"A masterful deep dive into the triumphs and tragedies of America's most influential political dynasty, told with unmatched historical depth."
Ken Burns delivers a definitive masterwork in The Roosevelts: An Intimate History, a sweeping seven-part chronicle that bridges the lives of Theodore, Franklin, and Eleanor. By treating these three titans as part of a single continuous lineage, the series highlights how their collective influence reshaped the American presidency and the social contract. Through meticulous use of archival footage and private letters, Burns moves beyond standard political biography to explore the psychological resilience required to lead during the Great Depression and World War II. The documentary stands as a landmark in historical broadcasting, illustrating how personal struggle fueled public service. It remains a cornerstone of the PBS library, offering a profound look at leadership, disability, and the enduring power of a family name.
| Watched? | # | Air Date | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| E1 | Sep 14, 2014 | Get Action (1858–1901) | |
| E2 | Sep 15, 2014 | In the Arena (1901–1910) | |
| E3 | Sep 16, 2014 | The Fire of Life (1910–1919) | |
| E4 | Sep 17, 2014 | The Storm (1920–1933) | |
| E5 | Sep 18, 2014 | The Rising Road (1933–1939) | |
| E6 | Sep 19, 2014 | The Common Cause (1939–1944) | |
| E7 | Sep 20, 2014 | A Strong and Active Faith (1944–1962) |
Production Type: Miniseries
The Roosevelts: An Intimate History is a standalone Miniseries designed as a completed, finite historical narrative. This massive documentary undertaking by Ken Burns chronicles the lives of Theodore, Eleanor, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt over the course of more than a century of American history. The production was structured as a comprehensive seven-part event to provide a definitive look at how these three individuals influenced the development of the modern United States through their personal struggles and political triumphs.
Because the series serves as a biographical retrospective of historical figures, it was designed with a specific endpoint coinciding with the conclusion of their lives and political legacies. The narrative scope is exhaustive, covering the family from the mid-nineteenth century through the death of Eleanor Roosevelt in 1962. As a result, the project was always intended to be a singular, closed-ended television event rather than an ongoing program with future seasons.