Johnny Tremain
Starring: Hal Stalmaster, Luana Patten, Jeff York, Sebastian Cabot, Richard Beymer, Rusty Lane, Walter Sande, Whit Bissell, Walter Coy, Will Wright, Virginia Christine, Ralph Clanton, Lumsden Hare, Gavin Gordon, Geoffrey Toone, Charles Smith, Robert Foulk, Robin Hughes, Chuck Hamilton, Anthony Ghazlo Jr.Director: Robert Stevenson
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
Running Time: 80 minutes
DVD Release: August 2nd 2005
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DVD Review
Looking for a way to make the American Revolution come alive for your child? Based on Esther Forbes's book of the same name, Johnny Tremain takes place in Boston from July 1773 through April 1775, and tells the story of a young apprentice silversmith drawn into a fight for human rights. When an accident cripples Johnny Tremain's hand and ends his hopes of becoming a great silversmith, Tremain finds himself without work and accused of a crime he did not commit. Sons of Liberty members Paul Revere and Josiah Quincy are outraged by the circumstantial case against Tremain, agree to represent him free of charge, and win his acquittal in court. Through association with his new friends, Tremain begins to better understand the current political climate, and eventually joins them in the battle for freedom. Tremain's involvement in the emptying of British tea into Boston Harbor, the arrival of the Redcoats in Boston, and the beginnings of the American Revolution at Concord is powerful and moving. The costuming is splendid, the music patriotic, and the dialogue well crafted. The film stars Hal Stalmaster as Johnny Tremain, costars Luana Patten and Jeff York, and runs 80 minutes. This classic Disney film is wonderful entertainment and a fairly faithful representation of a crucial period in American history. (Ages 8 and older) --Tami Horiuchi
User Reviews
A wonderful family movie! - Rating: 5/5
Johnny Tremain is a very enjoyable movie especially for anyone who likes American history, the revolutionary era in particular. A great way to teach kids about the events of our nation's birth. Produced by Disney many years ago, it is a very wholesome movie, even if a little on the "corny" side at times, still very worthwhile. I loved it and am so glad to be able to get it on DVD. It follows the book by the same title quite well. Highly recommend!
Accurate, I think not! - Rating: 2/5
As a Disney movie of the 1950's, Johnny Tremain is alright, that is if you don't mind the incredible number of mistakes and errors litter throughout the film. Based on an exceptional book by Esther Forbes, the Disney film essentially rewrites key elements in the book, makes pointless changes in the plot development, cuts out the more interesting supporting characters and leaves you with a santitized verison of the months leading up to the Revolutionary War. My advice, read the book and gain an authentic view of the courageous men and women who risked all they had to bring about America's independence from Great Britain. The film is best considered as a piece of Disney nostalgia.
A Review of the Revolutionary - Johnny Tremain - Rating: 5/5
This fictional story brings to life the story of an adolescent who lives during the time of the American Revolution and the challenges that he must face. Even as an adult with a passion for American history, I found the movie compelling, interesting and generally accurate historically.
I believe that preadolescents, teens and adults will find the movie interesting.
Johnny Tremain - Rating: 5/5
I love the old style integrity in movies, respect of a persons intelligence and desire to have goodness portrayed over a show of evil.
Not the best Introduction to the American Revolution - Rating: 4/5
Had very high hopes for this movie of introducing the American Revolution in an entertaining way. The movie is an adaptation of the Newbery Award winning historical novel Johnny Tremain which is set during the American Revolution. The movie is okay but not at the exceptional level one generally thinks of for a Disney movie. The highlight of the DVD is Walt Disney talking about human freedom in the Special Feature The Making of Johnny Tremain and Introduction to the movie. As a possible alternative around Independence day would recommend the PBS documentary American Experience John and Abigail Adams which also covers this period.
