George Clooney and Jeff Goldblum Lead Voice Cast in PBS's Thoreau Documentary
A new three-part documentary from PBS, titled "Henry David Thoreau," brings the iconic naturalist and philosopher to life with a star-studded voiceover cast. Each hour-long episode features narration by George Clooney, with Jeff Goldblum portraying Thoreau himself, alongside additional voices from Meryl Streep, Ted Danson, and Tate Donovan. The project, which premieres on PBS on March 30 at 9pm ET, delves into Thoreau's life and writings, emphasizing their enduring relevance in modern times.
From Short Film to Comprehensive Series
The documentary originated as a short film initiated by Don Henley, the Eagles frontman, who has long been dedicated to preserving Walden Pond in Massachusetts, where Thoreau lived from 1845 to 1847 and wrote his seminal work, "Walden; or, Life in the Woods." Henley approached legendary documentarian Ken Burns, who served as executive producer and entrusted the project to brothers Erik and Christopher Loren Ewers, frequent collaborators. What began as a 20-minute film expanded significantly as the Ewers brothers discovered deeper layers to Thoreau's story beyond the common high school teachings of him as a prophet of two books.
Christopher Ewers, co-director and director of photography, explained, "We were reintroduced to Thoreau beyond just 'Walden' and 'Civil Disobedience.' His life included roles as a teacher, involvement in his family's pencil business, complex stances on women's suffrage, and passionate anti-slavery advocacy before his death at 44 in 1862." Erik Ewers, co-director and editor, added, "We realized there was so much more to Henry's story, making it a crucial project that hadn't been fully explored in film before."
Assembling a Dream Team of Voices
The documentary features a carefully curated voice cast reading from David Blistein's script. Erik Ewers noted, "We wanted Jeff Goldblum from the start to voice Thoreau, and his enthusiasm for Ken Burns' work helped secure his participation." Don Henley played a pivotal role in recruiting other A-list talent, leveraging his connections to bring in George Clooney for narration and Meryl Streep for additional roles, with Ted Danson perfectly cast as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Thoreau's mentor. Tate Donovan, a previous collaborator, also joined the project. Erik described the cast as a "dream team," emphasizing the quality over quantity of voices.
Immersive Filming and Visual Storytelling
Over seven years of production, the Ewers brothers filmed extensively at Walden Pond and surrounding areas in Concord, capturing all seasons, weather conditions, and times of day. Christopher Ewers shared, "I became so familiar with the landscape, naming rocks and finding beauty in ordinary settings, much like Thoreau did." The film uses Ken Burns' signature style, superimposing Thoreau's words over footage from Walden Pond, Maine, Cape Cod, and other locations he visited, combined with symmetrically shot talking heads in period settings.
Christopher highlighted specific visual elements, such as Heywood Meadow's spring ferns, which he described as having "personality," and fall foliage that symbolizes decay and renewal, reflecting Thoreau's journal entries on death and the cycle of life. This layered visual approach aims to create relatability and subtly connect Thoreau's experiences to contemporary issues.
Relevance to Modern Audiences
The documentary strategically bridges Thoreau's era with the present, featuring interviews with scholars, writers, historians, ecologists, and activists who discuss his influence on figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, as well as critiques of his views on Indigenous Americans. Erik Ewers explained, "We let viewers experience Thoreau's journey, then flash forward to today in key moments, encouraging reflection on current environmental and social challenges." Scenes of 21st-century rush, pollution, and climate disasters are juxtaposed with Thoreau's words, emphasizing themes of simplicity and harmony with nature.
Environmentalist Bill McKibben concludes the film by stating, "We built the world Thoreau feared—noisy and crowded, with climate crises threatening our existence. Thoreau intuited that we must turn to nature for preservation." The documentary ends with Jeff Goldblum reading Thoreau's words on living in the present, set against footage of Walden Pond at twilight, reinforcing the timeless message of finding eternity in each moment.
With its blend of historical depth and modern resonance, this PBS documentary offers a comprehensive look at Henry David Thoreau, showcasing why his perspectives remain vital over 200 years later. UK and Australia broadcast dates are yet to be announced.
