The National Parks: America’s Best Idea is a six-episode series directed by Ken Burns and written and co-produced by Dayton Duncan. Filmed over the course of more than six years at some of nature’s most spectacular locales – from Acadia to Yosemite, Yellowstone to the Grand Canyon, the Everglades of Florida to the Gates of the Arctic in Alaska – The National Parks: America’s Best Idea is nonetheless a story of people: people from every conceivable background – rich and poor; famous and unknown; soldiers and scientists; natives and newcomers; idealists, artists and entrepreneurs; people who were willing to devote themselves to saving some precious portion of the land they loved, and in doing so reminded their fellow citizens of the full meaning of democracy.

I’m looking forward to seeing this six-part documentary not only because of the history of the parks, but because I expect to see some amazing cinematography.  I have spent far too little time in America’s National Parks, but what precious little I have seen has been spectacular.

To view some clips from the film, check out the PBS website.  Once the series has run, I’ll provide a review right here on Documentary Film Blog.