This isn't a story about the Gettysburg address. It's a story about how a group of students use the address to overcome adversity.
Great story, but I thought it was a history about the Gettysburg address when I purchased.

I thought this was a documentary about the Gettysburg Address, but it turned out also to be about a school for kids with learning difficulties and how they all learned the address as part of their curriculum. My wife is an Occupational Therapist and I found this to be a very great documentary and helped me understand some of what she does. I thought this was great. It was a great surprise! I didn't expect this at all, but am so glad that I watched it. Very moving!

Here i saw some horrible stress being placed on some young students. High school age boys are at a very vulnerable time in their lives.Life is very stressful for some at this age and a school such as the one shown in this film should not create and add more stress. This film can open a debate on many issues brought up in this film. I know that some students will write in their "year books" that this school was a horrible experience.

A very unique way of presenting this small fragment of history as seen through the eyes of these young men. Just as the words in the speech do not mean anything by themselves, but when taken in the context of the whole message being articulated, it becomes powerful. So it is also with each of these boys/young men. If you only see one piece of their personality (the troubled youth) then you will not understand them. Each one is the sum of their parts and if seen as that whole person, a truer more profound personality emerges and just like the speech, becomes infinitely more powerful

Slow start, but development of characters as the story unfolded culminated into an inspiring, emotional ending. In fact, it is so emotional, I can't watch it again. If you're looking for machines transforming into warriors or Hobbits leading the battle for middle earth, this is not for you. But if you want a straightforward story of kids overcoming very real learning disabilities and then performing at a level never imagined, then observing the impact it had on so many lives, this is for you.

Anything by Ken Burns is exceptional! This is the story of middle school through high school age boys who are challenged in some way. The documentary shows how capable these boys really are and what they are able to achieve through their memorization of The Gettysburg Address. Very touching. Loved it! Also includes a history of the war in Gettysburg.

Ken Burns does a great job integrating some of the history behind the Gettysburg address with a touching documentary about the Greenwood School. Greenwood takes boys who might otherwise become prisoners of their disabilities (if they remained in public schools), and frees them to realize their potential and become productive citizens.

I had a great time seeing these kids make such an effort. It teaches the viewers hpw important is to have perseverance. Also, how much can affect bullying to a child well-being. I would recommend this for every teacher and high school students.