Set during the American Revolution, this colorful 2 reel short tells the story of Haym Salomon, American patriot and financier of the American Revolution.Set during the American Revolution, this colorful 2 reel short tells the story of Haym Salomon, American patriot and financier of the American Revolution.Set during the American Revolution, this colorful 2 reel short tells the story of Haym Salomon, American patriot and financier of the American Revolution.
- Won 1 Oscar
- 1 win total
- Bookkeeper in Montage
- (uncredited)
- Rabbi
- (uncredited)
- Arresting British Trooper
- (uncredited)
- Angus
- (uncredited)
- Congressman
- (uncredited)
- British Inquiry Board Officer
- (uncredited)
- Narrator
- (uncredited)
- Physician
- (uncredited)
- Messenger
- (uncredited)
- Accusing British Officer
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis short is included as a bonus on the Warner DVD of Dodge City (1939).
- GoofsOn his deathbed, Haym Salomon recites part of the Declaration of Independence: "... all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights..." The final version of the Declaration used "unalienable rights". Though earlier drafts of the document used "inalienable rights", Salomon would have read (and memorized) the final, issued version.
- Quotes
Haym Salomon: I know that you've given, even beyond your means, but know we must give again. It isn't charity I ask, it's an offering to the cause of liberty, a cause sacred to us above all others, because centuries of bitter persecution have taught us the value of liberty. If we want to continue living as free men in a free land, if we want to bequeath this priceless treasure to our children, then we must give. It is not our duty to leave wealth to our children, but it is our duty to leave freedom.
- SoundtracksYankee Doodle
Traditional
Played during the opening credits
One has to wonder how much of the story of "Sons of Liberty" is true. It feels like a fabrication with only the most basic facts being true. The use of the breathless voice-over, sounding like an episode of Zorro, only serves to heighten the feeling that "facts" were embellished and even created.
As a young student in the public school systems, I was familiar with the dramatized and sterilized versions of history--where the motives were so pure and the lines of conflict so clear. Such colorful but biased reconstructions of history only served as impediments in my later search for historical truth.
"Sons of Liberty" is so overly dramatized that its value as a revolutionary recounting is practically nil. It is understandable that Hollywood might produce such a piece in 1939 given the world situation. But now, its super-stylized, bombastic approach to story telling--with chronological events so condensed and orchestral flourishes for every scene--makes it only an interesting remnant of the run up to WWII.
- atlasmb
- Jul 4, 2014
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Technicolor Specials (1938-1939 season) #5: Sons of Liberty
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime20 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1