John Paul Jones

Plot synopsis:
The film begins with a United States Navy officer telling sailors the story of John Paul Jones.
By age 17, John Paul (Robert Stack), a native of Scotland, is an experienced ship's navigator. In 1773, nine years later, he is master of a ship in the West Indies, but after an incident that results in the governor of Tobago advising him to leave, John Paul adds the surname Jones and goes to visit a brother who lives in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
The brother has recently died. Jones hires his attorney, Patrick Henry (Macdonald Carey), to assist in business matters. He also takes a romantic interest in Henry's sweetheart, Dorothea Danders (Erin O'Brien).
After serving as second-in-command of a man-of-war in the Bahamas, his adopted countrymen sign the American Declaration of Independence. Jones receives his first command, sets sail towards Newfoundland and seizes eighteen enemy ships, sending their supplies to American general George Washington (John Crawford).
Washington sends the young officer to France, where he is appreciated for heroic feats at sea. Benjamin Franklin (Charles Coburn) then urges Jones to take a frigate and invade the British Isles. A new vessel is built for him at the suggestion of Marie Antoinette (Susana Canales), and the only condition of his majesty King Louis XVI (Jean-Pierre Aumont) is that Jones' ship sail under an American flag.
Jones' successes ultimately lead him to Russia in 1790 at the behest of the empress, Catherine the Great (Bette Davis). He returns to Paris ill.
A dying Jones, begins to dictate to Aimee (Marisa Pavan) the type of man required and training to be given a future United States Navy officer. The final scenes show the present day (1959) Midshipmen of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. Admiral John Paul Jones gains acclaim as one of the bravest and most daring naval figures of his time and in the United States Navy of all time. John Paul Jones remains are located beneath in the Naval Academy Chapel rotunda in Annapolis, Maryland.

Tags: romantic, avant garde, murder

Review:
Colorful story of the Naval hero during the American Revolution....
JOHN PAUL JONES is certainly a colorful film to look at, but the script is rather stately and dull when it should be tense and exciting and a lot of this may be due to the casting of ROBERT STACK in the title role.
His outbursts of anger are sometimes hard to comprehend but he does get things done and everyone seems to bend to his will no matter what the circumstances are--that's the kind of hero he's depicted as being.It's a handsome looking film with a capable cast including CHARLES COBURN as Benjamin Franklin and MARISA PAVAN as Jones' love interest in a rather colorless role.
But BETTE DAVIS has fun with her brief scenes and actually brings a lively flavor to the film once she appears as Catherine the Great and falls under the spell of the man with a commanding presence.It may not be accurate as history, but it's spectacular to watch in some of the lushest Technicolor from the '50s with a nice score by Max Steiner that gives the film a lift when it needs it.
Under John Farrow's direction, the film is a bit talky at times but comes to life during the battle scenes.
A brilliant, unscrupulous hack named Augustus Buell wrote a series of so-called biographies at the turn-on-the-century of various American heroes.
His biography of Andrew Jackson is like his biography of John Paul Jones - he "embellished" it.
His work on the life of Jones was so damaging to scholars that the great historian Samuel Eliot Morison wrote an in-depth appendix of the lies Buell wrote.
An example: Buell said there was a love triangle in Virginia between Patrick Henry, John Paul Jones, and the woman they both loved (whom Henry married).
It is in the film JOHN PAUL JONES.Not everything is in the film.
Buell had a fictitious quote from Napoleon I that he would have used Jones (who lived his last years in Paris)to head his navy against Nelson at Trafalgar.
Robert Stack was an admirable Elliot Ness on television, and had a goofy streak he revealed in AIRPLANE, CADDYSHACK II, 1941, and other late films.
He probably was responsible for killing two crewmen, one who tried to strike the flag of the Bon Homme Richard during the battle with the Serapis, and one just before the war, when Jones was Captain John Paul of the British merchant marine.
This led to Jones fleeing to the 13 colonies, and changing his name.Another thing cleaned up (or at least changed) is the career of Jones as a Russian Rear Admiral under Empress Catherine the Great (Bette Davis).
The film suggests that the Empress hired Jones, in part, due to his attractive appearance (after all, the Empress had all those affairs).
