Watch some great movies on Independence Day: "Johnny Tremain" and "The Swamp Fox"

one man's opinion...

[ken5050]

Those of us of a certain age can actually remember when Disney made great, great films, without an agenda. "Davy Crockett," "Daniel Boone" "The Great Locomotive Chase," introduced me, as a youngster, to American history. And there were no better depictions of the birth of our nation, our struggle for independence from Britain, than "Johnny Tremain" and "The Swamp Fox." Below you'll find links to clips and complete episodes. So enjoy.....

[ken5050]

Many of our fellow Freepers on the east coast are having a lousy weekend due to the hurricane. If you're indoors..here's something to do..

"Johnny Tremain" tells the story of the Boston Tea Party. Here are two clips:

Sons of Liberty March (3 minutes)

Free men and their guns (4 minutes) Listen to this, especially the last minute, and ask yourself would the Mouse make a movie like this today?

The Swamp Fox tells the story of Francis Marion, later retold in "The Patriot" This series ran for multiple episodes on "Wide World of Disney."

If your were a youngster back then, boy, you sure got an understanding and appreciation of America...our history, the struggle for Independence. Kids today don't get that. And notice the passion that comes through in Walt Disney's voice. It's a shame, Walt, what;s happened to your vision, and your company.

The birth of the Swamp Fox ( 1 hour)

Swamp Fox Part 2 ( 10 min)

Swamp Fox part 3 ( 10 min)

Swamp Fox part 4 (15 min)

Swamp Fox part 5 ( 10 min)

I loved the songs.."The Sons Of Liberty" march and "Swamp Fox, Tail on his hat"

Personal note: If you don't have Google Glass..get it...best $35 I ever spent...you can watch all of these on your big screen..

So..to all on the east coast..stay safe, and dry//and, oh yeah...

Happy Birthday, Amereica!!!

[goodwithagun]

Is Johnny Tremain as good as the book? I hate when movies are really off if it’s a book I especially love.

[Reaganite Republican]

But I got to mow the lawn!

[bigtoona]

My kids loved Johnny Tremain

[nonsporting]

I enjoyed these when they aired on TV 50 years ago.

I don’t own either on DVD or tape. Instead, I am going to watch Benjamin Martin and his sons “aim small, miss small.”

I am planning to shoot my flintlock later today. Beat the heat the crowd.

[cripplecreek]

Also showing over the holiday is Courage New Hampshire. Its a limited showing but its very good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnkHHSTpMY0&feature=youtu.be

Courage New Hampshire takes place in the years immediately preceding the revolution (1774) as the British oppression increased and the Colonists began to rebel. Its a creation of conservative actor/director/producer James Riley. Andrew Breitbart has a small role as a colonial sheriff.

[Linda Frances]

http://www.americathemovie.com

[SES1066]

I'd like to add another movie good for the teenage crowd to tell of the American Revolution. Based upon the short novel by Howard Fast, the 1988 movie "April Morning" had a great cast portraing the Lexington & Concord battles of April 19, 1775. Tommy Lee Jones, Robert Urich and Chad Lowe do good work in showing the strains of a people dividing and a nation building. While the video quality reflects the technology of the time, this Youtube clip of the Lexington battle is excellent in showing the Colonial Militia against the trained and equipped British Army.

[MomwithHope]

I have looked for the Swamp Fox episodes before, I remember watching it as a kid. THANKS for the links!

[Caipirabob]

"Johnney Tremain" - Amazon has the full movie available immediately via streaming for around $4.00.

Cheers and Happy 4th Of July!

[GailA]

To Young The Hero is what we watched last night, instant on Netflix, based on a true WW2 story. 12 year old enlist, and the after math of it.

[Joe 6-pack]

One of my favorite Independence Day films is Mel Gibson's Patriot. While the Gibson character is something of a composite of a number of persons, I think the movie does an excellent job at illustrating the reluctance of some colonists to rush into the cause at first, the contributions of those who learned their martial skills during the French and Indian War, and the sacrifices made by so many.

My dvd also has a, "Making Of," special feature. They interview one of the wardrobe designers who spent an inordinate amount of time researching the uniforms and dress of the day in order to get it just right. She talks about going to the Smithsonian to examine a Continental Army uniform and how when she pulled it out of the drawer to look at it carefully, she noticed sweat stains still on the collar and she says something to the effect of how stunned she was when she realized, "This is the sweat that won my freedom."

[ken5050]

My pleasure...have a great 4th

[ken5050]

I never read the book..

[ken5050]

I don't know the movie...will check it out. Howard Fast was a Communist...

IMHO, one of the best novelists about the early history of the USA is Kenneth Roberts.. I read, and reread his novels as a youngster. They are superb.."Northwest Passage," "A Rabble in Arms."..several more...if you haven't read him..start with Northwest Passage....and then you can watch the movie..one of t he best..great cast..

[windcliff]

ping

[DeoVindiceSicSemperTyrannis]

bookmark

[MomwithHope]

I already watched about 20 minutes of The Birth of the Swamp Fox. What a blast from the past. I see they went on youtube in 2011. The last time I thought about it and looked was after I first saw the Patriot with Mel Gibson. Couldn’t find it then and just kind of forgot about it. So thanks again.

[GreyFriar]

It is a shame that the Disney Channel is showing Jessie, Octonauts, dog with a blog, girl meets word, and other everyday pablum today instead of these patriotic classics

[CatherineofAragon]

It’s “Dead, White, and Blue Weekend” on AMC-—all four seasons of “The Walking Dead!”

Happy Fourth, all.