
The National Parks: America's Best Idea
Seen it?2009 | 1 seasons | 120 min | Documentary
Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It won 2 Emmys, though it had a small audience and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for the curious.
- The mood
- Eye-opening.
- The pace
- One season: easy to finish in a weekend or two, hour-long episodes, about 12 hours in all.
- What might put you off
- Nothing much for most grown-ups.
Filmed over the course of more than six years at some of nature's most spectacular locales – from Acadia to Yosemite, Yellowstone to the Grand Canyon, the Everglades of Florida to the Gates of the Arctic in Alaska - “The National Parks: America's Best Idea” is nonetheless a story of people: people from every conceivable background – rich and poor; famous and unknown; soldiers and scientists; natives and newcomers; idealists, artists and entrepreneurs; people who were willing to devote themselves to saving some precious portion of the land they loved, and in doing so reminded their fellow citizens of the full meaning of democracy.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsSolid
Generally positive reviews
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsStrong
Won 2 Emmys: Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series, Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Writing for a Nonfiction Programming.
- Reach & staying powerBelow par
Limited series that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 27K people sought it out in the past year
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Cast & crew
- Adam Arkin
- Philip Bosco
- Peter CoyoteNarrator
- Amy Madigan
- Tom Hanks
- Murphy Guyer