Watch Benjamin Franklin

Episode 1 | “Join or Die” (1706-1774)
Leaving behind his Boston childhood, Benjamin Franklin reinvents himself in Philadelphia where he builds a printing empire and a new life with his wife, Deborah. Turning to science, Franklin's lightning rod and experiments in electricity earn him worldwide fame. After entering politics, he spends years in London trying to keep Britain and America together as his own family starts to come apart.
Full Length 115m 26s
Episode 1 | “Join or Die” (1706-1774)
Full Length
Episode 1 | “Join or Die” (1706-1774)
115m 26s
Leaving behind his Boston childhood, Benjamin Franklin reinvents himself in Philadelphia where he builds a printing empire
Episode 2 | "An American" (1775-1790)
Full Length
Episode 2 | "An American" (1775-1790)
114m 59s
Benjamin Franklin leaves London and returns to wartime Philadelphia where he joins Congress and helps Thomas Jefferson cra
Official Trailer
Preview
Official Trailer
31s
Ken Burns’s four-hour documentary, Benjamin Franklin, explores the revolutionary life of one of the 18th century’s most co
A Discussion with Mandy Patinkin and Michael Douglas
Full Length
A Discussion with Mandy Patinkin and Michael Douglas
25m 27s
Ken Burns speaks with Mandy Patinkin and Michael Douglas to discuss what it's like to take on their roles as founding fath
Benjamin Franklin’s Theory of Colds
Clip
Benjamin Franklin’s Theory of Colds
3m 3s
Traveling together on Congressional business, Benjamin Franklin and John Adams stopped for the night at a wayside inn that
Benjamin Franklin House in London
Clip
Benjamin Franklin House in London
5m 15s
Though he also lived in Boston, Philadelphia, and Paris, Franklin’s only surviving residence is Benjamin Franklin House on
Benjamin Franklin and Inoculation
Clip
Benjamin Franklin and Inoculation
6m 9s
An African slave in Boston, Onesimus, introduced Cotton Mather to the concept of inoculation, which meant fewer deaths in
Behind the Scenes | Exploring Benjamin Franklin
Clip
Behind the Scenes | Exploring Benjamin Franklin
2m 2s
Get an inside look from Ken Burns and those featured in the film on why they chose to explore the life of Benjamin Franklin.
Franklin and Writing
Full Length
Franklin and Writing
61m 26s
Filmmakers and special guests explore Franklin's writing. "Franklin and Writing" is presented by GBH, Benjamin Franklin In
Franklin and Innovation
Full Length
Franklin and Innovation
59m 3s
Filmmakers and special guests explore Franklin's innovations. "Franklin and Innovation" is presented by The WNET Group and
Franklin and Diplomacy
Full Length
Franklin and Diplomacy
56m 5s
Filmmakers and special guests explore Franklin and diplomacy. This discussion is presented by WETA and Georgetown Universi
Franklin and Revolution
Full Length
Franklin and Revolution
75m 12s
Filmmakers and special guests explore Franklin and revolution. "Franklin and Revolution" is presented by WHYY. Featuring K
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About the Film

Ken Burns's two-part, four-hour documentary, Benjamin Franklin, explores the revolutionary life of one of the 18th century's most consequential and compelling personalities, whose work and words unlocked the mystery of electricity and helped create the United States. Franklin's 84 years (1706-1790) spanned an epoch of momentous change in science, technology, literature, politics, and government — fields he himself advanced through a lifelong commitment to societal and self-improvement.

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Image Gallery

Benjamin Franklin surrounded by members of the French court in 1778, during his time as Ambassador. Marie-Antoinette and King Louis XVI are on the right. American Commissioners of the Preliminary Peace Negotiations with Great Britain. Declaration of Independence mural by Barry Faulkner. Benjamin Franklin portrait by Joseph Siffred Duplessis, 1778. Portrait of a thunderstorm in Philadelphia Portrait of Benjamin Franklin by Jean-Baptiste Greuze, 1777. Painting of young Franklin at the Press. Painting of Benjamin Franklin in the studio of French sculptor Jean Antoine Houdon. Some of Franklin's drawings from his "Experiments and Observations on Electricity," 1751.

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