For several weeks, I’ve been posting reviews for the History Channel’s Sons of Liberty series on my Facebook page. It quickly became obvious that the history was going to be sacrificed on the altar of entertainment. In his article, Tom Verenna dissected the series in a powerful way. But, Buck Sexton made a great point that, if the show isn’t entertaining, then it doesn’t matter if the history is right, no one will watch it.
Okay. Makes sense. And a few friends were watching it and enjoying it despite it’s historical blasphemy. So, we watched it this weekend. It’s three episodes, each about two hours long.
And? What was my review? A full discussion of the April 19th, 1775 segments will follow in a series of posts. But for now, let’s just say this: I cried through most of the second episode and half of the third.
Tears of Joy? Because I was seeing the settings and people I have come to love and respect and. . . Love on the screen before me, period settings and clothes on display? Because I was so very entertained?
Well, no. Though I did enjoy the period clothes and settings. Anything that makes 1775 come alive before us is good, I suppose. And, as long as I could watch it with my movie watching hat on, I was entertained. But that became harder and harder to do after the first episode.
Tears of what then?
I think grief. Sadness. My husband posted today on his Facebook page that “the sheer distortion of the people and events that she has come to love ripped right through her.” He’s right.
The drama of April 19th, 1775 was the stuff legends are made of. Most Americans have never even heard of the heroes and heroines of that day. And if they have, Paul Revere comes to mind, what they know is mixed with myth and fabrications. A three part series could be made of that day, sticking moment by moment to the truth of that day and it would be just as entertaining as this series, if not more so. It was the day America became America. It was the true birthday of our nation.
And while I don’t really want to take apart this series bit by bit – some will see it as being just so very negative – I want my readers to know the truth. I think the truth is even better than the Sam and Paul’s Excellent Adventure that the History Channel brought us. And, where I can, I’ll give kudos. There are a few kudos to be had.
So, go watch the series with the History Channel app before mid month, while it’s free. And watch for my coming posts.