MovieChat Forums > April Morning (1988) Discussion > My favourite film about the American Rev...

My favourite film about the American Revolution

posted 18 years ago by kng045
7 replies | jump to latest

I am from Canada (note my spelling of certain words) where the American War of Independence is called the American Revolution. Up here, this war is taught from the British loyalist perspective: the rebels were fanatics who unnecessarily used armed force to settle a problem that could have been solved more peacefully. There is a lot of teaching in Canadian secondary/middle schools about how the brave United Empire Loyalists fled to Upper Canada (now Ontario) to remain under the rule of the beloved British crown. Because of this, films about the American Revolution do not inspire Canadian audiences who generally react to such films with historical curiosity at best or political revulsion at worst. If the creation of freedom-loving USA is a reaction to so-called British tyranny, then the creation of mild-mannered Canada is a reaction to American fanaticism.

I'll get to the point. The film "The Patriot" starring Mel Gibson is total hogwash compared to this obscure TV movie starring Tommy Lee Jones because "April Morning" treats the American Revolution with a more sombre seriousness than the naive flag-waving zeal of "The Patriot". April Morning does not show the struggle against British rule as glorious but rather as an ugly and yet necessary conflict, which pretty much sums up my view of this war as a Canadian and a monarchist, who understands that the restless American colonies are meant to leave the British Empire while the docile Canadian colonies are meant to stay and evolve within the framework of constitutional monarchy.

Aside from its more appealing tone, the acting in "April Morning" is just better and the uniforms look a bit more authentic. Futher, I like Tommy Lee Jones while I have misgivings about Mel Gibson and his weird mind. It is a terrible shame that no one has bother to reissue this hidden gem in DVD format when almost every TV show from the 1970s, 80s and 90s are now available in DVD. This movie ranks up high with "The Crossing" starring Jeff Daniels as General George Washington, another film that does not over-romanticize a nasty war that divided families and caused normal people to tar and feather their neighbours.

[–] cwoliver-1 18 years ago

Thanks for writing - even with the misspellings, eh. ;-)

Very informative post. I had no idea how our revolution was viewed/presented in Canada. I have had minor discussions with British friends who say that, with some 1500 years of British history taught in schools, the American "insurrection" is little more than a few paragraphs. A somewhat humbling experience for this Yankee.

Realize(oops) Realise that both stories are fictional but draw from actual events and one can see that there is room for both interpretations of our revolution. And just as one does not view Patton or Apocalypse Now as being a completely realistic view of their respective wars, truth can be found in both to one degree or another.

In the case of The Patriot the basic story could have been placed in virtually any period of war. In the American Civil War it could have been take from the actions of Cantrell's Raiders or General Sherman's March to the Sea. In the WWI one can see the story told with Germans and Russians (with a sequel for WWII).

So the point to each movie is the emotions it evokes from the message(s) presented. The Patriot (IMHO) was intended to show man's cruelty and at the same time speak to man's capacity to overcome adversity and pain, similar to the theme of Braveheart (another less than a factual account.)

I agree with you that there are far better movies that achieve a more realistic view while remaining "entertaining" (read - hold interest). One such American Revoluiton movie, as you've noted, is The Crossing. From WWII is Band of Brothers. But notice that these are both significantly longer than the 2 hours (+/-) available in a typical theatrical release and thus more time can be given to texture and less to pulling the heart-strings.

Side note: If you want to understand our revolution, read the Declaration of Independence and then research and understand each of the complaints raised. All of this can be accomplished easily on the Internet. If you do this you will understand it better than 99% of Americans who have relied on Hollywood a bit too much. Keep in mind the context as you do this - Britiain and France were struggling for world dominance and both needed money. Crossing the Atlantic took weeks thus transportation and communication was tedious.

Best regards.

[–] kingarthurup 14 years ago

I just saw this movie again... and I had to come back and comment again.

Chad Lowe played a canadian in this movie.... Thank God wussies like him actually moved to canada. This movie is as good as the patriot?... wow...spoken like a true "no standing army" "slap fighting" canuck.

[–] mikeydross 17 years ago

Aside from its more appealing tone, the acting in "April Morning" is just better and the uniforms look a bit more authentic.

This movie ranks up high with "The Crossing" starring Jeff Daniels as General George Washington, another film that does not over-romanticize a nasty war that divided families and caused normal people to tar and feather their neighbours.

Ok

The acting in this movie was bad, but I agree with the rest listed here

I don't care what any history lesson is taught about or rebellion or revolution, we were insurgents, that is the truth.

One mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter

HEY NOW!

[–] JJ-N 15 years ago

I was impressed by the realism in this movie in the sense how scared farmers try to organize resistance against military in a conflict that they did not really want. I liked The Patriot, but it was more like "Mad Max 0: The Early Years" or "Rambo Goes Independence War".

[–] herrin_jerry 14 years ago

The acting in April Morning can hardly be called good. The uniforms in The Patriot were more realistic, but this is obviously due to the larger budget this blockbuster had. This movie seemed pretty accurate to the details it chose to follow though, while The Patriot was made not to educate, but to enthrall.

Thanks for your info on how the War of Independence is taught to Canadians though. This is something I've always wondered, ever since my grade school teacher taught us about the "Shot heard 'round the world." Although I had heard that the revolutionary war had very little mention in the British schoolbooks. I've always wondered if that was due to embarrassment, or if it just wasn't that great a deal to them. History books are written by the victors, I suppose.

[–] kingarthurup 14 years ago

Thanks for your thoughts!

Unfortunately, you didn't get it. You are a canadian though, so I expect you to be wrong.

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]