Johnny Tremain

Johnny Tremain took a reverse process in attaining success as one of the best films about the American Revolution. It was a two part program on Walt Disney's television show and then later it was stitched together for theatrical release, so popular did it prove. Just like Disney's Davy Crockett. You can plainly see the seams, but that really doesn't matter.

The fictional character of Johnny Tremain who is an apprentice silversmith and his struggle to establish his birthright to the satisfaction of his loyalist uncle Sebastian Cabot is set against the background of Boston in the 1770s. As we well know the seeds of the American Revolution were planted there, it was a hotbed of latent treason to the British crown.

As Johnny Tremain started as a juvenile novel the issues of the American Revolution are quite simply laid out so that even the lay historian can follow the issues and the events of the Boston Tea Party and later the Battles of Lexington and Concord pretty much as they actually occurred.

And the personalities of the Sons Of Liberty come wonderfully alive in this film. Walter Sande as Paul Revere, Walter Coy as Dr. Joseph Warren, Rusty Lane as Samuel Adams step right out from the textbooks. But in the few scenes he has Jeff York as James Otis steals the movie.

There was a touch of genius in the casting of York and who would have suspected it because York normally played rough hewn frontier type characters. It was totally against type that York was cast as the Back Bay Patriot with both genius and madness in his running in his veins. Otis and Johnny Tremain define the real issues of what became the American Revolution in the best acted scene in the film.

Hal Stalmaster was a fine and earnest Johnny Tremain and was 'introduced' in this film. Why his career went nowhere after that is still a mystery. Luana Patten plays the daughter of Will Wright and Virginia Christine the silversmiths that Stalmaster is apprenticed to and Richard Beymer plays Stalmaster's original tutor in radical Sons Of Liberty politics.

If grade school teachers are not using Johnny Tremain as a teaching tool when the kids are learning the American Revolution, shame on them.

I watched Johnny Tremain because I'm taking a history through film class. This was one movie that we all watched together in class. The movie is about the Sons of Liberty, it contains the Boston Tea Party and Paul Revere's Ride. It tells the story about Johnny, a boy who worked for a blacksmith until he had an accident and was unable to use one of his hands, and his journey joining the Sons of Liberty. We learn about their secret meetings they had and all the plans they made. Some of acting was really cheesy and the lines were kind of funny. You can tell the movie was made in the 50's due to that and the screen quality. There was bad lighting and the screen was slightly fuzzy so it gave it an older kind of look. I feel like the film followed history as I know it pretty well. It made sense and it followed the stories that I've always heard and had the right people. Something I did realize was different was Paul Revere's ride. It wasn't as big a deal as I've always heard it was and I'm pretty sure he isn't alone on his mission to watch for the light. I once watched a Suite Life of Zack and Cody episode where they reenacted the Boston Tea Party. Aside from that I've never really watched a film about this that I can remember. I really liked this film because it had a good sense of friendship and community among the Sons of Liberty. It always makes you feel good to see the good guys win and even though this is history and so it must follow the storyline, it was still something I like to see. I also liked the fact that they had children and teenagers in it instead of a bunch of old guys, I didn't like that some parts were very uneventful and I got bored and distracted easily. As a movie overall I think it was a good way to educate people on this history of those stories in an understandable and entertaining way. Although it didn't follow history quite exactly, it still had most of the correct facts. This isn't a movie I would watch more than once because it wasn't very exciting. I also probably wouldn't recommend it to anyone unless they were trying to find a way to learn some short history quick and easy. It was interesting but not enough to make me want to rewatch it.

The true story of the gallant American patriots that took part in the American Revolution . The film being dedicated to the youth of the world. Set in 1773 Boston when the valiant patriots participated in the Boston Tea Party, this deed signed the initiation of American war of independence . Based correctly on historical events with inclusion of various known happenings, as the notorious feat carried out by Paul Revere .Well recreated the beginning hostilities in April 19, 1775, skirmishes among the British troops and the colonial militia in Lexington and Concord. The first battle of the American war was in Lexington , Northwest of Boston .Anticipating a rebellion , general Thomas Gage sent 800 troops to seize stores at Concord and arrest John Hancock and John Adams , two prominent American rebels. An advance party encountered a party of about 50 minutemen , American rebel militia , on Lexington . They refused to disperse when ordered to do so, and then Brits to open fire . 8 Minutemen were killed and the remainder retired . Fervent patriots against redcoats were led by Salomón Chandler .The British party turned back for Concord and was later ambushed , it was only saved by reinforcements sent out from Concord . The total losses in two actions were 73 British troops killed and 174 wounded , 49 Americans killed and 39 wounded . While Johnny Tremain , Hal Stalsmaster , is drawn into the war . Along the way , he falls for a beautiful girl , Luana Patten , befriends a Revolutionary young , Richard Beymer , and learns about life, being caught up in the dangerous events of the revolution . As he joins the Sons of Liberty, a group of colonists who get together secretly and scheme their strategies against the tyrannical British rule.

The picture is a good adaptation upon the notorious historic events, being colorfully shot with great cinematograpy by Charles Boyle and rousing musical score by George Bruns . Directed with tenderness and carefully cast and appealing to history aficionados and sentimental susceptibilities . In the movie appears several historical characters as Samuel Adams , Paul Revere, Otis , Josiah Quincy, Joseph Warren , all of them played by notorious actors. The motion picture was well directed by Robert Stevenson . He was a fine craftsman from Walt Disney studio who made several movies and hits , such as Mary Poppins, The darn cat , Monkey's uncle , Gnome Mobile , BlackBeard ghost, The love bug , My dog the thief , The Island at the top of the world, Our Dinosaurio is missing , The shaggy DA, In search of castaways, Herbie rides again , Old Yeller, Kidnapped, Darby O'Gill, Bednobs and broomsticks, among others. The flick will appeal to American history buffs.

Disney makes another book-movie in 1957 with "Johnny Tremain," based on Esther Forbes' award-winning novel of the same name. It is about a boy named Johnny Tremain, who worked as an apprentice until his hand touched hot molten silver. Now he had to find a new job, until he decided to go into battle. This had taken place in Boston back during such wonderful events in history like the Boston Tea Party and the invasion of the British (One if by land, Two if by sea).

I have read this book in Calvert School back in 7th grade, I believe. It was such a wonderful book; my mom even enjoyed it, too. Our library had a classroom version of this movie on DVD (although a regular version can also be purchased), and we had just checked that movie out and we enjoyed it so.

"Johnny Tremain" is real good Disney, indeed: a great book made into a great movie portraying terrific American history.

Ten stars.

This is one of those Disney gems that should get some renewed attention. The song "The Sons of Liberty" is a modern invention but a very plausible-sounding one. Both the book and the film ignore Sam Adams' cousin John's involvement in Massachusetts colony politics (so not a fault solely of the movie.)

I would not recommend seeing this movie prior to reading the original book, because the cast of characters is greatly simplified for the movie and you may find yourself saying "Who's that?" if you wait to read the book until after seeing the film.

By the way, I think Revere's using a grease pencil and not a Magic Marker in the silver shop consultation.