The AMERICAN REVOLUTION in Television

 

Below is a selection of television productions (listed in chronological order) about or featured the American Revolution:


THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION IN TELEVISION



1. "The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh" (NBC; 1963) - Patrick McGoohan starred in this three-episode Disney adaptation of Russell Thorndike's 1915 novel, "Doctor Syn: A Tale of the Romney Mars". James Neilson directed.






2. "The Bastard" (Syndication; 1978) - Andrew Stevens and Kim Cattrall starred in this adaptation of the 1974 novel, the first in John Jakes' "Kent Family Chronicles" literary series. Lee H. Katzin directed.






3. "The Rebels" (Syndication; 1979) - Andrew Stevens, Don Johnson and Doug McClure starred in this adaptation of the 1975 novel, the second in John Jakes' "Kent Family Chronicles" literary series. Russ Mayberry directed.

4. "George Washington" (CBS; 1984) - Barry Bostwick starred as George Washington, first U.S. President of the United States - from his childhood to his experiences during the American Revolution. Directed by Buzz Kulik, the miniseries starred Patty Duke, Jaclyn Smith and David Dukes.






5. "April Morning" (Hallmark; 1988) - Chad Lowe, Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Urich starred in this adaptation of Howard Fast's 1961 novel about the Battle of Lexington and Concord. The television movie was directed by Delbert Mann.






6. "Mary Silliman’s War" (Syndication; 1994) - Nancy Palk starred in this Canadian-produced television movie about the experiences of a Connecticut matriarch during the American Revolution. Stephen Surjik directed.






7. "The Crossing" (A&E; 2000) - Jeff Daniels starred as George Washington in this adaptation of Howard Fast's 1971 novel about the Battle of Trenton campaign in December 1776. Robert Harmon directed.






8. "John Adams" (HBO; 2008) - Emmy winners Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney starred as John and Abigail Adams in this award winning HBO miniseries about the second U.S. President from his years as a Boston lawyer to his death.






9. "Turn: Washington’s Spies" (AMC; 2014-2017) - Jamie Bell starred in this television series that is an adaptation of Alexander Rose's 2006 book, "Washington's Spies: The Story of America's First Spy Ring". The series was created by Craig Silverstein.






10. "The Book of Negroes" (BET; 2015) - Aunjanue Ellis, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Louis Gossett Jr. starred in this television adaptation of Lawrence Hill's 2007 novel about the experiences of an African woman who was kidnapped into slavery.