GOLDEN
VALLEY, Minn. - Why does Ken Burns never age? For more than 30-years
Burns has been this country's pre-eminent documentary film maker, yet he
retains the same boyish looks we all came to know and love, decades
ago. Same haircut, same facial hair, same glint in his eyes,
especially when discussing his latest work, which in this case is "The
Tenth Inning", a film that builds on Burns' earlier epic, 'Baseball',
from 1994.
Perhaps, Burns has made a deal with the devil, but I believe Ken Burns
ability to defy age comes from the fact that he is one of those people
who not only gets to do a job that they really love, but, Burns is also
really good at what he loves, too.
Since becoming a major player in American History with 1980's release of
'The Civil War', Burns has churned out films and series' ranging from
World War II to Jazz, from the National Parks to Jack Johnson. Burns
has a film on the Roosevelt's in the works, and, he adds that he has
projects scheduled out for the next 20-years. So, why choose to
re-visit the sport of baseball?
Burns says it wasn't a project he planned, or, even wanted to do.
However, with all that had transpired since the airing of 'Baseball'
back in 1994, the introduction of performance enhancing drugs, Barry
Bonds, 9/11, the increasing influence of Latin and now Asian players,
Burns feels the changes have been so rapid, and so pronounced, yet the
game remains largely the same, unchanged. Much like Ken Burns remains
unchanged. The work is brilliant and moving, and reminds us that while
soccer is increasingly popular and football is now "America's game",
baseball remains a reflection of who we are, and don't think for a
minute that Ken Burns will let us for get it.