The Civil War
We checked 8 streaming services in India on 04 Jun 2026 at 10:01 IST
About
A documentary on the American Civil War narrated by Ken Burns, covering the secession of the Confederacy to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
Cast
David McCullough
as Narrator (voice)
Sam Waterston
as Abraham Lincoln (voice)
Julie Harris
as Mary Chestnut (voice)
Jason Robards
as Ulysses S. Grant (voice)
Morgan Freeman
as Frederick Douglass / John Boston (voice)
Paul Roebling
as Joshua Chamberlain (voice)
Garrison Keillor
as Walt Whitman (voice)
George Black
as Robert E. Lee (voice)
Arthur Miller
as William Tecumseh Sherman (voice)
Christopher Murney
as Elisha Hunt Rhodes (voice)
Charles McDowell
as Samuel R. Watkins (voice)
Horton Foote
as Jefferson Davis (voice)
George Plimpton
as George Templeton Strong (voice)
Philip Bosco
as Horace Greeley (voice)
Terry Courier
as George B. McClellan (voice)
Jody Powell
as Stonewall Jackson / Various (voice)
Studs Terkel
as Benjamin Butler / Various
Hoyt Axton
as Various (voice)
John Hartford
as Various (voice)
Colleen Dewhurst
as Various (voice)
Episodes
Miniseries
The Cause: 1861
Beginning with a searing indictment of slavery, this first episode dramatically evokes the causes of the war, from the Cotton Kingdom of the South to the northern abolitionists who opposed it. Here are the burning questions of Union and States' rights, John Brown at Harper's Ferry, the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, the firing on Fort Sumter and the jubilant rush to arms on both sides. Along the way the series' major figures are introduced: Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant and a host of lesser-known but equally vivid characters. The episode comes to a climax with the disastrous Union defeat at Manassas, Virginia, where both sides now learn it is to be a very long war.
A Very Bloody Affair: 1862
1862 saw the birth of modern warfare and the transformation of Lincoln's war to preserve the Union into a war to emancipate the slaves. Episode Two begins with the political infighting that threatened to swamp Lincoln's administration and then follows Union General George McClellan's ill-fated campaign on the Virginia Peninsula, where his huge army meets a smaller but infinitely more resourceful Confederate force. During this episode we witness the battle of ironclad ships, partake of camp life, and watch slavery begin to crumble. We meet Ulysses S. Grant, whose exploits come to a bloody climax at the Battle of Shiloh in Tennessee. The episode ends with rumors of Europe's readiness to recognize the Confederacy.
Forever Free: 1862
This episode charts the dramatic events that led to Lincoln's decision to set the slaves free. Convinced by July 1862 that emancipation was now morally and militarily crucial to the future of the Union, Lincoln must wait for a victory to issue his proclamation. But as the year wears on there are no Union victories to be had, thanks to the brilliance of Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee. The episode comes to a climax in September 1862 with Lee's invasion of Maryland. On the banks of Antietam Creek, the bloodiest day of the war takes place, followed shortly by the brightest: the emancipation of the slaves.
Simply Murder: 1863
The nightmarish Union disaster at Fredericksburg comes to two climaxes that spring: at Chancellorsville in May, where Lee wins his most brilliant victory but loses Stonewall Jackson; and at Vicksburg, where Grant's attempts to take the city by siege are stopped. During the episode we learn of fierce Northern opposition to Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, the miseries of regimental life and the increasing desperation of the Confederate homefront. As the episode ends, Lee decides to invade the North again to draw Grant's forces away from Vicksburg.
The Universe of Battle: 1863
This episode opens with a dramatic account of the turning point of war: the Battle of Gettysburg, the greatest ever fought in the Western Hemisphere. For three days 150,000 men will fight to the death in the Pennsylvania countryside, culminating in Pickett's legendary charge. This extended episode then goes on to chronicle the fall of Vicksburg, the New York draft riots, the first use of black troops, and the western battles at Chickamauga, Georgia and Chattanooga, Tennessee. The episode closes with the dedication of a new Union cemetery at Gettysburg in November, where Abraham Lincoln struggles to put into words what is happening to his people.
Valley of the Shadow of Death: 1864
Episode six begins with a biographical comparison of Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee and then chronicles the extraordinary series of battles that pitted the two generals against each other from the wilderness to Petersburg in Virginia. In 30 days, the two armies lose more men than both sides have lost in three years of war. With Grant and Lee finally deadlocked at Petersburg, we visit the ghastly hospitals north and south and follow General Sherman's Atlanta campaign through the mountains of north Georgia. As the horrendous casualty lists increase, Lincoln's chances for re-election begin to dim, and with them the possibility of Union victory.
Most Hallowed Ground: 1864
The episode begins with the presidential election of 1864 that sets Abraham Lincoln against his old commanding general, George McClellan. The stakes are nothing less than the survival of the Union itself: with Grant and Sherman stalled at Petersburg and Atlanta, opinion in the North has turned strongly against the war. But 11th-hour victories at Mobile Bay, Atlanta, and the Shenandoah Valley tilt the election to Lincoln and the Confederacy's last hope for independence dies. In an ironic twist, poignantly typical of the Civil War, Lee's Arlington mansion is turned into a Union military hospital and the estate becomes Arlington National Cemetery, the Union's most hallowed ground.
