Michael Douglas on “Franklin” and “Endangered” Democracies | Amanpour and Company 

Michael Douglas is a great storyteller and a great guy. What a great interview

As a native Santa Barbaran and resident, we're proud to call Michael Douglas one of our own 😌 Still remember when I saw the premiere of Falling Down at the Arlington Theater as a kid, and Mr. Douglas was there

Michael Douglas, you sure have surprised me with this , I cant wait to see this series. I expect to learn a lot about the beginning of our democracy and I am sure other Americans will also , Thank you for doing this.

Great actor! Thanks for this interview, eager to watch this series 😊

It’s a shame this series is on a subscription streaming service. Rather, it should be on a network or PBS, where anyone with a tv can watch. Now, more than ever people need to know the story of Franklin’s & Adams’ commitment to democracy.

I recently watched Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr., and it turns out that Michael Douglas's 4th grandfather on his mothers side, John Neilson, was a colonel in the Continental army in the American Revolution. Not only that, he was the third person to read the Declaration of Independence in public in 1776.

I have always loved the persona of Benjamin Franklin, such a fascinating and brilliant mind. We owe so much to him as a country. I look forward to this series. I’ve not so much enjoyed Michael Douglas as a person, however, he has become more mature and interesting in his later years. I look forward to his interpretation of Ben Franklin, it looks to be a good one. These two books intrigue me, as well, looking forward to delving into them. Wonderful interview, thank you very much.

From the UK great to see you Michael what a legacy you have and a wonderful family, thank you so much for continuing to provide pleasure for the world

As a French watching the story of Franklin coming to France is a great pleasure. Our two countries have so much in common in their history. Americans have never to forget what France did to help this young country to became the USA, and the French we never have to forget the American soldiers who came in France on June 6 1944 to deliver us from the nazis…by the way the show on Apple TV played by Michael Douglas is an excellent show that reminds us how strong the French American friendship is and has to stay in the future.

What a wonderful interview ! Thank you !

Hope they get this right... Ben Franklin is an all time favorite and important historical figure. His contributions to science, politics and society are profound. Then and in particular now his story provides a sense of direction.

Michael Douglas. Sharp as ever

Looking forward to this! It's about time Michael Douglas bit into a juicy historical role, and to portray Franklin in his first period piece outing is quite an achievement all by itself. -One note: at 15:31 the interviewer states that John and Abigail Adams were in Paris together at this time. That is not so. They travelled Europe together from 1783-1788, after the Revolution, not in 1776, as it was raging. Abigail was in Quincy, MA, where she wrote many letters to John while he was in Paris. (It was John Adams, btw, who secured the major funds for the Revolution, through the Dutch. Franklin stayed in Paris, and after the American success at the Battles of Saratoga, Franklin was finally able to win over the French court, securing France as an ally.

Can't wait to hear about the history of Franklin!

Michael Douglas ,Wow! You look and sound great ! I am one of your long time fans and am so thrilled to see you act this part! And I have to tell you that your dad was also one of my very favorite actors. I would have to say, like father like son in your life experiences .

Great interview 🎉

Great interview. Looking forward to watching the series

"Streets of San Francisco" I understand that his Dad (Kirk) was descended from Russian Jews. Very cool guy with a beautiful wife - life's good.

Another fine interview, and great to see Douglas in any role. The Isaacson book on Franklin is great, and now I will certainly read the one by Schiff. American history is far out when it's real.

I cant wait to see this. Franklins dexterous handling of the French was key to the birth of America.

My God, he looks and sounds the splitting image of his esteemed Dad.

He's always one step ahead of everyone else. He's underappreciated

Great interview, love Michael Douglas as Benjamin Franklin. Great storyteller and a talented actor. A very important American figure in world history.

I want the United States to expand the Second Enlightenment in the 21st century to educate Americans that democracy and human dignity are more important than gods.

PBS had a documentary on Franklin - it was fascinating. If I’m not mistaken, France nearly went bankrupt supporting the Revolutionary War in the U.S.

The scene with Temple Franklin convinced me to subscribe to Apple TV to watch this mini series. Douglas is a lovely man but his acting is stupendous! Love him all over again.

What a great men he was. We need one like him now. Our father left us a democracy. Now we face anarchy, narcissism, corruption of justice.

Michael Douglas never disappoints. Can't wait to watch this film!

Really enjoyed to hear Mr. Douglas's viewpoint on this character and time in our history.. Thank you

The Liberace movie was a 1970s and 80s period piece

What a great actor. I was so amazed as he played Liberace in Candelabra perfectly done.

