646f9e108c This biography follows the young John Paul from his youth in Scotland and the beginnings of his naval career as a cabin boy to the captaincy of his own ship. In order to escape a protracted jail term and trial for accidentally killing a mutineer on his ship, Paul is forced to anglicize his name to Jones. He rises quickly in the fledgling American Navy during the early days of the Revolution, and his capture of a trove of British war supplies dooms British General Burgoyne at Saratoga and greatly aids Washington and the American cause. However, when the proud Jones is demoted while less competent and experienced officers are promoted to captaincies, the disgruntled Scotsman goes to Washington at Valley Forge to tender his resignation. There he undergoes a patriotic epiphany and withdraws his letter, and Washington promises him a ship… if he can get a crew to man it. Eventually, with Benjamin Franklin's help, he secures a ship from Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette which he calls the Bonhomme Richard and ultimately meets the vaunted British battleship of the line, the Searapis, in one of the great naval battles of all time. The career of Revolutionary War naval hero from his youth in Scotland through his service to Catherine the Great of Russia. the other reviewer hit the nail right on the head, this movie is full of historical inaccuracies, the house of burgess is in Williamsburg, Virginie, and John Paul Jone's brother lived and is buried in historic downtown fredericksburg, a good two hour drive from Williamsburg. the Virginie love triangle is rather silly. despite the flaws, i've liked this movie ever since i was a little boy and saw it on TNT during one of the fourth of July marathons… maybe i like my heroes a little stiff, but i thought Robert stack did an alright job. although, it would be nice to see the movie remade with a little more historical accuracy, and maybe have Mel Gibson or Russel crowe or a Scottish actor play jpj… he'd sound a little more accurate, i can watch this movie over and over again. Not entirely accurate but at times rousing nautical adventure purporting to tell the story of the early American naval hero.<br/><br/>Stack is okay in the lead but some of his early career zest would have benefited the character. What we get instead is a rigid and mostly humorless stick figure in the lead. Some reverence for Jones is that man's due but a bit more animation in Stack's performance would have made him more accessible.<br/><br/>What helps deflect from his wooden performance is an incredibly colorful and sumptuous production with several maritime battles thrown in for good measure that's a treat to the eyes. Aside from that there are some very well cast performers in key roles. MacDonald Carey makes a fine Patrick Henry and Bette Davis, dolled up in a sky high wig, ermine and pearls, has a lot of fun in her tiny cameo as Catherine the Great. The real standout though is Charles Coburn as Benjamin Franklin. So right is he for the role, not just in appearance but getting the balance of the pattern of Franklin's personality right, a mix of seriousness and the twinkle in his eye and sense of fun that old Ben was renown for that it makes you regret that he never had a chance to more fully portray Franklin in a biography. <br/><br/>As a true document of John Paul Jones life it may miss the mark but it's still a decent entertainment.
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344 weeks ago