MTFCA Forum

I have always been a fan of American History and the way Ken Burns documentaries can tell an interesting and educational story. His 1990 documentary on the Civil War was his best work and the way he used period music, period photos and actors to bring the history alive was masterful.

This evening, I went to his website a wrote him a short letter suggesting that he do a film on Henry Ford and his Model T. I think it would be a great story covering the importance Henry Ford, the assembly line and the Model T were to the American way of life. It’s a long shot but hopefully my suggestion won’t fall on deaf ears. Let’s keep our fingers crossed. If he did it, it might revive interest in the Model T for another generation. Jim Patrick

I'll agree with you, Jim, Ken Burn's is a master story teller. Two videos have previously been made about Henry Ford and the Model T. One was a 3 part series called "Henry Ford, The Man and The Machine", and I think the other was called "Ford and The American Road" I have both on VHS and still have a player that plays both VHS and DVD's. I can also dupe VHS cassettes to DVD's. If Ken is aware of these two videos that I mentioned, I think the likelihood of him doing another would be slim.

I'd like to see him do a factual documentary on Ford Motor Company from the beginning through 1927. That would necessarily be a major project.

He might have problems getting funding, especially if he did not agree to demonize Henry Ford and private automobiles in general.

He can do great historical work. When history is made into a documentary it will be good IF they actually follow it as it really happened.
The history channel did a story on the rise of automobiles and did it in a generalized way. It was good but the purists didn’t like it because of the detail that wasn’t followed. When Ford history was shown it wasn’t exactly down to dating the cars and some inaccuracies were in it. But that didn’t stop me from watching it. In general it was OK. I wasn’t looking at every nut and bolt to see if it was on the correct year car. One thing always arises is the personal views of the producer. As mentioned some may not like Henry Fords views of the time. But that’s how history is and some don’t like how things really were. And that’s from both sides and especially from the ones who are in control of the media. We’ve seen that already.

Another "Oh damn, he must have died" subject line. Please, people, don't just post names as subjects without some further explanation. Please?

I have watched the Civil War Documentary 3 times though. It is wonderfully made. I still find myself humming the melody’s from the film. I would love a Model T documentary on that level
Bryant

DLodge wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 20, 2023 9:03 am

Another "Oh damn, he must have died" subject line. Please, people, don't just post names as subjects without some further explanation. Please?

That was my thought too.

The Civil War was by far my favorite, followed by County Music and Baseball.
Great stories, all of them
Kevin

What’s the deal about posting somebody’s name with out explanation?

Name Ken Burns
Explanation Documentary film maker

John kuehn wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 20, 2023 2:56 pm

What’s the deal about posting somebody’s name with out explanation?
Name Ken Burns
Explanation Documentary film maker

It has frequently been a way of announcing the death of a forum member. If I see a subject line which reads "John Kuehn," with no further reason for the post, then I am always afraid that we have lost a member. It's no more complicated to post "John Kuehn has a question," and that one doesn't make me catch my breath.

I too am a fan of Ken Burn's work. He makes history enjoyable and interesting even for those who aren't history buffs. One of his works that no one has mentioned is "Horatio's Drive". This is the fascinationg story of the first transcontinental automobile trip taken in 1903 by Dr. Horatio Nelson Jackson and his hired co-driver/mechanic Sewell Crocker. It is incredibly well documented with photographs, newspaper articles of the time, and Dr. Jackson's letters to his wife in Vermont. Take the time to watch it. You'll enjoy it.

https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/horatios-drive/

Yes I do know that there are posts about losing a member and it doesn’t bother me about knowing about it. But not everyone see’s it that way. And no I’m not a jerk and not care and I do. It’s a way of letting us know about the what’s going on with Model T hobbyists. I don’t like to see it but life goes on.
As far as Ken Burns he’s not a forum member and to me it’s a way to give creadance to somebody who does take an interest in history and when he’s mentioned I do see what it’s about.
It would be a good thing if he would do more documentaries about about the people who made a big contribution to our country. Henry Ford is one of those real people who wasn’t perfect but a real innovator.

Dick Lodge has a point so I changed the title so readers won’t think we lost Ken Burns. That would concern me too. Jim Patrick

Jim

yer a good man...anyone ever tell you that?

John kuehn wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 20, 2023 8:16 pm

Yes I do know that there are posts about losing a member and it doesn’t bother me about knowing about it.

I may have misstated my point. It also doesn't bother me to know about losing a member, but I don't like seeing the name of someone I know, thinking it's bad news, and finding out that he has, for example, bought another T or had a new grandchild. If I didn't like news about someone dying, I wouldn't read the obituaries. (I've reached the age where obituaries are no longer about my friends' parents.) Jim Patrick's solution is the way I prefer seeing posts about living people.