Wow! Kirk was such a “ramrod” of a macho character that it was borderline abrasive, but Michael balances being strong and sensitive in an amazing manner. Both of them are/were ferociously intelligent and charismatic actors “out the wazoo”. Yes, Franklin is a treasured “guidepost” in VEEERY numerous ways! 👍🏼🌩️ PS) And yes, we definitely could use his qualities replicated in at least ten-thousand of our leaders, scientists, businessmen, dandies, actors and normy’s!

So nice to see Michael Douglas at top of his game. Can’t wait to watch the series.

Looking and sounding great Michael 👍👍

Look forward to watching. Great interview!

Fantastic conversation

Haven't seen the film but as an American that lived many years in France I can say from personal experience that Puritan America and not so Puritan France remain the same. Je ne sais pas pourquoi mais c'est tres bon!

This interview, Michael, was great, but he reminded me of Michael Fox. Just my thoughts, words and gestures...from Michael years ago.

500 pages a day. Impressive. The same speed as a dot-matrix printer :-)

The Ken Burns documentary (PBS) is a great doc to see before seeing this portrayal of this specific time in Franklin's life.

This is so sweet, thank you for stepping up, my dear friend. Please, accept my most sincere gratitude. Rafa. ⭐️

Michael is a great actor. And a great guy. His best films Falling Down, Romancing the Stone and the Jewel of the Nile with Kathleen... I'd like him to be more of a social activist and go to the Senate and replace Bernie Sanders.

Thanks Mike Douglas for good jobs acting and Care about world, bless you guys

Looking forward to this.

I so appreciated this interview, thank you.

Love anything Douglas does.

I so enjoyed Paul Giammatti's portrayal of John Adams. So interesting to bring these icons made of stone brought to life. Looking forward to this piece.

Thank you, Michael Douglas. Your a great actor. I can't wait to see this movie.

Interesting casting.

Glad someone from Hollywood is finally weighing in somewhere besides barbs on TwitX.

Great interview !

16:36 “to kill each other”, and to kill democracy. Our elected officials in Congress test, “A republic, if you can keep it,” spoken by Benjamin Franklin.

Correction: It was Thomas Jefferson, not Franklin, who wrote the Declaration of Independence. Franklin did review it and made a few spot edits, the most famous of which was to change “We hold these truths to be ordained by God” (or something like that) to “We hold these truths to be self-evident.” This inspired a change in Jefferson’s thinking from religious to rational, which led in turn to his Enlightenment principle of the separation of church and state - the principle and championship for which he most wanted to be remembered - more that for writing the DoI and more than for having served as President.

Wow I never realized how intelligent Michael Douglas really is. He had to do a lot of research for his character and had to be a lot of work. I'm very impressed.

Bravo🎉

Favorite part is when Mr. Douglass says he wouldn't have wanted to be married to Ben Franklin. I think I understand. Most folks would rather come home to Catherine Zeta doffing a raccoon skin cap than Franklin at his best. However, Michael and Benjamin would be a heck of a power couple.

Maybe the Stars need to play each of the Presidents, starting from George Washington. Because people stay home mostly ,watching tv.they need to remember what our countries history was based on. .And why we continue to fallow the laws passed down.to each President.our constitutional laws are being changed to Suite only a small amount of people who refuse to fallow our constitution.🗽🇺🇲.I think mini series would be a very much needed reminder to the people in our country.And keeping it as accurate as possible.This is thinking outside the box.❤

❤The Legend❤ Iconic multitalented moviestar❤love from Finland

I listened to the audiobook version. Stellar. What a character.

Michael Douglas i need nothing more to watch the show

Michael you look great!!! I won't be able to see it, but I know it will be wonderful😊

If it weren't for the French the War of Independence would have been lost and the USA would still be a British colony which would have only been allowed independence in the 20th century like Canada!

I like this very much!!!

His dad, Kirk, spoke French but did so with a better accent. I believe Michael's mother is French. Malheursement, je parle Francais comme une vache Espagniole.

Right on point, as usual❤

Michael you are Gordon Gekko. “Greed is good.”

Ben Franklin was epic.

Interesting.

The film looks interesting and will be worth watching. I was surprised, however, to hear no mention of Thomas Jefferson in the writing of the Declaration of Independence. Hopefully that will be in the film, in the interest of historical accuracy.

AWESOME!

16:50 *constitutional republic* not “democracy”. Ben’s oft quoted quip, “A republic if you can keep it,” when asked after the Constitutional Convention, “What have you wrought?” Looking forward to Michael Douglas’ Franklin!

Walter knows all about Franklin; wrote a great book about him.

He is so talented...

Love Michael and Kurt hopefully son will get good rolls

Great interview. The volume is low

We need this at point in America as we are endangered by fascists.

