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Season 1 – The American Revolution

Play trailer 2:20 Poster for Season 1 – The American Revolution Next Ep Nov 17 Documentary History Play Trailer Watchlist
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Examining how America's founding turned the world upside-down as the thirteen British colonies on the Atlantic Coast rose in rebellion, won their independence and established a new form of government that radically reshaped the continent.

Critics Reviews

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Brian Tallerico RogerEbert.com The series is rich with detail and vibrant with intellectual filmmaking that seeks to serve as a definitive record of its subject. Rated: 3.5/4 Nov 14, 2025 Full Review Robert Lloyd Los Angeles Times The American Revolution stands its ground. And fundamentally, it’s a celebration — our less perfect union has made it this far, so far. Nov 14, 2025 Full Review John Anderson Wall Street Journal Burns and Co. didn’t discover all this. And their sanctimonious approach to history becomes very tiresome very quickly. Nov 14, 2025 Full Review Brian Lowry Status News Even with some modest concessions to time like restrained reenactments, Burns plows these fields with the usual mix of interesting historians, paintings and Peter Coyote narration, although even for Burns, 12 hours still feels like a lot. Rated: 7/10 Nov 15, 2025 Full Review Christopher Campbell Nonfics (Substack) Most of what I thought I knew about the founding of America and the war to achieve that independence turned out to be extremely simplistic, if not wrong...I was left proud, amazed, and somewhat conflicted in my appreciation of the stories told here. Nov 14, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews
The American Revolution — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Peter Coyote

Narrator

Ken Burns

Director

Sarah Botstein

Director

David Schmidt

Director

Geoffrey Ward

Writer

Buddy Squires

Cinematographer

Episodes

Episode 1 Airs Nov 16 In Order to Be Free Opposition in colonial North America to British policies over taxes, land and sovereignty escalates into violent confrontation; war gives 13 colonies a common cause. Details Episode 2 Airs Nov 17 An Asylum for Mankind Congress puts George Washington in command of a new Continental Army; Congress declares American independence in July 1776. Details Episode 3 Airs Nov 18 The Times That Try Men's Souls British General Howe defeats General Washington, forcing the Americans to abandon New York; Washington's army regroups in New Jersey before attacking an outpost at Trenton. Details Episode 4 Airs Nov 19 Conquer by a Drawn Game General Howe takes Philadelphia, but the Americans' surprising victory over General Burgoyne at Saratoga encourages France to support the U.S. Details Episode 5 Airs Nov 20 The Soul of All America The French-American alliance changes the war and moves it to other theaters; navies battle off England and in the Caribbean, while armies advance in Indian Country and the South; the British take Charleston. Details Episode 6 Airs Nov 21 The Most Sacred Thing British General Cornwallis struggles to pacify the southern states; supported by the French, a victory at Yorktown secures independence for the Americans. Details
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The American Revolution — Season 1

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The American Revolution — Season 1

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Season Info

Director
Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein, David Schmidt
Screenwriter
Geoffrey Ward
Network
PBS
Rating
TV-PG
Genre
Documentary, History
Original Language
English
Release Date
Nov 16, 2025