Benjamin Franklin (2002 film)

Episode 1

Let the Experiment Begin

His first 47 years, a period that saw the birth of the Enlightenment. Franklin took this intellectual revolution to heart, writing aphorisms based on it for the publication he founded, “Poor Richard's Almanack,” and making significant contributions to his fellow Philadelphians, contributions which included the ideas of public libraries and a volunteer fire department. Richard Easton plays Franklin; Colm Feore narrates.

Episode 2

The Making of a Revolutionary.

Beginning in 1757, his years in London, sent from Pennsylvania on a mission to allow the colony to tax the Penn family's lands. Franklin arrived as an ardent admirer of the empire as well as a lover of the American colonies (“There's nothing I want more than the prosperity of both,” he says). Seventeen years later, he left—a revolutionary.

Episode 3

The Chess Master.

The final 14 years of his life, nine of which were spent in Paris as ambassador to France from rebellious colonies across the sea. Franklin's primary objective was to secure financial and military aid, far from an easy task. To this he brought the skills of a chess master, able to think many moves ahead in the game.

VHS and DVD Release

Benjamin Franklin is on VHS & DVD.