Sons of Liberty (miniseries)

Sons of Liberty
Genre	Historical drama
Written by	Stephen David David C. White Kirk Ellis
Directed by	Kari Skogland
Starring	Ben Barnes Marton Csokas Ryan Eggold Michael Raymond-James Rafe Spall Henry Thomas Jason O'Mara Dean Norris
Theme music composer	Hans Zimmer
Composer	Lorne Balfe & The Bleeding Fingers Custom Music Shop
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No. of episodes	3
Production
Executive producers	Stephen David Elaine Frontain Bryant Matthew Gross Russell McCarroll
Producers	Mitch Engel Tim W. Kelly Peter Feldman Matthew Stillman David Minkowski
Production location	Buftea, Romania
Cinematography	George Steel
Editor	Paul Trejo
Running time	84–86 minutes
Production companies	Stephen David Entertainment Stillking Films A+E Studios
Original release
Network	History
Release	January 25 (2015-01-25) – January 27, 2015 (2015-01-27)

Sons of Liberty is a three-part American television miniseries dramatizing 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 the drafting and signing of the 1776 United States Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Directed by Kari Skogland, the three-part miniseries premiered on History (U.S. TV channel) on January 25, 2015. The series theme music was composed by Hans Zimmer.

Plot

The miniseries centers primarily on the years (1765-1776) prior to start of the American Revolutionary War. Focusing on historical figures and pivotal events between the (then) British Colonies and the mother country of Great Britain to whom then British America owed its allegiance. Particularly the events that led to resistance to the crown and creation of the Sons of Liberty, a group that coalesced to resist & disrupt attempts by the British Parliament and crown to tax and govern the colonies.

The actions of the Sons of Liberty were the first beginnings of what would eventually become the American or Continental Army. These take place mostly in and around Boston & the then colony of Massachusetts.

Various American Revolutionary and British Army officers such as Samuel Adams, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, Paul Revere, George Washington and British General Thomas Gage are central characters.

Additionally, creation of the Colonial Congress, the Declaration of Independence and the eventual outbreak of the Revolutionary War are depicted.

Tagline: (during the teaser trailer)

There's the revolution you know. And the one that's about to begin.

Cast and characters

• 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

Episodes

No.	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	U.S. viewers (in millions)
1	"A Dangerous Game"	Kari Skogland	Kirk Ellis and Stephen David & David C. White	January 25, 2015 (2015-01-25)	3.29
Still a group of colonies living under British oppression in 1765, local gangs fight each other over turf in the streets of Boston, much less thinking of starting a revolution. When tax collector and pub owner Sam Adams doesn’t pay his own taxes, the Crown puts out a warrant for his arrest, leading to the destruction of Royal Governor Thomas Hutchinson's mansion. Wealthy businessman, John Hancock, and Adams, establish a black-market smuggling operation and boycott all goods from Tory shops, identifying them with a "T" painted on their storefronts. But an altercation between a loyalist and a Colonist mob lead to a young boy’s murder. Then, in 1770, after a conflict escalates with the Redcoats turn into a massacre, the wheels are put in motion to start a resistance against British tyranny.
2	"The Uprising"	Kari Skogland	Stephen David & David C. White	January 26, 2015 (2015-01-26)	2.83
After the Colonists destroy 600,000 pounds of tea into the Boston Harbor in 1773, King George sends General Thomas Gage to Boston to remove Governor Hutchinson from office and restore balance. Sam, Hancock, and John Adams set off for Philadelphia to gather arms and support at the Pennsylvania State House, and meet the intense George Washington, a delegate from Virginia. Hancock financially supports Sam and his recruits to begin training their own rebel army on a rural farm outside the city. When the British catches wind of it, they order their capture, leading Paul Revere to set out on his famous ride to warn of the Redcoats coming into Lexington in 1775. Meanwhile, the newly formed Colonial militia clash with the British Army in the shot heard round the world.
3	"Independence"	Kari Skogland	Story by: Stephen David & David C. White and Kirk Ellis Teleplay by: Stephen David & David C. White	January 27, 2015 (2015-01-27)	3.30
The start of the American Revolution begins as the Redcoats and the Massachusetts militia continue to fight at the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Now that the battles develop into a full-blown war, Sam and Hancock enlist Ben Franklin help them convince state delegates to support their cause for freedom. Meanwhile, General Gage charges Bunker Hill, causing the Patriots to suffer a major defeat. The loss inspires a document—the Declaration of Independence—written up by Thomas Jefferson, is signed by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. Colonists celebrate the evacuation of British troops in Boston. The newly formed Continental Army, led by General Washington will be put to the test when the Royal Navy’s ships attack New York Harbor.

Production

According to The Hollywood Reporter, production on Sons of Liberty began in the summer of 2014. 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 February 5, 2015 as a six-part series.

In the United Kingdom, Sons of Liberty aired on History Channel from June 2, 2015, also as a six-part series.

Home media

Sons of Liberty was released on DVD and Blu-ray on May 26, 2015.

Reception

Historical authenticity

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.

External links

• Official website
• Sons of Liberty at IMDb