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Posts:
3
Registered:
10/1/07
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(1 of 15)
Are there any great American Revolution films?
Nov 30, 2007 2:50 PM
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The editors of History.com have been seeking out great war films for the upcoming HistoReel site. Great films have been made about American wars, and in the case of World War II, there's a countless number of incredible films.
But what about the American Revolution?
The only film I've seen on the war was The Patriot. Wildly over-the-top, The Patriot stars Mel Gibson as a colonial Rambo who seeks revenge against massacre-happy British troops. Any viewer can see that the emphasis was clearly on great action sequences over accurately portraying an important part of American history.
Other Revolution films are few and far between. 1776 has plenty of fans, but the musical comedy about the signing of the Declaration of Independence was far from a critical success.
So my question for all of you is... are there any great Hollywood films on the American Revolution?
Good suggestions may be featured on History.com in the coming weeks.
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Posts:
17
From:
Colorado
Registered:
11/13/07
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(2 of 15)
Re: Are there any great American Revolution films?
Dec 3, 2007 7:35 AM
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I would suggest "The Crossing", It's all on the battle of Trenton and Washington's crossing of the Delaware river. It's pretty factual too unlike the patriot which is a film that I personally despise for its lack of knowledge. I cant remember the guy's name who plays washington in the crossing but I think its Jeff Daniels.
--
"It's a good thing war is so horrible, otherwise we might fall in love with it."
Robert E. Lee
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Posts:
3
Registered:
10/1/07
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(3 of 15)
Re: Are there any great American Revolution films?
Dec 7, 2007 11:28 AM
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I've heard good things about The Crossing, as well as old films like The Howards of Virginia and John Ford's Drums Along the Mohawk.
Do you think it might be that the Civil War story makes for better films, or is the American Revolution bound to produce a masterpiece sooner or later?
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Posts:
1,623
From:
Utica, IL
Registered:
5/5/08
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(4 of 15)
Re: Are there any great American Revolution films?
Jul 8, 2008 12:11 PM
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> The editors of History.com have been
> seeking out great war films for the upcoming
> HistoReel site. Great films have been made about
> American wars, and in the case of World War II,
> there's a countless number of incredible films.
>
> But what about the American Revolution?
>
> The only film I've seen on the war was The
> Patriot. Wildly over-the-top, The Patriot
> stars Mel Gibson as a colonial Rambo who seeks
> revenge against massacre-happy British troops. Any
> viewer can see that the emphasis was clearly on great
> action sequences over accurately portraying an
> important part of American history.
>
> Other Revolution films are few and far between.
> 1776 has plenty of fans, but the musical
> l comedy about the signing of the Declaration of
> Independence was far from a critical success.
>
> So my question for all of you is... are there any
> great Hollywood films on the American Revolution?
>
> Good suggestions may be featured on History.com in the
> coming weeks.
You need to see "The Devil's Disciple" with Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, and Laurence Oliver. It deals with the fighting leading up to the Battle of Saratoga, a comedy by George Bernard Shaw but a pretty good telling of the history. Also check out Drums Along the Mohawk; an oldie with Henry Fonda.
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Posts:
55
From:
FL
Registered:
10/13/08
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(5 of 15)
Re: Are there any great American Revolution films?
Oct 24, 2008 12:04 AM
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What would you like to see?
I plan to write a screenplay about the US Revolutionary War in about 2 years. It is to be historically accurate, from the perspective of a very surprising character who was really there, but little is known about her role, if any.
As I research to write the perfect movie script, I'm open to suggestions!
--
--
I'm just an historian wannabe
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Posts:
1,623
From:
Utica, IL
Registered:
5/5/08
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(6 of 15)
Re: Are there any great American Revolution films?
Nov 5, 2008 6:54 PM
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> What would you like to see?
>
> I plan to write a screenplay about the US
> Revolutionary War in about 2 years. It is to be
> historically accurate, from the perspective of a very
> surprising character who was really there, but little
> is known about her role, if any.
>
> As I research to write the perfect movie script, I'm
> open to suggestions!
>
> --
> --
> I'm just an historian wannabe
Two Words: Molly Pitcher.
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Posts:
55
From:
FL
Registered:
10/13/08
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(7 of 15)
Re: Are there any great American Revolution films?
Nov 6, 2008 10:31 PM
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Molly Pitcher:
Very interesting! I had not heard of her, but she seems to be very similar to my original subject, who definitely existed, but still not sure what she went on to do during the Revolutionary War. I'm still in the investigation stages of the early life of my subject, long before the War.
