Ken Burns: The Civil War DVD

Experience Ken Burns' monumental storytelling with The Civil War, a six-disc remastered DVD box set that brings America’s defining conflict to vivid life. Enhanced with digitally restored imagery and immersive 5.1 surround sound, this edition deepens the sweeping chronicle of celebrated generals, ordinary soldiers, a transcendent president, and a nation that had to divide itself to become one.

What makes this edition stand out

• Remastered image quality: a new resolution restores portions of images cropped for the original TV broadcast, delivering sharper, more complete visuals for devoted film fans and new viewers alike
• Immersive audio: 5.1 surround sound that enhances the documentary’s sound design, music, and narration for a more enveloping viewing experience
• Six-disc box set: comprehensive presentation in a durable collection designed for long-term enjoyment
• Widescreen NTSC format with English-language content, crafted for modern home cinema setups
• Rich extras that complement the main feature, expanding context and analysis beyond the core documentary

Content, storytelling, and value

Ken Burns’ signature approach uses archival imagery, expert narration, and thoughtful pacing to illuminate both the grand scope of military campaigns and the intimate experiences of soldiers and civilians. This edition preserves the ambitious arc—from battlefield strategy to political upheaval, from humanitarian struggles to the shaping of a nation—offering a comprehensive, immersive exploration of the Civil War era.

Reviews and critical acclaim

“The technical improvements to the film, including a new resolution that restores parts of images that were cropped away for the original TV broadcast, may be most interesting to hard-core film fans. But even casual viewers will be able to see that the remastered version of “The Civil War” is a strikingly different film from the movie that preceded it.”

— Washington Post

“The Civil War is most likely the most significant historical documentary PBS has ever done.”

— The New York Times

“The extras are near as potent as the main event.”

— The Washington Times

Technical details

• Genre: Military & War, Special Interests
• Format: Box set, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Number of Discs: 6