American Feud: A History of Conservatives & Liberals
Much thought-provoking information is offered along with excellent and abundant archival footage. . . . Useful as an introduction to American politics. School Library Journal
Should be seen widely. We need the historical perspective, and the interviews with adherents of many different viewpoints shows that individuals can have more nuanced views than the monolithic stances both parties are trying to project. . . . Education Media Reviews Online
American Feud: A History of Conservatives and Liberals is the only non-partisan classroom friendly documentary that traces the American story of liberalism and conservatism featuring voices from many perspectives. It invites the audience to take a collective look in the mirror & journey through the shifting U.S. history of words and ideas that divide America. Revised, updated and re-released in 2017, the new version explores the problem of dysfunctional government in light of a liberalism and conservatism that have become increasingly incoherent.
Purchase
Individuals - Stream via Ovid TV (preferred) or if you must, rent it on Amazon for your personal home use only & they will keep most of the profits.
Institutions - please visit our distributor Docuseek or contact us to purchase a licensed DVD and/or digital site license. Extras include bonus content, a transcript, and an Educator’s Guide.
Featuring
Noam Chomsky * Howard Zinn * G. Gordan Liddy * Mona Charen * Thomas Frank
Kevin Phillips * Donna Brazile * Norman Ornstein * Michael Barone * David Boaz * Michael Kazin
Lee Edwards * Adrian Wooldridge * David Stoesz
Reviews
Dwain Thomas – School Library Journal.com
. . . American Feud offers an insightful and refreshingly unbiased review of how we got to where we are in the political divide. …Commentary includes the philosophies from all aspects of the political spectrum and does so in a wonderfully nonjudgemental manner. Viewers are left with a challenge to consider what our country’s collective future holds in the political arena. . . . Classroom teachers as well as individual researchers will appreciate the chapter selection option and the number of extras included in this useful title.
Stephen L. Hupp – LIBRARYJOURNAL.COM
. . . This documentary provides a balanced introduction to American conservative and liberal movements . . .The commentators provide a good mix of praise and criticism on both sides of the argument. . . The overall production quality is quite good . . Recommended for all viewers with political leanings.
Brian Falato, University of South Florida Tampa Campus Library, EMRO Reviewer
. . . should be seen widely. We need the historical perspective, and the interviews with adherents of many different viewpoints shows that individuals can have more nuanced views than the monolithic stances both parties are trying to project. . . . This is a video recommended for many types of libraries, ranging from high schools and colleges to public libraries of various sizes. It provides an important civic education.
Carol Holzberg – BOOKLIST
. . . Political cartoons, wacky special sound effects, and the antics of donkey and elephant mascots inject a humorous touch into this evenhanded topical history.
Victor Valdiva – DVDVerdict.com
. . . American Feud is a surprisingly entertaining and informative documentary about political history that treats both sides fairly, gives some interesting historical detail, and manages to rope in some intellectual heavyweights on both sides of the spectrum. In fact, it’s a lot better than most of the political content you’re likely to see on any of the 24-hour news networks this year. . . In the end, American Feud isn’t just an exploration of two well-entrenched political ideologies, but an argument that maybe it’s time to search for a new path. Not just one that’s in the middle, but one that incorporates ideas from both while addressing the unique challenges of this millennium. Of course, it’s hard to find a new path unless you understand the one you’ve been on, and American Feud explains that while being both witty and informative, and, best of all, genuinely impartial. Whatever your political persuasion, American Feud is highly recommended.
Bruce Siwy – SOMERSET DAILY AMERICAN
. . . This documentary points out the absurdities of today’s “tribal definitions” by showing examples of hypocrisy and misunderstanding of popular political catchphrases throughout American history . . . “American Feud” effectively dismantles our outdated political definitions without becoming a preachy lecture on language. . . .
Barbara’s Byline – POLITICS – PROSE.COM
. . . American Feud offers an informative and entertaining ninty minutes of pondering where the differences lie, and it will be a unique gift for anyone on your list boning up on Democrats and Republicans in the American political landscape.
Marcus Raskin – co-founder, Institute for Policy Studies
“This is a very lively and provocative examination of political labels in American life and how they conceal as much as they reveal. It’s a real contribution to public understanding.”.
Ralph Peters – columnist and author of Looking For Trouble, Adventures in a Broken World
“I began watching this with trepidation and ended in jubilation. This wonderful talkumentary is a scrupulously non-partisan, yet tough-minded celebration of democracy and a delightfully fiendish counterattack on the cant delivered from sides of the political spectrum. What’s most striking about the film is how the better souls on both the left and right emerge as kindred spirits. Frequently hilarious, always honest, and very highly recommended!”
Donald T. Critchlow, Professor of History, Saint Louis University, Editor, Journal of Policy History, General Editor, Cambridge Essential Histories (CUP), Senior Scholar, Center for Social Philosophy and Policy, Bowling Green State University
“I enjoyed your video, American Feud, greatly. I think it will find great use in high school classes. It is entertaining, balanced, and informative.”
Eric Liu, co-author of “The True Patriot”
“This is a feud you want to get in the middle of. Richard Hall has produced an accessible, wide-ranging review of how and why we came to use the labels “Liberal” and “Conservative” — and what Americans can do to get beyond them.”
Morris P. Fiorina, Professor of Political Science, Stanford University, Author, Culture War: The Myth of a Polarized America.
“American Feud is a very nicely done production that will be useful in secondary school courses on history, social studies and American government. Clear, comprehensive and even-handed, different portions of the documentary can serve as starting points for discussions of myriad topics in history, philosophy, economics and government.”
Screen
We encourage non-profits devoted to civic engagement to contact us about using American Feud as a tool for discussion and civic education.
American Feud engendered a frank and open discussion of the challenges we face as individuals, as well as the role of the League in maintaining our commitment to being a nonpartisan activist group with a passion for encouraging voter engagement and education. Additionally, for those Leagues who are able to work with high schools, a screening of American Feud would be a terrific student or student and parents event. - K. C., League of Women Voters, Washington DC Chapter
Zoom Us Into Your Classroom!
Screenings of American Feud have always been lively and engaging events. We would be delighted to work with your organization to arrange one. Schedule a presentation or Zoom chat with the filmmakers.Previous Screenings:
September 2019, Patrick Henry Library, Vienna, VA
June 2019, Owings Mills Library, Owings Mills, MD
January 2019, Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library, Alexandria, VA
March 2019, Washington DC Chapter, League of Women Voters
April 2019, Organization of American Historians Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
October 2018, Silver Spring Civic Center, Silver Spring MD
2008 Version
Blue Elephant Art Gallery, Frederick Maryland
Philadelphia Independent Film Festival
Utopia Film Festival
Twin Rivers Film Festival
Takoma Park Film Festival
Alexandria Virginia Public Library
We are Takoma series
Americans for Tax Reform