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Revolution
1985 126 min Norway, United Kingdom PG-13 12+
★4.9
Adventure, Drama, History, War
Director: Hugh Hudson
Trailers
Description
New York trapper Tom Dobb becomes an unwilling participant in the American Revolution after his son Ned is drafted into the Army by the villainous Sergeant Major Peasy. Tom attempts to find his son, and eventually becomes convinced that he must take a stand and fight for the freedom of the Colonies, alongside the aristocratic rebel Daisy McConnahay. As Tom undergoes his change of heart, the events of the war unfold in large-scale grandeur.
Budget:
$28M
US Gross:
$358,574
Worldwide:
$358,574
Starring
Al Pacino
Actor
Donald Sutherland
Actor
Nastassja Kinski
Actor
Awards
Razzie Awards 1986
— Worst Director
Razzie Awards 1986
— Worst Actor
Razzie Awards 1986
— Worst Score
Razzie Awards 1986
— Worst Picture
Key opinion
Revolution is a divisive historical drama noted for its gritty, unvarnished portrayal of the American Revolutionary War. While some admire its challenging perspective and visual ambition, the film is widely criticized for its uneven pacing and lackluster narrative execution.
| Theme | The film offers a brutal, revisionist perspective that depicts the American Revolution as a harsh struggle often exploited by opportunists. | |
| Production | The production features large-scale, visually spectacular battle sequences that successfully convey the grim realities of 18th-century warfare. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative structure and character work lack the polish and emotional resonance found in more conventional, commercially successful historical dramas. | |
| Acting | Al Pacino's lead performance is a major point of contention, with some viewers finding it authentic to the role of a desperate peasant while others find it unconvincing and lackluster. | |
| Pacing | The film's deliberate, non-escalating tempo challenges viewers seeking standard entertainment, leading to accusations of the film being intermittently boring. |