I stumbled upon a movie inn Netflix today that tells a fictional story set in the context of the battles off Lexington & Concord. The name of the film is April Morning. The film does skip over a few finer details, and a number of mistakes, but it gets most of the major points right and tells the story from the perspective of a young man from Lexington. It's made-for-TV, so the acting it's a bit weak but it puts a very human face on the battle that day. 3 out of 4 stars from me.
Heard of same some years back - based on novel of Howard Last (may have author's name wrong - or not). Acquired VHS copy - some of us still use them - like 8 track tapes -and added same to Appleseed library table display of books.
Details somewhat thin and shaky, but not unexpected considering the source - adolescent participant whose father(Tommy Lee Jones) is killed in first volley - triggered by Rip Torn's colonial sniper shot (Loyalist folks had tuned Torn up earlier in film, catching him smuggling arms for the minute men)...plus gratuitous girl friend/subplot of said youngster...
Weak/non-existent once British troops start running...still, nothing else close on market...yet.
Excelsior,
madMark/nyrasgt
It's available online on Netflix and predates Fischer by a number of years. All in all I considered it a good rendition.
Nyrasgt -- You were off by just one letter on the author of the book -- it's Howard Fast.
The book is definitely geared toward a "young adult" audience. It's fairly short for a novel. I read it back in 6th or 7th grade (along with Johnny Tremain, another excellent Revolutionary historical novel for youngsters) and loved it. I haven't read it since, so I'm sure now my fact-checking spidey sense would at least partially ruin it, but I still think April Morning & Johnny Tremain are some of the best "gateway drug books" to get younger people (who would struggle with something like Fischer) interested in and inspired by our Revolutionary heritage.
I have seen April Morning twice, enjoyed it both times. Having the Late Great Robert Urich as one of the Starring Actors is a Plus. Interesting take on Who may have fired the First Shot on Lexington Green, Howard Fast may want to come to an Appleseed Event to get Our slant on this event.
Tom
Quote from: TomM1Thumb on December 08, 2013, 02:29:56 PM
I have seen April Morning twice, enjoyed it both times. Having the Late Great Robert Urich as one of the Starring Actors is a Plus. Interesting take on Who may have fired the First Shot on Lexington Green, Howard Fast may want to come to an Appleseed Event to get Our slant on this event.
Tom
I'm afraid that he'll have to attend in spirit (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Fast).