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Ken Burns’ new documentary, “The Civil War,” will screen through Sept. 20 at Laemmle’s Monica Theatre, 1332 2nd St., Santa Monica, before beginning its run on five consecutive nights on PBS Sept. 23. In a recent interview with The Times, Burns quoted from an 1837 speech delivered by Abraham Lincoln that’s included in the film: “Whence shall we expect the approach of danger? . . . All the armies of Europe and Asia . . . could not by force take a drink from the Ohio River or make a track on the Blue Ridge in . . . a thousand years. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of free (people) we will live forever or die by suicide.” At a cost of $3.2 million, “The Civil War” took five years to make, a source of pride for Burns, whose previous projects have been nominated for an Emmy and two Academy Awards. Times and ticket prices vary. For information call (213) 396-9741.