Tedfoldol
everything you have heard about this movie is true.
RipDelight
This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.
Philippa
All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.
Jonathan Roberts
From the first few scenes onwards, I got the impression that Al Pacino really wasn't enjoying his time in 'Revolution', and the aura of apathy which followed the then-recent legend of 'Scarface' more or less destroyed one of the few potentially redeeming qualities of this film. There is a scene towards the end of the film in which the actor seems to muster up some enthusiasm for performance and reminds us that he was the face of Michael Corleone and Tony Montana, and not just a lookalike. The scenes in which Pacino "bonds" with his on-screen son – Sid Owen and later Dexter Fletcher – are near- insufferable, and it becomes very easy throughout 'Revolution' to forget that these characters even know each other. The action in this film felt like a cheap series of re-enactments, common to (but forgivable in) dated documentaries. The first major confrontation between the Americans and the British was enjoyable in places, however, and the score enriched one or two haunting sequences of the irrepressible redcoats, led by Donald Sutherland, marching on the revolutionaries. The attempts to create a drama subplot of Nastassja Kinski's family tensions was not fun to watch, and her pro-redcoat relatives were so quickly introduced and dismissed that they became instantly forgettable. Overall, I do not recommend this film. However, if you have an iron-willed enthusiasm for the American War of Independence, you may derive some minor satisfaction from seeing a world-class actor caught in the middle; but, just as Malcolm McDowell and Peter O'Toole could not redeem 'Caligula' for a less- than-maniacal fan of ancient history, the chances are that you'll still come out unfulfilled.
oneiraca2004
With a subject as fertile as the American war of independence and four outstanding actors how could anyone blow it to such catastrophic proportions. I think both the script writer and the director must have gone out of their way to produce something as empty and boring as Revolution. What a waste! Money first, a glorious subject which would deserve more respect, but also waste of actors' talent. What a goofy idea to expect Al Pacino to act and sound as a Scott. Why not pick a Scott? I felt sorry for the three main actors because I don't think that with a script like this they were given a fighting chance to shape a specific character. So from the writing, to the shooting there is little in this movie that I would recommend to the public. For Fox TV to air it now (May 2010) laced with commercial also shows how little this network cares about their audience.
Fiman
This is one of the best historical films I have seen for long. I like the inclusion of children as main characters (usually forgotten in most other films, even though they have always been there ) - and the fantastic recreations of how life was in the end of the 1700s. Presentation of war time, war strategies (as in the British-American battle), the danger of being just ill and sick - or killed, the always presence of death, the dirty cities, the wonderful nature and landscapes. On top of this an interesting description of the interaction with the Indian tribes who in need had to take part on either side in the war. Most important, the story of a man who is forced to take action in his own life. This film is completely underscored in the votes - and I simply don't understand why!
rockcraft
I have always considered this film a masterpiece and long have regretted that it was so lost on jaded American audiences. I was very pleased to hear that it was finally going to be released on DVD. I was very disturbed soon after however to hear that the director, Hugh Hudson, has decided to butcher his own film in this version by cutting the last ten minutes of the original. Notwithstanding that some, not me, believed the original ending was somewhat hokey, for me this long, traveling camera shot, a complex crowd scene, is one of the most amazing pieces of cinematography in the history of film. I can't recall a piece of film footage that is more memorable. I have tried to describe it to many friends over the years. That it has now been lost is heartbreaking. It does not even sound like they left it as an extra on the DVD.
