As legendary documentary maker Ken Burns is at pains to point out with his new series, "The American Revolution" was about a lot more than just 13 upstart colonies on the East coast kicking out their British imperialist overlords - although there was that, of course. Their success established a new form of government that continues to inspire democratic governments around the world. Here he examines the motivations of the vast number of men and women involved in the struggle...
* PAINTING ABOVE: "The Death of General Mercer at the Battle of Princeton, January 3, 1777" (by John Trumbull)
"The American Revolution" premieres in the U.S. on PBS on Sunday, November 16 at 8.00 p.m. ET with the next five episodes following daily at the same time.
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And that does not just mean the usual suspects. The film looks at the revolution from the perspective of: Rank-and-file Continental soldiers and American militiamen (some of them teenagers); Patriot (i.e. pro-revolution) political and military leaders; British Army officers; American Loyalists (i.e. pro-British); Native soldiers and civilians; enslaved and free African Americans; German soldiers in the British service; French and Spanish allies; and, various civilians living in North America, Loyalist as well as Patriot, including many made refugees by the war.
In the era of fake news and the rewriting of history by political chancers, "The "American Revolution" is in safe hands with Burn (list of his other films below) and features many of his trademark methods for bringing the subject to life - actors read first hand accounts, key details brought to the fore and attention given to the sound of events. Battles are given a huge significance here but in the absence of a photographic record, huge numbers of re-enacters are used in concert with drone footage. The technique is breathtaking, the lessons from history absolutely vital.
Read our guide below for how to watch "The American Revolution" online now, live and on-demand through PBS.org.
How to watch "The American Revolution" for FREE in the U.S.
"The American Revolution" premieres in the U.S. on Sunday, November 16 on PBS at 8.00 p.m. ET with next five episodes following daily. Also available via the PBS app.
Don’t have cable? Stream your local PBS channel through the PBS website and PBS app.
Not in the U.S.? Don't worry — as we explain below, you can watch it when you download a VPN. We recommend NordVPN.
How to VPN 'The American Revolution' from anywhere
Away from home at the moment and blocked from watching "The American Revolution" on PBS? Luckily, you can still watch the show online thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The software allows your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where you are in the world. So it’s ideal for viewers who may travel a lot and don't want to miss their favorite shows.
Our favourite is NordVPN. It's the best on the market – and you can find out why in our NordVPN review.
Using a VPN is incredibly simple.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance if you're in the U.K. and want to view your usual U.S. service, you'd select U.S. from the list.
3. Sit back and enjoy the show. Head to PBS and stream "The American Revolution" online.
Can I watch 'The American Revolution' online in Canada?
At the time of writing, there is no release date for "The American Revolution" in Canada. If that changes you'll read about it here first.
That said, it should be available on PBS Passport - in most areas. That’ll provide access to a range of the network’s channels, like PBS Life and PBS Masterpiece. Membership costs a suggested donation of CA$5 per month, although prices will alter depending on your local station.
Currently away from Canada? Download a VPN and connect to the services you enjoy free-of-charge back home, without having to register for any additional subscriptions. We recommend NordVPN.
Can I watch 'The American Revolution' online in the U.K?
Presumably still smarting after having their asses kicked, "The American Revolution" has no confirmed release date in the U.K.. Well let you know if that changes.
However, if you’re an American citizen in the U.K. right now and you want to use your usual domestic streaming platform, a VPN will allow you to stream "The American Revolution" online by unblocking PBS. We recommend NordVPN.
How to watch 'The American Revolution' in Australia
"The American Revolution" is unavailable to stream in Australia at the time of writing but if that changes you'll read about it here first.
Out of the country? Connect to your home streaming services when you download a VPN and watch TV shows, films and documentaries no matter where you are in the world. We recommend NordVPN.
