John Paul Jones (film)

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John Paul Jones
Original Theatrical Poster
Directed by	John Farrow
Produced by	Samuel Bronston
Written by	John Farrow Jesse Lasky Jr.
Starring	Robert Stack Bette Davis Marisa Pavan
Music by	Max Steiner
Cinematography	Michel Kelber
Editing by	Eda Warren
Distributed by	Warner Brothers
Release date(s)	1959
Running time	126 mins
Country	USA
Language	English
IMDb profile

John Paul Jones is a 1959 biographical epic film about John Paul Jones. The film was made by Samuel Bronston Productions and released by Warner Bros. It was directed by John Farrow and produced by Samuel Bronston from a screenplay by John Farrow, Ben Hecht, Jesse Lasky Jr. from the story Nor'wester by Clements Ripley. The music score was by Max Steiner, the cinematography by Michel Kelber.

The film starred Robert Stack in the title role, Marisa Pavan, Charles Coburn, Macdonald Carey, Jean-Pierre Aumont, David Farrar, Peter Cushing, Basil Sydney, Thomas Gomez and Mia Farrow in her first film appearance. Bette Davis made a guest appearance as Empress Catherine the Great.

[edit] Plot

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

The film follows the adventures of John Paul Jones (Robert Stack), the first great hero of the American Navy. From loyal soldier of the King's army to ardent supporter of the American Revolutionaries, Jones volunteers to lead the colonists' fleet to impressive victories against the British Navy. During a battle against the British ship Serapis, Jones utters the deathless words "I have not yet begun to fight". While his brave leadership helps win America its freedom, his appeals to Benjamin Franklin (Charles Coburn) and the other leaders of Congress to strengthen the United States Navy fall on deaf ears; Jones is eventually branded a troublemaker and is ordered to Russia, where he is to help guide the fleet of Catherine The Great (Bette Davis). Jones leads the Russian Navy to stunning victories in the Black Sea.