The American Revolution

The American Revolution (2025) – A Ken Burns Event on PBS

Overview
Coming to PBS November 16 – 21, 2025, The American Revolution is the latest long-form documentary from legendary filmmaker Ken Burns, working with longtime collaborators Sarah Botstein and Geoffrey C. Ward. The six-part series revisits the origins of the United States through newly digitized archival material, expert commentary, and immersive cinematography that brings 18th-century landscapes to life.

What It Covers
The series traces the years 1763 – 1789, starting from the colonial unrest after the Seven Years’ War and ending with the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. It examines familiar figures like Washington, Jefferson, and Franklin while spotlighting the often-overlooked stories of women, enslaved Africans, Native Americans, and ordinary soldiers whose choices shaped the fight for independence.

Style & Approach
True to Burns’ signature storytelling, the film blends narrated letters, contemporary readings, period artwork, and a rich score by longtime collaborator David Cieri. Expect layered narration (likely voiced by Peter Coyote) and striking new drone and macro-lens photography of battlefields, diaries, and artifacts.

Themes