The Italian Americans

:

Season 1
  • Network: PBS
  • Series Premiere Date: Feb 17, 2015
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 4 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
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Critic Reviews

  1. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    Feb 17, 2015
    100
    [Producer John] Maggio has discovered the unfamiliar in something some of us thought was already familiar, and by doing so, does help dispel embedded stereotypes while enriching an already rich heritage.
  2. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Amy Amatangelo
    Feb 17, 2015
    80
    Even those who don’t have such a personal connection to the series will be captivated by the documentary.
  3. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    Feb 17, 2015
    80
    John Maggio traces the Italian-American tale in a loving but clear-headed way.
  5. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: David Wiegand
    Feb 17, 2015
    75
    Maggio employs the now-standard historical documentary technique employed most visibly by Ken Burns, but the real strength of his film rests in the care with which he builds his case about the epic struggles Italian Americans have had over the years, and their invaluable contributions to a culture that took a long time to accept them.

User Reviews

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User Score
4.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 4 out of 8
  1. jorly
    Mar 4, 2015
    3
    As an Italian American I was so disgusted I stopped watching this show after 3 episodes. You'd think all my ancestors got off the boat atAs an Italian American I was so disgusted I stopped watching this show after 3 episodes. You'd think all my ancestors got off the boat at Ellis Island and just STAYED in NYC! WRONG!! In one episode there was about a 1-minute reference to Italians who went to Chicago and about 5 minutes on those who went to California. The entire Great Lakes region attracted millions of Italians, yet didn't get a moment's mention. So what this show is saying is that NYC Italian Americans represent ALL Italian Americans, and that's pure cow patty! This was a show about NYC Italian Americans and no others. Ridiculous.… Full Review »
  2. DBRANES
    Mar 2, 2015
    5
    I'd like to take issue with the four critics who gave positive reviews to the documentary. There was way too much stress on the Italian crimeI'd like to take issue with the four critics who gave positive reviews to the documentary. There was way too much stress on the Italian crime and the Mafia, the godfather, and Mario Puzo. I agree that this aspect should be presented, but to give so much time to Joseph Valachi at the expense of other positive aspects was, in my opinion, to continue to enhance the negative stereotypes . I'm thumbing through the book "The Italian Americans" by Morreale and Carola and found a much more balanced presentation.
    In the book I found a signer of the Declaration of Independence, the founder of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and others who could have been mentioned in lieu of the time spent on Italian crime. Of course Sinatra, Dean Martin and Perry Como should be presented but to include Fabian instead of someone like Arturo Toscanini is inexcusable. And in the part on religion what about Mother Cabrini, who by the way is the patron saint of immigrants, and was canonized in 1946 by Pope Pius XII?
    The writers, producers etc. missed the mark somewhat with the part on World War2. The Italian-American soldier meeting family in Italy was indeed very poignant. They could've enhanced that part by including Enrico Fermi, who became an American citizen in 1944. Fermi was probably the greatest Italian scientist since Galileo and he helped to win the war because of his work at Los Alamos. They forgot Fermi??
    Incidentally my mother was born in Naples and I was born in 1943, so from the documentary I did learn why I never learned to speak Italian at an early age and why my parents detested Franklin Roosevelt.
    George DeRise
    Newport News, VA.    … Full Review »
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