MacArthur is a 1999 two-part television documentary film about Douglas MacArthur, a United States General of the Army. Produced by PBS for The American Experience (now simply American Experience) documentary program, it recounts the significant events and controversies in MacArthur's life, from childhood to his death in 1964. Written and produced by Austin Hoyt, directed by Hoyt and Sarah Holt, and narrated by David Ogden Stiers, the film first aired on PBS in two parts on May 17 and 18, 1999.
Interviewees
Stephen E. Ambrose, historian Zeneida Quezon Avenceña, daughter of Manuel L. Quezon Leon Beck, U.S. Army Faubion Bowers, aide to MacArthur Tanya Brooks, daughter-in-law Alfred X. Burgos, Manila resident Charles Canada Jr., friend of Arthur MacArthur Jr. Robert Dallek, historian John Dower, historian Daniel Finn, U.S. Army Carol Gluck, historian Beate Sirota-Gordon, constitution drafter for Japan Richard M. Gordon, U.S. Army Joseph C. Harsch, journalist Stanley Karnow, author Hal Lamar, aide to Admiral Chester Nimitz Robert W. Love, Ernest J. King biographer Harry J. Maihafer, military historian Merrill Pasco, aide to George Marshall Geoffrey Perret, biographer Carol Petillo, biographer Edwin Ramsey, U.S. Army guerilla Beth Day Romulo, Manila journalist Frank J. Sackton, aide to MacArthur Michael Schaller, historian Donald Showers, aide to Admiral Nimitz Edwin H. Simmons, marine historian Mark Stoler, George Marshall biographer Stephen Taaffe, historian Frank Tremaine, journalist Vernon A. Walters, U.S. Army Yoshida Yutaka, historian Kenneth R. Young, Arthur MacArthur Jr. biographer
Critical response Walter Goodman of The New York Times gave MacArthur a positive review, stating that "Although far from uncritical, Austin Hoyt's carefully balanced approach does justice to MacArthur's tactical abilities even as it takes account of a political obtuseness that at times verged on megalomania." Shannon Jones of World Socialist Web Site also gave an overall positive review, although with reservations, stating that "To the producers' credit the program attempts to deal with the subject in a serious way. [...] However, as one expects with American television, the commentary, while often informative, does not probe too deeply the political issues raised by Douglas MacArthur's career, nor does the production seriously challenge the image of the general as a 'hero'".
Home media MacArthur was first released on VHS by PBS on May 11, 1999, a few days before its television broadcast. PBS would later release the film on DVD by February 10, 2004.
References
External links Official PBS site