THE RENOWNED DOCUMENTARIAN SAYS THE 12-HOUR SERIES ON THE FOUNDING OF AMERICA IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FILM HE’ S MADE
Ken Burns is beside himself. His latest film is the most significant work he has done to date, he tells me. This from a prolific filmmaker who has created some of the most acclaimed historical documentaries ever made, with over 40 films whose topics range from baseball to the Civil War, from the life of Leonardo da Vinci to the Shakers, and many others. His films have been honored with 17 Emmy ® Awards, two Grammy ® Awards, two Oscar nominations, and more. His latest film, The American Revolution, is a new six-part documentary series that explores the country’ s founding struggle and its eight-year War for Independence. It premieres Sunday, November 16, airing for six consecutive nights on PBS stations, as well as streaming at PBS. org and on the PBS App.
B y A n a s t a s i a S t a n m e y e r
THE RENOWNED DOCUMENTARIAN SAYS THE 12-HOUR SERIES ON THE FOUNDING OF AMERICA IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FILM HE’ S MADE
Ken Burns is beside himself. His latest film is the most significant work he has done to date, he tells me. This from a prolific filmmaker who has created some of the most acclaimed historical documentaries ever made, with over 40 films whose topics range from baseball to the Civil War, from the life of Leonardo da Vinci to the Shakers, and many others. His films have been honored with 17 Emmy ® Awards, two Grammy ® Awards, two Oscar nominations, and more. His latest film, The American Revolution, is a new six-part documentary series that explores the country’ s founding struggle and its eight-year War for Independence. It premieres Sunday, November 16, airing for six consecutive nights on PBS stations, as well as streaming at PBS. org and on the PBS App.
The film’ s promotional tour began in Richmond, Virginia, on March 23, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of Patrick Henry ' s famous“ Give me liberty or give me death!” speech. And Burns hasn’ t let up since. His team has been purposeful about the dates and locations of his tour stops, some coinciding with a historical event. On April 16 at Symphony Hall in Boston, Burns was joined by Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt, his fellow directors and producers of the new series, for a preview, discussion, and performance by a chamber ensemble that included Rhiannon Giddens and Johnny Gandelsman. The next day, Burns visited Lexington and Concord for more panel talks. The events coincided with Patriots’ Day, and then he was off to his next destination.
Burns will come within range of us on September 10 at the Palace Theatre in Albany. He and Botstein will present clips and share stories from the nearly ten-year journey of creating the 12-hour series. The film is an expansive look at the virtues and contradictions of the war and the birth of the United States of America, following dozens of figures from a wide variety of backgrounds— the rank-and-file Continental soldiers and American militiamen, Patriot political and military leaders, British Army officers, American Loyalists, Native soldiers and civilians, enslaved and free African Americans, German soldiers in the British service, French and Spanish allies, and various civilians living in North America.
As I write this piece, the 250th anniversary of our country’ s formation is already well in motion, and there is no better person to take up the challenge of telling this complex story than Burns. There are no photos, no newsreels to bring that point home. There are writings, paintings, and reenactors who breathe life into the birth of our nation. Burns spoke with me from his home in New Hampshire.
Ken Burns( Stephanie Berger)
Stanmeyer: I’ m very excited that you will be coming to the Palace Theatre, Ken.
Burns: It’ s very, very important that we share the story that the Revolution is so central in the Albany area.
Stanmeyer: Can you tell me how important this region is?
Burns: We’ ve already passed the 250th marker of the beginning of the American Revolution, at Lexington and Concord on April 19, and for the next eight years, we will be passing other milestones. One of the most important and really wonderful stories is the fact that early in our second episode of The American
Battle of Bunker Hill by Alonzo Chappel, 1859.( Bridgeman Images)
Holiday August July 2025 2023 BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE // 91