Despite being arguably one of the most paramount political explosions in history, the American Revolution is severely underrepresented in film. The creation of the United States of America was a pivotal period that featured the colonists valiantly fighting against the British Empire for independence, yet for some reason this critical time does not receive the same cinematic love as other famous battles, wars, and uprisings. When filmmakers do decide to tackle the notorious revolution which resulted in American independence, the results have oftentimes been lackluster and forgettable; that is why when a picture is brilliantly able to capture the vital time in history, the results are commendable.
This prominent selection of cinematic triumphs that have successfully showcased the American Revolution on the big screen are important and cherished, with many esteemed directors and actors tackling the difficult subject. Mel Gibson famously portrayed a revenge-seeking father turned fighter in the 2000 smash hit The Patriot, while the entertaining Hollywood musical 1776 depicted the lead-up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence with informative tunes and exciting musical numbers. These are the best movies about the American Revolution.
8 The Devil's Disciple
With an impressive cast of some of the silver screen’s finest performers like Burt Lancaster, Laurence Olivier, and the late great Kirk Douglas, the 1959 British-American historical drama The Devil’s Disciple is an adaptation of the George Bernard Shaw play, telling the valiant story of a revolutionary American Puritan who is mistaken for the local minister and arrested by the British. Despite facing impending death, the noble Dick Dudgeon (Douglas) refuses to reveal his true identity and stands by his principles, challenging the British Army with his actions. The Devil’s Disciple is the third of seven films that Lancaster and Douglas appeared in together, and garnered praise for its faithfulness to the original play and for the convincing performances of its dynamite leads.
7 The Scarlet Coat
Chronicling the events in which American military General Benedict Arnold conspired with the British to surrender the fort at West Point, New York and subsequently abandon his defenses for a lucrative cash payout, the 1955 swashbuckler/historical drama The Scarlet Coat stars Robert Douglas as the deplorable and traitorous Arnold.
The fascinating spy movie also details the establishment of the American Secret Service and the history behind the infamous turncoat, doing so by featuring the conflicting actions taken by British Major John André and the fictional Major John Bolton during the American Revolution. The Scarlet Coat was appreciated for its balanced treatment and depiction of both sides of the conflict, and was an intriguing look into the origins of the early intelligence service of the United States.
6 America
Starring Carol Dempster, Neil Hamilton, and Lionel Barrymore of the legendary Barrymore family of Hollywood, the classic silent movie America is a historical romance drama from 1924 that follows two different stories set during the American Revolution. First, the efforts of British renegade officer Captain Walter Butler to gain Indian allies against the rebellious colonists are explored, along with a poor Boston farmer’s decision to join the fight and become a Patriot.
Much of the film’s premise focuses on the Northern theater of the war, with many critics lauding the thrilling action sequences and explosive stunts showcased in the climatic rescue scenes though criticizing its confusing flow and time frame accuracy. D.W. Griffith directed the silent picture, who was widely considered one of the most influential figures in motion picture history, and America went on to be used by the United States Army for recruitment purposes.
5 Johnny Tremain
Based on the Esther Forbes Newbery-Medal-winning children’s novel, Disney’s 1957 adventure film Johnny Tremain is a riveting story that follows the titular silversmith apprentice as he befriends the Sons of Liberty and becomes witness to the Boston Tea Party, later becoming a passionate patriot fighting for his country’s freedom. The release of the uplifting drama coincided with Walt Disney’s intent to build Liberty Street in Disneyland, which hit a snag after Walt's death and ultimately went on to instead become Liberty Square in Walt Disney World.
Johnny Tremain was the first of 19 pictures Robert Stevenson directed for The Walt Disney Company, with the filmmaker having helmed beloved classics like Old Yeller, Mary Poppins, and Bedknobs and Broomsticks. Though not the most successful Disney endeavor, portions of Johnny Tremain were released in 1968 for educational purposes, featuring the Boston Tea Party and Paul Revere’s Ride.
4 The Patriot
Roland Emmerich directed the 2000 epic historical war drama The Patriot, which takes place in rural South Carolina and centers on widower and veteran Captain Benjamin Martin as he is forced to join the American Revolution alongside his loyal and patriotic son Gabriel when the British threaten to take their farm.
Featuring Hollywood greats like Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger, and Jason Isaacs, the gripping and violent war flick stars Gibson as Martin, with the character being a composite of historical figures including Francis Marion, Thomas Sumter, Andrew Pickens and Daniel Morgan. The Patriot went on to receive three Academy Award nominations and positive praise from critics, with Rolling Stone proclaiming, The Patriot deserves a salute as the first Hollywood epic about the American Revolution to successfully blend ferocity and feeling.”
3 The Crossing
The dynamic Jeff Daniels tackles the role of Founding Father and first President of the United States General George Washington in the television historical drama The Crossing, which details the leader’s crossing of the Delaware River and the pivotal Battle of Trenton where the Continental Army attacked the Hessians on the morning of December 26, 1776.
The decorated actor was not intimidated by taking on the monumental historical figure, having told eHistory, “Playing Washington was no different than attacking any role. I work very hard to make every character I play as unique as possible. Like a lot of things, it’s all in the details.” The Crossing went on to win a Peabody Award for excellence in 2000, with Daniels earning praise for his exceptional portrayal of the admired United States leader.
2 Drums Along the Mohawk
The renowned John Ford directed the 1939 historical drama western Drums Along the Mohawk, an adaptation of the Walter D. Edmonds novel that depicts the efforts of newlyweds and New York frontier settlers Gil and Lana Martin to establish a farm in the Mohawk Valley during the American Revolution; the couple must combat attacks by Native Americans, Tories, and the British in their quest for safety and peace.
Henry Fonda and Claudette Colbert headline the Technicolor feature, which is loosely based on real historical events during the period such as the Battle of Oriskany and the St. Leger Expedition. Drums Along the Mohawk was both a critical and commercial success, earning an Academy Award nomination and being lauded by critics, with The New York Times writing, “It is romantic enough for any adventure-story lover. It has its humor, its sentiment, its full complement of blood and thunder…a first-rate historical film, as rich atmospherically as it is in action.”
1 1776
Based on the Broadway musical of the same name, the 1972 American musical drama 1776 takes place during the summer of 1776 in Philadelphia and chronicles the riveting build-up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The film focuses on the efforts of John Adams to encourage and persuade his colleagues to embrace American independence and sign the paramount document, using catchy tunes and exciting musical numbers to do so.
Most of the picture’s excellent leading cast portrayed the Founding Fathers in the stage production, most notably William Daniels, Ken Howard, and John Collum, a decision producer Jack L. Warner made after believing he made a mistake by not casting original stage star Julie Andrews for the film adaptation of My Fair Lady. The lively and patriotic picture was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture–Musical or Comedy, and earned mainly positive reviews from critics, with Salon expressing in retrospect, “With 1776, political struggles that took place nearly two-and-a-half centuries ago feel as fresh and immediate as the political struggles of today.”