Ken Burns’ New Film is Starting a Conversation on Democracy

Find or Request a Screening of THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Tricorne hats, waistcoats and ruffled linen caps aren’t the usual attire for an audience when New Hampshire PBS hosts a screening, but a recent preview of THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION during Revolutionary War Weekend at Charlestown’s Fort at No. 4 was anything but ordinary.

“It was incredible. It was like being in church,” said Judi Currie, NHPBS’ engagement coordinator. Currie and her colleagues were on hand to promote November’s six-part, 12-hour documentary THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION from directors Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt. Many of the historical re-enactors at the Fort at No. 4—in period-perfect garb—spent their breaks watching clips from the documentary.

“Everybody was holding their breath—you could feel it. There was an energy in the room,” Currie said. “It was like they’ve waited their whole life for Ken Burns to make this film.”

They’re not alone in their excitement. THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION is being touted as Burns’ biggest film since THE CIVIL WAR, and it’s the centerpiece of PBS’ yearlong efforts to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary. According to Currie, the network wants to engage the country in a conversation about freedom, democracy, independence and liberty.

Currie also hopes the film will inspire audiences to be more civically engaged. “This is about spending a year, right up to the semiquincentennial, talking about democracy and getting people thinking about democracy and their civic responsibility.”

Events currently planned include a November screening for middle and high school students in the Monadnock region with New Hampshire Civics. On November 11, the Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication at Franklin Pierce University in Rindge will host a preview. On February 26, 2026, the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire will partner on a screening during one of their Tea Talks; and on June 9, 2026, NHPBS, New Hampshire Historical Society and New Hampshire Humanities join forces to present Ken Burns and the American Idea. Hosted by the Capitol Center for the Arts, Burns will be on stage to discuss the themes that have emerged from his films.

After THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION’s broadcast premiere, any interested organization can request to host a screening of their own. They’ll receive resources to promote discussion and tailor the event to their community.

For Currie, the war’s local connections are particularly resonant. Her own love of history began in her hometown of Portsmouth. “When I was 10 years old, they were setting up Strawbery Banke,” she recalled. “I just thought this was the coolest thing ever.” The Portsmouth museum is home to historic buildings like Pitt Tavern, which hosted Revolutionary War figures including the Marquis de Lafayette and John Hancock.

Currie is one of only a handful of people who have been allowed to watch all six episodes of THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION before its premiere. While she’s sworn to secrecy, she did reveal that she was moved by the human face the filmmaker’s put on the war. “You really end up with a recognition of how complicated each individual’s choices were.” And, she said, the film is also a potent reminder that political divisions are not new. “I think what we can learn from this is how did people come together?”

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION premieres on Sunday, November 16 at 8 PM on NHPBS and streams free on the PBS App. If you’d like to learn about additional events, watch clips or request a screening, visit nhpbs.org/americanrevolution.

Now more than ever, your help is needed to make civic-minded programming like THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION possible. Visit nhpbs.org/donatenow to keep your community engaged and inspired by our shared history.

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THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION is a production of Florentine Films and WETA Washington, D.C. Directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt. Written by Geoffrey C. Ward. Produced by Sarah Botstein, David Schmidt, Salimah El-Amin and Ken Burns. Edited by Tricia Reidy, Maya Mumma, Charles E. Horton, and Craig Mellish. Co-Produced by Megan Ruffe and Mike Welt. Cinematography by Buddy Squires. Narrated by Peter Coyote. The executive in charge for WETA was John F. Wilson (who passed away in November of 2024). Executive producer is Ken Burns.

Corporate funding for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by The Better Angels Society and its members Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine with the Crimson Lion Foundation; and the Blavatnik Family Foundation. Major funding was also provided by David M. Rubenstein; The Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Family Foundation; Lilly Endowment Inc.; and the following Better Angels Society members: Eric and Wendy Schmidt; Stephen A. Schwarzman; and Kenneth C. Griffin with Griffin Catalyst. Additional support for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by: The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations; The Pew Charitable Trusts; Gilbert S. Omenn and Martha A. Darling; Park Foundation; and the following Better Angels Society members: Gilchrist and Amy Berg; Perry and Donna Golkin; The Michelson Foundation; Jacqueline B. Mars; Kissick Family Foundation; Diane and Hal Brierley; John H. N. Fisher and Jennifer Caldwell; John and Catherine Debs; The Fullerton Family Charitable Fund; Philip I. Kent; Gail Elden; Deborah and Jon Dawson; David and Susan Kreisman; The McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Becky and Jim Morgan; Carol and Ned Spieker; Mark A. Tracy; and Paul and Shelley Whyte. THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was made possible, in part, with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.