The American Revolution

I binged all six episodes, 12 hours folks - with sleep as the only interruption - and it reminded me why I'm such a fan of Ken Burns. He has a gift for finding wonder in the minutiae, and this series never disappoints. The settings and events come alive through his signature blend of oil-colored imagery, natural landscapes, and actors used sparingly and tastefully-nothing like the cheesy reenactments and wardrobe issues you see on the History Channel. Some of the most powerful moments are the tight, muted shots: hands washing, muskets firing, bodies intertwined after battle, faces intentionally hidden. The overhead drone footage paired with simple diagrams to explain battles was especially effective.

I've already seen complaints about pacing, but for me the pacing was classic Burns-measured, immersive, and just right. My quibbles are minor: I wish there had been more on Washington's rough treatment under the British during the French and Indian War, a bit more exposition to set up some battles, and much more time spent on Nathanael Greene's brilliant counter to Cornwallis in the South. Yorktown went by far too quickly, and since Burns always plays with differing perspectives, several fascinating perspectives appeared and vanished before fully developing.

Still, as a lifelong student and teacher of history who tends to think I already know everything, Burns always manages to teach me something new - especially about how truly violent the Revolution was, and how impossible it was for anyone to avoid being touched by it. From the British point of view after 1780 the series makes it clear how lost the cause had become even as the British couldn't quite yet see it.

In the end, any expansion on my quibbles would have doubled the runtime. What we have is Burns at his best: encompassing, visually cogent, humane, and thoroughly enjoyable.

Edit: Seeing all of these posts here crtical of the series as liberal revisionism because it somehow muted or ignored your beliefs on who, how and what principles this nation was founded. The idea that the Founders were all Bible-thumping theocrats just doesn't match the record. Jefferson rewrote the Bible to remove miracles, Franklin was a lifelong Deist, Madison distrusted organized religion, Adams was a Unitarian, and Washington almost never mentioned Jesus at all. The intellectual core of the founding generation was shaped far more by Enlightenment RATIONALISM than evangelical Christianity. There really were no atheists (as we know them today) at this time, but Thomas Paine barely ticked the box on agnosticism. I'm sure you all would have hated him. Hopefully Burns will do The Constitution next because this is what this nation really needs in these times.

Though still only watching the first episode, I can easily see it is up to the usual exemplary standards exhibited by Ken Burns, in addition to Sarah Botstein, David Schmidt, and their production staff. Detailed research (some of which appearing to be items not yet very familiar to the layperson), stories and information not of just well known participants in our fight for freedom but, of "regular" citizens - and thankfully reminding us how unfair it was that slaves, Native Americans, and women were not usually included in this fight for freedom - and all presented in a way that entertains, informs, and allows us to see the importance for all Americans - both those born here and those who've made this country their new home - to remember why our ancestors undertook this grave and life-changing fight, and how important it is, especially now, to know why preserving these early ideals must be paramount to our continued existence.

The American Revolution is an eye opening example of how quality television can be both educational and inspiring. After two episodes Iknow so much more about the intricacies of the Revolution than I ever learned at school. The discussion of events most often includes the actual thoughts and emotions of the individual written concurrently with the events discussed. Although there is of course no live action footage or even photographs, the artwork and reproductions surrounding each event are very well done. Congratulations are in order for everyone involved in this work. And thank you.

I've been enjoying the series. Last evening (episode 3) it was represented that General Howe, during the Battle of Long Island, had left his campfires lit to deceive Washington as to his army's intentions to fall on the Patriots by surprise. I said to my wife " I didn't know that" and went onto tell her that Washington had used the same ploy to deceive Howe when he subsequently withdrew from Long Island to Manhattan. "Did Washington learn a trick from Howe I speculated". The fact that Washington's campfire deception was never mentioned in the episode left me surprised. Following the show I went to my large history library and found numerous references of Washington's campfire deception, but none of Howe's. I also noted several other inaccuracies ( mostly omissions and slants). But, this is only my editorial opinion.

I am not an amateur historian and hold several degrees in history, taught history and was a Fellow at Yale University where I developed and published curriculum for public schools under Yale's auspice. I should add that this period of history is not my specialty and in the early 80's went on to pursue a new career in vertical flight where i was named an Honorary Fellow of the Vertical Flight Society(a distinctive honor awarded to only two persons worldwide annually). I'm retired now for many years and continue to pursue my many and varied interests.

Gary P. Smith.

I love documentaries by Ken Burns. This latest work - with directors Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt - does not disappoint.

There were so many things that I didn't know about the American Revolutionary War. I was fascinated by everything in the series: the personalities, the politics, the battles.

What I especially liked was that the documentary did not shy away from telling the story from all sides - both good and bad things that people did.

And why they did it.

A most excellent history lesson.