I find it funny how many lies we continue to teach elementary school children about the origin of this country, from "Christopher Columbus wanted to prove the Earth was round" to George Washington's wooden teeth. One of the most famous myths, however, is the story of Paul Revere's ride. Thanks largely to the poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, most people believe that Revere was the lone hero who rode through Middlesex County, Massachusetts alerting everyone that the British soldiers were invading. The truth, however, is that there were actually multiple riders that night delivering news, including the likes of Israel Bissell and Sybil Ludington, both of whom, it is said, actually traveled much further than Revere did (Ludington actually doubled the distance that Revere covered). Perhaps Midnight Riders will finally set the record straight.
The Los Angeles Times is reporting that a film based on David Hackett Fischer's book Paul Revere's Ride has been optioned for a movie by the American Film Co. Robert Ramsey and Matthew Stone, who previously wrote the script for the Coen brothers' Intolerable Cruelty, are developing the screenplay, which will focus largely on Revere and fellow rider William Dawes. American Film Co. is the same company behind Robert Redford's The Conspirator, which is due out this weekend.
Considering that the company specializes in feature films about American history, I just pray that Bissell and Ludington receive at least some mention. They deserve their time in the sun. I would also like to here some Beastie Boys on the soundtrack, but I feel I may be pushing my luck.