'The American Revolution' - Need to Know
'The American Revolution' - Contributors
- Peter Coyote (narrator)
- Adam Arkin (voice)
- Kenneth Branagh (voice)
- Josh Brolin (voice)
- Hugh Dancy (voice)
- Claire Danes (voice)
- Tom Hanks (voice)
- Damian Lewis (voice)
- Tobias Menzies (voice)
- Matthew Rhys
- Liev Schreiber
'The American Revolution' - Episode Guide
"Part 1: In Order To Be Free" (1754–1775) - Opposition in colonial North America to British policies over taxes, land and sovereignty escalates into violent confrontation; war gives 13 colonies a common cause. (Sunday, November 16)
"Part 2: An Asylum For Mankind" (May 1775 – Jul 1776) - Congress puts George Washington in command of a new Continental Army; Congress declares American independence in July 1776. (Mon., Nov. 17)
"Part 3: The Times That Try Men’s Souls" (Jul 1776 – Jan 1777) - 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. (Tues., Nov. 18)
"Part 4: Conquer by a Drawn Game" (Jan 1777 – Feb 1778) - General Howe takes Philadelphia, but the Americans' surprising victory over General Burgoyne at Saratoga encourages France to support the U.S. (Weds., Nov. 19)
"Part 5: The Soul of All America" (Dec 1777 – May 1780) - The French-American alliance changes the war and moves it to other theatres; navies battle off England and in the Caribbean, while armies advance in Indian Country and the South; the British take Charleston. (Thurs., Nov. 20)
"Part 6: The Most Sacred Thing" (May 1780 – Onward) - British General Cornwallis struggles to pacify the southern states; supported by the French, a victory at Yorktown secures independence for the Americans. (Sun., Nov. 21)
'The American Revolution' - Official Trailer
What other films has Ken Burns made?
- “Brooklyn Bridge” (1981
- “The Shakers: Hands to Work, Hearts to God” (1984)
- “The Statue of Liberty” (1985)
- “Huey Long” (1985)
- “Thomas Hart Benton” (1988)
- “The Congress” (1988)
- “The Civil War” (1990; 9 episodes)
- “Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio” (1992)
- “Baseball” (1994; 9 episodes – updated with The Tenth Inning in 2010, with Lynn Novick)
- “Thomas Jefferson” (1997; 2 episodes)
- “Lewis & Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery” (1997)
- “Frank Lloyd Wright” (1998, with Lynn Novick)
- “Not for Ourselves Alone: The Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton & Susan B. Anthony” (1999)
- “Jazz” (2001; 10 episodes)
- “Mark Twain” (2002)
- “Horatio's Drive: America's First Road Trip” (2003)
- “Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson” (2005; 2 episodes)
- “The War” (2007, with Lynn Novick; 7 episodes)
- “The National Parks: America's Best Idea” (2009; 6 episodes)
- “Prohibition” (2011, with Lynn Novick; 3 episodes)
- “The Dust Bowl” (2012; 2 episodes)
- “The Central Park Five” (2012, with Sarah Burns and David McMahon)
- “Yosemite: A Gathering of Spirit” (2013)
- “The Address” (2014)
- “The Roosevelts: An Intimate History” (2014; 7 episodes)
- “Jackie Robinson” (2016, with Sarah Burns and David McMahon; 2 episodes)
- “Defying the Nazis: The Sharps' War” (2016, with Artemis Joukowsky)
- “The Vietnam War” (2017, with Lynn Novick; 10 episodes)
- “The Mayo Clinic: Faith – Hope – Science” (2018, with Erik Ewers and Christopher Loren Ewers)
- “Country Music” (2019, 8 episodes)
- “Hemingway” (2021, with Lynn Novick; 3 episodes)
- “Muhammad Ali” (2021, with Sarah Burns and David McMahon; 4 episodes)
- “Benjamin Franklin” (2022, 2 episodes)
- “The U.S. and the Holocaust” (2022, 3 episodes, 7 hours total; produced and directed with the assistance of Lynn Novick and Sarah Botstein)
- “The American Buffalo” (2023, 2 episodes)
- “Leonardo da Vinci” (2024, with Sarah Burns and David McMahon; 2 episodes)
More from Tom's Guide
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