Even though the Revolutionary War was and is one of the most important events in the history of the United States, it has relatively rarely been imagined on-screen. Perhaps this is because the period is seen as simply too sanctified ever to be fully conveyed through the moving image, or perhaps it lacks the emotional heft (and trauma) of such conflicts as the Civil War. Nevertheless, several notable movies and TV series, both fictional and nonfictional, have shone a fascinating light on both the Revolutionary War and those who fought in it.
'Williamsburg: The Story of a Patriot' Anyone who has been to Colonial Williamsburg can attest to how this place seems to provide a quasi-authentic look at what it might have felt like to live in a bygone period of American history. Visitors to the village have no doubt encountered Williamsburg: The Story of a Patriot in the orientation center. The film has actually been played there since 1957.
It’s a simple but effective piece of filmmaking that focuses on a fictional planter who becomes involved in Virginia’s quest for independence. The real highlight, however, is the giant screen, which still has the power to engender awe in the audience. 'The Scarlet Coat' Few figures from the period of the American Revolution are as infamous or reviled as Benedict Arnold, whose name is synonymous with betrayal.
However, he gets a remarkably balanced treatment in The Scarlet Coat , which is very much a swashbuckling type of film. In addition to giving more sympathy to Arnold than is usually seen in period dramas, the film also dramatizes the growth of the “American Secret Service.” Given the extent to which so many other Revolutionary War dramas tend to emphasize battle scenes or political maneuvering, this film’s emphasis on spycraft is a welcome change.
'John Paul Jones' The film focuses on the historical figure John Paul Jones. Released in 1959, the film stars Robert Stack as Jones, who begins life in Scotland but ends up moving to America and becomes involved in the Revolutionary War, rising to become a true naval hero. While critics of the time were lukewarm, it’s still worth a watch, and Stack gives a creditable (though not always particularly inspiring) performance as Jones.
Since Jones is sometimes overlooked in subsequent histories, this film is more than welcome. 'Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor' Even though Benedict Arnold's legacy and reputation have been almost overwhelmingly negative due to his betrayal of the American cause, he has been at the center of several notable sympathetic treatments. Take, for example, Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor , in which Aidan Quinn portrays him.
The film is remarkably even-handed in its approach, and it gives the viewer a much-needed look at the entirety of Anderson’s life leading up to his betrayal. The film also features a number of other talented actors in its cast, including Kelsey Grammer , who plays none other than George Washington. 'Daniel Boone' Airing from 1964 to 1970, Daniel Boone starred Fess Parker in the title role (he’d also played frontiersman Davy Crockett).
The series certainly took some pretty extraordinary liberties with history, but it was undeniably entertaining, thanks in no small part to Parker’s undeniable charisma. Ultimately, it’s one of those fun adventure shows from the middle of the century that remain enjoyable precisely because they show how Americans understood their past in the postwar period. 'Sons of Liberty' The aptly titled Sons of Liberty focuses on the formation of the Sons of Liberty, who would be critical to the American Revolution.
This particular series certainly takes a number of liberties with the facts, but it is nevertheless quite entertaining. What’s more, it manages to capture some of what it must have felt like in the heady days of 1775 and 1776, when it was still unclear just what was going to happen. It also features a very talented cast, including Ben Barnes, and it also features appearances by some of the major players in the Revolutionary War.
'The Book of Negroes' Many series and movies about the American Revolution tend to foreground the white experience. A notable exception to this is The Book of Negroes , the miniseries that aired in 2015. It focuses on Aminata, a young African woman who is sold into slavery, becomes involved in the American Revolution (in particular, the Black Loyalists), and ends up in Nova Scotia before returning to her native land.
In addition to being narratively compelling, the series is also a potent reminder of the complexities involved in the Revolutionary War, mainly when it came to issues of race and slavery. 'The Devil’s Disciple' Starring silver screen legends Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster, 1959’s The Devil’s Disciple focuses on Douglas’ Dıck Dudgeon and Lancaster’s Reverend Anthony Anderson. Both of them manage to fall afoul of the British, but things are even more complicated when Dıck is arrested by them in the belief that he is Anderson.
The film retains the best aspects of the original play by George Bernard Shaw, and because it eschews battles and bigger political stories, it shows the way the Revolution affected everyday men and women. 'Revolution' While Revolution might have been critically reviled upon its initial release in 1985, it does have several things to recommend. For one thing, it features some very gritty battle scenes that show the ugly reality of armed conflict in the 18th century.
In addition, it also stars Al Pacino , who plays Tom Dobb, a fur trapper who gets drawn into the Revolutionary War after his boat is confiscated. As a bonus, the film also stars the late Donald Sutherland, who appears as the villainous British Sgt. Maj.
Peasy. 'Benjamin Franklin' Few documentarians understand the American spirit better than Ken Burns , who is most famous for his sprawling series The Civil War. 2022 saw the release of his two-part documentary Benjamin Franklin , focusing, of course, on one of the most important of the Founding Fathers.
As with so many of Burns’ other works, Benjamin Franklin is at once moving and informational, giving a remarkably textured interpretation of the great man and his works (as well as his image of himself). It also features several celebrity voices, including Mandy Patinkin, who provides Franklin's voice. 'Ben and Me' The Disney short Ben and Me , based on the book by Robert Lawson, depicts the extraordinary friendship between the mouse, Amos, and Benjamin Franklin.
