Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns showcased snippets from his new series, The American Revolution, to an audience in Detroit on September 26, 2023. The event took place at Wayne State University and marked the beginning of a national tour to introduce the six-episode docuseries, which took a decade to complete. The series is a comprehensive exploration of the American struggle for independence, spanning a total of 12 hours.
Burns, renowned for his engaging storytelling, shared humorous remarks that resonated with the audience. “You must be so relieved that you don’t have to watch until 7 tomorrow morning,” he quipped, eliciting laughter before the screening commenced. The documentary, set to premiere on PBS in November, investigates the complexity of the American Revolution through the lives of various individuals, not just historical figures but also ordinary people affected by the war.
Rich Context and Diverse Perspectives
With the collaboration of Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt, Burns aims to provide a multi-faceted narrative that includes voices from diverse backgrounds. This includes Native Americans, enslaved and free African Americans, and European allies and adversaries. The series integrates real-life accounts, drawn from letters and diaries, which are narrated by an all-star cast, including Jeff Daniels, who lends his voice to Thomas Jefferson.
During the event, Burns expressed a sense of loss regarding the conclusion of his partnership with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which will no longer fund projects following budget cuts approved by Congress and requested by President Donald Trump. He stated, “This will be my last film underwritten by the CPB,” acknowledging the impact of these changes on future productions.
After the preview, Burns participated in a discussion with Botstein and historian Kathleen DuVal, who appears in the series. The conversation, moderated by Stephen Henderson, host of “American Black Journal,” explored the series’ themes and the lengthy production process. Botstein humorously noted that it was “the shortest big film I’ve ever worked on,” referencing their previous collaborations, such as the 18-hour series The Vietnam War.
Contextualizing American History
DuVal highlighted the evolution of historical narratives surrounding the American Revolution over the past five decades. She emphasized the importance of including diverse viewpoints that reflect the experiences of various groups, including women, children, and marginalized communities. “What do all different kinds of men, women, and even teenagers think about the revolution?” she asked, underscoring the necessity of broadening the historical conversation.
Burns noted his intention to honor the nuanced nature of the story and its characters, along with the audience’s intelligence. He remarked, “It might be helpful to go back to the beginning” to understand the origins of the nation and the wide array of individuals involved in the revolution. He expressed hope that the series would help restore a sense of unity within the United States, stating, “We are hoping that this film could help put the us back in the U.S.”
The event concluded with an optimistic tone about the potential of The American Revolution to engage viewers in a deeper understanding of their shared history. For additional information on the docuseries and related educational resources, viewers can visit the PBS.org page dedicated to the project and the Detroit PBS site focusing on America’s upcoming 250th birthday celebration.
