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Category:    Home > Reviews > Documentary > Great Depression > Trains > History > Riding The Rails (American Experience)

Riding The Rails (American Experience)

 

Picture: C+     Sound: C+     Extras: C+     Documentary: B-

 

 

How bad was The Depression?  When you hear people talk about no one starving in the United States, you know that is as bold a lie and myth as there can be.  Before the rise of the American teenage and youth culture, before the country became so youth-obsessed, youth were abused and pretty much disposable.  Many of them are still are to too many in power and with money, but Riding The Rails (1997) is a fine record of it.

 

When The Great Depression hit, families that did exist were so devastated, that many teens left home looking for work and a better life.  What this special shows is to the very great extent teenaged men were hopping railroads to go all over the country.  Epidemic was the first word that came to mind as the show unravels and the movement gets larger and larger.  The number climbed to an estimated 250,000 and this documentary was the result of dozens of solicited letters at the start of the project.

 

Several survivors are interviewed, as well as historical film clips and facts included throughout.  Running 77 minutes, it is always compelling, informative and could have gone on longer.  Either way, it is a deserved multi-award winner and a vital record of a facet of The Great Depression that should never be forgotten.  Be sure to see it.

 

The 1.33 X 1 originated on analog videotape and looks good for its age, likely the NTSC format.  The Dolby Digital 2.0 is simple stereo and just fine, including all the classic songs by the likes of Woody Guthrie, Doc Watson and Jimmie Rogers among others.  Extras include a taped interview with producer/director/writers Michael Uys and Lexy Lovell, a stills section, a book excerpt and a weblink.  There is much more to say about this subject and it would be nice to see this as the beginning.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo


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