There's been like nil series in the history of television to tackle the subject of the American Revolution. This was one of them, with the added angle of a diverse cast which reflected the counterculture vibe of the day. Yet, it amounted to a half-season failure that went by the boards, followed by a short syndicated run in the late 80's. I've seen all these episodes more times than I can count but it's hard for even the extreme Young Rebels apologist in me to deny the corny Bonanza vibe it gives off. Still, compared to say, the much-ballyhooed (and way overblown) TURN, this wizened chaw of nostalgia contains more than enough interesting stories and performances - TV vet Will Geer was in a number of episodes - to warrant revisiting. At least until someone really rectifies that Revolution on TV problem.
*The below section taken from http://www.tvobscurities.com/articles/theyoungrebels/
Hilary Thompson, in Tom Lisanti’s "Drive-In Dream Girls: A Galaxy of B-Movie Starlets of the Sixties", discussed the quick demise of the series:
"This was an interesting failure. We filmed right next door to The Partridge Family, which started the same year. Both shows were aimed at the teenage audience. Somehow that show connected and we didn’t. If I were guessing why, I’d say it was because of the actors. I believe that the television audience watches a particular show because they want to spend time with the people. They just didn’t catch on to us particularly–not that I took it as a personal affront. It was the show’s whole chemistry. But I could be wrong. Maybe it was the whole Revolutionary War setting. The audience went, 'huh?' "
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