Ken Burns Cuts Trump-Esque Election Rigging Fears from 'American Revolution' Doc

Ken Burns, the acclaimed documentarian, spoke at the Edinburgh International Film Festival on Friday, discussing his latest project, 'The American Revolution'. Burns revealed that he cut parts of the documentary that sounded too similar to President Trump's election rigging claims, citing concerns over parallels to current-day politics.

The six-part series draws on some 400 first-person accounts voiced by 61 actors, including Tom Hanks, who voices numerous historical figures. Burns noted that Thomas Jefferson wrote about the possibility of someone losing an election but pretending to have false votes, while Alexander Hamilton was concerned about someone melting hobby horses with popularity and creating chaos. These historical concerns sounded eerily familiar to Trump's claims, prompting Burns to remove them from the documentary.

Burns also discussed his filmmaking style, which he described as 'emotional archaeology'. He approaches each project with a focus on intimacy and nuance, using the voices of the time to shape a narrative. This style has been applied to a range of subjects, from the Civil War to Jazz, and has earned Burns critical acclaim.

Despite the challenges of working with PBS, Burns has remained loyal to the network, citing the importance of staying true to his artistic vision. He noted that the fundraising process can be 'so frustrating', but ultimately, it is worth it to produce high-quality documentaries. Burns also mentioned that he could have earned $30 million for his Vietnam project from a premium cable or streaming service, but chose to stick with PBS.

## What it means The decision to cut parts of the documentary that sounded too similar to Trump's claims highlights the challenges of creating historical documentaries in the current political climate. Burns' commitment to accuracy and nuance is a testament to the importance of responsible storytelling. As the documentary series draws on historical accounts to explore the American Revolution, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing relevance of historical events to contemporary politics.

The American Revolution series is a significant project for Burns, who has spent years researching and producing the documentary. With its all-star cast and meticulous attention to detail, the series promises to be a comprehensive and engaging exploration of this pivotal moment in American history.

## Background Burns' career spans decades, with notable works including 'The Civil War' and 'The Vietnam War'. His filmmaking style has been praised for its simplicity and mastery, and he has become known for his ability to bring complex historical subjects to life. The Edinburgh International Film Festival provided a platform for Burns to discuss his latest project and share his insights on the craft of documentary filmmaking.