Acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns is set to give the Historic Triangle an exclusive preview of his latest documentary, The American Revolution.
The special screening will take place on March 25 at 8 p.m. in front of the Governor’s Palace within Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area. The full documentary is scheduled to air on PBS on November 16.
This free public event, organized by The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250), will feature live remarks from Burns himself before a screening of select excerpts from the film on an outdoor screen.
“It’s a thrill to share the film with Virginians, especially in Colonial Williamsburg, which appears many times in our film,” said Burns.
“As the capital city of Virginia, Williamsburg played a critical role on the road to revolution and around 250 years later, it was an essential resource and filming location for us to capture the look and feel of colonial life.”
Burns will be joined at the event by co-directors and producers Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt.
Schmidt, a Williamsburg native, has a personal connection to the location. As a former volunteer youth interpreter and member of the renowned Colonial Williamsburg Fifes & Drums, he has deep ties to The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and its historical significance.
“Colonial Williamsburg is very special to me, and I’m grateful for this full-circle moment to bring our film back home, to this extraordinary place that inspired my love for history,” said Schmidt.
The American Revolution“CW also means a lot to our film. As filmmakers, we’ve been fortunate to find natural partners in The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, which shares a mission with us to bring our shared history to as many people as possible.”
The production of The American Revolution spanned eight years and included filming at over 100 locations across the country.
However, according to The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, no location played a more significant role in the film than Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area, where the team captured the most footage.
Viewers familiar with the site will recognize several notable landmarks, including Raleigh Tavern, the grounds of the Governor’s Palace, the Capitol, the blacksmith shop, and nearly 20 other Colonial Williamsburg locations.
Admission to the screening is free, though advance registration is recommended. Registered guests will receive event updates, including any changes due to inclement weather, via text and email.
This public screening is part of the third annual A Common Cause to All convening—the largest nationwide gathering of organizers commemorating the 250th anniversary of American Independence.
Hosted by The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and the VA250 Commission, the event aims to bring together historians, filmmakers, and the public in celebrating this historic milestone.
The Williamsburg and Richmond previews of The American Revolution mark the beginning of a national series of screenings and related events leading up to the highly anticipated six-part, 12-hour documentary series, which will debut on PBS on Sunday, November 16, from 8 to 10 p.m.