Lara in Colo Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 We are in the middle of the American Revolution and I was wondering if this would have enough historical value (vs the inconsistancies) for a 12 &13 yo to watch? BTW we have done all of Liberty's Kids Lara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 I'd hesitate myself, based on the brutality of that movie. I haven't watched it in quite a few years, though. I just remember that there were a couple of brutal deaths that were very hard to accept (as an adult, let alone a teen). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 The killings "to make a point" to Mel Gibson's character were hard to take. I did like the movie, however. IDK--what else are you considering? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meriwether Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 Have you seen it before? There were a couple of scenes I'd be hesitant to let my kids watch. If that doesn't bother you, I'd treat it like any other historical fiction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 I think the movie has too many departures from reality to be useful in studying history, unless the history one is studying is Mel Gibson movies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted January 22, 2014 Author Share Posted January 22, 2014 These are all my thoughts too--- I guess I just needed some backup :) I don't have anything else-- We tried to watch some of the history channel's things and they were boring-- We just read the book Mr Revere and I. I guess it will have to do and we can move on. I really just wanted a movie that gave the "feel" of the time -- farmers being soldiers and the British being superior...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 We enjoyed the PBS series Liberty! about the revolution. It wasn't boring or inappropriate. I had to check it out from the library through, it wasn't anywhere for streaming. http://www.amazon.com/Liberty-The-American-Revolution/dp/B000BITU3E/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erin Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 My mature 12 year old, and typical 14 year olds both say they would recommend it. It IS rather graphic, but personally, I think that's part of what makes the story realistic... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted January 22, 2014 Author Share Posted January 22, 2014 And my children aren't bothered by much (they love horror movies) I was sort of concerned about the bad history (burning of a church-- that didn't happen) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milovany Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 It seems like they always show it in the high school US History classes that I transcribe. Not sure that that helps or matters, just throwing it out there. My kids loved Liberty's Kids a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoxcell Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 I don't know about historical accuracy but I like the movie. I always wish that they would make a movie about the real Swamp Fox(Francis Marion). The Patriot seemed to have stolen some ideas from him for the story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erin Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 I guess I always thought The Patriot was supposed to be completely fictional... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zebra Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 No way on The Patriot, IMHO. 1776 (the musical) is my favorite American Revolution movie. Yes, it's very corny....but some dialogue is taken from actual letters and the play was written by a history teacher who loved that era. If you can get past the singing and dancing, it's actually a pretty good story of what was going on in Congress during the revolution. You see how Congress was just as bad then as it is now. How these men were regular people, and not gods. There's a song that explains why the northern states were no less guilty about slavery than the southern states. And you see John Adam's struggle with having to compromise on the slavery issue, to save the country. Which made me understand how the civil war happened a little bit better. But, I am a biased history geek who loves musicals and the American Revolution, so maybe take that into consideration :lol:. There are some saucy moments, FYI. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wonderchica Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 I think it might give a sense of the time period and how people lived, if nothing else. I loved that movie. AMC is going to have a Revolutionary War series coming on in the spring. Don't know if that will be any good, but here's the trailer- http://www.amctv.com/shows/turn/about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 No way on The Patriot, IMHO. 1776 (the musical) is my favorite American Revolution movie. Yes, it's very corny....but some dialogue is taken from actual letters and the play was written by a history teacher who loved that era. If you can get past the singing and dancing, it's actually a pretty good story of what was going on in Congress during the revolution. You see how Congress was just as bad then as it is now. How these men were regular people, and not gods. There's a song that explains why the northern states were no less guilty about slavery than the southern states. And you see John Adam's struggle with having to compromise on the slavery issue, to save the country. Which made me understand how the civil war happened a little bit better. But, I am a biased history geek who loves musicals and the American Revolution, so maybe take that into consideration :lol:. There are some saucy moments, FYI. A kindred spirit. I love 1776. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chocolate Rose Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Another vote for 1776! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted January 23, 2014 Author Share Posted January 23, 2014 I will see if the library has it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 My mature 12 year old, and typical 14 year olds both say they would recommend it. It IS rather graphic, but personally, I think that's part of what makes the story realistic... The historical details leave...much to be desired. It would be like considering Braveheart to be a good source of Scottish history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milovany Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 No way on The Patriot, IMHO. If you can get past the singing and dancing ... And minor swearing/using the Lord's name in vain, as I recall. Yes? That's what made me uncomfortable about showing it to my kids, I think. That and the afore-mentioned sauciness, but more the cursing. Other than that, I did like it too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoxcell Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 I guess I always thought The Patriot was supposed to be completely fictional... It is as far as I know. I was just saying I think the writer of the patriot stole some ideas from Francis Marion for Mel Gibson's character. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 I don't think the movie has much historical value and the brutality of some of the scenes could be memorable (and not in a good way) for kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zebra Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 And minor swearing/using the Lord's name in vain, as I recall. Yes? That's what made me uncomfortable about showing it to my kids, I think. That and the afore-mentioned sauciness, but more the cursing. Other than that, I did like it too. They say "Good God!" several times as an exclamation. And also, "may God d#mn him" a couple of times. Common Sense Media says that it's for ages 8 and up, with some strong language. I would say more like 10 and up because it might not hold the attention of the under 10 crowd. Or anyone who hates historical musicals :lol:! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted January 23, 2014 Author Share Posted January 23, 2014 well, I found the musical at our library, it's on hold. I may still watch the Patriot, or not--- still don't know about that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samiam Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 I think if you take the Patriot as a fictional movie, but pick out the parts that are realistic....how people were living, the affect of the war, the British, etc, it has a wee bit of value....I mean, it's no different than reading a historical fiction book in that sense....the "setting" is good, just don't think you are reading or watching a documentary. On the other hand, the places in the movie are real....you can visit the magnolia plantation today in Charlesron.....that's a beautiful scene in the movie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom in High Heels Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 You could try The Crossing, John Adams, April Morning or All for Liberty. I haven't seen these in years, but I do recall them all being pretty good. I can't recall the language or violence level though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erin Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 John Adams was indeed excellent. Check the Imbd page on it. There's one nude scene where a daughter is losing a breast to cancer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelli Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 The John Adams documentary that HBO put out was FANTASTIC! I would easily choose it over The Patriot. The JA doc really did a great job of showing what families sacrificed to build our nation and the impact of the war on all involved. It is NOT a feel good movie. When it was over dh and I were kind of shell shocked at what Adams and his family had to endure. It was their choice because they believed in the cause, but, the price they paid for their choice. I'm not sure I could have done the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erin Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Good as John Adams was, it was still fiction. It was a docu-drama, not a documentary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aggieamy Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 For those ages I'll add another vote for 1776. And now I will be humming a few songs for the afternoon ... Someone outta open up a window! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milovany Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 They say "Good God!" several times as an exclamation. Ah, yes, that was it. We'd be crossing ourselves a lot. ;) I don't mind minor swearing, but the Lord's name is a hard one for us. Maybe I'll prep them ahead of time and then watch it. I did like how it described those events and discussions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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