The man who invented American literature—now with 100% more panning photos.
110 minSeason 1 • Episode 2
LatestThe conclusion of the story of America's best-loved and best-known author, Mark Twain.
Mark Twain is a documentary film on the life of Mark Twain also known as Samuel Clements produced by Ken Burns in 2001. Burns captures both the public and private persona of Mark Twain from his birth to his death. The film was narrated by Keith David and the voice of Mark Twain was provided by Kevin Conway.
Direction
Burns' signature archival poetry at peak form.
Writing
Twain's own words—wickedly funny, brutally honest.
Acting
Kevin Conway's gravel-voiced Twain feels lived-in.
Keith David
Narrator (voice)
Kevin Conway
Mark Twain (voice)
Philip Bosco
Other Voices (voice)
Blythe Danner
Olivia 'Livy' Langdon Clemens (voice)
Carolyn McCormick
Other Voices (voice)
Amy Madigan
Other Voices (voice)
Cynthia Nixon
Other Voices (voice)
Dick Gregory
self
Hal Holbrook
self
Chuck Jones
self
Arthur Miller
self
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Burns spent six years on this, longer than The Civil War, because Twain's estate initially resisted access to certain papers.
Twain went bankrupt investing in the Paige Compositor, a typesetting machine beaten by the Linotype—his obsession with technology nearly destroyed him.
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