New York: A Documentary Film — Season 1, Episode 7: The City and the World (1945–2000)

Episode synopsis

In exploring the social, economic and physical forces that swept through the city in the post-war period, Episode Seven examines the great African-American migration and Puerto Rican immigration of the '40s, '50s, and '60s; the beginnings of white flight and suburbanization; and the massive physical changes wrought by highways and urban renewal -- all of which were directed, to a surprising degree, by one man: Robert Moses. The film comes to a climax with the destruction of Penn Station, the battle over the Lower Manhattan Expressway, the social and fiscal crises of the '60s and '70s, and New York's miraculous revival in the last quarter-century.

About New York: A Documentary Film

This eight-part, 16½-hour television event explores New York City's rich history as the premier laboratory of modern life. A sweeping narrative covering nearly 400 years and 400 square miles, it reveals a complex and dynamic city that has played an unparalleled role in shaping the nation and reflecting its ideals.

More episodes from Season 1

• E1The Country and the City (1609–1825)
• E2Order and Disorder (1825–1865)
• E3Sunshine and Shadow (1865–1898)
• E4The Power and the People (1898–1918)
• E5Cosmopolis (1919–1931)
• E6City of Tomorrow (1929–1941)
• E8The Center of the World (1946–2003)
• E9The Future of Cities (2003–2025), Part 1
• E10The Future of Cities (2003–2025), Part 2