Product Details

• Actors: Hal Stalmaster, Luana Patten, Jeff York, Sebastian Cabot, Richard Beymer
• Directors: Robert Stevenson
• Writers: Esther Forbes, Thomas W. Blackburn
• Producers: Walt Disney
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: August 2, 2005
• Run Time: 80 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (93 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00005JM6F
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,146 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Johnny Tremain" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Looking for a way to make the American Revolution come alive for your child? Based on Esther Forbes's book of the same name, Johnny Tremain takes place in Boston from July 1773 through April 1775, and tells the story of a young apprentice silversmith drawn into a fight for human rights. When an accident cripples Johnny Tremain's hand and ends his hopes of becoming a great silversmith, Tremain finds himself without work and accused of a crime he did not commit. Sons of Liberty members Paul Revere and Josiah Quincy are outraged by the circumstantial case against Tremain, agree to represent him free of charge, and win his acquittal in court. Through association with his new friends, Tremain begins to better understand the current political climate, and eventually joins them in the battle for freedom. Tremain's involvement in the emptying of British tea into Boston Harbor, the arrival of the Redcoats in Boston, and the beginnings of the American Revolution at Concord is powerful and moving. The costuming is splendid, the music patriotic, and the dialogue well crafted. The film stars Hal Stalmaster as Johnny Tremain, costars Luana Patten and Jeff York, and runs 80 minutes. This classic Disney film is wonderful entertainment and a fairly faithful representation of a crucial period in American history. (Ages 8 and older) --Tami Horiuchi

Product Description

JOHNNY TREMAIN - DVD Movie

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful way to celebrate Independence Day any day!, July 7, 2002

By 

Monty Moonlight (TX) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Johnny Tremain [VHS] (VHS Tape)

In the city of Boston in the 1770's, Johnny Tremain is an apprentice silversmith who is a bit too confident for his own good. When his master is offered a job that is too difficult for his aged skills, Johnny jumps at the opportunity to prove himself to the important customer, Mr. Lyte. But with the job, a deadline is also given, and to do the work in time, Johnny finds himself, along with his master's wife and daughter, breaking the law by working on a Sunday. While pouring molten silver under panicked conditions, Johnny is pushed into it and his right hand is badly burned.
Time passes, and Johnny must unwrap his burned fingers and get back to the work he is bound to do, but upon discovering that his fingers have healed and grown together, making his hand somewhat useless, he is cast out into the street to find a new home. But no one will hire a boy with one good hand, when there are plenty to be had with two. Johnny soon finds himself desperate, and goes to the home of rich Mr. Lyte, to share his long kept secret, that he is actually named Jonathan Lyte Tremain. Johnny has never told anyone other than the silversmith's beautiful daughter, Cilla, that he was the unknown nephew of Mr. Lyte, but now he has no choice. But when he speaks to the man, he is accused of trying to con him, and Johnny soon finds himself the defendant in a trial that could send him to the gallows. Luckily, Johnny has befriended some important people in his search for work, such as the Patriots Josiah Quincy and Paul Revere, among others. They work to free Johnny, and with the help of Cilla's testimony, the boy soon finds himself cleared and working as a horse messenger boy for the local band of Patriots. A cause that Johnny once found rather trivial, becomes his new passion, and Johnny soon finds himself taking part in secret meetings, the Boston Tea Party, and some famous battles that kicked off the War for Independence.
Johnny Tremain is a Disney classic from that very special time period at the studios. The film is inspirational, fun, and fit for all ages. True, it's waaaaay more family friendly than the novel, but to me that's just fine. Think of this as the "Disney version" you can watch with the whole family. The casting is wonderful by the way. I always had a thing for Luana Patten as a kid. Great music too, and that beautiful 50's Disney look. Perfect for 4th of July viewing, or for anytime viewing! Add this film to your list of Independence Day classics like 1776, The Patriot, Ben and Me, and the Swamp Fox!

59 of 66 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars What happened to Forbes' story?, April 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Johnny Tremain [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Esther Forbes' "Johnny Tremain" is one of the greatest books ever written for young readers. The story is about a young silversmith apprentice who is finds himself swept up in the events of the American Revolution. Johnny participates in the Boston Tea Party, spies on the British, and mingles with such patriots as Sam Adams, John Hancock, and Paul Revere.

Like most movie versions of famous books, Walt Disney's "Johnny Tremain" takes many liberties with the story. In the book Johnny takes no part in the fighting at Lexington or Concord; in the movie Johnny is in the thick of the action. This would be forgivable had the film version been faithful to the message of Forbes' book which is the ideal of the American Revolution- "that a man can stand up"- came with the sacrifice of blood and young lives. It is here that the movie completly misses the mark. The book shows that war could extinguish the young lives of the best and brightest; the movie, on the other hand, shows war as a boy's adventure- clever boys hide behind trees, shoot at redcoats, and have a great time at it. No major character is harmed, and everyone goes around singing! In order to have the Disney signature of a happy ending, the film lost the message of the book and thus failed to capture the essence of one of the great children's books. A real shame!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable Disney rendition of the cause of the Revolution, June 3, 2000

By 

historyone (Republic of Texas, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Johnny Tremain [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is an enjoyable Disney rendition of the causes of the American Resolution. No, it may not be faithful to the novel, and some of the historical events may not ring true to how they actually happened, however I am sure Disney did not intend them to be. This movie was made in 1957, the same time frame that Davey Crockett played by Fess Parker was made, America was caught up in patriotic fever and Disney was more than happy to serve this up to the viewing public. I did enjoy this movie, and the overall theme it was trying to portray, such as freedom from tyranny, the rights of every man from the wealthy to the silversmiths apprentice. This may not be a movie to analyze the Revolutionary War with, however it is a great starting point to discuss the Revolution with young ones, and those who do not know very much about the American Revolution. An enjoyable film that is recommended to those who like Disney and "light history".