular inning?” HOW? Well, when I watched this entire documentary from start to finish I was given the gift of understanding the answer to my big question about people who love baseball and why. I have a vastly deeper appreciation for the game now than I ever did, even though I never had the hand-eye coordination to be any kind of a player myself at any point in my life! It’s nice if you ARE good at ball playing, but I learned from this superb work by Burns that you don’t have to be a “player” to truly love the game and understand why millions of others love it just as much. I gave this set with its new 10th inning to my 18 year old son (who is a great ball player) as a high school graduation gift. He’s so young that I’m sure even he doesn’t know all that he’ll learn in the time he invests watching and enjoying this fine program. This program was a gift to myself and I know it’s a great gift for my son. I believe that the gift I’m giving him here is the invitation to understand that now HE is connected to this great piece of American history; he belongs to something wonderful in our culture. That makes me very happy! Private message to Ken: Uh, look Ken, I know you’re tired of being asked to make yet another and perhaps another show (which would have no end in sight) about baseball as its history has continued. Relax, my friend. You’ve done enough. As I heard a brilliant man deliver the commencement address to a group of graduating Yale Law Students once, he told the group that though he knew they were all energized to go out into the world to try to save it on their own, that this just wasn’t the practical way to approach their forthcoming work as lawyers. He said to them: “…..Just do some of it. If everyone in this class will understand and just do ‘some’ of the work, eventually all of the important work will get done.” Great advice. You’ve done your part Ken. From this point on, let someone else do something else with baseball if they want to. Unload yourself. You did your part, and you made a great program! Let the next person live up to what you’ve already made, which is a masterful piece of historical work. And by the way, I’m a Yankee fan. I know you like the Red Sox, and that’s OK! They’re two fine teams with histories that are the stuff of legend. Your documentary is great because it has ALL the stuff of legend, and there are some really great lessons about life in every inning. My compliments to you and your staff.
Amazon Customer –
Great Ken Burns Documentary
Love the way that Ken Burns presents the information
Richard G. –
On Time, As Advertised
On Time, As Advertised
Chris Collas –
Excellent Service Recovery!
I recently placed an order for Ken Burns Baseball documentary as a Christmas gift several weeks before Christmas. It was severely delayed and ultimately I reached out after Christmas has passed and I still hadn’t received anything. I requested a refund through Amazon and it was approved. Then, Torsion reached out and admitted there was some sort of shipping issue and my package was lost of never picked up by USPS. Regardless of whether it was Torsion Entertainment’s fault or the fault of USPS, Torsion apologized and accepted responsibility. They let my refund be issued and still said they would ship out my prefer, free of charge. I received my order today. I’ve been in business for years and mistakes happen with every company, but the willingness to admit fault, even if it wasn’t on them, and to make it right, says everything I need to know about their company and how they do business. Not only do I not care about the original issue anymore, I now have the utmost respect for this company and would gladly purchase from them again as well as recommend them to anyone. It’s just refreshing in this day and age to see company’s have this level of customer service. Thank you!!
Amazon Customer –
Perfect
Arrived in perfect shape, unopened and well packaged.
Lawrance Bernabo –
An annual rite of spring: watching “Baseball”
Every spring I watch Ken Burns’ celebrated documentary “Baseball” on the weekend of Opening Day. Even if I am not sitting glued to the tube while it is on, listening to John Chancellor tell the story of the game is an enjoyable experience. Each “inning” takes on a specific focus, providing a defining element in the way Ty Cobb played the game, the Black Sox Scandal, the way Babe Ruth played the game, the struggle of the Negro Leagues, the dominance of New York temas in the Fifties, the creation of Free Agency, etc. Concise profiles of many of the game’s greatest players and managers are spread throughout the nine volumes. More importantly, virtually every great moment in the history of the sport is to be found, not to mention some wonderful old-fashioned baseball songs.Clearly, the climax of the documentary comes in Inning 6, “The National Pastime,” when Jackie Robinson starts playing for the Dodgers. The series begins with a prologue on Ebbets Field and Robinson is laid to rest in the final episode. While the focus is on the Major Leagues throughout, Burns always checks back in with what is happening with the black players and the Negro Leagues, building towards Robinson breaking the color barrier. I think it is fair to say the documentary loses some steam after that point, but then that is the point where the series gets to players and moments that overlap our own lifetime. Once we get to colored images from television there is a different feel to “Baseball” from the black & white images to which we have become accustomed.Also, the more you know about the history of baseball the more you will see the glaring omissions. Stan Musial is the obvious example cited by other reviewers, but he is eclipsed in the episodes covering the 40’s and 50’s by Jackie Robinson and the New York teams, just as he was during his career. In terms of the talking heads it is hard to appreciate Billy Crystal and George Will, devotees of the game though they are, after listening to Buck O’Neill (who is the breakthrough “Shelby Foote” of “Baseball”). However, I prefer to ascribe these shortcomings to editorial decisions and the fact this is only a nine-tape set instead of maliciousness. So, yes, it could be better, and maybe it is too reverent, but there is a fundamental love of the game here comparable to such treasured feature films as “The Natural,” “Bull Durham” and “Field of Dreams.” All of these are necessary spring training workouts for preparation of enjoying the boys of summer.
Mick the Hat –
The second part of Ken Burns’ marvelous epic American trilogy – coming between The Civil War and Jazz – and the only one of the three not to be shown on the Beeb. For my money, all three are among the finest historical documentaries ever made. The original Baseball series was in nine parts – referred to as innings, of course – and took us from the sport’s beginnings up to 1992. This set includes The Tenth Inning, taking us up to 2009, which Burns made with Lynn Novick. Baseball is well worth watching even if you don’t like baseball – if you love it, as I do, this is heaven.
Alexander G Vukasinovic –
It’s simply the best documentary on baseball and indeed any sport, bravo Ken Burns.
willy –
Questi DVD non possono assolutamente mancare nella casa di chi ama il baseball e soprattutto la MLB. Si tratta di un documentario sporitivo, dove viene raccontata, decade per decade, la storia del baseball negli USA. I DVD sono ovviamente in inglese, ma sono disponibili sottotitoli, sempre in inglese, per chi non ha una grande padronanza della lingua. L’unica pecca: essendo un prodotto statunitense i DVD sono Region 1 e quindi dovete avere un lettore dvd adatto o adattabile.BELLISSIMO!!!
KonMax –
Was in der Produktbeschreibung nicht sehr klar und deutlich gemacht wird: Videos werden nur mit Regionalklasse 1 (USA) ausgeliefert. Deshalb in Europa/Deutschland zunächst mal Enttäuschung, da der Player die DVD’s nicht abspielte. Mußte mir noch externes Laufwerk für den Mac kaufen, um Filme betrachten zu können. Ist aber alles der Mühe wert. Freue mich auf die vergnüglichen Stunden mit Ken Burns Meisterwerk.Herausgabe der Videos auch mit Regionalklasse 2 wäre toll, es gibt auch in Europa Baseball-Fans!
Babber –
I remember watching this on PBS when it first came out. Ken Burns does an excellent job of capturing the history of baseball. A must for every baseball fan. Product came on time and in excellent condition.