The long-awaited Ken Burns American Revolution documentary is set to become one of the most significant historical television events of the decade. The acclaimed filmmaker, known for masterpieces like The Civil War, The Vietnam War, and The Dust Bowl, is once again turning his lens on one of the defining moments in U.S. history — the struggle for independence that gave birth to the nation.
Premiering in fall 2025 on PBS, this multi-part documentary will offer an unprecedented, in-depth look at the American Revolution, from its earliest sparks in the 1760s through the creation of the Constitution in 1787. With his trademark blend of storytelling, scholarship, and emotion, Ken Burns aims to show the Revolution not just as a series of battles but as a profound social and political upheaval that continues to shape the United States today.
The Next Great Chapter in Ken Burns’ Legacy
For more than four decades, Ken Burns has been the nation’s foremost storyteller of American history. His films — including The Civil War (1990), Baseball (1994), and The Vietnam War (2017) — have redefined how audiences engage with the past.
With the Ken Burns American Revolution series, he and his team are taking on one of the most mythologized eras in American memory. Burns has said this project may be his most ambitious to date, not only because of the scope of the history but also because of its relevance in understanding modern America.
“The American Revolution was both an ideal and a contradiction,” Burns said in a recent PBS preview. “It gave birth to the idea of liberty, but it also left unresolved questions about equality, justice, and democracy — questions we still grapple with today.”
Production and Creative Team Behind the Series
The documentary has been in production for nearly six years, under the direction of Burns and longtime collaborators Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt. It’s produced by Florentine Films, the New Hampshire-based studio responsible for all of Burns’ major works, and written by Geoffrey C. Ward, who has been scripting Burns’ documentaries since The Civil War.
Peter Coyote, the familiar narrator of many Burns projects, returns as the voice guiding audiences through the epic journey.
Filming took place across dozens of historically significant locations, including Boston, Philadelphia, Charleston, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. The production also used drone cinematography to capture landscapes such as Valley Forge and Saratoga, and high-definition scans of period paintings, letters, and artifacts from institutions like the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian, and the Massachusetts Historical Society.
Scope and Structure: Eight Episodes of America’s Founding Drama
The Ken Burns American Revolution will unfold across eight episodes, totaling nearly 14 hours of programming. Each episode focuses on a key theme or phase of the Revolution, combining archival imagery, expert interviews, dramatized readings, and Burns’ distinctive visual storytelling.
Here’s a breakdown of the series:
- Seeds of Resistance – How colonial unrest and British taxation policies set the stage for rebellion after 1763.
- The Fire of Liberty – The escalation of conflict from the Boston Massacre to the battles of Lexington and Concord.
- Declaring Independence – The Continental Congress, the Declaration of Independence, and the moral dilemmas of freedom.
- A Nation at War – The early defeats, Valley Forge’s hardships, and George Washington’s transformation as a leader.
- The World Turns Upside Down – The war’s global dimension, including France’s crucial role and the final victory at Yorktown.
- Revolution for Whom? – The stories of women, enslaved Africans, and Native Americans whose lives were upended by the conflict.
- The Price of Freedom – The struggle to form a new government and the fractures already visible in the new republic.
- A More Perfect Union – The writing of the Constitution and how the Revolution’s ideals remain unfinished business.
The series will feature on-screen commentary from historians and cultural figures such as Annette Gordon-Reed, Jill Lepore, Joseph Ellis, Alan Taylor, and David Blight, offering both scholarly depth and contemporary insight.
A Broader, More Inclusive Revolution
What sets the Ken Burns American Revolution apart from previous retellings is its commitment to telling every American’s story. Rather than focusing solely on the Founding Fathers, Burns’ narrative includes perspectives often left out of traditional histories.
The series explores the voices of enslaved people seeking freedom, Native Americans defending their lands, and women managing farms, organizing boycotts, and writing political essays.
“We wanted to capture the Revolution as a living, breathing moment experienced by ordinary people — not just generals and politicians,” co-director Sarah Botstein explained.
