Rebels and Redcoats (2003) (TV)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Directors:

Georgina Harvey
Harvey Lilley

Writer:

Richard Holmes (writer)

Release Date:

2003 (UK)

Genre:

Documentary | History | War

Plot:

A history of the American War of Independence. |

Plot Keywords:

American Revolution | Reenactment | 1700s | American History | 19th Century

Cast

Dana Joel Bogdanski	...	British Light Infantry Officer
Richard Holmes	...	Presenter
Kevin Kraft	...	Dr. Thatcher
Tim L. Smith	...	Continental Artilleryman (as Timothy Smith)

Runtime:

UK:200 min | 50 min (4 episodes)

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Certification:

Australia:PG | USA:Not Rated (DVD rating)

Company:

BBC Wales

British side of the American Revolution

The presenter provides a British interpretation of the American Revolution. As an historian, I know the value of competing interpretations. I also know the value of presenting all germane facts, something the presenter does not do. For example, he ignores the Stamp Act, the Declaratory Act, and the general imperial disdain for American colonists. Nevertheless, the presenter makes valid points about the mixed motives of our Founding Fathers, whom I hold in more esteem than he does.

This is not the Revolution the way you probably learned about it in high school. For that reason alone, this documentary is worth viewing and pondering. There was another side to the events of 1775-1783. This is it.