Although the Revolutionary War is a period widely touched upon in history lessons, there is still much to learn about it from the best movies about the subject. Films that delve into the history of the American Revolution include depictions of the founding fathers and pivotal battles that turned the tide of the war. However, some of the greatest movies in the genre incorporate the experience of civilians and the perspectives of people experiencing the war from all walks of life.
Many people best know the story of the American Revolution from the songs from the musical Hamilton by Lin Manuel Miranda. The musical is a revisionist take on the founding of the United States through the lens of the life of Alexander Hamilton. Due to the musical’s popularity, the story of the war has seeped back into the cultural lexicon, and it’s gained greater interest outside the realm of historical research. Anyone interested in learning more not only about the war but about how it’s perceived throughout film and television should watch the movies made about it.
Movie | IMDb Rating |
Revolution (1985) | 5.3 / 10 |
April Morning (1988) | 6.4 / 10 |
Johnny Tremain (1957) | 6.4 / 10 |
The Patriot (2000) | 7.2 / 10 |
Mary Silliman’s War (1994) | 6.7 / 10 |
The Scarlet Coat (1955) | 6.3 / 10 |
Drums Along The Mohawk (1939) | 7 / 10 |
The Crossing (2000) | 7.1 / 10 |
The Devil’s Disciple (1959) | 6.9 / 10 |
1776 (1972) | 7.6 / 10 |
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10 Revolution (1985)
Directed by Hugh Hudson
Al Pacino plays Tom, a man searching for his son after he is taken by the British army, who becomes an unlikely hero in the revolution. While Revolution isn’t Pacino’s best work, and it can be difficult to separate his performance from the context of his other roles, the film should be recognized for its prominence and high profile. The strong cinematography and direction are its highlights, while the script and story end up being lackluster. However, the movie inspired others to take on the subject and is well-remembered despite its lower critical reception.
9 April Morning (1988)
Directed by Delbert Mann
Tommy Lee Jones is easily the best part of April Morning as Moses, the father of Adam (Chad Lowe), a young man who struggles to define his identity during the revolution. The battle of Lexington plays a key role in the film, as does religion and the themes of coming-of-age. Faith is frequently debated in the film, giving it a deep and critical reading of the cultural philosophies of the time. April Morning is unexpectedly moving and takes on personal dilemmas, using the backdrop of the war as a way to explore how a child becomes an adult.
8 Johnny Tremain (1957)
Directed by Robert Stevenson
The family-friendly Johnny Tremain focuses on the young Johnny (Hal Stalmaster) and the perspective of the youth during a time of great political and cultural upheaval. Throughout the film, Johnny encounters different revolutionary leaders and joins the Sons of Liberty to find purpose in the world. Johnny Tremain was made by Disney with educational purposes in mind. However, that doesn’t stop the film from delving into Johnny as a character. Additionally, the movie delivers important messages about values and the importance of learning from mistakes.
7 The Patriot (2000)
Directed by Roland Emmerich
The Patriot is not one of Heath Ledger’s best movies, but he does lend his considerable acting abilities to his role, making the film relevant within the genre. Alongside Ledger, Mel Gibson stars as his father in a family that is wracked with tragedy because of the British army. The criticisms The Patriot faces involve historical inaccuracies but received high praise for the action sequences and choreography of the battles. The movie is a fun ride that is less concerned with the events of the war and more interested in making a quality action film.
6 Mary Silliman’s War (1994)
Directed by Stephen Surjik
The little-known film Mary Silliman’s War is based on true events and uncovers the experience of a woman living at the time of the American Revolution. When loyalists kidnap Mary’s (Nancy Palk) husband, it’s up to her to get him back and manage her role within the community. She’s a sympathetic lead, enhanced by Palk’s performance, and the overall film is one of the more faithful adaptations of real lives and stories onscreen. It’s also a beautiful film to watch because of the sweeping landscape and historical accuracy.
5 The Scarlet Coat (1955)
Directed by John Sturges
Focusing on espionage and counter-intelligence during the Revolutionary War, The Scarlet Coat weaves a dramatic tale of betrayal, friendship, romance, and war. The movie heavily fictionalizes and elevates the stakes of the loosely true story it’s based on. Though it’s an older film, it watches more similarly to a modern-day thriller than a historically accurate retelling of history. However, this makes it all the more fun to watch, and the intrigue the plot introduces about the war makes it more accessible to modern audiences.
4 Drums Along The Mohawk (1939)
Directed by John Ford
Although John Ford is best known for making Western movies, his turn at taking on the Revolutionary War proved to be a great success. Due to Ford’s background in Westerns, he focuses on the effect of war in rural communities rather than the more populated cities where the great battles took place. The film attempts to include some representation of Indigenous Americans, but their portrayal is quite dated. However, the film still has merit because of its strong performances and the classically strong visual style Ford brings to his work.
3 The Crossing (2000)
Directed by Robert Harmon
Jeff Daniels stars as George Washington during the crossing of the Delaware River and the tense series of events that led to the Declaration of Independence in 1776. It’s a well-known battle and was instrumental in turning the tide of the war, but The Crossing is unique because of how much it focuses on Washington as a man and as a leader. Washington is a mythic figure in the American mythos, and any film that discusses his humanity and how he handled the pressure of the war is vital to understanding how the Revolution was won.
2 The Devil’s Disciple (1959)
Directed by Alexander Mackendrick & Guy Hamilton
Based on the play of the same name by George Bernard Shaw, The Devil’s Disciple boasts an illustrious cast that includes Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, and Laurence Olivier. It tells the story of two men who are swayed to the cause of independence because of how the British treat them. The Devil’s Disciple is strongest in its dialogue and character-driven narrative, thanks to its source material. Though liberties were taken with the original story, it still goes down in history as an example of the rising tensions at the beginning of the war.
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1 1776 (1972)
Directed by Peter H. Hunt
1776 is a great movie musical that anyone can enjoy because of how effectively it uses musical numbers to drive the story forward. What could have been a dry retelling of a series of meetings throughout a pivotal summer became a personal and political drama with the fate of a nation hanging in the balance. 1776 is the best because it seamlessly translates the enormous weight of these men’s decisions into a small scale that represents the larger movements of the war. Additionally, the film is well-made, well-acted, and tells human stories within the greater context of history being made.
