Brooklyn Bridge
1981 · Movie · G · 58 min · ★ 7.5
This documentary explores how the Brooklyn Bridge moved from a controversial idea to a celebrated American landmark. It follows the major challenges, political pressures, and inventive problem-solving behind its construction, then looks at how the bridge has shaped art, media, and public imagination over time.
Also known as Ken Burns' America: Brooklyn Bridge · Ken Burns' American Stories: Brooklyn Bridge
Where to watch
Streaming on PBS Documentaries.
< 1 hour to watch.
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Details
- Years
- 1981
- Release date
- 1981-11-08
- Language
- English
- Rated
- G
- Runtime
- 58 min
- TMDB rating
- 7.5/10 (20 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy this if you like history-forward documentaries that mix interviews, archival images, and cultural context, similar to Nova or American Experience; Not for you if you want a slow, single-narrator deep dive.
Pros: fascinating construction history; strong storytelling; rich photos and clips | Cons: information feels compressed; second half feels padded; fast, soundbite pacing
Themes
- architecture
- construction
- brooklyn, new york city
- brooklyn bridge
Awards & recognition
- Academy Award — Best Documentary Feature Film · 1982 · nominated
Cast & crew
David McCullough
as Self - Narrator (voice)
Paul Roebling
as Washington Roebling (voice)
Julie Harris
as Emily Roebling (voice)
Arthur Miller
as Self (voice)
Kurt Vonnegut
as Self (voice)
- RP
Richard Pini
as Self (voice)
- FS
Fred Sherry
as Self (voice)
Dustin Stevens
as Self (voice)
- RR
Richard Rescia
as Self (voice)
Directed by Ken Burns