Actually she hired him needing able sea commanders to fight the Turks in the Black Sea. And the experiment did not work because of jealousy by Russian commanders (possibly assisted by Catherine's chief minister Potemkin - whom the famous battleship in the Eisenstein movie is named after).
Jones was (with John Barry and Joshua Barney) the only American Revolutionary naval heroes to win battles against the British.
It even reminds us to the bizaare behavior of Captain Landais, a French madmen who was in command of the "Richard"'s companion ship, who actually fired on the "Richard" during the battle.Also, on a minor note - in one moment of the film Stack is angry about the delays from Congress in giving him a ship, confronting the head of the Naval Committee.
Not entirely accurate but at times rousing nautical adventure purporting to tell the story of the early American naval hero.Stack is okay in the lead but some of his early career zest would have benefited the character.
Some reverence for Jones is that man's due but a bit more animation in Stack's performance would have made him more accessible.What helps deflect from his wooden performance is an incredibly colorful and sumptuous production with several maritime battles thrown in for good measure that's a treat to the eyes.
MacDonald Carey makes a fine Patrick Henry and Bette Davis, dolled up in a sky high wig, ermine and pearls, has a lot of fun in her tiny cameo as Catherine the Great.
As a true document of John Paul Jones life it may miss the mark but it's still a decent entertainment..
Biography of one of the great men of the American Revolution , being produced by the great Samuel Bronston and spectacularly filmed in Spain.
Biopic about a notorious sea commandant , a 18th-century naval hero who became the prestigious leader of the American navy against the British Empire .
This is tribute to the Revolutionary War naval hero filmed in big budget , spectacular scenes and great production design , though was pretty wooden and failed at box office .
The career of Revolutionary War naval hero , John Paul Jones (Robert Stack) from his youth in Scotland through his service to Catherine the Great of Russia (Bette Davis) .
Later on , he greatly aids George Washington (John Crawford) and the American cause .
With Benjamin Franklin's (Charles Coburn) help, he secures a ship from Louis XVI (Jean Pierre Aumont) and Marie Antoinette (Susana Canales) which he calls the Bonhomme Richard and ultimately meets the vaunted British battleship of the line, the Searapis, in one of the great naval battles of all time.
The picture contains interesting drama , a love history , colorful spectacle , historical events and sea battles have some flare , being filmed in Denia , Alicante , Spain .
Being a Spanish/American co-production by Suevia Films-Cesareo Gonzalez along with Samuel Bronston Production in his first movie in Spain where he produced monumental flicks such as ¨El Cid¨ , ¨55 days in Pekin¨ , ¨King of Kings¨ , ¨Circus World¨ and ¨The fall of the Roman Empire¨ .
Richard Pearson and final film of Charles Coburn ; including cameo appearances from Bette Davis as Catherina The Great, the Russian empress , Eric Pohlmann as George III replaced George Sanders , and film debut of Mia Farrow , director's daughter and Maureen O'Sullivan .
Rousing musical score by master Max Steiner , this would be the last time Max Steiner would compose a film score for a film featuring Bette Davis , he had written several scores for movies starring Davis, and had been her favorite composer .
The picture was professionally directed by veteran filmmaker John Farrow , though with no originality , being his final film .
The motion picture was correctly based on historic events , these are the following : John Paul Jones (July 6, 1747 – July 18, 1792) was a Scottish sailor and the United States's first well-known naval fighter in the American Revolution.
During his engagement with HMS Serapis, Jones uttered, according to the later recollection of his first lieutenant, the legendary reply to a taunt about surrender from the British captain: "I have not yet begun to fight!".
Essentially a biography in movie format, tells of the life of John Paul Jones, the man who put the U.S. Navy on the map during the American Revolution.
Movie also touches on the impact and standards that Jones imprinted on today's navy, and it is this element, among others, that makes this well worth watching.
Not to be overlooked either are Coburn's portrayal of Benjamin Franklin, Davis's of Catherine the Great, and Max Steiner's excellent musical score.
Additional note: movie was produced by Samuel Bronston, who also produced and did a magnificent job on "El Cid." Whether one is looking for a movie about the Age Of Sail period or simply wants to learn about Jones, this is an excellent choice..
