Williamsburg: the Story of a Patriot (1957)

As a Williamsburg Tour Director, I have seen this film so many times and am so pleased it has been preserved. RIP Jack Lord!

From a 67 year old Williamsburg born boy I love that you all have such fond memories of this wonderful film!

When I visited Williamsburg in the mid 2000s the hotel had a dedicated channel for this. For some reason dad obsessed over it and just kept watching it.

I first saw the film on my honeymoon. October 1978. Everytime I go to Williamsburg I must go to the Visitor center to watch. 👍🇺🇸

I love it and Jack Lord is so articulate and elegant, perfect role for him, I am obsessed with all his films and tv.

I saw this film on my first trip to Williamsburg at the visitor center in 1987. I have made many trips back to Williamsburg over the years and seeing this film upon arrival takes me back to "younger" days. It is a historical classic for sure. Thank you for posting this.

I grew up on The Story of a Patriot, starting when I was 9 years old. I can't count how many times I saw it between 1965 and 1979. (During that time I also worked for CW and went to school at W&M.) The thing is, all of those times and years, not once did I see the opening credits; I didn't know they even existed, coupled with Bernard Hermann's wonderful overture that includes the best orchestral version I've ever heard of Chester. When I started seeing the movie, there was a short narration about Colonial Williamsburg, how to buy tickets and ride the bus, etc., and you were told John Fry was a fictional character and also something along the lines "Let's begin your journey into history, then the film beginning with the scene of the boy running through the field to the plantation, which I believe was filmed in Tuckahoe outside of Richmond. Later on, I don't think they even included that introductory narration. So, when I saw the restored version, sometime in the last 10-15 years, I saw the opening credits/heard the overture for the first time and realized I had missing something in the film for 40 or more years. What I would like to know, is who in CW came up with the dumb idea to cut out the overture/opening credits, I guess sometime in the late 50s/early 60s or did they ever even show them in the first lace when the film came out in 1957?

I have lived down here in Hampton since February 1968. My Dad retired from Fort Monroe August 28, 1970. My family has always loved this historic film. Jack Lord did a fine job in representing our Commonwealth! Virginia is our home, and we honor those who made our country the mightiest on this Earth…. GOD BLESS OUR FOUNDING FATHERS!!! 🇺🇸🕊️🇺🇸

My awesome grandparents lived in Williamsburg almost their whole lives, spent many of summers roaming Williamsburg, Jamestown etc. This brings back so many memories. "Robert Fryyyyyy....grab a musket, get in rankkkkkk!" Haha loved that part

Thanks so much for posting this!! I remember it playing at the Colonial Williamsburg Welcome Center on loop!!

I remember this being on a loop at the Williamsburg Inn when I visited in 2000. I remember drinking Quibell sparkling water and watching it multiple times. What a find!

I can’t believe I ran across this film, seeing it as a kid in the late 60’s. I was raised in Newport News and hated all 12 yrs of public school. Except when we would go on field trips to Colonial Williamsburg where I was absolutely enamored with that place and time period. It is so touching to see and be reminded of the resolution of the American citizens to rise up in righteous rebellion to break away from tyranny. It’s now 2024 and there are similarities in the voices on both sides to address the tyranny that is befalling us now. The difference being, this time, the evil corruption is emanating from within our own shores, albeit from outside influences. This time the rebellion should be fought on our knees, drawing closer to our God, and standing strong with His armor against a spiritual enemy trying to end us as a beacon of freedom in this world. As for what we do in physical action? The modern tyranny is being thrust on us, not with troops and weapons, but with lies. As socially unacceptable as it is today, we need to stand and speak the truth publicly to counter act the lies that are reshaping our culture and stripping us of our freedoms.

I just returned from a trip to Williamsburg and loved watching the film!

Beautiful restoration

When will this ,be On The National Film Registry? It's way overdue. Do you agree?

this brings back fond memories of visiting with my parents. thanks for keeping those memories alive! .

Thank you for posting this film! My sister and I were practically weaned on this film and watched it each time we visited Colonial Williamsburg. No doubt nostalgic for me personally, but, nevertheless, this film did an excellent job communicating the issues surrounding the American Revolution.

This very afternoon, while watching reruns of Hawaii 5-0, I was suddenly and inexplicably reminded of a film I saw at South High School in 1967. The name of the film escaped me, but I remembered it featured a young Jack Lord and the story involved the American Revolution. So I searched Youtube and shazam - here is the film I last saw in 10th grade government class, 55 years ago! What a great little gem, with an outstanding score, and excellent acting. Thanks so much for posting this. God where did all the years go?

Having watched this after 40 years. This could have been lengthened into a full length. film

My folks took us to Williamsburg in 1973 and I saw this movie for the first time then. It takes me back