Revolution

Hugh Hudson's look at the American War of Independence was a famous mega-flop, sealing the fate of the already over-extended Goldcrest production house. It is the story of a father and son, and the way history intrudes on their relationship. On the plus side are: the battle scenes, brilliantly filmed with a hand-held camera; a remarkable portrayal of a sadistic English officer by a deeply in period Donald Sutherland; and clever art direction which turns King's Lynn into New York. On the debit side is Al Pacino's ludicrous performance and laughable Scots/Irish/Brooklyn accent - an all-too evident case of Method madness and a star's egomania unbalancing an entire production. Another embarrassment is Nastassja Kinski's part - as a revolutionary heroine, she just gets in the way.