Ken Burns' portrait of Louisiana governor/U.S. senator Huey Long.Ken Burns' portrait of Louisiana governor/U.S. senator Huey Long.Ken Burns' portrait of Louisiana governor/U.S. senator Huey Long.
- Awards
- 2 wins & 2 nominations
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- Writer
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Storyline
Did you know
- Quotes
Huey Long: I have the pleasure to undertake to describe to you--
[A photographer's flashbulb explodes with a loud bang and a flash. A long pause and laughter from all.]
Huey Long: Now you see there? That bomb didn't explode until tonight.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Ken Burns: America's Storyteller (2017)
Featured review
One of Burns' best documentaries
This is really one very fine documentary. It presents lots of Louisianans who lived through his period of power and who give a wide range of views of him, from those who thought he was God's gift to the people to those who prayed for his early demise.
In the process it gives a great summary of how a modern dictator can engineer his rise to power. The film puts him in the context of Hitler and especially Mussolini. I wish it could have shown how Lindbergh would try something similar just a few years later.
Great use is made of contemporary newsreels and photos. Sometimes, when he is on a podium, Long looked like a caricature of himself. But evidently this did not bother his loyal followers, of whom there were many.
My only small objection: there are too many interviewees for at least me to keep track of, yet most were not identified again after their first appearance. I wish their name had been used every time they reappeared.
But that's a slight point. This is very well done, and I strongly recommend it for anyone interested in American history in the 1920s and 30s.
In the process it gives a great summary of how a modern dictator can engineer his rise to power. The film puts him in the context of Hitler and especially Mussolini. I wish it could have shown how Lindbergh would try something similar just a few years later.
Great use is made of contemporary newsreels and photos. Sometimes, when he is on a podium, Long looked like a caricature of himself. But evidently this did not bother his loyal followers, of whom there were many.
My only small objection: there are too many interviewees for at least me to keep track of, yet most were not identified again after their first appearance. I wish their name had been used every time they reappeared.
But that's a slight point. This is very well done, and I strongly recommend it for anyone interested in American history in the 1920s and 30s.
helpful•00
- richard-1787
- Feb 10, 2023
Details
- Runtime1 hour 28 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
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