Introduction
Sons of Liberty is an American television miniseries dramatising the early American Revolution events in Boston, Massachusetts, the start of the Revolutionary War, and the negotiations of the Second Continental Congress which resulted in drafting and signing the 1776 United States Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Outline
The miniseries is set in the years 1765–1776, prior to start of the American Revolutionary War. It focuses on historical figures and pivotal events between the Thirteen Colonies and Great Britain, particularly the events that led to resistance to the crown and creation of the Sons of Liberty. The actions of the Sons of Liberty were the beginnings of the Continental Army, and these take place mostly around Boston in the Province of Massachusetts Bay.
Various American Revolutionary figures are protagonists in episodes, such as Samuel Adams, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, Paul Revere, George Washington and the British General Thomas Gage. The episodes depict the creation of the Continental Congress, the Declaration of Independence and the outbreak of the Revolutionary War.
Cast
- Ben Barnes as Samuel “Sam” Adams.
- Marton Csokas as General Thomas Gage.
- Ryan Eggold as Dr. Joseph Warren.
- Michael Raymond-James as Paul Revere.
- Rafe Spall as John Hancock.
- Henry Thomas as John Adams.
- Jason O’Mara as George Washington.
- Dean Norris as Benjamin Franklin.
- Emily Berrington as Margaret Kemble Gage.
- Sean Gilder as Thomas Hutchinson.
- Kevin J. Ryan as John Pitcairn.
- Shane Taylor as Captain Thomas Preston.
- Jimmy Akingbola as Peter Salem.
- John Voce as Ebenezer Richardson.
Production
According to The Hollywood Reporter, production on Sons of Liberty began in the summer of 2014, and was filmed entirely in Romania. The miniseries was also going to feature the minor story lines of Benedict Arnold and Patrick Henry.
Release
The first teaser trailer was released on September 1, 2014, during Houdini, which incorrectly revealed a December 2014 release date and featured The Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black”.
In Australia, Sons of Liberty aired on SBS One from 05 February 2015 as a six-part series.
In the United Kingdom, Sons of Liberty aired on History Channel from 02 June 2015, also as a six-part series.
Home Media
Sons of Liberty was released on DVD and Blu-ray on 26 May 2015.
Historical Accuracy
The History Channel billed the series as a “dramatic interpretation of events” and a work of “historical fiction”, arguing the goal of the miniseries was “to capture the spirit of the time, convey the personalities of the main characters, and focus on real events that have shaped our past”. Nevertheless, the series has attracted criticism for its historical inaccuracies.
Sons of Liberty Series
- Episode 01: A Dangerous Game.
- Episode 02: The Uprising.
- Episode 03: Independence.
Production & Filming Details
- Director(s):
- Kari Skogland … (3 episodes, 2015).
- Producer(s):
- Peter Feldman … producer (3 episodes, 2015).
- Matthew Gross … executive producer (3 episodes, 2015).
- Tim W. Kelly … co-executive producer (3 episodes, 2015).
- Russell McCarroll … executive producer / executive producer: History (3 episodes, 2015).
- David Minkowski … producer (3 episodes, 2015).
- Jeff Robinson … associate producer / associate producer (3 episodes, 2015).
- Kari Skogland … co-executive producer (3 episodes, 2015).
- Brandy Crawford … associate producer: History (1 episode, 2015).
- Stephen David … executive producer (1 episode, 2015).
- Mitch Engel … producer (1 episode, 2015).
- Elaine Frontain Bryant … executive producer: History (1 episode, 2015).
- Dirk Hoogstra … executive producer: History (1 episode, 2015).
- Matthew Stillman … producer (1 episode, 2015).
- Writer(s):
- Stephen David … (written by) (3 episodes, 2015).
- Stephen David … (story by) (3 episodes, 2015).
- Stephen David … (teleplay by) (3 episodes, 2015).
- Kirk Ellis … (story by) (2 episodes, 2015).
- Kirk Ellis … (written by) (2 episodes, 2015).
- Zachary Herrmann … (story editor) (2 episodes, 2015).
- Jordan Rosenblum … (story editor) (3 episodes, 2015).
- Kari Skogland … (writer & dialogue) (2 episodes, 2015).
- Kari Skogland … (dialogue) (2 episodes, 2015).
- Kari Skogland … (writer) (2 episodes, 2015).
- David C. White … (written by) (3 episodes, 2015).
- David C. White … (story by) (3 episodes, 2015).
- David C. White … (teleplay by) (3 episodes, 2015).
- Music:
- Lorne Balfe … (3 episodes, 2015).
- Hans Zimmer … (unknown episodes).
- Cinematography:
- George Steel … (3 episodes, 2015).
- Editor(s):
- Sean Albertson … (2 episodes, 2015).
- Paul Trejo … (2 episodes, 2015).
- Jonathan Soule … (1 episode, 2015).
- Production:
- Stephen David Entertainment.
- History Channel (as History).
- A+E Studios.
- Icon Films.
- Distributor(s):
- History Channel (2015) (USA) (TV).
- FOX (2016) (Netherlands) (TV).
- History (2015) (UK) (TV).
- Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) (2015) (Australia) (TV) (SBS1).
- Release Date: 25 January 2015 to 27 January 2015.
- Running Time: 84-86 minutes (per episode).
- Rating: TV-14.
- Country: US.
- Language: English.