Middletown

Examining the American identity through an exploration of small-town life in "Middletown, America"─Muncie, Indiana─this series of films produced for PBS explores the fascinating details of local politics, high school sports, religion, and other unchanging cultural traditions. The productions take as their inspiration the influential sociological studies conducted by Robert and Helen Lynd during the 1920s and '30s. All six episodes in the series─"The Campaign," "The Big Game," "Community of Praise," "Family Business," "Second Time Around," and the unaired "Seventeen"─are presented in a four-disc set. 7 2/3 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English.