Sadly Over-hyped

A different way of telling a story

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

As a young teen and history buff, I loved THE YOUNG REBELS and recall not wanting to miss one episode when it aired in the 1970s. I somehow was able to watch every First Run episode as I don't think any were repeated before its cancellation. Watching first run episodes of any show in 1970 was tricky as you had to plan to be home for it! Unlike today, when you can watch it on Hulu or buy it on DVD. I was able to videotape all but 2 episodes off the old CBN Channel, but they infuriated me when they edited out the main title sequence and substituted their own 4-second "banner" title sequence to allow more commercial time to air during the broadcast. At least the end credits were intact as I loved the robust, upbeat Yankee Doodle-like music score. The other thing I loved about this show was its serious nature. Unlike shows of today, there was no stupid witty banter between its characters. The 2 paperback novels based on this series were good reads as well.2016 UPDATE: Most recently, it was announced that all episodes of THE YOUNG LAWYERS which also aired on ABC in 1970 and was promoted in tandem with THE YOUNG REBELS would be released on DVD. So maybe there is hope for fans of THE YOUNG REBELS yet.

The short-lived series "The Young Rebels" was ABC's answer for its replacement to the Irwin Allen fantasy/action-adventure series "The Land Of The Giants",which ended its two year-run in the spring of 1970. For the network's fall schedule of new shows for the 1970-1971 season,this series was supposed to allow the youthful social rebels of the late 1960's and early 1970's to relate to the times of the American Revolution. In other words,"The Young Rebels",was basically the Mod Squad set in the 1700's at the time of the Revolutionary War. This was part history lesson and part adventure as well with a hint of Fess Parker's frontier adventure show "Daniel Boone" added in as a measure at the time this show premiered was off the air after an astounding six year run. In other words,"The Young Rebels" was part "Daniel Boone" meets "The Mod Squad" with a bit of "Mission:Impossible"."The Young Rebels",consisted of four young leads who were members of the fictional Yankee Doodle Society,based in Chester,Pennsylvania,in the year 1777. Their goal was to harass the British behind their lines and to serve as spies for the American forces. Everyone was under 30,and British rule was the "system" they sought to overturn. In perspective,you had kids ratting on other kids or adults who were against society....just like "The Mod Squad". As for the kids themselves you had Jeremy(Rick Ely),the son of the town's mayor and was the leader of the group;Elizabeth(Hilary Thompson)his teenage girlfriend and helper;Isak(Louis Gossett,Jr.)an ex-slave,and Henry(Alex Henteloff)the brains of the outfit. General Lafayette(Philippe Forquet)was a French nobleman who had come to aid the rebels in various missions. The characters were just like the kids on "The Mod Squad",with Jeremy(as Pete),Elizabeth(as Julie),Isak(as Linc),and General Lafayette(as Lt. Tige). Henry was the kid with the brains and the specials expert(on the same ground as Barney Collier on Mission:Impossible). The show had a lot of action,high-adventure and consisted of various guest stars that became youthful patriots(one of them consisted of Brandon De Wilde as Nathan Hale). The show produced 27 episodes for ABC-TV and it ran for one season from September 20,1970-January 3,1971. The show was on Sunday nights at the 7:00 hour,and it when up against "The Wonderful World of Disney",and "Lassie" in the ratings,which clobbered it. It was preceded by the network's most successful show,"The FBI". The executive producer of this series was none other than Aaron Spelling (who was also behind ABC's most successful show,"The Mod Squad",which was a huge hit was young audiences). When the show went off the air in the winter of 1971,the show that replaced it became one of the shortest variety shows ever to grace the early part of the 1970's.... "Howard Cosell Presents"-aka "The Howard Cosell Show".

I'm a history teacher and would love to have this show on DVD to use in my classroom. I remember it well. It got me hooked on American history at a young age. It would be most useful for discussions regarding the way Americans view (and the way American popular culture depicts) the American Revolution and specifically the notion of 'freedom fighters' vs 'terrorists'. It is also an interesting view of the 70's craze for 'relevatism'. I remember being extremely disappointed when it was taken off the air. The acting and the story lines were good. I specifically remember Henry the Ben Franklyn fan and Lafayette that was played by a young Frenchman very well. Of course a young Lou Gossett Jr with hair is certainly worth preserving this show for posterity all by itself! It came out when young people preferred to watch things like Laugh-in and the Partridge Family the year they took the long-running Daniel Boone off the air. Daniel Boone is very similar, especially the first couple of seasons which are available on DVD now, but I rate the Young Rebels a notch above Daniel Boone for current day relevancy.

I remember watching this show when it originally aired and later when it was show on one of the cable stations--TVLand maybe? I can't remember. I was a fan of both Rick Ely and Lou Gosset, Jr.It was interesting seeing events that I'd learned about in history class get a new and different look through the eyes of young people in the 1700's. And there was always a bit a factual trivia at the end of every show. My favorite episode was the one about the Liberty Bell and I also remember one about Patrick Henry. The wove actually history into the episodes very well.