A comprehensive survey of the American Civil War.
Popularity
2,310
( 1)
Top-Rated Episodes
The North celebrated Lee's surrender and the end of the war. On April 14, Good Friday, John Wilkes Booth learned that President Lincoln, General Grant and others were to attend a play at the Ford ...
In trying to draw Union troops away from the siege of Vicksburg, Robert E. Lee invaded Pennsylvania and over three days 150,000 men would do battle at Gettysburg. Confederate soldiers had gone into ...
S1.E8
By the beginning of 1865, the Confederacy was coming to an end. Atlanta had been overrun and Sherman was marching to the sea. Lincoln approved Sherman's plan against the advice of those around him. ...
Check out the latest trailers from "His Dark Materials," The Personal History of David Copperfield, and Zombieland: Double Tap.
Related News
-
Why Should Watch New Ken Burns Film “Country Music”
17 September 2019 | TVovermind.com -
Ketch Secor on Ken Burns’ ‘Country Music,’ Why Nashville Needs a Reckoning
16 September 2019 | Rolling Stone -
Ken Burns on ‘Country Music’ and Why Merle, Hank, Dwight, Loretta and Lil Nas X Matter
15 September 2019 | Variety
User Lists
Related lists from IMDb users
Share this Rating
Title: The Civil War (1990)
Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.
Learn more
More Like This
The Vietnam War
(2017)
Documentary
|
History
|
War
Stars:
Peter Coyote,
Huy Duc,
Duong Van Mai Elliott
The World at War
(1973–1976)
Documentary
|
History
|
War
Stars:
Laurence Olivier,
Anthony Eden,
Averell Harriman
The West
(1996)
Documentary
|
History
|
War
Stars:
Peter Coyote,
N. Scott Momaday,
Murphy Guyer
Prohibition
(TV Mini-Series 2011)
Documentary
|
History
Stars:
Peter Coyote,
Pete Hamill,
Catherine Gilbert Murdock
The Roosevelts: An Intimate History
(TV Mini-Series 2014)
Documentary
|
Biography
|
History
Stars:
Meryl Streep,
Edward Herrmann,
George Will
Das Boot
(1985–1987)
Drama
|
Thriller
|
War
Stars:
Jürgen Prochnow,
Herbert Grönemeyer,
Klaus Wennemann
The Twilight Zone
(1959–1964)
Drama
|
Fantasy
|
Horror
Stars:
Rod Serling,
Robert McCord,
Jay Overholts
Baseball
(1994–2010)
Documentary
|
History
|
Sport
Stars:
John Chancellor,
Daniel Okrent,
Ossie Davis
Edit
Cast
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
See All (15) »
Storyline
This highly acclaimed mini-series traces the course of the U.S. Civil War from the abolitionist movement through all the major battles to the death of President Lincoln and the beginnings of Reconstruction. The story is mostly told in the words of the participants themselves, through their diaries and letters. Visuals are usually still photographs and illustrations of the time, and the soundtrack is likewise made up of war-era tunes played on period instruments. Several modern-day historians offer periodic comment and insight on the war's causes and events. Written by Eric Sorensen <Eric_Sorensen@fc.mcps.k12.md.us>
Plot Keywords:
ulysses s. grant character | abraham lincoln character | gen robert e lee character | american civil war | tv mini series |Taglines:
It divided a country. It created a nation.Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
Edit
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
23 September 1990 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
The Civil War See more »Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Sound Mix:
StereoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1
Edit
An advisor to the President, Francis P. Blair, DID offer Lee command of the Defenses of Washington, via letter, but there are NO records that Lee. An Lincoln ever met in person. See more »
Sullivan Ballou: July 14, 1861. Washington, D.C. Dear Sarah, indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days-perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write again, I feel impelled to write a few lines that may fall under your eye when I'm no more. I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in, the cause in which I'm engaged, and my courage does not ...
[...]
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Sam Waterston, who voiced President Abraham Lincoln, also portrayed him in Lincoln (1988). See more »Goofs
Contrary to this documentary (and many historians) Winfield Scott never recommended Robet E. Lee for anything more than a "significant command" nor did Lincoln offer Lee command of the Union Army.An advisor to the President, Francis P. Blair, DID offer Lee command of the Defenses of Washington, via letter, but there are NO records that Lee. An Lincoln ever met in person. See more »
Quotes
Narrator: A week before the battle of Bull Run, Sullivan Ballou, a major in the 2nd Rhode Island Volunteers, wrote home to his wife in Smithfield.Sullivan Ballou: July 14, 1861. Washington, D.C. Dear Sarah, indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days-perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write again, I feel impelled to write a few lines that may fall under your eye when I'm no more. I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in, the cause in which I'm engaged, and my courage does not ...
[...]
See more »
Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.Contribute to This Page
On IMDb TV, you can catch Hollywood hits and popular TV series at no cost. Select any poster below to play the movie, totally free!
Explore popular and recently added TV series available to stream now with Prime Video.
When The Civil War first aired in 1990, it became a phenomenon. I
was a little kid, but I remember "Ashokan Farewell" and the
intriguing black and white images and voiceovers from the screen,
and people talking about it all over the place. To be sure, the
intimacy of the film eventually made me a Civil War buff, as it has
for tens of thousands across the country.
The fact is, Ken Burns created a monumental piece of television
that chronicled, if not in a general fashion, by far the most defining
moment in our history and an incredibly groundbreaking way.
The film is simple, yet is so profound in it's simplicity and style,
using just pictures and accounts and music and some bursts of
color from modern cinematography. For the first time, we heard the
accounts of real soldiers and people, and instead of taking sides,
it gave a sense of humanity to both sides in a war that is riddled
with political and social posturing, but was ultimately all slaughter.