Short-Cuts with Dan Slevin: Young Washington, The American Revolution & The New Zealand Wars

Nights' Dan Slevin, is one of the best film reviewers in any medium, consistently convincing, insightful, unpretentious, perceptive, thoughtful and articulate. He joins us every Thursday night, and here's what's caught his eye this week.Nights' resident screen critic joins Emile Donovan to review:IN CINEMASYoung Washington (2026, directed by Jon Erwin). The story of the Founding Father, from the death of his own father when he was only 11, to his enlistment in the Virginia Militia fighting alongside the British in the French and Indian War of 1754-1755. Stars William Franklyn-Miller as Washington with support from Ben Kingsley, Kelsey Grammer and Mary-Louise Parker.PAID STREAMING - DocPlayThe American Revolution (six episodes, 2025, directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David P. Schmidt) and The Civil War (nine episodes, 1990, directed by Ken Burns). The Civil War is seen by many people as Burns’ masterpiece - five years in the making and the definitive screen presentation of a great and terrible chapter of US history. FREE STREAMING - NZ On ScreenThe New Zealand Wars (1998, written and presented by James Belich and directed by Tainui Stephens). A five-part series based on Belich’s acclaimed work of historical scholarship attempting to redefine how we understand our fractious colonial story.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details