Anonymous
Post 11/22/2025 08:15     Subject: Ken Burns The American Revolution
The trailer turned me off.

There are many YouTubers who teach history in a more engaging way than Ken Burns.
Anonymous
Post 11/22/2025 00:36     Subject: Ken Burns The American Revolution
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I am watching but I find my attention wandering because it is boring. Anyone else feel this way?


It’s true that Martha Washington wasn’t built like a Kardashian, but I think you’re supposed to overlook such tragedies.


NP here -- My husband and I are both total history geeks; we majored in history and watched and appreciated Burns's Civil War and Vietnam War documentaries. So far, the American Revolution doc isn't of the same caliber. Without photography and video, the visual images aren't as arresting. Similarly, the talking heads aren't as captivating. The Civil War had its break-out stars in Shelby Foote, Barbara Fields and Daisy Turner. Vietnam had amazing interviews with a host of participants who fought in the war, protested it, shaped or witnessed the shaping of its course, and otherwise suffered its impact on their lives. Finally, I do wonder whether Burns's take on the American Revolution is less gripping now that we've all seen Hamilton and listened to its soundtrack endlessly. We didn't watch last night because my daughter and I wanted to watch Prince night on DWTS (if you missed it, justic was done and Whitney was vanquished) but we'll resume tonight and I'll try to avoid humming "32,000 troops in NY Harbor".


Your comparison with Hamilton speaks volumes about you. I do not believe you are a history geek.
Anonymous
Post 11/22/2025 00:35     Subject: Ken Burns The American Revolution
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:His Vietnam one was excellent!


It’s almost unfair to compare anything to that one because it benefitted from having living veterans and witnesses sharing their story. If he could do that same thing for the American Revolution it would be equally compelling. It’s just hard to make a series that is as gripping and memorable without the firsthand accounts of people who lived it sharing their experiences as opposed to historians reciting it on their behalf.


and it's far more complex.
Anonymous
Post 11/22/2025 00:34     Subject: Re:Ken Burns The American Revolution
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Watching episode 1 now and I’m into it! It’s my first Ken Burns so guess I’m officially old lol


Go back and watch "The Civil War."

The PP is right. This one is boring. And that's coming from someone who is usually a big Ken Burns fan.


The Civil War was really amazing. This one is just less compelling, somehow. I’m not sure if it’s my own over-familiarity with the subject matter, or what. I keep finding my attention drifting.


The subject is much bigger than the Civil War. It's far more complex and there are far more characters involved. It's amazing in that most Americans have no clue that the Revolutionary War was really a Civil War. Most people don't realize how everyone involved was screwed and most soldiers were treated poorly and never paid. Most people have no clue about the stasi like machine watching, controlling, intimidating citizens in to agreeing with the Revolution even though most people were neutral.
Anonymous
Post 11/22/2025 00:29     Subject: Ken Burns The American Revolution
Anonymous wrote:I am watching but I find my attention wandering because it is boring. Anyone else feel this way?


I am not in to history and planned to watch a little and couldnt walk away. This final episode was incredible. If you weren't moved by it, there is something wrong with you.
Anonymous
Post 11/20/2025 21:19     Subject: Re:Ken Burns The American Revolution
Anonymous wrote:Clicked here but don’t want to see any spoilers and ruin the ending for me.


Spoiler Alert:


It doesn’t take.
Anonymous
Post 11/20/2025 21:03     Subject: Re:Ken Burns The American Revolution
Clicked here but don’t want to see any spoilers and ruin the ending for me.
Anonymous
Post 11/20/2025 07:46     Subject: Ken Burns The American Revolution
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I am watching but I find my attention wandering because it is boring. Anyone else feel this way?


It’s true that Martha Washington wasn’t built like a Kardashian, but I think you’re supposed to overlook such tragedies.


