In theory, the new five-part documentary series *The American Experiment*—which examines the American Revolution, the creation of the Constitution, and the strengths and fragilities of democracy—seems like an urgent and timely "gift" for a country celebrating its 250th anniversary. Given the turmoil the U.S. president has unleashed since taking office, it is especially valuable to watch a documentary that reminds viewers of the struggles and sacrifices behind the nation's founding.
*The American Experiment* does not merely admire the Founding Fathers; it also highlights their flaws. On one hand, it places George Washington on a pedestal, presenting him as the kind of great man who never coveted power. On the other, it adds nuance to that greatness by highlighting the fact that he was a slave owner. After assuming command, Washington backed an order banning the enlistment of new Black soldiers in the Continental Army.
Stars: Kirby McDermott, Robert McAtee, Paul Nobrega
He, along with figures such as Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin, helped shape a Constitution grounded in the language of liberty, even as those same men harbored racist attitudes toward Black people. *The American Experiment* does not overlook this irony; the series addresses it head-on.
The documentary brings together a wide range of experts—including well-known names like Kamala Harris and Hillary Clinton—to provide both historical context and a broader social message. Across five episodes, the series traces crucial events—from Fort Necessity to the Stamp Act, the Boston Massacre, and the Newburgh Conspiracy—and extends to the present day, a time when something as fundamental as the peaceful transfer of power has taken on renewed urgency following the January 6th attack on the Capitol.
If I had to summarize the documentary’s message in two phrases, I would choose these: "Do you want freedom?" and "Democracy is worth it." The goal of this Netflix production is to remind people that democracy is a precious asset and that building it required immense debate, sacrifice, and effort. If it is not valued, conditions arise that allow a dictator to seize absolute power.
*The American Experiment* is undoubtedly relevant; however, relevance alone does not make for a compelling viewing experience. The historical reenactments it presents are among the worst I have seen in a long time: they lack both drama and impact, amounting to nothing more than flat, literal depictions. Strip them away, close your eyes, and *The American Experiment* becomes essentially an audiobook—which is precisely what it often resembles. It lacks cinematic spark and offers little as a purely auditory experience. Although the subject matter is momentous and essential, the documentary presents it with the soporific effect of a lullaby. Aside from a handful of interviews and a few isolated moments, the narration remains staid, bland, and monotonous.
Director Brian Knappenberger fails to imaginatively blend the interviewees' words with the reenactment footage. Because the latter are flat and devoid of passion, there is hardly any meaningful interplay between what is said and what is shown. Someone might describe Washington as a bold, supremely self-confident man, yet the Washington appearing on screen looks inert and expressionless. The result borders on the awkwardly comical, undermining the work's sincerity. Similarly, what the documentary frames as a dramatic, explosive debate over the Constitution proves about as electrifying as gazing at corpses; the feeling is akin to being locked in a morgue.
Knappenberger may champion democracy, but he often seems at odds with cinema itself. He squanders the medium's potential by reducing a gripping, urgent topic to a bland, sleep-inducing experience. He aims to rouse viewers with a documentary that achieves the exact opposite effect. In this instance, neither the film nor the filmmaker seems to grasp the irony. The appeals made by *The American Experiment* are urgent, yet they never convey passion; They come across as cold and tedious, wrapped in a slow and heavy format.
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