I saw this movie when it first came out. I was fourteen years old and I thought Hal Stalmaster was really cool. I got to thinking about the movie again recently after watching the series "John Adams" on television, so I ordered it. Now, fifty years later, I see it as sort of a kids' movie that doesn't have a lot of depth. I'm glad I saw it again, but I can understand why Hal Stalmaster decided to give up acting. However, I would love to know what happened to him. I've googled him every which way and he seems to have vanished off the face of the earth.
June 7, 2008I like old "hokey" Disney movies. This one fits that dynamic in some senses of the word, but it also provides a historical aspect that is very refreshing. I think a lot of times movies feel obligated to include as much obscenity and violence as possible in the name of authenticity. This movie has nothing of that.
If you are a patriotic American at all, I think you will like this film. It includes the "one if by land, two if by sea" story, the Boston Tea Party, and Paul Revere's ride--all of major significance in the Revolutionary War.
Ultimately, the joy of this movie comes from the fact that our American forefathers were portrayed as patriots who would base their actions out of the principle of the matter rather than immediate convenience. (Sure wish Americans today would learn from that.) Much of that sentiment is fact and not just Disney dressing, and I am proud to watch a movie that claims this heritage.
Enjoyable, clean, and largely factual--the type of movie I make a point of watching!
April 15, 2008 |  | Remember it's a Disney movie |  |
I found it interesting reading many of the negative reviews of this movie. What people seem to forget is that this is a 1950's Disney movie. It's not Braveheart. Yes, I agree, it's not as good as the book, but many movies pale next to the books they're taken from. There are 2 good things that should be recognized in these reviews. 1) In the 50's Disney chose to make movies about American History. Today, the American Revolutionary period is all but forgotten in Hollywood and 2) the negative reviewers have made a very good point..the book is better. Reading a book is a much better way to get the essence of a story vs. seeing the movie. Keep reading!
March 17, 2008| | | A very good movie for all ages | |
I read the book and I saw the movie on TV as a child. I loved them both. I was a bit hesitant to buy the DVD, thinking as an adult I would find it childish and boring. (The main reason I bought it is that the Sons of Liberty song kept going through my head.) In fact, I was entertained and pleased. It's important to keep in mind that this was created as a two-part TV show in the 1950's, so the story is highly condensed and sanitized (for instance, a major character in the book has a better outcome in the movie). Still, it makes a great companion to the book, and I can very well imagine a young person seeing this DVD and wanting to read the book and - - wonder of wonders - - maybe other books about the American Revolution. I should mention that the sets and costumes are amazing. You won't see quality of that sort in a modern TV show.
February 21, 2008I use this film as a supplement to book work in my 8th Grade American History class. This is Disney at his best. The characters in the film are all mentioned in my classroom text. It follows the events of that time and although it does take dramatic license with the story line, all in all it is a pretty good telling of the historical facts of the Boston Tea Party and other events leading up to the American Revolution( my students have to write an essay comparing real events with those in the film). It is a shame modern film makers spend so much time and money trying to destroy our past instead of celebrating our great heritage.
November 17, 2007More reviews at Amazon.com ...
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