NP here -- My husband and I are both total history geeks; we majored in history and watched and appreciated Burns's Civil War and Vietnam War documentaries. So far, the American Revolution doc isn't of the same caliber. Without photography and video, the visual images aren't as arresting. Similarly, the talking heads aren't as captivating. The Civil War had its break-out stars in Shelby Foote, Barbara Fields and Daisy Turner. Vietnam had amazing interviews with a host of participants who fought in the war, protested it, shaped or witnessed the shaping of its course, and otherwise suffered its impact on their lives. Finally, I do wonder whether Burns's take on the American Revolution is less gripping now that we've all seen Hamilton and listened to its soundtrack endlessly. We didn't watch last night because my daughter and I wanted to watch Prince night on DWTS (if you missed it, justic was done and Whitney was vanquished) but we'll resume tonight and I'll try to avoid humming "32,000 troops in NY Harbor".


You are making me want to go watch the Civil War one again. Shelby Foote!!


I just rewatched Civil War, just as impactful as the first viewing.

And this 60 yr old woman was swooning for Shelby Foote. That beard and accent!
Anonymous
Post 11/19/2025 22:01     Subject: Ken Burns The American Revolution
Anonymous wrote:I am watching but I find my attention wandering because it is boring. Anyone else feel this way?


Read your thread title again. Replace with Don burns the AR and would be accurate.
Anonymous
Post 11/19/2025 20:55     Subject: Ken Burns The American Revolution
Ken Burns Vietnam War series was fantastic. This revolutionary war one isn't capturing my attention so far, but I could only take 20 min so far.

If you can watch the Vietnam War series, it is very worth your time. Being knowledgeable about it is far better than simply thanking vets for their service.
Anonymous
Post 11/19/2025 20:06     Subject: Ken Burns The American Revolution
I think part of the problem is that the quotes from the people who experienced the war are in English that sounds very stilted to our ear.

You almost have to think about the translation (into modern parlance), which is tedious and less relatable.
Anonymous
Post 11/19/2025 19:22     Subject: Ken Burns The American Revolution
Anonymous wrote:My DH and I are watching and although I like it (I love Ken Burns and have watched most of his other documentaries) I think that the episodes are just too long? 2 hrs is a lot. Agree with PPs that better anecdotes in both the Civil War & Vietnam (with interviews of ppl who were eye witnesses). But, I still like it! Could watch anything he does really.


I agree.

But wonder if I am comparing it somewhat to the recent “Death By Lightning,” which held my interest more.
Anonymous
Post 11/19/2025 19:19     Subject: Ken Burns The American Revolution
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I am watching but I find my attention wandering because it is boring. Anyone else feel this way?


It’s true that Martha Washington wasn’t built like a Kardashian, but I think you’re supposed to overlook such tragedies.


NP here -- My husband and I are both total history geeks; we majored in history and watched and appreciated Burns's Civil War and Vietnam War documentaries. So far, the American Revolution doc isn't of the same caliber. Without photography and video, the visual images aren't as arresting. Similarly, the talking heads aren't as captivating. The Civil War had its break-out stars in Shelby Foote, Barbara Fields and Daisy Turner. Vietnam had amazing interviews with a host of participants who fought in the war, protested it, shaped or witnessed the shaping of its course, and otherwise suffered its impact on their lives. Finally, I do wonder whether Burns's take on the American Revolution is less gripping now that we've all seen Hamilton and listened to its soundtrack endlessly. We didn't watch last night because my daughter and I wanted to watch Prince night on DWTS (if you missed it, justic was done and Whitney was vanquished) but we'll resume tonight and I'll try to avoid humming "32,000 troops in NY Harbor".


You are making me want to go watch the Civil War one again. Shelby Foote!!
Anonymous
Post 11/19/2025 19:15     Subject: Re:Ken Burns The American Revolution
Anonymous wrote:Watching episode 1 now and I’m into it! It’s my first Ken Burns so guess I’m officially old lol


Catch up on the others. The were better TBH.

Though I am learning a lot that I did not know.
Anonymous
Post 11/19/2025 13:24     Subject: Ken Burns The American Revolution
Hamilton spoiled you, OP.