Viewers will hear the stories of figures like Phillis Wheatley, an enslaved poet whose writings challenged racial prejudice; Joseph Brant, the Mohawk leader who fought to protect Indigenous sovereignty; and Abigail Adams, who urged her husband to “remember the ladies” as the new nation formed its laws.
Technology and Innovation in Storytelling
Although Burns is famous for his timeless, image-driven approach — panning across still photos and paintings while layering them with narration and music — the American Revolution series incorporates new cinematic techniques to enhance immersion.
- High-resolution scanning of archival documents and maps brings new clarity to 18th-century materials.
- Drone footage recreates the scale of battlefields and landscapes as they appear today.
- AI-assisted sound restoration helps make centuries-old diary readings audible in pristine quality.
- Custom musical scores composed by The Civil War collaborator David Cieri add emotional resonance throughout.
The result, Burns says, is a “living history experience” that bridges traditional documentary form with modern visual storytelling.
Why the American Revolution Matters in 2025
The timing of the Ken Burns American Revolution release is deliberate. As the United States continues to face political division, cultural shifts, and debates about national identity, Burns believes revisiting the nation’s founding offers both perspective and lessons.
“This series isn’t just about muskets and redcoats,” Burns said in an interview earlier this year. “It’s about what it means to build a nation — and the promises we still haven’t fully kept.”
By highlighting both the triumphs and contradictions of the Revolution, the documentary connects the 18th-century struggle for liberty with today’s discussions about equality, democracy, and citizenship.
Historians involved in the project say the series serves as a reminder that the American Revolution was never a finished story — it was the beginning of one that continues to evolve.
Public Anticipation and Cultural Buzz
Ever since PBS released the first teaser in early 2025, anticipation for Ken Burns American Revolution has been massive. The trailer — featuring haunting strings, 18th-century artwork, and the voice of Peter Coyote — has already been viewed millions of times across social media platforms.
Educators, historians, and fans of Burns’ previous work have expressed excitement about integrating the series into classrooms and community discussions. PBS has confirmed that the series will be accompanied by:
- An educational resource website featuring lesson plans and primary sources.
- A companion book, written by Geoffrey C. Ward, expanding on the series’ major themes.
- A nationwide speaking tour featuring Burns, Botstein, and guest historians in cities such as Boston, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Charleston.
Film critics are already calling it “the next great Ken Burns masterpiece,” predicting that it may match or even surpass the cultural impact of The Civil War, which remains PBS’s most-watched documentary of all time.
A Continuing Partnership with PBS
The Ken Burns American Revolution marks Burns’ 36th PBS collaboration — a partnership spanning more than four decades. His documentaries consistently draw millions of viewers and have earned multiple Emmy Awards, Peabody Awards, and even Academy Award nominations.
PBS President Paula Kerger described the project as “a cinematic bridge between the past and the present.”
“Ken Burns has a gift for turning history into living art,” Kerger said. “This series captures both the fragility and brilliance of the American experiment.”
Where and How to Watch
The Ken Burns American Revolution will premiere on PBS stations nationwide in September 2025. Viewers can also stream the series for free on the PBS app, PBS.org, and PBS Passport for subscribers.
Each episode will air weekly, accompanied by behind-the-scenes features and online discussions with the filmmakers and historians. Following the broadcast, the series will be available on Blu-ray, digital download, and Amazon Prime Video under PBS Distribution.
A New Lens on America’s Oldest Story
The American Revolution has long been a subject of fascination — taught in schools, dramatized in films, and mythologized in public memory. Yet, as Burns and his team demonstrate, it’s also a story that can be retold with fresh urgency and empathy.
Through letters, diaries, and firsthand voices, the documentary reminds viewers that history isn’t static — it’s a conversation across generations.
For Burns, that’s the heart of the project.
“History isn’t about dates or old men in wigs,” he said. “It’s about people — their hopes, fears, and choices. The Revolution belongs to all of us.”
The Ken Burns American Revolution documentary invites us to rediscover how freedom was fought for, debated, and defined. Will you be watching when it premieres on PBS? Share your thoughts below and join the conversation about America’s defining story.