Silver Spring, MD — Celebrating one of the most popular and beloved songs in the English language, the PBS-broadcast documentary, Bill Moyers: Amazing Grace arrives to DVD from Athena on January 17, 2012. Legendary Emmy® and Peabody Award-winning journalist Bill Moyers (PBS, NBC, CBS) explores the song’s origins and enduring power through 24 captivating performances including Johnny Cash, Judy Collins, Jessye Norman, Marion Williams, the Boys Choir of Harlem, and more. The DVD also includes Pure Pete Seeger, a 60-minute bonus musical portrait of the folk singer, songwriter, storyteller, and activist, filmed for Bill Moyer’s Journal at Seeger’s home in New York’s Hudson Valley as well as a 12-page viewer’s guide ($29.99, www.AcornOnline.com). Amazing Grace is Athena’s tenth release from Moyers’ acclaimed library of programs.

Transcending race, creed, geography, generation, and social station, “Amazing Grace” has been recorded more times than any other hymn and is widely credited with transforming lives. Written by John Newton, an English clergyman and former slave-ship captain, the poem was published in 1779 and took on its familiar tune during the Second Great Awakening in the United States.

Produced and directed by Emmy® and Peabody winner Elena Mannes, this documentary features illuminating conversations and stirring performances by Johnny Cash, Judy Collins, Jessye Norman, Marion Williams, the Boys Choir of Harlem, shape-note singers, prison inmates, and more. Produced in 1990, the documentary features Jeremy Irons as the voice of John Newton.

BONUS FEATURES: Pure Pete Seeger, a musical portrait of the folk singer, songwriter, storyteller, and activist, filmed for Bill Moyers Journal at Seeger’s home in New York’s Hudson Valley (60 min.); biographies of Bill Moyers and the featured performers; 12-page viewer’s guide with an introduction by Bill Moyers, articles on the inspiration for the program and shape-note singing, fascinating facts about the song, plus more at AthenaLearning.com

Street Date: Jan. 17, 2012
SRP: $29.99
DVD Single – Approx. 80 minutes plus bonus – Documentary - SDH subtitles

Athena has released several programs with Bill Moyers, including Joseph Campbell and The Power of Myth, on Faith and Reason, Genesis-A Living Conversation, In Search of the Constitution, A World of Ideas-Writers, The Language of Life, God & Politics, The Wisdom of Faith with Huston Smith, and On Our Own Terms.

Athena releases provide an authoritative and entertaining learning experience through high quality, informative, non-fiction programming. 2011 Athena releases included: The Making of the President: The 1960s, Discovering Hamlet, The Battle for Marjah, Joseph Campbell: Mythos III, and Art of the Western World. Early 2012 releases include Bill Moyers: Capital Crimes, Battlefield Detectives, and In Their Own Words. Clips are available at www.athenalearning.com. Athena’s DVD sets are available from select retailers, catalog companies, and direct from Acorn at (888) 870-8047 or www.acornonline.com.