Edward R. Murrow: Collection
(Docurama)

In the world of broadcast journalism, few are held in higher esteem than the late Edward R. Murrow. His years at CBS became the benchmark for integrity and set the standard for excellence in the business. Beginning in 1938, his radio broadcasts from Vienna and London during WWII brought the war directly into living rooms across America. He communicated with an elegance and style that captivated listeners and that many likened to poetry. In the early ‘50s, Murrow segued to television with “See It Now,” a groundbreaking program that took him to Korea to report on the war firsthand, examined the desegregation of the South in great detail and that eventually brought down the communist witch hunts orchestrated by Senator Joseph McCarthy.

Included in this four-disc set is “The Best Of See It Now” and “This Reporter,” an overview of Murrow’s career, as told by his fellow journalists and producers. “The McCarthy Years” devotes itself to that dark period in our country’s history when a demagogue ran rampant and blacklists and loyalty oaths spelled the end of promising careers, thanks to nothing more than rumor and innuendo. Finally, “Harvest Of Shame” was Murrow’s documentary depicting the plight of migrant farm workers and the indignities they suffered. It led to changes in the labor laws and greater protection for the men and women who helped bring food to our dinner tables. Murrow was a man of conscience and was not afraid of controversy if it served his purpose. To look at his work today is a reminder of what hard news reporting is all about and puts the fluff tossed out by the networks today to shame. This collection not only serves as a testament to Edward R. Murrow, but is an essential piece of American history and should be considered essential viewing. - David Bassin