It
is always bad news for an oppressive government when the wealthy elites start
making common cause with the drunken rabble. Such was the case at the Second
Continental Congress. Bostonians Sam Adams and John Hancock had little in
common, but they both loathed to pay British taxes. Together with their fellow
Patriots, they changed history and ultimately founded our great nation. Their
early skirmishes on the streets of Boston and the campaign to unify all
thirteen colonies are dramatized in the History Channel’s three-night
mini-series Sons of Liberty (promo here), which begins this
Sunday.
Not
surprisingly, Sam Adams was a terrible tax collector. When his leniency evolves
into outright insurrection, Loyalist Governor Thomas Hutchinson calls for his
head. For the sake of stability, the wealthy merchant John Hancock tries to
play peacemaker, paying off Adams’ debts and convincing the future
revolutionary leader to cool his rhetoric. However, Hutchinson soon radicalizes
the moderate Hancock by clamping down on both his legitimate mercantile and
smuggling operations (which were largely indistinguishable in duty-despising
1760s Massachusetts). Tensions build until blood is finally shed in 1770,
concluding the first night with the Boston Massacre.
At
this point Dr. Joseph Warren enters the story, not just to tend to the wounded,
but also as a prominent patriot in his own right. Those who know their history
will understand what lies in store for him, but at least he gets the mini’s
only love scene with Margaret Kemble Gage, the New Jersey-born wife of the
brutal new military governor, Gen. Thomas Gage. Their affair may or may not have
been true, but there is enough historical speculation to justify its inclusion
here.
Meanwhile,
the reluctant Sam Adams accompanies Hancock and his brother to the First
Continental Congress. Although it is not very productive from his standpoint,
they meet two key allies, a lecherous old eccentric named Ben Franklin and the
quietly commanding George Washington. Essentially, the second part of Sons sets the scene for Lexington and
Concord, as well as the vote-counting at the Second Continental Congress, which
will play out in the third climatic night.
By
focusing on less celebrated Founding Fathers like Hancock and Warren, screenwriters
Stephen David & David C. White help distinguish Sons from HBO’s John Adams and
the old 1980s Barry Bostwick George
Washington miniseries, its natural comparative titles. Frankly, the best
part of Sons is the way it celebrates
the idiosyncrasies and unruliness of the early Patriots. Was Franklin a bit of
a hedonist? You bet—and a genius too. Clearly, they had to be wired slightly
differently to challenge the mighty force of the British Empire, but they were
also highly intelligent (both strategically and tactically), courageous to a fault,
and indeed willing to sacrifice their lives, fortune, and sacred honor.
Ben
Barnes is suitably intense either brooding or raging as the mercurial Sam
Adams, whereas E.T.’s Henry Thomas is
stuck playing the far less cool John Adams as a bit of a worrywart. Of course,
nobody has more fun than Dean Norris, who gleefully captures Franklin’s sage
insight and mischievous humor. Ryan Eggold also adds a nice bit of romantic
dash as the good Dr. Warren. Yet, the biggest surprise is how well the
historical Hancock holds up as a central figure and how convincingly Rafe Spall
portrays the steady blossoming of his leadership and integrity.
As
period productions go, Sons is okay,
but not exactly sumptuously detailed. Nonetheless, Canadian director Kari
Skogland keeps it moving along at a brisk trot. To their credit, she and the
screenwriter tandem never water down the colonials’ complaints amount intrusive
government and confiscatory taxation, making it rather timely for Twenty-First
Century American viewers. Definitely recommended for those who enjoy historicals,
especially those that come with a bit of ale-swigging, Sons of Liberty premieres this Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday evenings
(1/25-1/27), on the History Channel.
