The Civil War
A monumental series that explores the most important conflict in our nation's history.
1861: “The Cause”
S1 Ep1 | 1h 40m 58s
Find out what caused the war, examining slavery and questions of union and states’ rights.
1862: “A Very Bloody Affair”/”Forever Free”
S1 Ep2 | 2h 21m 25s
Lincoln’s war to preserve the Union transforms to a war to emancipate the slaves.
1863: “Simply Murder”/”The Universe of Battle”
S1 Ep3 | 2h 34m 49s
Follow the Battle of Gettysburg, draft riots, and the first African-American troops.
1864: “Valley of the Shadow of Death”/”Most Hallowed Ground”
S1 Ep4 | 2h 18m 35s
While causalities mount, Lincoln’s re-election chances dim.
1865: “War Is All Hell”/”The Better Angels of Our Nature”
S1 Ep5 | 2h 14m 38s
Richmond falls to Grant's army, Lee surrenders, Lincoln is assassinated, and the war ends.
Making The Civil War: 25 Years Later
28m 19s
Ken Burns, Ric Burns, Buddy Squires, and Allen Moore discuss the making of The Civil War.
Restoring The Civil War
13m 57s
Learn how The Civil War series has been completely restored to Ultra HD – 4K resolution.
All Night Forever
4m 30s
Conditions were dire for slaves on the plantation. Only 4 out of 100 lived to be 60.
The Gettysburg Address
5m 50s
Lincoln spoke only 269 words during his address and gave history a speech for the ages.
Ken Burns Interview | Shelby Foote
3m 36s
Ken Burns discusses interviewing Shelby Foote during The Civil War.
Q & A: Team Reaction
1m 38s
Ken Burns shares how his team reacted to the idea of an eleven-hour-long documentary.
Q & A: Collaboration Process
2m 35s
Ken Burns talks about how he, Geoff, and Ric created The Civil War film.
Q & A: Working with Celebrities
3m 21s
Ken Burns shares how he gets A-list actors to narrate his films.
Q & A: Realization of Magnitude
3m 16s
Ken Burns recalls when he first realized the magnitude of his film, The Civil War.
Q & A: The Moment Lincoln Was Shot
3m 11s
Ken Burns shares the moment he and his team captured Lincoln’s death in the film.
Q & A: The Civil War in 4K
3m 4s
Ken Burns talks about the benefits of restoring The Civil War series in 4K.
Q & A: Series Longevity
1m 25s
Ken Burns shares his thoughts on the continued success of his film, The Civil War.
Q & A: Using Photography
2m 35s
Ken Burns shares how his passion for photography influenced the creation of The Civil War.
Q & A: Bringing the Past to Life
1m 7s
Ken Burns explains how he brought the personal stories in The Civil War series to life.
Q & A: The Sullivan Ballou Letter
3m 20s
Ken Burns explains how he first discovered the letter by Ballou and realized its impact.
Q & A: The Civil War Today
2m 36s
Ken Burns shares his thoughts on the state of our country since the Civil War.
Q & A: Soldier Reunions
2m 43s
Ken Burns talks about the emotional moments during reunions among soldiers.
Secessionitis
3m 20s
The feeling among the Southern members for dissolution of the Union becomes more general.
Appomattox
11m 7s
April 7, 1865, Grant writes to Lee. April 9, 1865. Lee sends word that he will surrender.
Preview The Civil War, which was restored and remastered in high-definition in 2015.
In the classroom with The Civil War
4m 45s
Educator Eden McCauslin explains how she uses The Civil War series with her students.
Honorable Manhood
3m 25s
A week before the battle of Bull Run, Sullivan Ballou wrote a letter to his wife.
Lincoln’s Troubled Re-Election
4m 46s
Long after Lincoln was nominated, politicians in his own party still hoped to reconvene.
“A Very Bloody Affair: 1862″/”Forever Free: 1862” | Preview
S1 Ep2 | 30s
Preview episodes two and three of Ken Burns' The Civil War.
1863: “Simply Murder”/”The Universe of Battle” | Preview
S1 Ep3 | 30s
Preview episodes four and five of Ken Burns' The Civil War.
1864: “Valley of the Shadow of Death”/”Most Hallowed Ground”
S1 Ep4 | 30s
Preview episodes six and seven of Ken Burns' The Civil War.
1865: “War Is All Hell”/”The Better Angels of Our Nature”
S1 Ep5 | 30s
Preview the final two episodes of Ken Burns' The Civil War.
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