Johnny Tremain (1957)

Director:

Robert Stevenson

Writers:

Thomas W. Blackburn (screenplay)
Esther Forbes (book)

Release Date:

19 June 1957 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Family | History | War

Plot:

Johnny Tremain is drawn into the Revolutionary War, and becomes a patriot fighting to free the colonies from England. Along the way he learns about life and about himself.

Plot Keywords:

American Revolution | Based On Novel | Character Name In Title

Cast

Hal Stalmaster	...	Johnny Tremain
Luana Patten	...	Priscilla Lapham
Jeff York	...	James Otis
Sebastian Cabot	...	Jonathan Lyte
Richard Beymer	...	Rab Silsbee (as Dick Beymer)
Rusty Lane	...	Samuel Adams
Walter Sande	...	Paul Revere
Whit Bissell	...	Josiah Quincy
Walter Coy	...	Dr. Joseph Warren
Will Wright	...	Ephraim Lapham
Virginia Christine	...	Mrs. Lapham
Ralph Clanton	...	Gen. Gage
Lumsden Hare	...	Adm. Montagu
Gavin Gordon	...	Col. Smith
Geoffrey Toone	...	Maj. Pitcairn

Also Known As:

Johnny Tremain and the Sons of Liberty

Runtime:

80 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Certification:

Australia:G | USA:Approved (certificate #18446) | Canada:G (video rating) | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:Btl

Filming Locations:

Rowland V. Lee Ranch - Fallbrook Avenue, Canoga Park, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Walt Disney Productions

Trivia:

In August 1957, this film was being shown on a double bill with Funny Face (1957) starring Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Paul Revere, on his legendary ride, shouts "The redcoats are coming!" His actual cry was "The regulars are coming".

Quotes:

Samuel Adams: [speaking at the Old South church] This meeting can do nothing more, to save the country!

Movie Connections:

Edited into "Disneyland: Johnny Tremain: Part 1 (#5.8)" (1958)

Soundtrack:

Johnny Tremain

A Good Adaptation of a Great Book

I've loved this book since I was a boy, and still think it's a wonderful way to get children reading about the birth of our nation. The movie does a good job of keeping the important historical facts front and center. Unfortunately, much of the book's richness, and darker shades, are cut away to make this more of a film for the entire family, five year olds included. As is often the case, entire characters are omitted in the interest of time and simplicity. On its own terms, though, a fine film and worth seeing.