Season Premiere:
Sep 14, 2014
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
88
User score
Universal Acclaim
8.3
My Score
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Season Episodes
Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
88
100% Positive
21 Reviews
21 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Sep 12, 2014
100
It’s a remarkable piece of filmmaking that fully rises to the occasion of its remarkable subjects. Television’s new season is upon us, but this is an achievement for all seasons.
Sep 11, 2014
100
Don't let that "intimate" description mislead you--Franklin's infidelity is documented, but not detailed, and the show takes no stance on Eleanor's sexuality beyond making it clear that the subject is more complicated than some may assume. As were these people, and as is this completely splendid documentary.
User score
Universal Acclaim
8.3
89% Positive
24 Ratings
24 Ratings
4% Mixed
1 Rating
1 Rating
7% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
Dec 13, 2014
10
Great series that brought these historic legends to life while also showing their humanity. I am not sure why anyone would think it was dull...sometimes it is the multitude of details, opportunities and lost opportunities that explain who we are. The makers of this film placed these pieces so that you and I can see these people as close as they really were.
Oct 15, 2014
10
Burns' documentaries showed so much about these pivotal years in US history. The relationships between the two Roosevelt families made an interesting backdrop to pull the series together. I especially appreciated that PBS had the shows available online for those of us who missed the live airings. Ken Burns skillfully integrated authentic film and photos into the series which gave insights into what was going on around the characters. After watching the series, I better understand just how frightening the WW I and II years were for people and just how at risk our country was at the time. Gives me hope for the future, given the past resilience of Americans... Our leaders were not perfect and had brutal critics, but managed to do what needed to be done. Recommend watching this series.
Sep 15, 2014
90
It’s a fascinating documentary that’ll make you want to devour it all, no matter where you start.
Sep 11, 2014
90
Burns and his frequent collaborator, writer Geoffrey C. Ward, plunge into the elements that make The Roosevelts so engrossing, enlightening and entertaining. In a seemingly effortless balancing act, Burns and Ward do justice to the massive mark these three individuals left on the country's history, while also keeping a tight focus on their inner lives.
Sep 12, 2014
80
It should still be said, however, that pretty good Burns is pretty great, provided you more or less agree with his take on things.
Sep 11, 2014
80
These lives are familiar to us the way that folk tales are, which is to say that no matter how well we already know them they remain vivid and exciting and moving when told well, as they are here.
Sep 12, 2014
70
The presentation is familiar, maybe a little too familiar, by now: actors reading journal entries; vintage photographs lovingly panned; historians adding commentary.... But Mr. Burns, cutting between [Theodore and Franklin's] life stories, probes the intersections with playful insight.
Sep 24, 2014
10
I don't usually watch 14 hour TV shows, but this was scheduled at just the right **** the lull between summer and fall seasons. Not only excellent and well done, but extremely informative. I feel like I learned more about American history from this series.......than I did in all my history classes in high school and college.
Sep 18, 2014
10
Ken Burns' documentaries are excellent but, I have to admit, they always seem to me to flatten out for me to almost the point of boredom. "The Roosevelts" is a definite exception. I have watched three episodes so far and it has riveted my interest. I have found the Teddy Roosevelt episodes most interesting, illustrating his greatness and his failings in a harsh but intelligent light. Great documentary!
Sep 19, 2014
9
Another great documentary by Ken Burns. It's extremely interesting, and I like how it shows a "warts and all" look at the family and their impact. I've watched a couple episodes so far, and I thought both of them were remarkable.
Sep 19, 2014
5
Has it's ups and downs. Almost boring in it's detail. Very one sided and hesitant to address the more controversial aspects of FDR and Eleanor's personalities. Nothing here to offend and it will soon be part of the endless PBS pledge drive programming.
