APRIL MORNING (1988)
A made-for-television movie (A Hallmark Hall Of Fame production), this story is reminiscent of "Johnny Tremain". The story centers around the famous "shot heard around the world"; the first shots of the Revolutionary War on the Lexington green on April 19, 1775. A boy, Adam Cooper (played by Chad Lowe), takes up arms to fight alongside his patriot father, Moses Cooper (Tommy Lee Jones). When his father is killed in this initial battle, Adam overcomes his fear and becomes a man as he continues to fight for what he believes in.
Adam has a girlfriend named Ruth Simmons (Meredith) who acts as his love interest and conscience. She is strong, pure, and chaste. She lets him know it is okay to be afraid in the face of war. In the end, before he marches off to fight in the war, she makes it clear she does not want him to go to war but will wait for him because she does indeed love him.
The acting is good by all involved including Robert Uhrich as Meredith's father. Meredith is great. She plays her character as a pillar of strength – a rock for Adam to stay steady. She is self-confident, quick thinking (she diverts the attention of a Redcoat who almost discovers Adam, who is hiding), and a truly good & God-fearing gal.