Polemic provides a source of good music.
Scenarist Ben Hecht's tract to ethnic toleration does not lack the production values and quality of acting necessary for its artistic success. Within the format of a Hollywood-style Western, it is an easy task for Hecht to insert his typical hyperbole in the form of some truly crimson prose directed against big business represented by expanding railroad interests. Edward Arnold gives a solid performance as Jim Knox, a railway plutocrat who is determined to manipulate and exploit a polyglot force of European immigrant workers, led by their rough and ready Irish foreman, played to the hilt by Victor MacLaglen in this post-War Between the States musical melodrama. How to oppose Knox' land grabbing is the plight of a small coterie of settlers led by Tom Logan and his recently Harvard-graduated son Steve, portrayed by Lionel Barrymore and baritone Nelson Eddy. Reliable Jack Conway directs with proletarian emphasis, featuring closeups of seamed and craggy-faced railroad laborers, whose basic needs are apparently implemented whenever the sturdy Eddy bursts into song. Eddy employs the method of a clandestine newspaper to undermine the plans of the villainous capitalist Knox, working hand-in-hand with a sidekick, acted very nicely by the extraordinary ad lib performer, Charles Butterworth, whose nonpareil timing is a delight in his every scene. This is the first appearance of the seasoned Eddy without an equal singing partner, and he proves more than capable of carrying the show, although he is joined briefly during one number by his romantic interest, the talented and beautiful Virginia Bruce. Without question a disputation against capitalist profiteering, LET FREEDOM RING is even more a rousing entertainment, knitted with wonderful music, a top-flight cast, and neatly crafted direction.

SINGING COWBOY
Ben Hecht wrote a humorous script. He created a singing cowboy for Nelson Eddy to play. Instead of a pair of six shooters, Nelson would sing a song to win the day. Concluding with GOD BLESS AMERICA to chase the villain Edward Arnold out of town.

Badly edited
This patriotic DVD is badly edited. Their are numerous times when the audio isn't in sync with the lips of people talking. Transition from scene to scene is rough and abrupt.
I am returning this DVD for replacement because it is defective, and the last 1/3 of the DVD is unviewable. Perhaps the replacement DVD won't have these faults.

Soul-stirring songs, and quintessential footage
Let Freedom Ring is a CBS News chronological, 150 minute, documentary that highlights outstanding acts of patriotism in American history ranging from World War I through the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center. Vignettes, soul-stirring songs, and quintessential footage, including President George W. Bush's September 20 speech in response to the September 11th terrorist attacks, mark this powerful DVD presentation. Highly recommended for both school and community library collections, Let Freedom Ring is also available in a video cassette format...

A good overview of American historical events
This was a really good overview of historic events in America. There is so much news footage of events that many of us were not alive to see or if we were - to remember it. I remember my dad waking us up to see the walk on the moon - but I didn't remember the footage of it because I was so young. It was neat to see it. I also remember the Challenger explosion and they included a very short speech by President Reagan that night. I can appreciate these things more now that I understand the gravity of these situations. They had really good coverage of the September 11 attacks, including part of the prayer service on the 14th. It is well worth seeing several times and keeping to show to children, grandchildren, and on to other generations. I would recommend it highly - the only thing is, they got the date of Kennedy's funeral wrong. They have 1962 - otherwise I would have given it 5 stars.