American

General

America Rock (produced by Scholastic Rock, Inc.) --- Unfortunately, Disney got hold of this video as well. Again, rather than financially supporting Disney, perhaps your Church library or public library will have a copy to rent/borrow. Animated songs include: "No More Kings" (founding of America), "Fireworks" (Declaration of Independence), "The Shot Heard 'Round the World" (start of the War of Independence), "The Preamble" actually helps your children memorize the preamble to the Constitution), "Elbow Room" (Lewis/Clark Expedition and the pioneers opening the west), "The Great American Melting Pot", "Mother Necessity" (about American inventors), "Sufferin' Till Suffrage" (song about the 20th Amendment -- women voting --- will have to be re-represented from a Christian worldview); "I'm Just a Bill" (how a bill becomes law), "Three-Ring Government" (judicial/ legislative/ executive branches --- great way to show how founding fathers did not want a bad repeat of the Tower of Babel and, therefore, modelled government after the Three Persons in our One God).

Colonial

Jamestown: The Beginning maybe purchased from Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, PO Box 1607, Williamsburg, VA 23187 --- Occurs in a flashback mode of a settler. Mr. Laydon tells about the early days of the Jamestown settlement

Northwest Passage (1940, MGM) Spencer Tracy plays Major Robert Rogers, Robert Young is Langdon Towne, Walter Brennan portrays Hunk Marriner --- Based on the book Northwest Passage by Kenneth Roberts. Primarily, the movie is an exciting account of a Rogers' Rangers expedition. Color, 125 minutes.

Last of the Mohicans (1936, Reliance Productions of California, distributed by United Artists) --- Randolph Scott plays Hawkeye. Based on the book Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper. A few years back, a remake of this movie was completed. However, it tends to run extremely violent. B & W, 91 minutes.

Deerslayer (1943, Republic Pictures) ---   Based on James Fenimore Cooper's The Deerslayer. B & W.

War of Independence

George Washington (1984) --- Many video set with Barry Bostwick portraying George Washington and Patty Duke as Martha Washington.  Based upon the works of James Thomas Flexner. Not too bad. 480 minutes.

George Washington II: The Forging of a Nation (1986) --- This is the follow up to George Washington (1984) video set with the same cast --- Barry Bostwick portraying George Washington and Patty Duke as Martha Washington. Picks up after the American War of Independence. 240 minutes

Drums Along the Mohawk (1939, 20th Century Fox) Henry Fonda plays Gilbert Martin and Claudette Colbert is Lana Martin --- Takes place just prior and including the American War of Independence in the Mohawk Valley. The portrayal of the gentle, fierce Christian warrior General Nicholas Herkimer is done well as well as the field clearing scene and church service scene. Original literary source is the book of the same name by Walter D. Edmonds. Color, 103 minutes.

John Paul Jones (1959, Warner Bros./ Samuel Bronston Productions) Robert Stack plays John Paul Jones and Bette Davis is Empress Catherine --- Movie recounts the swashbuckling adventures of Jones in the War of Independence and even includes his work for Catherine the Great of Russia. "I have not yet begun to fight!" Color, 126 minutes.

Allegheny Uprising (1935, RKO Radio Pictures, Inc.) Claire Trevor is Janie McDougle, John Wayne plays Jim Smith, and George sanders portrays Captain Swanson --- Based on the book by Neil H. Swanson entitled The First Rebel. 81 minutes, B & W or possibly colorized.

Johnny Tremain (1957, Walt Disney Productions) Also known as Johnny Tremain and the Sons of Liberty ---   Based on the book of the same name by Ester Forbes. A silversmith's apprentice finds himself befriended by the Sons of Liberty in colonial Boston. Unfortunately, this video is owned by Disney --- perhaps, same can be borrowed from the Church or public library rather than financially supporting Disney. (Can you spot ... Paul Revere using a magic marker?) Color, 80 minutes.

War of 1812

The Buccaneer (1958, Paramount Pictures) Yul Brynner is the pirate Jean Lafitte and Charlton Heston portrays General Andrew Jackson --- Based on the book Lafitte the Pirate by Lyle Saxon. The War of 1812 is the background. General Jackson has 1200 men left to defend New Orleans. The British are expected to arrive with 60 ships and 16,000 men. An island near the city of New Orleans is strategically important to the Americans and the British, but is controlled by the buccaneer, Jean Lafitte. The battle scene is probably the most accurate thing in the movie. Here are some of the errors --- Annette Clairborne never existed and Dominique You (the French "general") was actually Lafitte's brother. Later Dominique (in real life) settles down as a prosperous merchant while his brother Lafitte continues a-pirating. Interestingly enough the Battle of New Orleans was fought after the peace treaty was signed. Due to poor communication, those in the battle were unaware the treaty was signed. Nevertheless, if the English had won the peace treaty would, most likely, have been ignored. Color, 119 minutes.

