The Civil War

1990·Show
9Episodes in1Season·TV-14
81
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb9.0Metacritic–8.4Rotten Tomatoes––

Where to watch

HooplaHISTORY VaultPBS DocumentariesKQEDThirteenWETA+

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

The Civil War fingerprint

Immersive world, strong craft, no humor.

Energy

Calm and low-key

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Spectacle5
  • Violence5
  • Tension4

Heart

Deeply moving and melancholic

  • Pathos9
  • Melancholy8
  • Catharsis7

Humor

Serious throughout

  • Dark Humor2
  • Wit & Wordplay1
  • Situational Comedy0

World

History, war, and society

Lived-in and easy to get lost in. Holds up on a rewatch.

  • World Immersion9
  • Dialogue Centrality9
  • Rewatchability8

Craft

Standout direction, storytelling, and dialogue

  • Direction9
  • Narrative Structure9
  • Dialogue Quality8

Style

Standout cinematography, editing, and score

  • Cinematography8
  • Editing8
  • Music Composition8

Who it's for

AdultsFamily Movie NightFriends NightIntergenerationalPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You want something to laugh atYou need an uplifting mood

Find more like it

Melancholic showsMind-Bending showsAtmospheric showsEducational shows

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every show. Select a row to see all of them.

About

A documentary on the American Civil War narrated by Ken Burns, covering the secession of the Confederacy to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
Monumental DocumentaryAmerican HistoryCivil War EpicHistorical AnalysisEmotional & PoignantEducational & InformativeNarration-DrivenArchival Footage & PhotosSocio-Political CommentaryHumanitarian Focus

Crew

Directed by:
Ken Burns
Written by:
Ken Burns, Geoffrey C. Ward
Produced by:
Ric Burns, Stephen Ives, Mike Hill
Composed by:
Jay Ungar

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

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Questions about The Civil War

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Civil War legally?

HooplaHISTORY VaultPBS DocumentariesKQEDThirteenWETA+

The Civil War is included with a subscription to Hoopla, Thirteen, and WETA+ in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on KQED and WETA+. You can also rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Civil War worth watching?

81
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 81/100 (IMDb 9). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Civil War rated?

TV-14Disturbing imagery

It's rated TV-14 in the United States. Content advisories: disturbing imagery.

How many seasons does The Civil War have?

1 season

It has 1 season with 9 episodes.

When did The Civil War air?

It ran from 1990 to 1990 and has ended.

What language is The Civil War in?

EnglishGerman

It was made in English, with some German. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Civil War?

9AUCAFRGBGGIEMXNZUS

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Civil War in 9 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Civil War use?

War Crime Subverts HeroismBowdleriseDesecrating the DeadDramatic IronyOutliving One's OffspringPlease, Don't Leave MeBrilliant, but LazyThe RivalDon't Celebrate Just YetForeshadowingTitle DropGeneral Failureand 17 more

TV Tropes lists 29 storytelling tropes for The Civil War, including War Crime Subverts Heroism, Bowdlerise, Desecrating the Dead.

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