Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns has released his latest six-part, 12-hour miniseries The American Revolution, which debuts on public television and is now available to stream online. The series takes a fresh look at the conflict that led to the founding of the United States by incorporating overlooked voices including Indigenous peoples, enslaved African Americans, and women.
Burns, working alongside co-directors Sarah Botstein and David P. Schmidt, emphasised the complexity of the Revolution pointing out that it was as much a civil war within colonial society as a war for independence. In a recent interview he noted that the conflict was “the most consequential revolution in history and sponsors revolutions” across the world.
The production team spent years researching and filming, factoring in historically accurate maps, reenactments and rare archive material to create immersive visuals that go beyond traditional textbook narratives.
For viewers of AP Talkies the series represents a convergence of streaming and educational television, offering a major release at a time when documentary content is becoming a key driver of platform subscriptions and cultural conversation. Its launch around the United States 250th anniversary adds cultural weight and positions the series for wide global viewership.