I have always believed that one of the reasons that John Paul Jones continues to be a fascinating figure is that we in America pride ourselves in that Horatio Alger tradition of the young man rising from humble circumstances to obtain wealth and prominence.
And as the son of the gardener of a Scottish estate who ran away to see as a boy, his circumstances could hardly have been more humble.Robert Stack makes a commanding John Paul Jones and he's a full blown hero in the tradition of the Samuel Eliot Morrison biography from which this film is adapted.
There is a later book about him that came out a few years back written by Evan Thomas which presents Jones as the hero this film makes him out to be.One thing that was overlooked is that it presents Jones as a man unlucky in love.
Except for a cameo appearance as himself in Pepe, this film was the farewell role for Charles Coburn who played Benjamin Franklin who was Jones's biggest booster in the Continental Congress.
He also did not bring him the news of an offer of a commission in the Russian Navy under Queen Catherine the Great.Bette Davis played Catherine the Great ever so briefly and I wish we got to see more of her.
Jones did take command of her fleet and did defeat the Turks as per the film.
It was the only time Jones showed what he could do as a naval strategist and he passed the test.
In an ironic twist of history when Adams got to be the second president of the United States and we were in an undeclared naval war with France, he got a Navy going in a hurry then.
Our department of the Navy was founded during his administration, but John Paul Jones was a few years dead by then.Despite some historical errors the film does present John Paul Jones as he would wish to be remembered.
And this review is dedicated to the United States Navy, to the many men and women who have served and continue to serve in it, guided by the example of a fine fighting commander in John Paul Jones..
Overdone in the Sun. After becoming a Revolutionary War hero, Scottish seafaring Robert Stack (as John Paul Jones) wants to hook up with wispy Marisa Pavan (as Aimee de Tellison), upon obtaining the blessing of founding father pal Charles Coburn (as Benjamin Franklin).
Although he helped win America's independence, Mr. Stack butts heads with the country's Congress, who send him to Russia, where he has a brief encounter with French-accented Empress Bette Davis (as Catherine the Great).This overproduced and generally uncomfortable-looking "John Paul Jones" biography is loud, stiff, and boring.
There is an impressive use of fire during a sea battle, and Mr. Stack does get to exclaim, "I have not yet begun to fight!" Ms. Davis adds little beside her name to the credits, but Mr. Coburn and a few others help keep it afloat.**** John Paul Jones (6/19/59) John Farrow ~ Robert Stack, Marisa Pavan, Charles Coburn, Bette Davis.
John Paul Jones movie extras.
(I'm looking for ALL locations)and does the movie archive keep a list of unnamed and uncredited extras who appeared (in the backdrop) of the film?
the other reviewer hit the nail right on the head, this movie is full of historical inaccuracies, the house of burgess is in Williamsburg, Virginie, and John Paul Jone's brother lived and is buried in historic downtown fredericksburg, a good two hour drive from Williamsburg.
despite the flaws, i've liked this movie ever since i was a little boy and saw it on TNT during one of the fourth of July marathons...
maybe i like my heroes a little stiff, but i thought Robert stack did an alright job.
although, it would be nice to see the movie remade with a little more historical accuracy, and maybe have Mel Gibson or Russel crowe or a Scottish actor play jpj...
Wow....you'd think that John Paul Jones needed meds if you watch this film!!.
First off, the review by theowinthrop is masterful--and so I don't have to go into great deal about all the ways that the film is historically inaccurate.
Second, this film is enough to convince me that my uncle is correct--Robert Stack wasn't much of an actor or at least the writers writing his part were idiots!
After all, almost every five minutes, his John Paul Jones is getting angry and flying off the handle--screaming and carrying on like he'd missed more than a few doses of medication!
Well, the color cinematography was lovely and at least the film did not end with the American Revolution but at least mentioned his service for the Russians as well as his death in France.
Robert Stack, who plays John Paul Jones in this biographical pic, was by all accounts a nice guy, an avid skeet shooter who didn't take his career too seriously.
His expressions throughout "John Paul Jones" is one of firm conviction.
Moreover, the viewers, many of whom may be presumed never to have even HEARD of John Paul Jones, also get to meet Patrick Henry, Benjamin Franklin, and a few other historical figures.