Love Mikey D. Brilliant as BF! Stage 4 cancer survivor, as am I.

Like Moses and Jesus, people doubt if Ben Franklin ever existed, but the faith was there, and rebuild, fortune and God bless works, care

Amo esse ator

Diplomacy doesn't involve being diplomatic. It involves getting someone else to do what you want them to do as cleverly and calmly as possible.

Was Ben Franklin the first rock star

Who got the oil paintings of Douglas as Franklin? There were three of them, in episode 1. How about the bas-relief?

Benjamin Franklin a great American mason who supported common sense and independence.

This series looks like a winner .

This is the greed is good guy?

Poor Richard's sayings are still revealment today.

We now have the opportunity to act the part of France but to Ukraine. Can we meet the moment?

He looks like an emaciated Ben Franklin.

Democracy my L-foot!

Coming soon: Michael Douglas in Falling Down 2 (working title: Falling Down Again, Hip-Replacement). I apologize in advance for the joke. I'm a big fan of Ben Franklin and Mr. Douglass

We all watched as family The Streets of San Francisco! I also ❤ him in The China Syndrome, The Star Chamber, Basic Instinct, Fatal Attraction & of course Wall Street!

it is my understanding that Ben Franklin was not a small man. It is my impression that he may have been 6 feet tall or 5'11" tall and muscular in his 20s. I am also seeing some saying he was 5'9" tall.. I wonder where people are getting their information. I suppose any of these heights are plausible.

The parallel between Franklin and Zelensky is very strong to me.

when asked what our government was he replied "A republic, if you can keep it." .He didn't say a democracy .Technically the Nation is a democratic republic .

Hopefully Franklin brings attention to the most disrespected and influential framer of the first non-monarchial form of self governance on the planet. Guess already? Yes, Thomas Paine, the most consequential person during the enlightenment, to my mind. But so radical, Paine was despised by Washington, Hamilton, and Jefferson to the degree they would let him die in prison in France but Franklin and Jefferson finally came to his aid.

I think that life saving lightning rod is what makes him a global celeb also? Pssh smh Every building in the world, to this very day. It's crazy!

wondering if Franklin had a British accent?

I can’t believe how we distort democracy to create our own crisis of dysfunctional government! Democracy is simple, and has nothing to do with voting for leaders and law makers, because the people are not governed, the collective decision making of the people is governed. “A Democracy” is a legislative assembly, “Democracy” is how that legislative assembly is formed and how it functions, and “Consensus Choice” is the legislative process which governs how the legislative assembly reaches a majority census of all that are assembled, not just those present! There are only two purposes for voting, either as a legislative assembly or to form a legislative assembly, when members are assembled directly as a legislative assembly, that constitutes a democracy, when the members form an exact representation of the members themselves, “The Members in their Collective Capacity”, as “The Most Numerous Legislative Branch”, that constitutes a Republican Form of Government. Note: I use the general term “Members” because you can form a democracy of any discreet group, like the States, or counties, or cities, and you can form a Republic of any group of members, as in a Confederation of Republics where the members must be either simple or compound republics themselves, i.e. the United States, which every State in the Union must be either a simple or compound republic to be a member of the Union which is a Confederates (compound) Republic which is assembled in a bicameral legislature where the popular branch is “The People of each State in their Collective Capacity” and is assembled proportionally with respect to the proportion of the aggregate population of the Union which resides within each State, and the equal branch is a discreet democracy of the States, “The States in their Collective Capacity”, for concurrence which provides legislative checks and balances to balance and protect the interest of the large and small States, where the large more populous and wealthy States control the majority consensus in the House, and the small more numerous States control concurrence on those measures by majority consensus in the Senate. Today the 9 largest States can form a majority consensus in the House of Representatives, however when measures are transmitted to the Senate for concurrence there are 41 States to reject those measures and return them to the House for reconsideration along with amendments to advise those 9 States in the House what the 41 States in the Senate would consider for their concurrence! This forms an iterative legislative process which requires the concurrence of all the people followed by the concurrence of all the States, however, the equal branch, the discrete democracy of the States as the Union, has the power of concurrence over all measures, making the Senate necessarily the predominant governing institution. If you don’t understand these concepts and principles of democratic and republican forms of government, then I would suggest that is the problem we face today, IGNORANCE!!!

@15:09 the word should have been “imbibe” (drink alcohol) instead of imbide.

France financed and supported the American colonies against England, as it had lost its dominant position in the world at the end of the 7 year’s war(1764) , notably Canada. The cost was one of the reasons for the nearly bankrupt French public finances, one of the causes of the French Revolution.