The Civil War (1990)
Kernel Score: 86% · 122 ratings
Genres: Documentary, War & Politics
First aired: 1990-09-23
Seasons: 1 · 9 episodes
Where to watch The Civil War
- Stream: Hoopla, HISTORY Vault Apple TV channel, Thirteen, WETA+
- Free with ads: WETA+, KQED
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
A documentary on the American Civil War narrated by Ken Burns, covering the secession of the Confederacy to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
The Civil War parents' guide: ages 11+
Parents need to know that The Civil War is a documentary depicting the historical realities of slavery and war, including war violence.
- Violence & scariness: Moderate — Documentary covers Civil War battles and the historical brutality of slavery.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official TV-14 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
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If you liked The Civil War, these are the shows we'd watch next.
- The World at War (1973) — 89%
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Cast
- David McCullough as Narrator
- Sam Waterston as Abraham Lincoln
- Julie Harris as Mary Chestnut
- Jason Robards as Ulysses S. Grant
- Morgan Freeman as Frederick Douglass
- Paul Roebling as Joshua Chamberlain
- Garrison Keillor as Walt Whitman
- George Black as Robert E. Lee
- Arthur Miller as William Tecumseh Sherman
- Christopher Murney as Elisha Hunt Rhodes
The Civil War FAQ
Is The Civil War good?
The Civil War has an 86% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 122 audience ratings.
Where can I watch The Civil War?
In the US you can stream The Civil War on Hoopla, HISTORY Vault Apple TV channel, Thirteen and WETA+, watch it free with ads on WETA+ and KQED and buy it from Prime Video, Apple TV and Google Play.
Is The Civil War OK for kids?
The Civil War is rated TV-14. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 11+. Parents need to know that The Civil War is a documentary depicting the historical realities of slavery and war, including war violence.