1776

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Summary: 1776
Review: This is a wonderful adaptation of history to the musical play format. The cast is superbly suited to the real-life people they represent. The the screenplaay puts the audience through every possible emotion, building the characters, and ending in a sequence that has to stir feelings in any American heart. This is a truly exceptional work, and should be encouraged viewing in every American schoolroom.

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Summary: Waiting (Impatiently!) for the DVD
Review: One of my favorite musicals, 1776 has everything you could want - memorable, singable songs, excellent one-liners, a brilliantly cast group of actors that click (and can sing!), and a plot with some substance. Marc Daniels is perfect as John Adams, who, although "obnoxious and disliked" is also a determined advocate for independence. His letter writing duets with his wife provide a background of support for the lack of support he has in Congress. Howard da Silva is hilarious as Ben Franklin, and from what I've heard and read, he got Ben's personality right. The nicest thing about this musical is that it holds the interest of my children, as well as the grownups, and gets them asking questions. Understanding our country's struggle for our freedom from the beginning, and it's cost, is as relevant today as it's every been. We watch this movie often, enjoy it, and are rapidly wearing out the tape; a DVD edition would be most welcome.

Rating:
Summary: My favorite movie
Review: What a movie! It includes several well known actors and they are very passionate in their cause. Unexpectedly bawdy for a movie about the American Revolution. We saw it in the movie theater when I was in elementary school, and our principal apologized to us afterward because he thought it would be more like a documentary. I wish it would come out on DVD. I have it on VHS and Laser Disc.

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Summary: I WANT THE DVD!!!
Review: It is a lovely movie -- funny, educational, emotional... It was while I was watching this movie for the first time that I started to think about how history is created by real, ordinary human beings, people that are sitting in a hot room on a sticky, humid day being annoyed by flies, sweating in their clothes as they debate whether or not to break with England and start their own country. The movie somehow really brings that to life even as the Founding Fathers occassionally break into song. Who would have thought history could be so entertaining?

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Summary: I agree! Where's the DVD?!
Review: I'm a 26 year old male, and myself and my 16 year old sister LOVE this film! A few years ago, one fourth of July morning, I caught this film on cinemax. I'd seen bits and pieces of it before, like on the previous, much better version of the Disney Channel, but I had never seen the best scenes, only the ones that, having not seen the rest of the film, appeared a bit weird, and corny, upon channel surfing discovery. When I saw it from the beginning however, it was a whole new experience! It has truly become one of my favorite films of all time! I love musicals, and I love the time period this one is set in, not to mention outstanding performances, great songs, and characters who are at times very comical, and at other times very serious! It's an amazing film!
For those of you who haven't seen it, 1776 is a musical that tells the story of the Continental Congress as it decides whether or not to declare a war of Independence on England. Sounds like a dull history book subject? Not at all! These characters are so real and endearing that you can't help but get involved in the emotion and urgency of the debate. This isn't like watching c-span or something, this is a very different kind of Congress than you're familiar with today. These are real, downhome people, upon whose shoulders rest the decision whether or not creating the United States would be worth the risk of treason! Believe it or not, they've managed to turn such a story into a GREAT musical! The songs are quirky, but they grow on you! Kinda like in Popeye! Well, they're better songs than in Popeye, but you know what I mean. And who can hear "Mama, Look Sharp" without breaking into tears?! The movie begins as John Adams, Super Patriot, argues against a congress of nay-sayers, the importance of declaring independence from England. No one will agree, it's just too dangerous. On Adams' side are his friends Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Richard Henry Lee, all of whom are hilarious in their roles. Yes, this is as much a musical comedy as a musical drama. In debating the subject with the less agreeable patriots and loyalists in congress, it is decided a Declaration of Independence must be written, upon the merit of which will be decided the fate of our nation, if it is to be one that is. Much debating takes place over the result of Thomas Jefferson's pen. It gets more intense as you might think, as the South does not want to give up their slaves, and some loyalists simply do not want to get in bad with England! Of course, it's no surprise how in the end we see the members lining up to sign the Declaration, but even knowing that will be the end result, it's amazing to see it come about from a seemingly hopeless beginning! A terrific movie for any real patriot! A must have, and I insist on a DVD, with loads of extras as I don't know much yet about this fine production beyond what I got from the soundtrack insert of the original Broadway version. As an added treat for my generation and those younger ones, you'll find that the main character of John Adams is played by the same actor who plays teacher Mr. Feeny on TV's Boy Meets World! You'll watch Mr. Feeny with an all new respect after seeing this film!!!! All I can say is buy this movie, and if you love musicals and you love America, you won't regret it!

