27 May 2005

To a generation of Americans, his was the authoritative news anchor's voice
that came into homes via radio, and later television, during some of the
most troubled and controversial times in history. To a generation of budding
reporters, his was the name that set the standard of excellence when it came
to broadcast journalism. Thanks to a new four-disc DVD collection, the life
and times of CBS newsman Edward R. Murrow (1908-1965) can be explored in a
wonderful collection of some of his best work.

Reporting from London in the late 1930s, Murrow spoke to America on radio,
as well as to Europe via the BBC. He pioneered the use of shortwave radio to
create simultaneous worldwide radio broadcasts; breaking news became just
that.

With the help of correspondents he handpicked for posts around the globe
(including Eric Sevareid, Charles Collingwood, Winston Burdett, William
Shirer and Howard K. Smith), Murrow created the first daily news show back
in 1938. Called "The World Today," the program featured 15-minute roundups
from European capitals where the correspondents were stationed. During World
War II, he flew more than two dozen combat missions over Europe and was live
on the radio with broadcasts during some of its fiercest battles. It was
Murrow and his contemporaries at CBS, most notably Fred Friendly, Walter
Cronkite, Frank Stanton and Sid Mickelson, who eventually put CBS News on
the planet.

"The Edward R. Murrow Collection" (Docurama) set for release on Tuesday
contains an excellent biography of the stalwart newsman. One entire disc
features highlights from Murrow's legendary "See It Now" television program,
which first aired in 1951, as the first in-depth, magazine-style news show
featuring interviews with luminaries of the day. The third disc features the
documentary, "The McCarthy Years," which chronicles Murrow's relentless
investigative pursuit of Sen. Joseph McCarthy during the famous Communist
witch-hunts of the 1950s.

As powerful as those three discs are, the one that will leave perhaps the
most lasting impression on viewers is the documentary "Harvest of Shame."
Broadcast as part of CBS News' "CBS Reports" series on Nov. 25, 1960,
Murrow's portrait of the exploitation of the American migrant farm worker in
the deep South became the gold standard in the field of documentary
filmmaking. It was also the first time in television history that the
"fourth estate" turned its critical eye on the government and big business
in such a public forum. Murrow's report shattered the perception of "the
American dream" with its depiction of the deplorable pay, working and
housing conditions of migrant farm workers. The black-and-white footage is
made even more stark by the silence therein-- there is little commentary
from the reporter. Most of the language comes from the workers' themselves
as their poverty (some made as little as $1 a day), starvation and the
general absence of the most basic human necessities are revealed. It is
widely regarded as one of the most unforgettable programs in television
history.

The "Murrow" collection is a unique opportunity to learn about the genesis
of CBS News and one man who was instrumental in that process. There are no
extras to speak of on the discs, save for a timeline of events.

A biopic about Murrow, directed by George Clooney, is expected in 2006, but
you might want to give the real thing a look first.

Miriam Di Nunzio
http://www.suntimes.com/output/movie...vidbits27.html