A history of the American War of Independence.A history of the American War of Independence.A history of the American War of Independence.
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A New Revolution
Rebels and Redcoats is a BBC Documentary that attempts to relate a history of the American Revolution from a different point of view-- the British side. British historian Richard Holmes narrates the history in four episodes corresponding to the outbreak of war, the pivotal campaign for New York, the Southern campaign, and the climax at Yorktown. In so doing, he gives us a view of the war that is quite new and original, and sure to be fascinating to anyone who wants some distance from the traditional American mythology about the conflict.
Holmes's war is in some ways more of a civil war than a repressive conflict--he is quick to point out that, especially at the beginning of the conflict, Tories were as numerous as rebels, and that much of the war was an attempt by the British to galvanize their support. Large attention is given to the attempt by the British to free Negro slaves in the South in order to gain an ally in the war (although this lost many loyalists in the South). Holmes also corrects misconceptions created by Mel Gibson's movie The Patriot of British atrocities--he shows that atrocities were committed on both sides, although rarely on the civilian population. He also sees the war as a sort of British Vietnam, in which better British soldiers were outlasted by a guerrilla foe with more staying power.
The nice thing about all of these observations is that they are basically true. While not as romantic as typical American views of the war, they give the American observer a chance to see the war from a different perspective. Holmes clearly respects the ideals of the revolution and the American soldiers that eventually developed into a quite effective force, but sees in equal measure the incompleteness of the revolution in its treatment of Negroes, Native Americans and loyalists. Our revolution is not overturned by the documentary, but is fleshed out effectively so we can see it in a truthful light.
Holmes's war is in some ways more of a civil war than a repressive conflict--he is quick to point out that, especially at the beginning of the conflict, Tories were as numerous as rebels, and that much of the war was an attempt by the British to galvanize their support. Large attention is given to the attempt by the British to free Negro slaves in the South in order to gain an ally in the war (although this lost many loyalists in the South). Holmes also corrects misconceptions created by Mel Gibson's movie The Patriot of British atrocities--he shows that atrocities were committed on both sides, although rarely on the civilian population. He also sees the war as a sort of British Vietnam, in which better British soldiers were outlasted by a guerrilla foe with more staying power.
The nice thing about all of these observations is that they are basically true. While not as romantic as typical American views of the war, they give the American observer a chance to see the war from a different perspective. Holmes clearly respects the ideals of the revolution and the American soldiers that eventually developed into a quite effective force, but sees in equal measure the incompleteness of the revolution in its treatment of Negroes, Native Americans and loyalists. Our revolution is not overturned by the documentary, but is fleshed out effectively so we can see it in a truthful light.
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- joncheskin
- Aug 11, 2016
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- Countries of origin
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- Also known as
- Rebels and Redcoats: How Britain Lost America
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime3 hours 20 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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