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Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson

1997•1h 30m•7.5/10
Documentary

Ratings

🎬TMDb
7.5/10(11)

The complex life of Thomas Jefferson, who wrote that "all men are created equal" yet owned slaves, is recounted by master filmmaker Ken Burns in this probing documentary. Covering Jefferson's diplomatic work in France, his two presidential terms, his retirement at Monticello and more.

Open in PickFlick

Production

American Lives Film Project, Florentine Films, WETA

Language

EN

Status

Ended

First Aired

February 18, 1997

Last Aired

February 19, 1997

Networks

PBS

Where to Watch
Region US · Lang EN
US
No providers available for this region.
Seasons & Episodes
Select a season to view episodes. Reddit links may contain spoilers.
Season
Part 1
E1
Part 1
Air date: 1997-02-18
Jefferson also made himself into a true renaissance man – a scholar, a philosopher, a diplomat, an aesthete, and an architect. As a young man, he was transformed by the fire of the Enlightenment into America’s most articulate voice for human liberty.
Part 2
E2
Part 2
Air date: 1997-02-19
Jefferson’s last years were spent founding the University of Virginia and reestablishing his friendship, after decades of estrangement, from his onetime rival John Adams. His influence on and vision for our country reverberates to this day.

Cast

Sam Waterston

Sam Waterston

Thomas Jefferson (voice)

Blythe Danner

Blythe Danner

Martha Jefferson (voice)

Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow

Jefferson's grandaughter (voice)

Ossie Davis

Ossie Davis

Narrator (voice)

Michael Potts

Michael Potts

Isaac

Gore Vidal

Gore Vidal

Self

George Will

George Will

Self

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