Ken Burns: Benjamin Franklin Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		4.0

Ken Burns: Benjamin Franklin Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf April 23, 2022

In 2019, director Ken Burns oversaw the creation of “Country Music,” looking to understand an American sound as it developed over the course of the twentieth century. Burns is back with “Benjamin Franklin,” returning to the formation of a nation, once again digging to the roots of American history, this time focusing on the efforts of a single man who, as a boy, wanted to learn everything he could, hoping to shape his own education, which would take him on a most unique ride of power and position. The documentary is divided into two chapters, going from Franklin’s first days to his last, and in between resides an astonishing list of achievements that turned the subject into something of a celebrity during his extremely long life. As with previous documentaries from Burns, there’s more to Benjamin Franklin than the basics in wit and electricity, with the two-parter working to understand his vices and prejudices, along with his doubts, especially with his own family. “Benjamin Franklin” provides the comfy sweater style and presentation common to all Burns productions, but it offers a slightly more aware comprehension of the man and his legacy, hoping to appreciate his shortcomings as a way to understand the full extent of his atypical life.

Narrated by longtime Burns collaborator, Peter Coyote (joined by vocal performances from Josh Lucas, Paul Giamatti, Liam Neeson, and Mandy Patinkin as Benjamin Franklin), the documentary uses incredible research to understand the early years of the subject, with Benjamin Franklin a boy of uncommon intelligence and drive to better understand the world around him. With his family swarmed with children, Franklin was often left on his own, setting out to read as much as possible, feeding his mind with information, giving him an education he wasn’t offered by his candle-making father. “Benjamin Franklin” tracks the development of a young man looking to express himself, finding work in print shops and a voice in newspapers, honing a wit that would come to be his signature in latter years. Franklin wanted to better his life, and Burns successfully works through this development, employing a long list of historians to illuminate the years before prominence, capturing an internal drive to leadership and exploration, which led him oversees on multiple occasions, also tending to the development and the unity of the Colonies during their early years.

The first half of “Benjamin Franklin” details the man, analyzing his hesitance to engage in a lasting relationship, preferring the art of womanizing, which resulted in the birth of an illegitimate son. The documentary also surprises by listing his inventions and interests, including the creation of the armonica, a glass-based instrument. Burns investigates Franklin’s shortcomings and doubts, but he also reinforces his influence, using the power of the press to take shots at others, also climbing the ranks as a respected politician during a time in American history when true leadership was still being shaped. “Benjamin Franklin” eventually carries into the Revolutionary War, but the production doesn’t go step-by-step through escalation, remaining with Franklin as he uses his way with diplomacy to do his part. It’s a fascinating overview of social and civic participation.

Episodes

“Join or Die: 1706-1774” (114:33)

Born in 1706, Benjamin Franklin was the 15th child of his family, growing up with a voracious appetite for knowledge, living to read books and develop his education. Franklin found his way into the printing business, inserting his own ideas into newspapers, developing a reputation for hard work and skill. Relocating to Philadelphia for a print shop future, Franklin began organizing groups dedicated to civic and social issues, creating a name for himself by taking control of The Pennsylvania Gazette. With Deborah Read, Franklin found a partner, giving son William a home, but his business often pulled him away from domestic duties, frequently traveling to London, finding a society he loved. Sarah, a daughter, was soon born, and retirement came in 1748, refocusing Franklin’s interests into scientific experimentation, including his groundbreaking work with electricity. Rising to the position of Deputy Postmaster, Franklin witnesses the divide between the American colonies, looking for ways to unite the burgeoning nation while still appeasing the British empire. Watching tensions rise as wars break out and the Stamp Act is forced on citizens, Franklin grows concerned about the future as William enters politics, also exposed to a more hostile British presence in the land.

“An American: 1775-1790” (114:05)

After the events of the Boston Tea Party, tensions rise between the Colonies and Britain, with New Jersey Governor William Franklin trying to keep the peace while remaining a loyalist to the crown. In 1775, Benjamin Franklin returns to Philadelphia with his grandson, Temple (William’s illegitimate son), experiencing a major political and personal divide with his estranged son. During these years, war begins in the Colonies, while at the age of 69, Franklin becomes a delegate, helping to shape the Declaration of Independence. Searching for an alliance and monetary support, Franklin travels to France in 1776, where he’s greeted as a hero, soon immersing himself in French culture, which he adores. Rising tensions with John Adams don’t sit well with Franklin, and he remains in France for years, seeking support for the Revolutionary War. As a treaty is signed, ending the conflict, Franklin returns to Philadelphia after eight years oversees, soon joining the Constitutional Convention at 81 years of age. In his final acts, Franklin looks to inspire an abolitionist movement, handling slavery debates as the American government takes shape. He’s also hit with ill- health, enjoying his family before he dies in 1790.

Ken Burns: Benjamin Franklin Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation largely works with images of newspapers and paintings to best explore the world of Benjamin Franklin, and color is excellent with these works of art, which provide vivid hues. The human side is equally compelling, as interviewee footage delivers natural skintones, and town tours of colony life are compelling. Detail is strong throughout, capturing textured facial surfaces and artful technique, also exploring age on art offerings. Delineation is satisfactory. Some mild banding is detected.

Ken Burns: Benjamin Franklin Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix remains a largely frontal listening experience, with crisp narration giving dramatic authority to the endeavor. Different voices are clearly presented, along with more nuanced emotional moments. Interviewees also provide deep reflection and information. Scoring cues are distinct, with clean instrumentation, filling out surrounds to create a slightly more immersive listening event. Atmospherics are often subtle but appreciable, creating aural activity to help bring still images to life.

Ken Burns: Benjamin Franklin Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

There is no supplementary material on this release.

Ken Burns: Benjamin Franklin Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

While Burns focuses on the story of Franklin, there's time spent on the pains of a developing nation, including slavery, which the subject freely participated in, even publishing doubts as to an American experience without slaves. While the documentary is a celebration of achievements and thinking, Burns isn't afraid to expose Franklin's less enlightened ways, using such fallibility to reinforce his personal growth, also identifying the early stages of an American conflict to come. There's a bigger picture to "Benjamin Franklin" to keep things interesting, making it more than a simple list of achievements and witticisms.