Revolution is a 1985 film directed by Hugh Hudson, produced by Irwin Winkler, and written by Robert Dillion.
Tom Dobb (Al Pacino) is a New York trapper who is just going about his business, even though said business results in his son and him homeless and without money or any possessions. However, his son Ned (Dexter Fletcher) decided to join up with the Continental Army in The American Revolution in exchange for five shillings and a promise of land once the war ends. Tom isn't too happy to hear about that and he joins up with the army so he can try to protect his son. Daisy McConnahay (Nastassja Kinski), a young aristocrat and rebel, joins up with them, and this causes considerable friction between her and her parents Mr. McConnahay (Dave King) and Mrs. McConnahay (Joan Plowright). However, things go wrong when the British drive the Continental Army out of New York City, prompting Tom and Ned to quit the army. Then they get worse when British Sergeant Major Peasy (Donald Sutherland) comes into the picture. Peasy needs more drummer boys, and Ned is just the perfect replacement. Now, Tom must rescue his son from the British.
For other works by this name, see Revolution.
This Film contains examples of:
- Calling the Old Man Out: Ned, seeing Tom going along with the British without a fight, accuses him of being a coward and runs off to join a gang of youths named Mohawks.
- Chained Heat: Tom and a big man find themselves tied by the wrists to a heavy effigy of George Washington, made of rope and doused with fox scent. They have to actually drag the effigy while being hunted by hunting dogs and men on horseback.
- Conscription: Ned was forced to join the British as a drummer boy. Fortunately, Tom manages to pull him out of there.
- Dirty Coward: Tom didn't want to have anything to do with the Revolutionary War, and he doesn't want to get in trouble with the British. He grows out of this later on.
- The Dung Ages: New York in the 18th century is created in all its muddy and dirty squalor.
- Foregone Conclusion: Since this film is set in the American Revolutionary War, you know that the Americans will win out against the British in the end.
- Hope Spot: The Continental Army looked like it was going to turn the tide in New York City. Unfortunately, the British drove them out of New York and it looked like the British had won.
- Hunting the Most Dangerous Game: A group of British soldiers come to a rope factory and explain that they want to hunt foxes but there are none to be found. So Tom and a big man are chosen to be the foxes they'll hunt. Tom barely survives this with his life.
- Kick the Dog: Using men in place of foxes in a fox hunt is a pointlessly cruel action. It also shows that this is why the British are considered the villains of the story.
- Large Ham: Richard O'Brian Crops up as a snarling and Cruel British General. Joan Plowright as Daisy's Mother.
- La Résistance: The Continental Army fighting against the British.
- Never Found the Body: Daisy is presumed dead when the British ambush her at Valley Forge. The ending reveals that she is alive and well.
- Ooh, Me Accent's Slipping: Nastassja Kinski is meant to be playing an upper class British lady. Her accent when she rarely attempts it is completely unlike that of the rest of her family.
- Papa Wolf: Tom joined up with the Continental Army at first because he wanted to protect his son. Later on, when the British snatch Ned, Tom went after them and risked a lot to save his son's life.
- Silly Rabbit, Idealism Is for Kids!: Mr. McConnahay more or less tells Daisy this.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Daisy accuses Tom of cowardice for quitting the Continental Army when the British drove them out of New York City. Tom retorts that the entire army fled.
