When the Levees Broke (DVD, 2006)

What did I "like," "love," or "dislike" about Spike Lee's WHEN THE LEVEES BROKE DVD?
It was REAL.

I highly recommend this documentary as a native New Orleanian whose extended family was affected by "The Storm." At times it is harsh; with gory scenes that include the horror of bloated, dead bodies. The victims deserved more respect. But, then, isn't that what Spike Lee is tried to convey?

Someone needed to show the TRUTH - to document the TRAGEDY that affected the City that Care Forgot.
Someone needed to expose the LACK of RESPECT for mankind; to give the world an idea of HOW this happened and what needs to be done to prevent it from ever happening again, anywhere - not just New Orleans.

My heart goes out to those who lost their loved ones. Tears streamed down my eyes as I again viewed -in horror- my hometown disintegrating. The heart wrenching music accentuated the eery feeling of helplessness.

Our Nation should thank Mr. Lee for this expose. I don't interpret it as a critical, political statement, but as an accurately documented "cry for help."

It will take YEARS to bring the City back. Those who remained, and those who are trying to rebuild to return, are fighting more than the typical urban issues. They are being raped by insurance companies who have elevated their premiums so outrageously that many, who have fought to gut and renovate their homes, are now considering giving up. My sister's home flooded and their annual premiums (for homeowner's, flood, and wind & hail) are now over $4,000...and this doesn't't cover "full replacement costs."

The schools are fighting to reopen so that children, who are the City's future, can come back. Where will they live? Where will the teacher's live? Why should their parents struggle to make it work?

Spike Lee tells it like it is. The interviews with local residents show not only the grief, but the fear and anger of the victims of this horrible disaster.

I pray every night that New Orleans will one day return to its Pre-K status. But, I have come to the reality and it will not happen during my lifetime.

This documentary tells it like it is. If you really want to understand the struggle, view this with an open mind. Then say a prayer for the good people who are beginning to lose faith.

I had seen this movie on HBO and had a pretty hard time finding it in stores and was able to find it on eBay (of course). This movie is a must see for everyone in the United States! I wanted to own this movie so that I may have it on hand for those people that I know who have never seen it. Spike Lee did an outstanding job on this movie and has brought to life the people in New Orleans that did not get much of a voice through the media (news, and such). At the time of Hurricane Katrina, I watched in awe at the blatant disregard of the PEOPLE of N.O. and wondered how such things could take place in a country that is considered to be so advanced and "great". A country so advanced and "great" would not have abandoned its citizens that way....After watching this movie, I have become involved in helping individuals in the New Orleans area...Hopefully, everyone else who watches this movie will feel compelled to do the same.
A great buy, excellent condition, and one of the few movies that I HAD to have.

Very important and beautyful movie.
Very important and beautyful movie.
Very important and beautyful movie.
Very important and beautyful movie.
Very important and beautyful movie.

BUY IT!

I love how they told the story in detail and left nothing out. Its not like someone was on the outside looking in and just wanted to write a story from things they heard. They went got the story from people who actually been thru the tragedy. I know because I lived it. Wouldn't wish this on anyone in the world but if you want to know most of what really happened and not rumors like I know lots of people go by, then I recommend that you watch this video. P.S. not for the weak of heart.

and parts of New Orleans still looks like it did in Spike Lee's joint, "When the Levees Broke." A couple of months ago I went back to New Orleans to do some volunteer work in the Lower Ninth Ward and nothing much has changed from the images seen in this film. Yet, places like the French Quarter and the Garden district looks like it was never touched. Wonder why? Demographically the Lower Ninth Ward is an African American working class community, and the French Quarter... I'm sure you can figure out where I'm going with this.

Watching Spike Lee's joint helped give me a good base of knowledge before heading out to New Orleans. It gives you a good perspective on both the natural tragedy of the event but most importantly the SOCIAL tragedy of the event. It's a perfect example that racism and classism STILL has not been wiped out during the civil rights movement but unfortunately, still VISIBLY exists today.

I loved the documentary. This has to be one of, if not the best Spike Lee film to date. The interviews capture emotions and stories that tell a story of one of the most dangerous national disasters ever and the government's delayed response.

Excellent condition as said. Glad

I must say that "When The Levees Broke" was a riverting piece; I think that Spike Lee really captures the true essence of this event as we know it as "Hurricane Katrina". However, at the same time it was very disheartening to extent because if the way this situation was handled and the way people were treated; the slow response in the dire neeed, would make you somewhat of a disdain for our govermental officials. You look at this piece and kinda think like "this is America" and this is how people are treated; like trash. The again, you also wwant to sing a different song; a song of deep hate for America (however, I'm still for the most part proud to be one). I hope and pray that things can get be revamped and get back to nomrmal and people can go back because there is only one Gulf Coast region; and where would we be without it. Kudos for Spike Lee for letting the American people's voice be heard during Hurricane Katrina.

I bought this DVD because my daughter is a Community Service Scholar at Tulane University and I thought she would be interested in getting a closer look at people who were affected by Katrina. This documentary is simply amazing. It's moving, sad, informative, and in many ways uplifting. The suffering that New Orleanians experienced and the courage they showed is beautifully chronicled by Spike Lee. This documentary is more than just a story about Katrina and New Orleans, it's about life and about ordinary people during extraordinary times. It's very well done. Wow! All I can say is "Buy it and watch it."

I saw bits and pieces of ths series on HBO and decided to purchase it so that I could view it in its entirety. This a heart wrenching, moving, and eye opening account of what really happened prior to Hurricane Katrina and in its aftermath both in the political and socio economic arenas. This story is told with witness accounts and interviews as well as graphic photos of both destruction and loss of human life. Watching this film I felt the pain of the masses as they were shuttled through filth from one place to another, sometimes without knowledge of where their family was or where they might sleep that night. Spike Lee is well known as an outstanding director as well as an activist in the Black community and as such, the film focuses on many thought provoking questions and comments. His film points out that the levees were breached in the poorest neighborhoods, while the richer (whiter) neighborhoods were spared. Through interviews, many residents of the now destroyed Lower 9th Ward are absolutely convinced that the levees in their neighborhood were deliberately blown up to save the the French quarter, etc. Many questions remain unanswered.

A True Eye Opener!! A Must Have!! If you were Glued to the TV as Katrina Pounced the New Orleans...Gulf Area...then you MUST Watch this!!
Spike Lee always has a way to get to the (TRUTH) Bottom of things.
There may be some scenes of raw reality..dead bodies, but that's just the way it was!! And the Government & Their lies!!
This Movie/Doc..Is Just that RAW TRUTH!!
I'm Collecting many things on Katrina and all the devastation she left behind...this is a true Treasure to have for our Children...History!!

I decided to buy this DVD because it truly is apart of history that should never be forgotten. I want my children to know the devastation of the storm and the subsequent neglect of the people. I'm amazed at the footage and the up close and personal touch. I'd give up half of my DVD collection just to have this film. Once you begin watching the first of three disks, you're sucked right in and instinctively move to the second. Before you know it, you've been sitting down for 4 hours getting educated. Thank you Spike Lee and blessings to the people still going through the red tape to reestablish their lives.

I am so impressed with the film-maker Spike Lee. He let the people speak their "truth" about their experiences. It was so impactful on me; it also was painful to relive the experiences as a part of our history!