Whether Molly enters into my project or not, I definitely think her story needs creative truth telling.
Excaellent suggestion!
--
I'm just an historian wannabe
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Posts:
680
From:
Planet Earth
Registered:
8/7/08
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(8 of 15)
Re: Are there any great American Revolution films?
Dec 8, 2008 1:56 PM
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After reading the name, "Molly Pitcher", I am reminded of a woman who served in the continental army disguised as a young man. I think she was only found out after she was wounded.
For the life of me I can't remember her name or any other specifics. Maybe I can do a web-search and come up with soemthing a bit more solid than, "There was this chick...."
Will a classic be made from a Revolutionary War film?
So long as mainstream hollywood stays away there is always a chance.
Anyone ever read, "Oliver Wiswell", by Kenneth Roberts?
That would make an interesting and controversial film as it's an epic story about a young man who fights on the loyalist side.
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Posts:
55
From:
FL
Registered:
10/13/08
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(9 of 15)
Re: Are there any great American Revolution films?
Dec 8, 2008 2:54 PM
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I've never heard of "Oliver Wiswell" but I'll take that as a recommendation.
I'm fascinated with these real-life women who fought AS men in disguise. Their bravery was twice that of their counterparts as they were in constant threat of myriad consequences if their gender was discovered.
The Revolutionary War is perhaps the most important war in modern history, so it is worth many perspectives. I hope there are many more ACCURATE & life-lesson movies yet to come.
--
learner's permit for driving through history
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Posts:
680
From:
Planet Earth
Registered:
8/7/08
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(10 of 15)
Re: Are there any great American Revolution films?
Dec 9, 2008 7:14 AM
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Kenneth Roberts is the author of many books based in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
He wrote most of his stuff in the 1930's with the idea that perhaps people will learn from a historical novel what they can't, or won't, want to find out for themselves.
Every book has a love interest and are filled with smarmy sentiment and other trottle.
However his novels always provide an alternate view of many historical events and places around the world.
I for one enjoyed all of his books.
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Posts:
31
Registered:
3/31/05
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(11 of 15)
Re: Are there any great American Revolution films?
Feb 21, 2009 10:56 AM
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The only one that I can come up with is The Patriot starring Mel Gibson.
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Posts:
55
From:
FL
Registered:
10/13/08
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(12 of 15)
Re: Are there any great American Revolution films?
Jul 18, 2009 3:53 PM
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re: all the women who fought in the American Revolution whose stories could/should be told on film...
There's a helpful book, aptly written in 1976, called Patriots in Petticoats (Clyne). Interesting tales about several women. No bibliography.
Molly Pitcher has a chapter - her real name was Mary Hays, apparently.
--
historical adventurer
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Posts:
1,623
From:
Utica, IL
Registered:
5/5/08
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(13 of 15)
Re: Are there any great American Revolution films?
Jul 20, 2009 9:59 AM
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> re: all the women who fought in the American
> Revolution whose stories could/should be told on
> film...
>
> There's a helpful book, aptly written in 1976, called
> Patriots in Petticoats (Clyne). Interesting tales
> about several women. No bibliography.
>
Molly Pitcher has a chapter - her real name was Mary
Hays, apparently.
historical adventurer
Dear GM,
Still over in the ETO? or Home for the duration of the summer? Is Patriots in Petticoats still in print, or is it a used book store safari book?
TH
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Posts:
55
From:
FL
Registered:
10/13/08
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(14 of 15)
Re: Are there any great American Revolution films?
Jul 20, 2009 11:23 AM
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Trackhead:
I just got the book at my local library:
Patriots in Petticoats
by Patricia Edwards Clyne
Illustrated by Richard Lebenson
With no bibliography, it seems like it's geared toward young adult readers, but seems to have good info. I prefer books with citations so I can verify "facts."
I was in London (& the Netherlands) for a few weeks in November doing the research & attending the University classes. Great experience. I need to go back. Trying to get a publisher on board to foot the bill this time to complete the research on the biographies I'm writing. It's a slow, expensive process!
(Are you a writer? You seem to know your stuff)
--
historical adventurer
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Posts:
1,623
From:
Utica, IL
Registered:
5/5/08
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(15 of 15)
Re: Are there any great American Revolution films?
Jul 20, 2009 4:00 PM
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Dear GM,
I am not a "writer"; much to the chagrin of my dear departed mother I could not find honest work and became an attorney. I have written a couple of articles in the WW2 HRS magazine but nothing close to what you are attempting.
Bonne Chance.
TH
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