Benjamin Franklin

Now Streaming

Ken Burns’s two-part, four-hour documentary, "Benjamin Franklin," explores the revolutionary life of one of the18th century's most consequential and compelling personalities, whose work and words unlocked the mystery of electricity and helped create the United States. (official site)

Corporate funding for BENJAMIN FRANKLIN was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by David M. Rubenstein. Major funding was also provided by The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and by The Better Angels Society and its members Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine; University of Pennsylvania; Gilchrist and Amy Berg; Perry and Donna Golkin; Kissick Family Foundation; Deborah and Jon Dawson; Diane and Hal Brierley; McCloskey Family Charitable Trust; Cappy and Janie McGarr; Lavender Butterfly Fund; and Susan and Charles Shanor Charitable Trust.

Featured Videos

• “Join or Die” (1706-1774)

  Ep1 | 1h 55m 26s | WETA Passport

• “An American” (1775-1790)

  Ep2 | 1h 54m 59s | WETA Passport

• Official Trailer

  Preview | 31s

Episodes

• “Join or Die” (1706-1774)

  Ep1 | 1h 55m 26s | WETA Passport

• Spanish Version | “Join or Die” (1706-1774)

  Ep3 | 1h 55m 26s | WETA Passport

• “An American” (1775-1790)

  Ep2 | 1h 54m 59s | WETA Passport

See all Episodes for Benjamin Franklin

Specials

• A Discussion with Mandy Patinkin and Michael Douglas

  Special | 25m 27s

• Franklin and Revolution

  Special | 1h 15m 12s

• Benjamin Franklin and American Diplomacy

  Special | 56m 5s

See all Specials for Benjamin Franklin

Extras

• The Treaty of Paris, 1783

  Clip | 4m 20s

• The Stamp Act

  Clip | 3m 46s

• Publicly Humiliated in London

  Clip | 6m 2s

See all Extras for Benjamin Franklin

Collections

• Conversations on Franklin Filmmakers and special guests explore the two-part series, Benjamin Franklin.
• Spanish Version All episodes of Benjamin Franklin are also available in Spanish.

See all Collections for Benjamin Franklin

Explore Ken Burns Shows

• Ken Burns
• Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness

  A documentary about the mental health crisis among youth in America.

• Muhammad Ali

  Muhammad Ali brings to life the boxing champion who became an inspiration across the globe

• Hemingway

  Ken Burns and Lynn Novick explore the writer and his enduring influence.

• The Gene

  A historical biography of the human genome.

• East Lake Meadows

  The story of a public housing community raises critical questions about race and poverty.