intj1973-1

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.

This documentary features actors speaking the words of long-dead people, from Abigail Adams to King George III to Hessian mercenaries. The result is a multi-faceted view of the American Revolution. I use part of this program to teach the Revolution in my college courses for this reason. Since this is a U.S. production, the bias is pro-Revolution. I do not mind this, since my side won that war. I appreciate, however, the honest discussion of the key contradiction of the Revolution--the maintenance of slavery as part of the struggle for independence. Our founders were people, not demigods.

I will correct another commenter on this website. King George III actually spoke flawless English, as the actor who portrays him does. The monarch's great-grandfather (George I) spoke German. George II, grandfather of George III, spoke English as a second language. George III, however, took pride in speaking excellent English.