Whaling

Moby Dick (1998, Whale Productions Limited/USA Pictures) Patrick Stewart is Captain Ahab, Henry Thomas plays Ishmael, and Gregory Peck portrays Father Mapple --- Based on Herman Melville's 1851 Moby-Dick; or, The Whale. Captain Ahab seeks revenge on a maverick white whale foregoing the crew's safety. Told by Ishmael, the only surviving crew member of the Pequod. My girls were fascinated by the whole aspect of the whaling boats, from the huge vats to render the fat to life onboard ship. With respect to rendering the fat, let your children know they would probably smell the ship (and possibly the crew) way before they could ever see it! Made for TV, rated PG, 145 minutes.

Texas Independence

The Alamo (1960, Bajak Productions distributed by United Artists) Based on a true historical event. John Wayne portrays Colonel Davy Crockett while Richard Widmark is Jim Bowie ---  Even though a new version of the Alamo came out a few years ago that is supposedly "more accurate", I still prefer this version (Can you spot stunt men falling on to mattresses?) Color, 167 minutes.

The West

McLintock! (1963, Batjac Productions) --- This is a western comedy that does represent truths through John Wayne's character, George Washington McClintock. I especially like Wayne's response regarding "reactionary". Also, great way to point out, via Wayne's character how the humanists treated the American Indians --- a great launch to studying the War Between the States (as prior to this time, relations with the American Indians was not an issue of hostility, but of survival) --- as George Washington McClintock was asked to defend them. Maureen O'Hara plays Wayne's wife, Katherine McClintock. Color, 127 minutes.

Tall Tale: The Unbelievable Adventure (1994, Walt Disney) Patrick Swayze plays Pecos Bill, Oliver Platt is Paul Bunyan, and Roger Aaron Brown portrays John Henry --- These three folklore heroes help a young farm boy see the value in inherited property and making a stand. (You will need to do some corrections with the political correctness theme that all "big corporations" are evil.) Again, only rent this movie or borrow it as Disney produced it. Rated PG, color, 98 minutes.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954) with Jane Powell as Milly Pontipee, Howard Keel as Adam Pontipee ... Color, 102 minutes

Support Your Local Gun Fighter (1971) with James Garner and Suzanne Pleshette --- A con man becomes a local gunfighter (comedy) --- color / 1 hour 33 minutes

Support Your Local Sheriff (1968) with James Garner, Joan Hackett, Walter Brennan, Harry Morgan and Jack Elam --- Fast talking sharp shooter on his way to Australia becomes a sheriff

Sarah Plain and Tall (1991, Hallmark Hall of Fame) ---  A New Englander, Sara Wheaton (Glenn Close) heads to the Kansas farm of the widow Jacob Witting (Christopher Walken). Based on the book by Patricia MacLachlan entitled Sarah, Plain and Tall. Made for TV, Made for TV, color 100 minutes.  (1 hr 38 min)

Skylark (1993, Trillium Productions/Sarah Productions/Self Productions) -- This is a follow up movie to Sarah Plain and Tall with Glenn Close and Christopher Walken. Made for TV, Rated G, Color, 95 minutes

Sarah Plain and Tall: Winter's End (1999) Third in the series.  Jack Palance returns to the farm to reconcile his relationship with his son (Glenn Close)

Turn of the Century

Stars & Stripes Forever (1952, 20th Century Fox) Clifton Webb plays John Philip Sousa, Debra Paget is Lily, and Robert Wagner is Willie Little --- This is an entertaining movie that exposes your family to Sousa's marches, but is full of inaccuracies. Sousa's family and band members criticized the movie and were extremely disappointed with it. Here's an idea --- study Sousa and see how many inaccuracies you can spot! Color, 90 minutes.

San Francisco (1936, MGM) Clark Gable plays Blackie Norton, Jeanette MacDonald is Mary Blake, and Spencer Tracy plays Father Tim Mullin --- Movie demonstrates how pre-1906 San Francisco earthquake society in California had debauched itself with slick speaking, gambling, alcoholism, moral baseness, rationalizations, and living only for today. After the quake, the community realizes its rebellion from God and pulls together through God's providential care and guidance. B & W, 115 minutes.

