THE PLOT THUS FAR
The Italian Americans reveals the unique and distinctive qualities of one immigrant group’s experience, and how these qualities, over time, have shaped and challenged America. At the turn of the 20th century, many Italians immigrants came to work, earn money to support their families, and eventually return home. Nearly half of the first generation Italian immigrants did return to Italy, but for those that made America home, their struggle to maintain a distinct Italian culture was guided by remarkably powerful ideals of family that had always been at the center of their lives. While the power of the Italian family became a source of strength, it also bred suspicion, popularized in popular media as a dark, criminal element. This clash of culture echoed through generations of Italian Americans as they entered positions of political, social, and cultural influence. Through extensive archival materials and interviews with scholars and notable Italian Americans such as Tony Bennett, Nancy Pelosi, Gay Talese and John Turturro, The Italian Americans tells the story of those who played vital roles in helping to shape a unique Italian American identity and to transform American life and culture.
WHAT WE THOUGHT
“The Italian Americans” is a PBS documentary released dedicated to the Italians that make America so great. You get some fresh immigrants sprinkled in with people whose great-grandparents might’ve been Italian. Everyone gets in on the cultural train and we get to learn about this country’s rich cultural history. Then, there’s the organize crime element that everyone wrings their hands over. But, it’s back to more talking heads.
If you aren’t in love with the program by now, I should let you know that the show runs four hours over two discs. That’s a lengthy commitment to cultural education, but one that is well worth undertaking. Still, I feel like it could’ve covered deeper issues than why the immigrants stayed. I’d love to see PBS keep it up with these releases, but they need to have follow-ups and related work done to flesh out the content.
The DVD comes with no special features. The A/V Quality is on par for most recent standard definition PBS releases. The transfer isn’t amazing, but it works. The same goes for the Dolby 2.0 audio track. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase.
RELEASE DATE: 02/24/2015