7.6
Where can I stream Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio legally?
You can watch it free with ads on Kanopy and Hoopla. You can also rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Fandango At Home. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.
Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio
1991·Movie
Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio fingerprint
Strong craft, striking style, no humor.
Energy
Calm and low-key
- Fast Pace4
- Tension3
- Adrenaline2
Heart
Nostalgic
- Nostalgia8
- Hopefulness6
- Wonder6
Humor
A little humor
Not a comedy at heart.
- Wit & Wordplay4
- Situational Comedy1
- Physical Comedy0
World
History, a real life story, and technology
Lived-in and easy to get lost in.
- World Immersion8
- Dialogue Centrality7
- Rewatchability6
Craft
Standout performances and characters
- Acting8
- Character Depth8
- Direction7
Style
Functional look and sound
- Cinematography7
- Editing7
- Music Composition7
Energy
LowCalm and low-key
Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio is calm and low-intensity.
All energy traits
- Fast Pace4Quick tempo and momentum.
- Tension3Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Adrenaline2High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Spectacle2Scale and set-piece grandeur.
- Scare0Frightening moments and scares.
- Violence0Physical conflict and intensity.
Related traits
- Slow Burn6Gradual build with payoff.
All heart traits
- Nostalgia8Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
- Hopefulness6Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Wonder6Awe, discovery, and amazement.
- Melancholy5Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Wholesome4Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
- Pathos4Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Catharsis4Emotional release and payoff.
- Romance1Love stories and emotional connections.
- Coming of Age0Personal growth and self-discovery.
- Family Dynamics0Relationships and generational ties.
Related traits
- Character Depth8Rich, complex characterization.
- Philosophical5Ideas about life and existence.
All humor traits
- Wit & Wordplay4Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Situational Comedy1Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Physical Comedy0Slapstick and visual gags.
- Cringe Humor0Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
- Absurdist Humor0Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
- Satire & Parody0Sharp critique and playful imitation.
- Dark Humor0Humor from taboo or grim topics.
World
MediumHistory, a real life story, and technology
Lived-in and easy to get lost in.
Its world is built around history, a real life story, and technology. The setting feels lived-in and easy to get lost in.
All world traits
- World Immersion8Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Dialogue Centrality7Stories driven by conversation.
- Rewatchability6Invites repeat viewing.
- Novelty6Fresh ideas and invention.
- Ambiguity3Open-endedness and uncertainty.
Related traits
- Historical10Period settings and real events.
- Biographical9Lives of notable figures.
- Tech & Humanity8Human stories in a tech world.
- Showbiz6Entertainment industry and performance.
- Psychological5Inner worlds and mind games.
- Social Commentary5Perspectives on society and norms.
Craft
HighStandout performances and characters
The performances and characters stand out.
All craft traits
- Acting8Performance craft and presence.
- Character Depth8Rich, complex characterization.
- Direction7Vision and command behind the camera.
- Narrative Structure7Story architecture and form.
- Dialogue Quality7Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Complexity7Layered plots and ideas.
- Intrigue6Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Non-linear Narrative0Time-shifts and structure play.
- Meta Narrative0Stories about storytelling.
Related traits
- Educational9Informative and instructive.
- Novelty6Fresh ideas and invention.
- Slow Burn6Gradual build with payoff.
- Philosophical5Ideas about life and existence.
Style
HighFunctional look and sound
The look and sound stay functional.
All style traits
- Cinematography7Visual composition and camera work.
- Editing7Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Music Composition7Score and musical identity.
- Music Centrality6The score or soundtrack shapes the emotional experience.
- Sound Centrality6Sound design as core element.
- Visual Stylization5Distinctive aesthetic signature.
Related traits
- Dialogue Centrality7Stories driven by conversation.
Who it's for
AdultsFamily Movie NightFriends NightIntergenerationalKidsPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBackground WatchComfort WatchDrop-in FriendlyPure EscapismThought-Provoking
Find more like it
Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.
About
For 50 years radio dominated the airwaves and the American consciousness as the first “mass medium.” In Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio, Ken Burns examines the lives of three extraordinary men who shared the primary responsibility for this invention and its early success, and whose genius, friendship, rivalry and enmity interacted in tragic ways. This is the story of Lee de Forest, a clergyman’s flamboyant son, who invented the audion tube; Edwin Howard Armstrong, a brilliant, withdrawn inventor who pioneered FM technology; and David Sarnoff, a hard-driving Russian immigrant who created the most powerful communications company on earth.
Radio HistoryBiographical DocumentaryInvention & InnovationAmerican CultureHistorical SignificanceGolden Age of RadioTechnological PioneersEducational and Informative
Actors
Crew
Directed by:
Written by:
Produced by:
Composed by:
Titles like Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio
nearer = more alike
8
You are here: Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio
Tap a poster to move
You are herePreview
vscompared with Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio
Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio1991
Point at a poster to compare itHold a poster to compare it
This pageTap it to move here
A chip fills to its level. Tap a full one for titles without that trait, a low one for titles with it.
Open a page:Something the Lord Made (2004)It Might Get Loud (2008)Buena Vista Social Club (1999)From the Earth to the Moon (1998)The Spirit of St. Louis (1957)Won't You Be My Neighbor? (2018)The Right Stuff (1983)Apollo 11 (2019)Rocket Boys (2022)The Dig (2021)Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (2021)The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017)Finding Vivian Maier (2014)Maria (2024)The Beatles: Get Back (2021)The Man Who Knew Infinity (2016)JOY (2024)Florence Foster Jenkins (2016)Christine (2016)Amadeus (1984)The Great Escaper (2023)Gorillas in the Mist (1988)The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years (2016)Dersu Uzala (1975)Apollo 13 (1995)Kinsey (2004)Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere (2025)Sound City (2013)David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet (2020)Hidden Figures (2016)The Beatles Anthology (1995)Kon-Tiki (2012)The Defiant Ones (2017)Out of Africa (1985)Judy (2019)Coco Before Chanel (2009)The Physician (2013)Genius (2017)Birdman of Alcatraz (1962)Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988)Miss Potter (2006)Cars of the Revolution (2008)The Invisible Woman (2013)The Life of Emile Zola (1937)Pollock (2000)The Greatest Night in Pop (2024)Salyut-7 (2017)My Week with Marilyn (2011)The Aviator (2004)Mahanati (2018)Lust for Life (1956)First Man (2018)84 Charing Cross Road (1987)Big Eyes (2014)Cosmos: A Personal Voyage (1980)Julia (2022)Good Night, and Good Luck. (2005)Rustin (2023)Temple Grandin (2010)The Aeronauts (2019)The Glenn Miller Story (1954)Mr Selfridge (2013)Miles Ahead (2016)Saving Mr. Banks (2013)
Sequels and Prequels
No sequels or prequels available
Media
Questions about Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio worth watching?
75
GreatGoodWatch scoreMostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 76/100 (IMDb 7.6). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
What is Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio rated?
G
It's rated G in the United States.
How long is Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio?
1 h 53 min
Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio runs 1 h 53 min.
Is Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio based on a true story?
Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.
What language is Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio in?
English
It was made in English. Produced in United States.
In how many countries can I watch Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio?
6
GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio in 6 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.