55 of 55 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A morning for greatness, August 22, 2001
This review is from: April Morning [VHS] (VHS Tape)
This is simply a gem of a movie based on Howard Fast's excellent 1962 novel,( which I still have), of the first day of hostilities between colonists and Britain.
There may have been bigger blockbusters made about the American Revolution (The Patriot, Revolution etc) but to me this under- rated 1988 film is a true classic, capturing the quintessential decency of American colonial village life in Lexington and the developing tensions and conflict on that fateful day of 19th April 1775.
I agree with the 2 previous reviewers that this film is a great teaching tool. It shows many things: the tensions and love in family life, particularly between Moses Cooper ( Tommy Lee Jones) and his son Adam ( Chad Lowe),who is no longer a boy yet not quite a man; romance between Adam and Ruth Simmons ( played by the lovely Susan Blakely); different generations and how they relate to each other; the underlying strong Christian faith of the era,( which still prevails in American life today); the need to perform civic duties; and culture and costumes far removed from our own period etc.
"April Morning" is also effective because it does not glamourise war or demonise the redcoats. In fact both Adam and a young redcoat are both seen, at various stages, to be scared witless by the whiff of 'grapeshot' and of battle. Yet overall, in what is truly a momentous day for Adam personally, (as well as the villagers of Lexington and Concord), we see how the events mature him and this is brilliantly illustrated at the end of the film when he leads his family in prayer for their food and life. This very subtle approach makes it evident that the boy, like colonial America, has gone for ever and has been replaced by a decent man who would,with humility, be worthy of his emerging new leadership role-as would America.
As a non-American I conclude by saying that any American who fails to appreciate this film simply lacks a soul and an understanding of the greatness of American history - a fact which was demonstrated on that dusty Lexington-Concord road 226 years ago- and by the makers of this film who have created another very special "April Morning".
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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One Shot Heard Around the World, February 5, 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: April Morning [VHS] (VHS Tape)
This movie gives an accurate and interesting account of the beginnings of the American Revolution. A boy becomes a man, not by choice but because of events that are not under his control. There is great acting by all. My students will love this movie and will gain a greater understanding of the Lexington and Concord battles. I only wish I could obtain a video of the movie. My copy is so old! This is an action/adventure/drama all rolled into one.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Family Friendly and Educational, June 5, 2005
This review is from: April Morning [VHS] (VHS Tape)
April Morning is a family-friendly video of the first major battle of the American Revolution. The dramatic tension between two generations climaxes with a greater understanding, and a loss. The video is a great addition to a homeschool unit on the Revolution, or a good family night viewing, with discussion of the relationship between father and son. I highly recommend it, and was disappointed that it was out of stock. We watched it on TV the first time, and have not been able to find it since.
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