THE MEN WHO BUILT AMERICA: Television Miniseries (Released to Television USA 2012)

 

Ben Meyers’ Summary Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì Ben Meyers' Summary of The Men Who Built America: Television Miniseries Note: This miniseries has been released in different formats on various platforms. This critique is based on the 7-episode format not the 4-episode original television release. The Men Who Built America: Television Miniseries—wonderfully entertaining piece of American history told in documentary format—does a beautiful job of showing how nine Americans while seeming in deep rivalry with each other actually laid the foundation for America's growth into a superpower in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The re-enactments are educational, informative, and entertaining. The camera work is outstanding and the stage settings are richly done. No lack found in both presentation and portrayal.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline The personal and business stories of Cornelius Vanderbilt, John D. Rockefeller, Tom Scott, Andrew Carnegie, J.P. Morgan, Thomas Edison, Nicola Tesla, George Westinghouse, and Henry Ford are beautifully intertwined to show how different lives with completely different skill levels and interests compliment each other to create a single rope from which the United States of America nimbly swings into the fast moving 20th century. Additional Thanks Thank you to Directors Ruán Magan and Patrick Reams for directing effort. Thank you to Series Producer Keith Palmer and David C. White. Executive Producers Paul Cabana, Stephen David, Dirk Hoogstra, and Russell McCarroll, for making the film possible. Cast includes: Campbell Scott, H.W. Brands, Mark Cuban, Donny Deutsch. Donald Trump, Steve Case, Jim Cramer, A.J. Achinger, John C. Bailey, Amy Baska, Matt Boliek, David Donahue, Cary Donaldson,  and Tim Getman.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This miniseries is an ode to the moving picture industry. A series every American should watch before critically thinking about the country's future. A very good reminder of William A. Ward's famous quote:  "Study while others are sleeping, prepare while others are playing, and dream while others are wishing."       Video Critique Available Here:  Ben Meyers Episode 1 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.4|5.0 Starsìììì Episode 1—great beginning to this miniseries—shows high quality from its opening scenes in storytelling, camera work, stage settings, acting; and ability to captivate its audience.   Storyline The Civil War is over. Lincoln is assassinated. Cornelius Vanderbilt starts building his empire in  the ship yards before switching to trains. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Yes. There is something about this episode that works to immediately establish a 4.4-star rating. What a wonderful episode! Thank you for all involved in production. Ben Meyers  Episode 2  Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì  Episode 2—more than watchable—shows a type of rivalry rearing its head as entrepreneurs maneuver into place to dominate certain industries.   Storyline  Rockefeller stops oil transport on specific rail lines which ruins Tom Scott's and Andrew Carnegie's rail lines. Tom Scott dies as a result of his financial losses while Andrew Carnegie continues to build the steel business.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Yes.  This episode absolutely upholds the best of standards in movie-making.  Ben Meyers Episode 3  Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì Episode 3—terrific writing marks this episode—relies on great re-enactments and interviews with interpretations of historical events. Storyline Carnegie and Rockefeller compete. Carnegie continues to employ Henry Frick, leaves for Scotland, while Frick takes command and demands much from Carnegie employees.    Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Yes. This is a great episode and more than worth watching with great presentation and storyline. Ben Meyers Episode 4 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì  Episode 4—strong structure—is a WOW! episode that continues to develop American history in the very late 19th century.  Storyline A new rival, J.P. Morgan, is on the rise as he chooses to finance Thomas Edison’s light bulb invention, takes Rockefeller's expansion into kerosene into its next level while Carnegie returns to America. Nikola Tesla resigns his position with Edison to work with AC power and becomes attached to George Westinghouse.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? Yes. This is a great episode that artfully intertwines several seemingly unrelated events into a whole. Episode 5 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì Episode 5—nothing lacking here—continues its masterful weaving of America's story.  Storyline  J.P. Morgan, against his father’s wishes, continues to finance Thomas Edison. Westinghouse continues to finance Nicola Tesla but soon finds himself in deep debt. Tesla responds by relinquishing patents to Westinghouse. An electrical station is planned at Niagara Falls.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a great episode. Ben Meyers Episode 6 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì Episode 6—excellently executed—does not falter in this series' high quality presentation.  Storyline J.P. Morgan, Andrew Carnegie, and John D. Rockefeller are challenged by Democrat William Bryan's policies and choose Republican William McKinley for president and help him get elected. After Morgan, Carnegie, and Rockefeller save their companies, Rockefeller decides to enter the steel market. Carnegie buys Rockefeller's steel interests.  J.P. Morgan decides to buy Carnegie's steel interests. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This is a great episode and tells a great story. Ben Meyers Episode 7  Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì  Episode 7— final episode—acts in complete harmony with the quality level of this series.  Storyline John D. Rockefeller loses his case in court but finds himself in better business shape after the court battle than before the battle. As his monopoly dissolves into fragments that smaller companies command, he retains a piece of each company and increases his wealth manyfold.  J.P. Morgan uses government to help him build the Panama Canal. Henry Ford begins mass production of the automobile which needs the many new fueling stations that spring up all over the nation. Andrew Carnegie and Rockefeller begin mass philanthropy projects across America to improve living and working conditions for the common man.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?   Yes. This is a great episode and marks the men and the times that move softly into the computer age, AI, and beyond. Ben Meyers