The Shakers: Hands to Work, Hearts to God

1984 ""

The Shakers: Hands to Work, Hearts to God

7.2 | NR | en | Documentary

They called themselves the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, but because of their ecstatic dancing, the world called them Shakers. Ken Burns creates a moving portrait of this particularly American movement, and in the process, offers us a new and unusually moving way to understand the Shakers.

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7.2 | NR | en | Documentary | More Info

Released: November. 01,1984 | Released Producted By: Florentine Films , Country: Budget: 0 Revenue: 0 Official Website: http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/shakers/

Synopsis

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Cast

David McCullough , Julie Harris , Olga Bellin

Director

Ken Burns

Producted By

Florentine Films ,

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Trailers & Images

Cast

David McCullough

as Narrator (voice)

California Typewriter The Roosevelts: An Intimate History The Roosevelts: An Intimate History The Most Wonderful Time of the Year Featuring Natalie Cole Seabiscuit FDR (American Experience) The Civil War The Shakers: Hands to Work, Hearts to God Brooklyn Bridge

Julie Harris

as (voice)

The Lightkeepers The Beatles: Help! Not for Ourselves Alone: The Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Susan B. Anthony Ellen Foster Carried Away James Dean and Me Scarlett One Christmas The Dark Half

Olga Bellin

as (voice)

The Shakers: Hands to Work, Hearts to God Tomorrow

Reviews

MartinHafer David McCullough narrates this early documentary by Ken Burns--before Burns became a PBS celebrity. It's a film about the Shakers--an offshoot of the Quakers that was formed in 1774. The membership was quite large in the 1840s and consisted of, I think, 19 communes spread across the northern and central United States. Members lived very austere lives--devoting their time to hard work and worship--and complete abstinence from sex. Not surprisingly, this lack of sex, ultimately, meant that the group was doomed--as new members could only be recruited from the outside world. When the film was made, less than a dozen Shakers still alive back in 1984. Best internet source indicates there are 3 left in one facility in New England.The look of the film is pure Burns. Lots of vintage photos were used and his use of zooming and moving the camera about made the images seem to come to life. Additionally, a few surviving members were interviewed and even sang. The singing, though in some ways rather sweet, was also a bit hard on the ears. While the film did a great job of showing the history of the Shakers, it did seem incomplete in one way. What the Shakers exactly believed was a bit vague in the film. How their beliefs coincided or diverged from mainstream Christianity never was discussed other than the form of worship. It left me curious to know more. Still, it is a finely crafted film and interesting (provided you are willing to give it a chance). Worth seeing.