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Ken Burns: The Civil War

Play trailer Poster for Ken Burns: The Civil War 2015 2h 0m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 13 Reviews 98% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
An in-depth overview of Ken Burns' iconic "Civil War" series, featuring insights from Ken Burns, Geoffrey Ward, Ric Burns and Buddy Squires.
Ken Burns: The Civil War

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Critics Consensus

The takeaways from Ken Burns' opus can be hotly debated, but it is indisputable that The Civil War is a profoundly moving tapestry of historical detail, with a cumulative power that will absorb viewers fully into the 19th Century.

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Critics Reviews

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Walter Goodman New York Times So rich in conception and so rewarding in execution that it almost redeems the promise of the medium. Mr. Burns and his associates have translated the materials of history into television drama of an epic order. May 24, 2019 Full Review Howard Rosenberg Los Angeles Times It's as scintillating and utterly seductive as television gets, a Yankee Doodle Dandy of a historical extravanganza from a man who combines a scholar's appreciation of fact with a filmmaker's eye and sensibility. May 24, 2019 Full Review George F. Will Washington Post If better use has ever been made of television, I have not seen it and do not expect to see better until Ken Burns turns his prodigious talents to his next project. May 24, 2019 Full Review Christopher Allan Smith Sacramento News & Review The best documentary series this country has produced. May 24, 2019 Full Review Michael Patrick Brady PopMatters With simple narration and still photographs, Burns is able to evoke joy and sorrow, laughter and tears. It's a singular achievement, beautifully composed and profoundly moving. Rated: 10/10 May 24, 2019 Full Review David Hiltbrand People Magazine An extraordinary, encyclopedic study of the bloody battle between the states. Documentarian Ken Burns has woven together an engrossingly detailed narrative, interviews with historians, an amazing collection of archival photographs May 24, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (5) audience reviews
Saul M A fabulous account. Unfortunately the message hasn't sunk in for most Americans. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/21/24 Full Review Nablok I don't know what could be said if this documentary. It's a masterpiece. And absolutely necessary for understanding the United States, and it's history. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/28/23 Full Review Marc S Just amazing. It tells the history of the Civil War so well. Everyone should watch this series and learn real history. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/26/22 Full Review Audience Member The greatest documentary ever made . Will make any person with a soul cry and proud to be an American . The Ultimate American story . Ken burns is truly the best documentarian of all time. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Vasco M A incredible, affecting portrayal of the American Civil War. Educational and insightful; emotional yet impartial, it recounts the events that transpired during the war while always humanizing its participants and effectively conveying the spirit of the war through quotes, photographs, and great all around narration and sound design. The occasional historian's input and anecdote is also very welcome and always lends to the events another layer of gravitas and realism, elevating the feeling that much can and should be learned from the trials undergone by the politicians and soldiers of the time, as well as their beliefs and the courage it took to fight for those convictions till the very end. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/05/18 Full Review Read all reviews
Ken Burns: The Civil War

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Movie Info

Synopsis An in-depth overview of Ken Burns' iconic "Civil War" series, featuring insights from Ken Burns, Geoffrey Ward, Ric Burns and Buddy Squires.
Director
Ken Burns
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Runtime
2h 0m