|
|
The Civil War killed more Americans than all other wars put together. How the nation went from that low point to becoming an industrial colossus in just a few decades is a fascinating story, well told here by concentrating on a few of the key players. The idea of having commentary from top modern industrialists worked well; they often had insights most of us wouldn't have. The reconstructions were very good and sometimes spectacularly so - you really felt you were watching film from the time. Overall an entertaining, enjoyable, informative show.
The worst flaw was the repetition. We're used to "previously on XYZ" type stuff, even "next week on" - but this show would rehash something it had just done ten minutes ago, sometimes word for word. It even crossed my mind it might be meant for people with learning disabilities. For the rest of us this was totally unnecessary, and it made it hard to watch streaming - I sometimes thought, have I seen this episode or haven't I?
The narrative would have flowed better if the rest of the world had got more acknowledgement where relevant. With Carnegie, the critical British invention of the Bessemer Converter was discussed; but with Morgan's Panama Canal, the previous unsuccessful attempt by the French wasn't mentioned at all. Worst of all, when Rockefeller needed a new use for his oil beside kerosene, we were told he looked for a use for gasoline which was then a waste product, and found it in the automobile - as if cars had sprung into being out of nowhere in response to his wish. Why not say this German invention started to flourish in America at just the right time?
score 8/10
Colin_Sibthorpe_II 11 October 2020
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw6165311/ |
|
18-10-2020 13:29:10