War Is All Hell: 1865
The episode begins with William Tecumseh Sherman's brilliant march to the sea, which brings the war to the heart of Georgia and the Carolinas and spells the end of the Confederacy. In March, following Lincoln's second inauguration, first Petersburg and then Richmond finally fall to Grant's army. Lee's tattered Army of Northern Virginia flees westward towards a tiny crossroads town called Appomattox Court House. There the dramatic and deeply moving surrender of Lee to Grant takes place. The episode ends in Washington where John Wilkes Booth begins to dream of vengeance for the South.
Where does The Civil War rank today?
The Civil War is #1449 on the Bowood.TV Daily Streaming Charts today.
- Highest: #1449
- Top 10: 0 days
- Top 100: 0 days
Watch The Civil War Online Free — All Episodes in HD
Looking for a place to watch The Civil War online for free? You've landed on the right page. The Civil War is a well-rated English documentary and war & politics series from 1990 that you can stream right now on Bowood.TV in high quality, no signup required.
About The Civil War
A documentary on the American Civil War narrated by Ken Burns, covering the secession of the Confederacy to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Across 1 season and 9 episodes, originally airing on PBS.
The Civil War Cast and Characters
The cast features David McCullough (as Narrator (voice)), Sam Waterston (as Abraham Lincoln (voice)), Julie Harris (as Mary Chestnut (voice)), Jason Robards (as Ulysses S. Grant (voice)), and Morgan Freeman (as Frederick Douglass / John Boston (voice)). Their performances are a major reason The Civil War has built such a passionate audience.
Where to Watch The Civil War Online
Bowood.TV lets you stream The Civil War online free, instantly, in HD. There's nothing to install — open the page, hit play, done. Works perfectly on Jio, Airtel, Vi networks across India and on slow mobile data thanks to our adaptive video pipeline.
▶ Watch The Civil War NowWhy People Are Watching The Civil War
There's a reason The Civil War keeps showing up on "must-watch" lists. What makes it work is a tone and style that's hard to find elsewhere. If you enjoy English storytelling that doesn't follow the same tired beats, this is the kind of show you'll end up recommending to friends.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Civil War
Where can I watch The Civil War online for free?
You can watch The Civil War online free on Bowood.TV. Just open the page and hit play — no signup, no subscription, full HD streaming on phone, tablet, or desktop.
How many episodes does The Civil War have?
The Civil War has 9 episodes across 1 season. All episodes are available to stream right here on Bowood.TV.
Is The Civil War good? What's the rating?
The Civil War holds a 7.9/10 rating based on 129 reviews — well above average.
Who is in the cast of The Civil War?
The main cast includes David McCullough, Sam Waterston, Julie Harris, and Jason Robards, plus a strong supporting ensemble.
Is The Civil War available in English?
Yes — The Civil War was originally produced in English and that's the version you'll stream here on Bowood.TV.
When was The Civil War released?
The Civil War first aired in 1990.
Do I need an account to watch The Civil War on Bowood.TV?
No. Bowood.TV is free and you can watch The Civil War without creating an account. Sign-up is optional — only useful if you want a personal Watchlist or to comment on episodes.
Similar Series You Might Like
If you enjoyed The Civil War, check out New Worlds, War & Peace, British Film Forever, Get Gotti, and Unterwegs zum Nordkap - Winterreise durch Skandinavien.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch The Civil War for free?
You can watch The Civil War online for free on Bowood.TV. All 9 episodes across 1 season are available to stream in HD without a subscription, signup, or paywall. Just open the show page and press play.
How many seasons and episodes does The Civil War have?
The Civil War currently has 1 season and a total of 9 episodes. The series status is "Ended", so the episode count may grow as new seasons are released. You can browse the full episode list on Bowood.TV and continue watching from where you left off.
What is The Civil War about?
A documentary on the American Civil War narrated by Ken Burns, covering the secession of the Confederacy to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. It belongs to the Documentary, War & Politics genres.
In which language is The Civil War originally available?
The Civil War was originally produced in English. On Bowood.TV the show is available in its original English audio, which is the most authentic way to experience the dialogue, music, and performances. Check the player options on the watch page for available subtitle tracks.
When was The Civil War first released?
The Civil War first premiered on September 23, 1990 (1990). The series has since concluded its run.
People Also Search For
💬 Comments
Join the conversation
Share your thoughts, rate episodes, and connect with other fans
Hey everyone! 👋 Welcome to the discussion.
Feel free to share your thoughts about this series — what did you love, what surprised you, which episodes are your favorites? 🎬
Got ideas for what we should add to Bowood.TV? Want to suggest a series? Drop it here! We read every comment ✨
Similar Shows
Shows like this one
Recommended for You
Based on this series
