Educational Media Reviews Online

This video is a documentary on the Gettysburg Address and the circumstances surrounding the great speech. Lincoln at Gettysburg has a well-written narrative, good visuals, (including period photographs and art work), and scenes from the actual sites being described. It dramatically tells the story of the momentous speech and its impact on American history.

The first part of the video describes the causes of the Civil War and the events leading up to the Battle of Gettysburg. The next part briefly documents the battle, and defines its place in the war.

The next portion of the video recounts Lincoln’s trip to Gettysburg in November 1863 to deliver an address at the dedication of the new military cemetery. Instead of the physical trip from Washington to Gettysburg however, the production describes Lincoln’s spiritual journey from birth to the moments preceding the speech. This perspective integrates his life with the writing of the speech, creating a more personal approach.

The program then moves from the biographical to describing the events of November 18, 1863 providing a chronology of the day. Lincoln’s “few appropriate words” highlight this part, with dramatic views of statues, gravestones, and cemetery scenes to further heighten the effect of the speech. This portion of the video is very well executed.

Comments by listeners and a more critical analysis of the speech follow, giving context to the speech at the time and for the ages, adding weight to its strength.

The overall technical qualities of video and sound are well done and the narrative clearly describes the essential points well. In addition, the liner notes in the box include two versions of the Gettysburg Address, so that viewers may read the text at their own pace. This video production is a highly recommended addition to libraries at any level from intermediate school through adult.