Prohibition

A sweeping, thoughtful history lesson that makes a familiar era feel vivid and morally complicated.

Created by

Ken Burns, Lynn Novick

Genres

Documentary

Starring

Peter Coyote, Daniel Okrent, Pete Hamill

Tagline

As a battle raged… an era roared

Overview

The history of the rise, rule and fall of the Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution and the entire era it encompassed (1920-33). After nearly a century of activism, Prohibition was intended to improve the lives of all citizens by protecting individuals, families and society at large from the devastating effects of alcohol abuse; but paradoxically it made millions of people rethink their definition of morality.

How it feels

Earnest, melancholic and tense. Measured and needs your attention.

About

Politics, morality, crime, class

Content

Mild violence, gore, sexual content and language.

Note

Written by AI, so it can be wrong. Full breakdown

Your rating is saved. See your suggestions, or find titles like this one below.

Rate it, and Mesmero finds titles that feel like it. You do not need an account.

Watch the trailer on YouTube (opens in a new tab)