In The Revolution only one man attacked British merchant shipping so fierce that the Llyod's Company begged King George to let America go.
Such a character must have captured taken Hollywood by storm.Billed as the "true" story of John Paul Jones, John Paul Jones offers for Hollywood an accurate summary of the dynamic naval hero's life.Though larger than life, Jones born John Paul stood 5'6" tall, hardly NBA material today but in his time perhaps average.
John Paul at age 14 goes to sea as ship's boy.Rising to wealth in the West Indies, John Paul (Robert Stack) kills a mutinous crewman.
In his next command, Jones takes 18 British vessels.
Despite all the prizes, the Continental Congress lands Jones at the bottom of their list of naval commanders.Robert Stack's stately appearance and mellifluous voice carry the air of command, even if they do not capture a Scottish burr.
Stack plays Jones as the committed hero, unshakable in battle, despite a justifiably anger at the ingratitude Congress would show almost all its talented land and sea commanders.Yet despite the rage General George Washington (Jack Crawford) persuades Jones to return to sea to break the British blockade.
Jones promises to steal the derelict Ranger docked at Portsmouth, refit it, raise a crew, and set to sea.On the briny, the French greet The Ranger (according to the movie) with the first salute given to the flag of the United States.
History usually gives the honour of the first salute to US colors to the Dutch at St. Eustis.Rushing to Doctor Franklin (Charles Coburn), Jones has a plan to invade the British Isles with a tiny ship.
Refusing to surrender, Jones declares the famous words, "I have not yet begun to fight." The British surrender just in time for the Americans to transfer to the captured vessel before the good ship Bonhomme flounders.First in war and first asea, Jones finishes last in love.
The Real life Jones warned accurately of future trouble with the Barbary coast.The new Republic would pay dearly ($2000 per seaman captured by barbary pirates) for ignoring Jone's prophesy.Jones departed for Russia to accept a commission as rear admiral in the Czarist Imperial Navy from Catherine the Great (Bette Davis).
In the movie, Jones is on assignment from the US government to study the building of a real navy; in reality Jones was out of work and needed a job.
While the Empress is less interested in war than playthings, Jones prefers the sea and his command.The real life Jones found the Czarina's navy in worse shape than the American Navy with conscripted serfs unable at seamanship.
Luckily Jones was permitted to leave for France.The movie version is kinder to the Russians.
Despite constant interference and poor ships, Jones has won great battles in the Black Sea for the czarina.
In real life Jones died alone.
Franklin had departed for America long before.Jones probably would have enjoyed the uniqueness of his burial: the first unnoticed almost without ceremony in the foreign cemetery in Paris seething with its own revolution.
As we recall, the series was already on ABC when JOHN PAUL JONES(Samuel Bronston Prod./Suevia Films/Warner Bros., 1959)hit the shows.*AS AN HISTORICAL Biopic, it was somewhat more lively than many others; which often opted for a more Docudrama approach.
This was most likely a mood setter and a dramatic tool.OTHERWISE THE MOVIE moves along tracing the life of who has been called "the Father of the United States Navy" as it progresses from humble beginnings to his famous quote of "I have not yet begun to fight!" BY STORY'S END we see Admiral Jones auditioning for Russia's Czarina Catherine the Great; being played in a sort of Cameo Role by the Actress of Actresses, Betty Davis.SEEING THIS WAS a big deal for us when we were in Junior High.
During JOHN PAUL JONES, the title character is thwarted at every turn by fat cat family flunkies thriving in the proprietary seas of their own incompetence.
Rich People Greed again and again stymies JOHN PAUL JONES' heroic efforts to build an American Meritocracy based upon Democratic Values.
And so ended Robert Stack's movie career.
This turgid thing has to be one of the most boring movies I've ever had the misfortune to watch.
John Farrow, the director of this awful movie, should have been ashamed of himself.
The actors all look either bored or at a loss as how portray their parts, especially Robert Stack ,whom has never been more wooden in his whole career.
An actual action scene does take place about 95 minutes into the movie, but it's much too little , too late.
Charles Coburn is a welcome participant as is Bette Davis at the end , although the scene she appears in, with the "bring on the dancing girls, if all else fails" routine, is unintentionally funny.