"Liberty's Kids: Est. 1776" (2002) TV series 2002-2003

Creators:

Michael Maliani
Kevin O'Donnell

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

2 September 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Adventure | Drama | Family | History | Mystery

Plot:

The American Revolutionary War is seen through the eyes of an American teenaged lad, a young English lady, and a French boy, all 3 of whom work as reporters for Benjamin Franklin.

Plot Keywords:

French | Patriot | Newspaper | Orphan | Reporter

Awards:

5 nominations

Cast

Whoopi Goldberg

...

Deborah Samson / ... (40 episodes, 2002-2003)

Runtime:

30 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

USA:TV-Y7

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Melusine Productions

Trivia:

Walter Cronkite's final acting role.

Goofs:

Continuity: From August through September, the characters are in two places at the exact same time. James and Henri are present to witness LaFayette's courage at Brandywine on 11 September 1777, yet are also with General Gates' American army at Saratoga (and James is a prisoner of the British during that Saratoga episode at the same time he's able to witness Brandywine).

Quotes:

James Hiller: I can't believe I'm going to miss this!
Sarah Phillips: I can't believe you'd have anything to do with it! If you were a real gentleman, you'd put a stop to it immediately!

"Liberty Kid's: Est. 1776"

Really great program. Withstanding the goofs listed, this film is a very helpful tool in my 8th grade U.S. History class. Due to governmental guidelines, I am teaching children that are not on "grade level", but are expected to pass state exams on material covering this time in history. I would hope that viewers would look at the basic historic events, so wonderfully presented for all age levels, as a learning tool and not look for ulterior motives. What a novel idea that learning historical facts can be entertaining and easy. Too many people are so full of their own intelligence, they don't think of the ones that struggle with academia, and are quick to claim "political incorrectness". If they think that the British are portrayed as our "enemies" in this series, guess what, they were. Key word being "were". The negative comment that I read about this film made me realize why so many of our programs are canceled. I applaud PBS for airing this program and have witnessed the effects that it has on children. I haven't had any students coming in ready to obliterate all British citizens, but I have had many come in with prior knowledge of the Coercive Acts, Boston Tea Party, Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams and much more information from this time period in our history.