Search - Ken Burns' America: Thomas Hart Benton on DVD

Superb documentary of a great American painter.

Joseph T. Reeves | 05/21/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Thomas Hart Benton" is a revealing and immensely watchable biography of an artist who probably reached more Americans than any other. As Ken Burns ably proves, Benton's work captured the spirit and history of the average American man and woman. Combining samples of Benton's work, interviews with art critics, family, friends and enemies as well as footage of Benton himself, Burns presents a perfectly balanced approach to an artist's life and his statement of America as a struggling, vibrant land. You don't have to like Benton's art to like this film. In fact, several of the critics Burns interviewed for this one-hour documentary dismiss Benton as a serious artist. However, what they say about Benton is as revealing as the praise of critics who revere him. Perfectly balanced and entertaining."

An under rated American artist

James Markham | Las Vegas, NV USA | 03/29/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I originally came across this video at the public library, and have checked it out so many times, I finally decided to buy a copy. I show it to my art appreciation classes for two reasons. Very few Americans know who Thomas Hart Benton was, and what he contributed to American Art. Also, he was a friend and mentor to Jackson Pollock. The documentary is very well done, and enjoyable to watch. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in American Art and artists of the 20th Century."