The Statue of Liberty (film) The Statue of Liberty (film) The Statue of Liberty is a 1985 American documentary film on the history of the Statue of Liberty ("Liberty Enlightening the World"). It was produced and directed by Ken Burns. The film first aired on October 28, 1985. It was narrated by historian David McCullough. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. The film included readings by Jeremy Irons and Arthur Miller, among others. Also features Paul Simon's "American Tune" at the beginning and end of the film. McCullough, then-New York Gov. Mario Cuomo, former congresswoman Barbara Jordan, director Miloš Forman,
Statue of Liberty be fully dressed in flowing robes. Instead of the impression of violence in the Delacroix work, Bartholdi wished to give the statue a peaceful appearance and chose a torch, representing progress, for the figure to hold. Crawford's statue was designed in the early 1850s. It was originally to be crowned with a "pileus", the cap given to emancipated slaves in ancient Rome. Secretary of War Jefferson Davis, a Southerner who would later serve as President of the Confederate States of America, was concerned that the "pileus" would be taken as an abolitionist symbol. He ordered that it be changed to