The West

This is a “Ken Burns” documentary series, but unlike his most famous works, he acted only as Executive Producer. (Or, perhaps, Show Runner, as we call it now days.) The show is, at times, incredibly Burnsian, despite Burns’ seeming relative lack of involvement. And this is the biggest problem with what is an informative and interesting, and at times, affecting, miniseries. Some episodes are more in debt to Burns’ trademark style than others. (Some feel like carbon copies of The Civil War albeit with different subject matter.) Burns’ remaking of American myths is on full throttle here, and it feels as though the filmmakers almost tried too hard to create a mythical world around which “The West” could revolve. That being said, the show is remarkably fair, covering the experiences of all cultures and valuing all. But the idea that “The West” is a place and possesses an essence is a little too strong. And the decision to imitate Burns’ style – despite the direction by a different filmmaker – is at times a little much.