Films on the 4th of July, A Video Essay Featuring Films That Capture the Spirit of Independence

“Films on the 4th of July” is a video essay by Nelson Carvajal that features films that capture the spirit of independence. The video features clips from Independence Day, Born on the Fourth of July, The Sandlot, and many more.

Historically, the 4th of July commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, which happened on said date in 1776, and which freed the American colonies from the British Empire. Period films like The Patriot (starring Mel Gibson) help depict the events leading up to such a historic moment. But when we think of “Fourth of July movies,” most titles that come to mind hardly have anything to do with old white guys in powdered wigs signing the Declaration.