The short’s central conceit is that Amos played an unacknowledged but critical role in Franklin’s endeavors and even indirectly inspired Thomas Jefferson. It has all of the quaintness and magic one expects of 1950s Disney, and it also is a nice reminder of just how much of a polymath Franklin was and how key he was to the formation of the country that would become the United States. 'The Crossing' The United States might have never had a king, but for many, George Washington came close.
He looms large in the collective American imagination, but he has only been represented on screen a handful of times. One of the more notable representations is The Crossing, which, as its title suggests, focuses on his extraordinary crossing of the Delaware. Though the movie’s narrative is predictable and hits many of the beats one would expect of a made-for-TV production, the real highlight is Jeff Daniels, who endows Washington with just the right amount of gravitas.
'Drums Along the Mohawk' Drums Along the Mohawk is one of those classic Hollywood films that was a meeting of directorial and performance talent. Directed by noted western auteur John Ford, it starred Hollywood greats Henry Fonda and Claudette Colbert as a pair of Americans who are drawn into the Revolutionary War in upstate New York. Its narrative might be somewhat melodramatic, but it’s anchored by some strong performances.
Moreover, it’s quite simply a beautiful film, with Technicolor cinematography that retains its power to enchant and dazzle. 'Johnny Tremain' Even though Disney might now be most famous for its lavish animated features, in the 1950s, it was just as renowned for its live-action films. Indeed, the studio had a knack for creating movies that served as nice slices of Americana.
Of particular note is Johnny Tremain . Based on the book of the same name, it focuses on the title character, a young silversmith’s apprentice who becomes involved in some of the most notable events of the Revolutionary War. While it is more than a little dated, it still has that unique charm that can only come from mid-century Disney movies.
'The Swamp Fox' In addition to its major feature films, Disney was involved in several TV series in the 1950s. The Swamp Fox focuses on the adventures of Francis Marion, the famed Revolutionary War hero. While the series has been somewhat overshadowed by Daniel Boone (also produced by Disney), it still is worthy of a rewatch.
It has a certain innocence and charm that holds up surprisingly well, and it’s also a useful reminder that the American Revolution took place throughout the Colonies and not just in the Northeast. Moreover, it also starred Leslie Nielsen long before he became a comedy star. 'Turn: Washington’s Spies' The Revolutionary War might not seem to be the ideal setting for an espionage series, but somehow, the AMC series Turn manages to take the actions of a group of Revolutionary War spies and turn them into compelling drama.
In addition to being compellingly and propulsively plotted, the series also features a remarkably talented cast that includes the likes of Jamie Bell , who plays the main character, Abraham Woodhull. While it obviously takes some noted liberties with the established historical record, it is nevertheless a fascinating look at the underappreciated use of spycraft during this pivotal period of American history. 'The Patriot' Whatever Roland Emmerich’s The Patriot might lack in historical accuracy, it more than makes up for in simple storytelling energy.
Mel Gibson is at his big-screen best as Benjamin Martin, a man who only reluctantly becomes a key part of the American Revolution. The film takes more than a few liberties with established historical fact, but it’s undeniably thrilling in the grand epic tradition. Moreover, Jason Isaacs is in sneeringly good form as the suitably nefarious Colonel William Tavington, the epitome of all the British villainy against which the Americans are rebelling.
'Franklin' Michael Douglas is undoubtedly one of his generation’s finest actors, bringing his considerable talents to bear in Franklin . In this aptly titled Apple TV+ series, Douglas stars as Ben Franklin, one of the most influential Americans and a key architect in creating the fledgling nation, focusing in particular on his years in France. Douglas has an almost eerie ability to inhabit the great man.
Though the series can sometimes flag in its depiction of period detail, Douglas’ inspired performance is more than enough to keep the viewer’s interest. '1776' Long before Hamilton became a global phenomenon, the musical 1776 sought to translate the pivotal actions of the Founding Fathers into music and lyrics. In 1972, a film adaptation was made, and while it lacks some of the dynamism of the stage version, it’s still entertaining in its own regard.
Just as importantly, it gives center stage to John Adams (played by William Daniels), whose enormous contributions to the American Revolution have far too often been forgotten and overshadowed by his contemporaries such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. 'John Adams' Paul Giamatti gives one of the most inspired performances of his career in John Adams , the HBO miniseries based on the biography of the same name by David McCullough. He imbues his character with the mixture of prickliness, sanctimoniousness, and brilliance that were said to be the key traits of the man himself.
What’s more, the series is filled with other remarkably talented actors, including Laura Linney , Stephen Dillane, and Tom Wilkinson. As a result, it gives viewers a richer and deeper understanding of this often-forgotten and underestimated Founding Father. Thomas J.
West III earned a PhD in film and screen studies from Syracuse University in 2018. His writing on film and TV has appeared at Screen Rant, Screenology, FanFare, Primetimer, Cinemania, and in a number of scholarly journals and edited collections. He co-hosts the Queens of the B's podcast and writes a regular newsletter, Omnivorous, on Substack.
He is also an active member of GALECA, the Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics..