Rating:
Summary: 1776
Review: This is one of the best videos I have ever seen, it captures you from the beginning and makes you not want to leavev the screen until the end.

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Summary: Release This On DVD ! ! ! !
Review: Okay, this movie REALLY NEEDS to see a Special Edition DVD released including all of the features from the boff-socko Laserdisc all those years ago.... and yes, including the cut scenes. I'd love to see some new documentaries too with interviews with surviving actors.

Are you listening (whoever owns home video rights) ??

Rating:
Summary: 1776
Review: i thought this movie was excellent it was funny educational and easy to get into. as a matter of fact the first time i rented it from blockbuster i must have watched it 20 times in a row i bought it the next day and i still watch it when i need to be cheered up i know every single line in this movie. i also love the music i often sing music from it for auditions. overall i think this was an excellent movie

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Summary: The movie to watch every year on the Fourth of July
Review: Every 4th of July I watch "1776," the musical that has our Founding Fathers singing and dancing their way to Independency, and every time John and Abagail Adams sing goodbye to each other ("Till Then" and "Yours, Yours, Yours"), I get choked up. William Daniels has his role of a lifetime as John Adams, the obnoxious and disliked Massachusetts delegate to the Continental Congress who is the most fervent advocate of independence ("Piddle, Twiddle and Resolve"). Virginia Vestoff plays his wife Abigail, and their exchanges are based on the "Dearest Friend" correspondences they wrote to each other during the crucial summer of 1776.

However, the most unforgettable performance in "1776" comes from Howard Da Silva as Dr. Benjamin Franklin. The actor, who played movie villains for years, manages to convey not only Franklin's wit but also his firm belief in the new race of "Americans." Ken Howard plays Thomas Jefferson and joins with Adams and Franlin in the show's two cutest numbers, "But, Mr. Adams" and "The Egg." I have never cottoned "The Lees of Old Virginia," the song sung by Richard Henry Lee (Ron Holgate) and where every lyric line ends with "LY," but at the other end of the spectrum is the chilling "Molasses to Rum to Slaves," the song about the Triangle Trade sung by South Carolina's Edward Rutledge (John Cullum). The ensemble cast brings the Second Continental Congress alive, with Roy Poole as Stephen Hopkins, David Ford as John Hancock and William Hansen as Caesar Rodney standing out. Most of the cast members were in the Tony Award winning original Broadway cast, although Blythe Danner replaces Betty Buckley as Martha Jefferson ("He Plays the Violin"); ironically Danner's daughter Gweneth Paltrow would also play Martha in the 1995 film "Jefferson in Paris."

Peter Stone's book is remarkably accurate in relating the historical events; the biggest error a historian would point to is that John Dickinson (Donald Madden), did not show up the day of the crucial vote so that Pennsylvania would not kill Independence. But Broadway and Hollywood must be allowed to make things more dramatic. What makes "1776" so wonderful is how it teaches history while being so entertaining. The opening of the film, where the tirade by Mr. Adams against the do nothing Continental Congress is interrupted by the collective Founding Fathers jumping up and singing "Sit Down, John," sets the tone and Peter H. Hunt's film delivers throughout. The show's best moment comes in "Is Anybody There?" when John Adams, all alone in the quiet chamber, dreams of the pomp and pageantry of a free America.

I also have the laserdisc version, which runs 176 minutes and includes 35 minutes of material originally cut from the film, including the song "Cool, Considerate Men" and alternative shots in several sequences. While the quality of the additional material is in very sad shape, fans of "1776" will take what they can get. Hopefully the complete film can be restored before we get to the DVD version (hint, hint, hint). Granted, the idea of a musical about the Declaration of Independence seems bizarre; I once blew off a chance to see "1776" on stage because I thought the idea was stupid. But this is a first-rate musical that makes the time and issues come alive, so that even thought we obviously know the outcome, we are enthralled because it looks like Mr. Adams will never get his Declaration adopted. If you are looking for a film to watch each 4th of July, "1776" is the one.

Rating:
Summary: Enlightening & Entertaining
Review: Based on what I know about history there is a lot of truth as well as entertainment packed into this great musical. I recommend it highly. It has good music, humor and gives a feel for what it might have been like back in 1776.