I began to feel that the drama of the truth that is in the moment and in the past is richer and more interesting than the drama of Hollywood movies. So I began looking at documentary films.

Quote by Ken Burns

Topics: Ken Burns Quotes

History is malleable. A new cache of diaries can shed new light, and archeological evidence...

History is malleable. A new cache of diaries can shed new light, and archeological evidence...

In most films music is brought in at the end, after the picture is more...

In most films music is brought in at the end, after the picture is more...

In a sense I've made the same film over and over again. In all of...

In a sense I've made the same film over and over again. In all of...

I don't use composers. I research music the way I research the photographs or the...

I don't use composers. I research music the way I research the photographs or the...

I treat the photograph as a work of great complexity in which you can find...

I treat the photograph as a work of great complexity in which you can find...

I have made all my films for my children with the exception of my first...

I have made all my films for my children with the exception of my first...

To say that an artist sells out means that an artist is making a conscious...

To say that an artist sells out means that an artist is making a conscious...

You can learn as much about the history from reading about the present as you...

You can learn as much about the history from reading about the present as you...

I enjoy total creative control right now. Nobody tells me to make it longer, shorter,...

I enjoy total creative control right now. Nobody tells me to make it longer, shorter,...

The stories from 1975 on are not finished and there is no resolve. I could...

The stories from 1975 on are not finished and there is no resolve. I could...

I think we too often make choices based on the safety of cynicism, and what...

I think we too often make choices based on the safety of cynicism, and what...

By its very nature, no one person can ever be the center of jazz.

By its very nature, no one person can ever be the center of jazz.

Louis Armstrong is quite simply the most important person in American music. He is to...

Louis Armstrong is quite simply the most important person in American music. He is to...

The flame is not out, but it is flickering.

The flame is not out, but it is flickering.

You need, as a historian, essential triangulation from your subject and the only way you...

You need, as a historian, essential triangulation from your subject and the only way you...

History's just been made for sale to an inside deal.

History's just been made for sale to an inside deal.

I think my expectations for myself are much more severe and much more direct. You...

I think my expectations for myself are much more severe and much more direct. You...

One of the things I really like about Ford's films is how there is always...

One of the things I really like about Ford's films is how there is always...

I never, ever want to apologize for a film. If it's bad I'll say it's...

I never, ever want to apologize for a film. If it's bad I'll say it's...

Wynton told us that Miles sold out, just wanted to make more money, just wanted...

Wynton told us that Miles sold out, just wanted to make more money, just wanted...