Young Tom Edison (1940) starring Mickey Rooney is on one of America's greatest inventors. (Suggested by Gail S. who commented that Edison's birthday is February 11th and on that day her family eats Edison's favorite dessert- applie pie and milk by kerosene lamp.) B & W, 86 minutes.

Edison, the Man  (1940) 
Just as Thomas Edison lit up the darkened skies of New York City over one hundred years ago with the amazing electric light, Spencer Tracy ignites the screen with a powerful and touching portrayal of America's most beloved scientific wonder. Taut with suspense and brimming with humor, Edison, the Man is a brilliant tribute to a brilliant man. B&W

The Spirit of St. Louis starring James Stewart about Charles Lindbergh's solo crossing of the Atlantic Ocean. Rated PG, 135 minutes, color.

Titanic

Titanic (1953, 20th Century Fox) Clifton Webb plays Richard Ward Sturges, Barbara Stanwyck is Julia Sturges, and Robert Wagner is Giff Rogers --- Julia Sturges is unhappily married and disappointed with life in the British upper crust. She seeks refuge in America and boards the Titanic with her two children. In the meantime, husband also seeks passage on the Titanic. Arguments regarding child custody and marital discord become minor when the ship hits the iceberg. (Unlike the movie did you know ... that the chairman of the White Star Line did sail on the Titanic? J. J. Astor's bride was neither blonde nor buxom? The Titanic did not explode, crew members did not wear British Navy uniforms, the siren is fictional, and the Titanic struck the iceberg on the starboard versus port --- or left --- side? The sailors are lowering a WWII convoy style raft as a lifeboat. Can you spot ... the Navajo rug that was made around the 1950s?). B & W (even though the cover is in color), 98 minutes.

The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964, MGM) Debbie Reynolds plays Molly Brown --- Molly Brown is a down home country girl that leaves her mountain cabin and looks for money and financial position in 1880s Colorado. She finds it. On returning alone from Europe, Molly books a passage on the Titanic. Not that historically accurate, but a great way to discuss the importance of various character traits --- mainly, not giving up! --- and what things are really important in life.

1920s-1930s

Cheaper by the Dozen (1950, 20th Century Fox) Clifton Webb portrays the head of the Gilbreth clan, Frank Bunker Gilbreth, Sr. and Myrna Loy is Mrs. Lillian Gilbreth --- The movie is based upon the book of the same name that was written by the son and daughter of Mr. Gilbreth, Sr. Obviously, the book is much better than the movie. Color, 89 minutes.

Bells on Their Toes (1952) Myrna Loy as Mrs. Lillian Gilbreth, Debra Paget is Martha, and Jeffrey Hunter is Dr. Bob Grayson --- Follow up to the movie Cheaper by the Dozen picking up with the family after the death of the father. How will the mother ensure that she can provide for all her children and that they remain together as a family rather than being dispersed amongst extended family members? Mrs. Gilbreth is obviously a remarkable woman as she not only accomplishes this but lives to see her youngest graduate from college. Based upon the book, which is again better than the movie. Color, 89 minutes.

The Quiet Man (1952 Argosy Productions/Republic Pictures Corporations) John Wayne is Sean Thornton, Maureen O'Hara plays Mary Kate Danaher and Barry Fitzgerald is Michaleen Flynn --- This story is about an American that returns to his mother's home town in Ireland. Great way to teach European customs. (Can you spot ... Mrs. Elizabeth Playfair is shown twice with her hat on after she placed it on one of the poles at the finish line before the race began?) Color, 129, drama/romance.

Chariots of Fire (1981, 20th Century Fox/the Ladd Company) ... with Ben Cross ... Based on a true story of the 1924 Olympics. (Some inaccuracies are --- in the 1920s, the Canadian flag was either the Union Jack or Canadian Red Ensign (the Red Maple Leaf flag did not come until 1965); in the 1920s, American flags had 48 stars) Rated PG, color, 123 minutes.

Post-Modern

Apollo XI
This was a made-for-TV movie and I am having a difficult time finding what year it was made, who produced it, and the names of actors/actresses

Passing Glory about an all-black basketball team in 1965 Louisiana wanting to play the all-white team city winners.

Request:  Any recommendations for American movies? If so, e-mail us your ideas by here