Capturing the story of America’s Founding has long captivated the public imagination. For nearly 250 years, our origin story has inspired both national pride and ongoing debate. From classrooms to pop culture, this formative era has been the subject of bestsellers, biographies, and scholarly research. But it is on the screen–in film and documentaries–where the ideals, contradictions and bold personalities of the Founding Fathers are most vividly brought to life.
More than words on a page, films and documentaries allow viewers to experience the past and watch history unfold. They transport audiences to the corner of a candlelit tavern where they hear the whispers of revolution. Or moviegoers might witness the heated discourse of delegates debating first principles in an equally heated Philadelphia state house. They might even encounter the heart-stopping moments of combat between American patriots and British Red Coats.
The storytelling power of film and documentaries makes the Founding feel more immediate, tangible, and relatable. Of course, good film and good documentaries must strike a balance between entertainment and truth. When done well, the result is compelling drama and an entry point for deeper understanding and exploration. When off-kilter, the outcome feels more like sentimental kitsch, tired tropes, or perilous revisionism.
Acclaimed Documentaries of America’s Founding
Celebrated American filmmaker and director Ken Burns begins his documentary projects with a question: “What does an investigation of our past tell us about not only where we’ve been, but where we are now and where we may be going.”
Burns believes there are the stories that we know and the stories yet uncovered. So when making a documentary–such as his acclaimed biography of Thomas Jefferson or his soon-to-be released The American Revolution–Burns looks for the unexpected and the untapped. “I need to impose story and at the same time I have to let the raw material influence what that story is.”
In addition to Burns’ Jefferson (1979) and The American Revolution (slated to premier on PBS November 16), here are a few other noteworthy resources and documentaries that bring to life the American Founding:
The American Battlefield Trust—As the nation’s leading heritage land preservation organization, the Trust has saved more than 60,000 acres of hallowed battlefield land in 25 states. It also hosts a remarkable educational website that features rich content about the American Revolution, the Civil War and the War of 1812. In addition to interactive maps, FAQs, and timelines, you can find many fine documentaries, including one of my favorites, The Revolutionary War: Animated Battle Map linked below:
The Story of America—In celebration of America’s Semiquincentennial, this multi-part video series is currently being produced by Hillsdale College in partnership with the White House Salute to America 250 Task Force and the U.S. Department of Education. The series provides bite-sized segments that explore the story of America’s founding, from the first shots at Lexington and Concord to the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of a new republic.
Iconic Feature Films on America’s Founding
Feature films and dramatic series offer an even broader cinematic view of America’s Founding. Here are several suggestions to add to your watchlist as we Countdown to America’s 250th:
The HBO drama John Adams is a fine account of one of the most esteemed but often under appreciated Founders. This seven-part miniseries from 2008 is based on David McCullough’s Pulitzer Prize winning biography of the same name. Widely praised for its historical accuracy, the series features Paul Giamatti in the title role opposite Laura Linney as Abigail Adams. The series follows Adams from his pre-revolutionary role as Boston lawyer to his essential contributions to the Declaration of Independence and the Continental Congress. It explores his tenure as the second U.S. president and his thorny but enduring relationship with Thomas Jefferson.
The Patriot (2000), starring Mel Gibson offers an action-packed and visually striking (though highly fictionalized) account of the Revolutionary War. The Patriot tells the story of a South Carolina farmer (Gibson) compelled to join the fight for independence. Cinematically appealing and emotionally resonant, The Patriot is loosely inspired by real events and may leave some serious historians cringing in places.
In the lead up to America’s Bicentennial 50 years ago, director Peter H. Hunt and writer Peter Stone introduced the historical musical drama 1776, based on the Broadway musical of the same name. This theatrical and stylized account of the signing of the Declaration of Independence captures the very real and problematic ideological tensions among the Founding Fathers.
Let’s Not Forget the Kids!
Liberty’s Kids—For the young historians, this animated series features two budding journalists who report on the events of the Revolutionary War for Benjamin Franklin’s newspaper, the Philadelphia Gazette. (Available with Ameba on Amazon Prime)
And finally, for the kids and Disney lovers of all ages, the classic tale of Johnny Tremain is a worthy (albeit somewhat campy) selection. The story brings to life the adventures of a young patriot caught up in the fast-moving events of the prelude to revolution: Paul Revere’s ride, the Boston Tea Party, and the battles of Lexington and Concord. A great way to engage the youngest generation and begin a life-long interest in America’s Founding.
This article is part of Writing for the Public Square’s Countdown America 250 series celebrating the Semiquincentennial of America’s founding.