Ken Burns's 'Leonardo' Is a Masterpiece, But It's Too Long

The four-hour documentary is a sweeping and visually stunning look at the life and work of the Renaissance master, but it could have been more concise.

Ken Burns's latest documentary, "Leonardo," is a sweeping and visually stunning look at the life and work of the Renaissance master. The four-hour film, which aired on PBS in April 2022, features interviews with leading experts on Leonardo da Vinci, as well as stunning footage of his paintings, sculptures, and drawings.

Burns's film is a comprehensive and informative look at one of the most important figures in Western art. He covers Leonardo's early life in Florence, his time in Milan, and his later years in France. Burns also examines Leonardo's scientific and anatomical studies, as well as his influence on subsequent generations of artists.

Despite its many strengths, "Leonardo" is ultimately too long. At four hours, the film is a bit of a slog to get through, especially for viewers who are unfamiliar with Leonardo's work. Burns could have easily trimmed down the film by an hour without sacrificing any of the important information.

That said, "Leonardo" is still a worthwhile watch for anyone interested in the Renaissance or art history. Burns's film is a beautiful and insightful look at one of the most important artists who ever lived.

Here are a few of the things I liked about "Leonardo":

• The stunning visuals. Burns's film is full of gorgeous footage of Leonardo's paintings, sculptures, and drawings. This footage is beautifully shot and edited, and it gives viewers a real sense of Leonardo's genius.
• The expert interviews. Burns interviews a number of leading experts on Leonardo da Vinci, including art historians, scientists, and curators. These experts provide a wealth of information about Leonardo's life and work, and their insights help to deepen our understanding of this complex and fascinating figure.
• The comprehensive coverage. Burns's film covers all aspects of Leonardo's life and work, from his early years in Florence to his later years in France. This comprehensive coverage gives viewers a well-rounded understanding of Leonardo's life and career.

Here are a few of the things I didn't like about "Leonardo":

• The length. At four hours, "Leonardo" is a bit of a slog to get through. Burns could have easily trimmed down the film by an hour without sacrificing any of the important information.
• The lack of focus. Burns's film tries to cover too much ground, and as a result, it can sometimes feel unfocused. Burns would have been better off focusing on a few key aspects of Leonardo's life and work, rather than trying to cover everything.
• The lack of critical analysis. Burns's film is a celebration of Leonardo's genius, but it doesn't offer much in the way of critical analysis. Burns could have done a better job of exploring the strengths and weaknesses of Leonardo's work, and of placing him in the context of his time.

Overall, "Leonardo" is a beautiful and informative look at one of the most important artists who ever lived. However, the film is too long and unfocused, and it lacks critical analysis.

Despite its flaws, "Leonardo" is still a worthwhile watch for anyone interested in the Renaissance or art history. Burns's film is a beautiful and insightful look at one of the most important artists who ever lived.