Sons of Liberty

:

Season 1
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
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Critic Reviews

  1. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Matt Zoller Seitz
    Jan 26, 2015
    60
    Although this miniseries stages large-scale action reasonably well (with the occasional lapse into visual clichés, such as the silent/slow-motion Boston Massacre) and has a marvelous atmospheric quality, it seems more generic and un-special the more conventionally "exciting" it's trying to be.
  2. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    Jan 23, 2015
    60
    Sons of Liberty seems to get the broader strokes of history correct, but viewers who see the devil in the details will howl with laughter.
  3. Uncle Barky
    Reviewed by: Ed Bark
    Jan 22, 2015
    58
    Sons of Liberty can’t match Vikings’ intensity, ferocity and full-immersion sense of place. Instead it’s a serviceable battle cry in some instances but rather laughable in others.
  5. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Mary McNamara
    Jan 26, 2015
    50
    At its best, The Sons of Liberty captures in admirable detail the cleverness of the rebels, in their smuggling efforts and ability to amass and hide guns and ammunition, their personal bravery and astonishing commitment to a long-odds pursuit. If only their intelligence and ideology had been given the same, or indeed any, attention.
  6. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Jan 22, 2015
    50
    The action, not surprisingly, picks up considerably on the third and final night, with the full-scale outbreak of hostilities. Yet while those sequences are mounted with scope and considerable grit (seeking to preserve a lot of dead presidents, the project was shot in Romania), the exaggerated sense of drama--including the aforementioned and repeated use of slow mo--grows a bit tedious
  7. Cleveland Plain Dealer
    Reviewed by: Mark Dawidziak
    Jan 23, 2015
    40
    So many strong ingredients could have gone into this brew, but, no matter how obviously the casting tries to turn up the heat, it's still a half-empty glass of weak tea.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 23 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 23
  3. Negative: 8 out of 23
  1. bruce42
    Feb 4, 2015
    2
    I gave it a 2 because the story gave a sense of the feelings during that period. It gets a F for historical accuracy. And the thing is, it didI gave it a 2 because the story gave a sense of the feelings during that period. It gets a F for historical accuracy. And the thing is, it did not have to be. They could have gotten many things right and still had a great story. The most glaring of many mistakes was the failure to show why Gage left Boston. Washington with the help of John Knox put a cannonade on Dorchester Heights threatening the fleet. He left to preserve the fleet. Otherwise he would have not of left. It is a great story. Really disappointing for those, unlike the critics, who know the history.… Full Review »
  2. MrsFitz
    Jan 29, 2015
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. LAME! OK I get that no one wants to see Sam Adams as he truly was, a portly 43 year guy. Fine, this is TV, make everyone younger and prettier, I can deal with that. But then they MESS with REAL STORY- making up a lot of stuff!! There is no evidence that Sam Adams was at the Boston Massacre, let alone that he BEAT the British Soldier who "fired first". Paul Revere never made it to Bartlett's Farm, let alone led the Patriots into ambushing the British there. And so on. Ending with him being at the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Totally made up stuff!! Like the "real story" wasn't good enough. This mini-series was ok, if you don't know the real story. If you do, it sucked.… Full Review »
  3. thehawk
    Feb 5, 2015
    1
    This series would have made a superb musical with a few Pirates of Penzance, Fiddler On The Roof or Johnny Tremaine songs. For example, afterThis series would have made a superb musical with a few Pirates of Penzance, Fiddler On The Roof or Johnny Tremaine songs. For example, after the first chase scene, if Sam Adams had sat on a roof-top and sung a song it would have been really enjoyable. I would not have been put off by the similarity to Assassins Creed or Hobbit Laketown chases, nor British soldiers in uniforms that looked as if they had been hired from a fancy dress shop. Silly chases, silly costumes, weak acting and the whole atmosphere of general nonsense would have been perfect for a musical. But it didn't work in an historical drama

    I am 100% serious when I say turn it into a musical. The Wizard of Oz cannons would be great in a stage show. But as an historical drama, it was woeful. Poor script, bad acting, disjointed camera work, no authenticity in military aspects, very little creativity. As someone said on another forum - Six hours of my life that I will never get back. I should have known better .........    … Full Review »
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