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Al Pacino, a legendary figure in the cinematic world, has graced audiences with his performances in over 66 films, his rise to stardom catalyzed by his iconic portrayal of Michael Corleone in “The Godfather.” However, one of his lesser-known works, “Revolution,” currently available on Tubi, may not be immediately recognized by fans used to his roles in films like “Scarface” or “The Devil’s Advocate.” For aficionados of historical dramas, though, this film offers a chance to see Pacino tackle a unique role that might just add some intrigue to a dull day, despite its somber themes.
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“Revolution” tells the story of Tom Dobb, played by Pacino, a fur trapper and recent immigrant to America who unexpectedly finds himself embroiled in the Revolutionary War. His teenage son, Ned, portrayed by Sid Owen and Dexter Fletcher, is quickly drafted into the Continental Army as a drummer boy. With no money left after being caught up in a fervent crowd of rioters, Tom decides to join the fight to protect his son.
The film chronicles the duo’s struggle as they endure the harsh realities and severe shortages of war in their quest to establish themselves in their new homeland. While the characters eventually find their footing, “Revolution” itself took a circuitous route to garner appreciation.
Upon its release in 1985, “Revolution” was met with harsh criticism and became infamous for being a box office disaster, even earning several Razzie Award nods. Yet, over time, perceptions began to shift, largely due to a re-edited version released by Warner Bros. years after its initial debut.
Director Hugh Hudson revisited the film for its home release, trimming its length, replacing its original upbeat conclusion with a more ambiguous one, and incorporating new narration from Pacino. This reimagined version, titled “Revolution Revisited,” was released on DVD in 2009. Although the revamped film received a warmer reception, some critics argued that certain casting choices, including Pacino’s ambiguous accent—neither convincingly Irish nor Brooklyn—remained a hurdle that no amount of editing could overcome.
Revolution’s rocky start gave way to a cultural reappreciation
Warner Bros. Pictures
“Revolution” was notorious in its time for being a huge critical flop and one of the biggest financial bombs of 1985. It also garnered several Razzie Award nominations. But critics began to come around on it some time later, thanks to a recut version released by Warner Bros. decades after it first hit cinemas.
Director Hugh Hudson edited the film for home release, shortening it, excising its original happy ending for an open one, and adding fresh narration from Al Pacino. Dubbing this version “Revolution Revisited,” it hit DVD in 2009. The revamped movie did garner a more positive reception, though some claimed its casting — including Pacino’s, which involved an accent that sounded almost Irish and almost Brooklyn, but didn’t lean enough in either direction — was a problem that no recut could surmount.Â
When this version of the movie hit the U.K. in a double-disc release, its booklet included an essay from critic Philip French, who declared the movie an underappreciated masterpiece ignored by the public and castigated unnecessarily by the press. Whether it’s a crowning achievement or simply a Razzie-nominated movie that’s actually worth watching, it’s still a compelling outing.
