The “Great East River Bridge” was the largest bridge of its era, a technical achievement of unparalleled scope, marked by enormous construction problems, equally ingenious solutions and heroic human achievement. In unexpected and wonderful ways, the Brooklyn Bridge captured the imagination of all Americans, and in the process became a symbol in American culture of strength, vitality, ingenuity and promise. Brooklyn Bridge tells the dramatic story of the larger-than-life men who imagined and built it, and the immense charm this granite and steel structure has exerted on generations of city dwellers.

A Film By
KEN BURNS

Written By
AMY STECHLER

Produced By
KEN BURNS
AMY STECHLER
BUDDY SQUIRES
ROGER SHERMAN

Edited By
AMY STECHLER

Cinematography
KEN BURNS
BUDDY SQUIRES

Narrated By
DAVID McCULLOUGH

KEN BURNS AMERICAN STORIES SERIES UNDERWRITERS
General Motors Corporation, Corporation for Public Broadcasting and PBS

BROOKLYN BRIDGE ORIGINAL PRODUCTION UNDERWRITERS
New York Council for the Humanities; the National Endowment for the Humanities; the Public Television Stations of New York State; Citibank, N.A.; Abraham & Strauss; American Society of Civil Engineers; New York Telephone; Consolidated Edison; New York State Council for the Arts; Brooklyn Union Gas; Kings County Democratic Committee; Constans-Culver Foundation; New York Dock Railway; and W.R. Grace & Co.

Access more credits

Original Broadcast May 1982

Film Honors:
• Academy-Award® nomination, 1982
• Guggenheim Fellowship
• Christopher Award, 1983
• Erik Barnouw Prize: Historical Films
• Festival Dei Popoli, special mention
• American Film Festival, Blue Ribbon
• CINE Golden Eagle
• MOMA/New Directors, selection
• Chicago International Film Festival
• FILMEX, selection
• Birmingham Film Festival, 1st in category