TVSquad

America's preeminent documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, the guy that made the Civil War must-see viewing, is hard at work on a new project. PBS will broadcast Ken Burns' The National Parks: America's Best Idea in Fall 2009. In 12-hours, divided over six episodes, Burns will explore the places like Yellowstone, the Smoky Mountains, Yosemite, Mount Rushmore, et al, as well as the people who were instrumental in the creation of these landmarks.

Like who? Start with Teddy Roosevelt and John Muir. In the Ken Burns style, you can be sure to learn things about the parks that you never knew, stuff that were not in the tour books from the AAA.

Peter Coyote will be the narrator, and Tom Hanks, Andy Garcia and John Lithgow are among the actors who are lending their voices to historical figures in the series. Still, it's going to be the stunning visuals that will stand out. PBS promises "breathtaking images," blending archival footage with new images and interviews about the national parks.

Burns isn't only going to be doing pretty pictures, though. The series will also deal with "the crass opportunism as well as the lofty ideals that became part of the national parks story," Burns said.