Benjamin Franklin (film)

Overview

Benjamin Franklin is a two-part American documentary film directed and produced by Ken Burns. First aired on PBS on April 4 and 5, 2022, it follows the life of Benjamin Franklin, the polymath and Founding Father of the United States. Its focus on one consequential life makes it a biographical entry in Burns’s documentary work.

The film is narrated by Peter Coyote, with Mandy Patinkin voicing Franklin. Josh Lucas, Liam Neeson and Paul Giamatti also appear as voice actors; Giamatti reprises John Adams, the role he played in the HBO miniseries John Adams. These performances give the documentary a cast of voices to accompany its account of Franklin’s life.

For viewers browsing Documentaries by Ken Burns or looking through New documentaries, this is a two-part portrait centered on an American historical figure. It was released in 2022 and is categorized as a documentary film.

Key features

• Two-part structure: The film presents Franklin’s life across two parts, which first aired on consecutive days.
• Biographical subject: Its subject is Franklin as both a polymath and a Founding Father of the United States.
• Distinctive voice cast: Peter Coyote narrates, Mandy Patinkin voices Franklin, and Josh Lucas, Liam Neeson and Paul Giamatti are among the other voice actors.
• Ken Burns at the helm: Burns directed and produced the film.

Who it's for

This documentary suits viewers interested in Franklin’s life and in biographical films about figures in American history. Its two-part format may also suit teachers and students seeking a feature-length documentary divided into installments. Fans of Ken Burns’s work may find it a natural next choice alongside Mark Twain and Thomas Jefferson, while those exploring his work across other subjects can consider Jazz or The Gene.

Pros and cons

Pros

• The film gives Franklin’s life the focus of a two-part documentary.
• Its narration and voice performances include Peter Coyote, Mandy Patinkin, Josh Lucas, Liam Neeson and Paul Giamatti.
• It offers a biographical option for viewers interested in the Founding Fathers and U.S. history.

Points to consider

• It is specifically a biographical film about Franklin, rather than a broader survey of American history.
• Its two-part presentation is a commitment to more than a single short viewing.

Alternatives

Viewers who want another Ken Burns biography can turn to Frank Lloyd Wright or Not for Ourselves Alone. For a different historical subject, Lewis & Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery and Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio offer other directions within documentary history.

Verdict

Benjamin Franklin is a focused, two-part biographical documentary for audiences drawn to Franklin’s place in American history. Ken Burns directs and produces, while a notable group of voice performers brings the film’s narration and Franklin portrayal. It is a clear choice for viewers seeking a documentary centered on one Founding Father rather than a wider historical survey.