1776

Rating:
Summary: Magnificent
Review: The dialog in this film is absolutely brilliant. The music is great, and lyrics are both hilarious and touching. William Daniels should have won an Oscar for his performance as John Adams. And now (2002), as historians look at John Adams more favorably than ever (and rightfully so), this movie takes on more significance.

Rating:
Summary: "Will someone...
Review: One of my favorite movies is finally available on DVD, and all I can wonder is, "What took so long?"

The director (of both the Broadway production and the film) was able to restore more than 25 minutes that had been sliced away by the producer, Jack Warner, immediately before the film's release, so we can now see the film as he intended it to be seen. Most of the moments restored are relatively minor, but there are extended passages that reflect many of the arguments both for and against independence that Warner viewed as "too political," as well as the long-lost "Cool, Considerate Men" number cut because of Pres. Nixon's protest of the song's portrayal of conservatives.

Both the director and the writer of both movie and play were brought in for the commentary for this extended edition, and they just don't stop talking! However, there are quite long stretches when all that's being said is the writer summing up the plot and reciting some lines along with the actor(s) (about 25-30 percent of the commentary is just this, unfortunately). Both participants do have some very interesting stories to relate, mostly about the production of the play (Howard Da Silva was rather incorrigible and stubborn), and the director does contribute many details about the mechanics of filming the long shots throughout the movie. They do acknowledge the recent popularity of John Adams, and (correctly, IMO) trace much of this interest back to their play/movie.

Another plus are screen tests of five of the Broadway stars that were cast in the movie (most of the cast recreated their roles in this film, at Warner's request), as well as the original teaser trailer.

The best extra of this entire disc, though, is the fact that it is in widescreen! I purchased the video last year, and was highly disappointed that it was only available in pan&scan, which really wrecks this movie's rhythm and flow. It was a true delight to actually see Jefferson, Franklin, and Adams all in the same shot during "The Egg" number.

The only problems that I could see with the print used for this transfer was white spotting (particularly obvious during the darker moments, especially "Mama, Look Sharp" and "Is Anybody There?") and a few moments of prismatic lighting at the edge of the frame during an early Congressional chamber scene.

This movie spearheaded my lifelong fascination with the Adams family and the Revolutionary War, and I am just thrilled that it is now available in this fantastic form!

Rating:
Summary: Masterful film, finally on dvd!
Review: Let me set one thing straight from the outset: I hate musicals! And yet....this film manages to transcend the normally hokey musical genre and is a wonderful (pick one): History lesson, entertaining musical, fun movie, patriotic July 4th movie, just damned good movie. I whole-heartedly suggest you get this film; it's great!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Seamless Restoration, but......
Review: We have the 1972 VHS version of 1776, a copy of the laserdisc director's cut on VHS, and just received the DVD. I couldn't wait to see it. The director's cut contained scenes which were deleted from the final copy of the movie. They were, of course, not the same quality as the rest of the film, and that was understood. We were glad to see them.

The DVD version of 1776 does indeed offer seamless restoration and bits and pieces that we hadn't seen before... BUT....for some insane reason, the second and third verses of Piddle, Twiddle and Resolve were not restored.

"If you don't want to see us hanging on some far-off British hill; if you don't want the voice of independency forever stilled; then, God, sir, get thee to it, for congress never will...."

I don't understand why the verses were left out; the second is a favorite of mine and never fails to bring tears to my eyes. Would have been an extra minute or two of film... I was SO disappointed!!

The last verse of Henry Lee's song was also omitted. I would have thought that all the deletions would have been put back. :(

I went back and watched the VHS store-bought tape, and all of the above weren't in there either, but were on the laserdisc version. Why they couldn't have been included with all the other restored film?

Nevertheless, 1776 is a wonderful, stirring, poignant, funny, educational musical, but I wish everything would have been included.

Rating:
Summary: Great transfer, marvelous Dolby 5.1 audio, but...
Review: ... those of you who are lucky enough to own the 1992 Pioneer Special Edition laserdisc release of this classic are going to be disappointed.

If you don't own a laserdisc player, take note:

This is a superb presentation of the greatest American musical ever produced. Its release on DVD prompted me to finally buy a DVD player. Yes, it's that good. Read the 100+ other reviews here justifiably gushing with "sentimental effusion" about the inferior VHS version. Add a star or two to those reviews. The DVD restores much of the 40 minutes Jack Warner cut from the original theatrical release for running time and political reasons. This is the best this film has ever looked or sounded. The Dolby 5.1 is a special treat; aside from its Radio City debut, the film was always presented in monaural, and the VHS version had the same limitation. Close your eyes and you'll swear you're sitting in the best orchestra seats in the house.

Okay. All non-laserdisc owners, stop here and place your order immediately.

Now, fellow 1776ers/laserphreaks: Sigh. What a disappointment. But buy it anyway because of its technical superiority to the laserdiscs.

I was hoping the DVD would be a repackaging of the laserdisc release, perhaps exploiting the advanced content access features provided by the newer format. Alas, that's not the case.

The DVD does have some material not on the laserdisc: screen tests of the actors and a 1776 theatrical trailer, as well as some other trailers from more or less contemporaneous films. There's also a commentary by director Peter Hunt and writer Peter Stone which is quite good, although Hunt's second audio channel interview, by the 1992 laserdisc's producer, Joseph Caporiccio, is somewhat more satisfying.

From here on, it's downhill.

The laserdiscs had 66 chapter stops. The DVD only has 28.

The laserdisc also contained:

Overture and Intermission Music which was played in theaters during the 1972 first-run roadshow engagements of the film.

A secondary audio channel containing the orchestra-only track, minus the vocals, although you can sometimes hear the actors' voices, picked up faintly by the orchestra mikes.

The laser release also has about 14 minutes of footage missing from the DVD, featuring deleted verses from songs, most notably "Piddle, Twiddle and Resolve", and various pickup and reaction shots.

Columbia calls the DVD the Restored Director's Cut, so I'm not going to argue about the missing 14 minutes that were on the laserdisc but absent on the DVD. Who am I to second-guess what Peter Hunt's vision of the film should be?

However, I must admit to harboring suspicions the additional laserdisc footage was jettisoned due to its inferior quality. Because the original negatives of the additional scenes were destroyed, the laserdisc contained sections from secondary sources. Some of these sections contained scratches, edit marks, noticeable color and density shifts and even a tiny snippet from a black and white workprint.

One can argue that since the Restored Director's Cut is aimed at the general public and not 1776 afficiados, Hunt decided to go with what looked best. The average movie watcher would probably find the extra footage rather jarring and distracting.

This is quite understandable. Frankly, the DVD version is the one I'll show to persons unfamiliar with the film. Once I get 'em hooked, though, I'll drag out the laserdics and blow them away.

Perhaps Sony/Columbia/Tri-Star/Whatever will release their own special edition in the future, one which will allow you to watch the theatrical version, the current DVD's Restored Director's Cut, and the whole-nine-yards-laserdisc assemblage. Remember how a film would have multiple laserdisc releases? You almost had to build an addition to your home to house all the flavors of "Terminator 2" floating around in the mid-90s.

So, you may ask, why give the DVD 5 stars?

It's technically flawless and superior to the VHS version by several orders of magnitude.

Comparing it to Pioneer's 1992 labor of love is unfair. The laser version had a limited release, was aimed at collectors, has been long out of print and is on an obsolete format.

And besides, completists will want it anyway.

Rating:
Summary: 1776 a DVD must have!
Review: Having just finished watching the DVD release of 1776, I feel like I've not only revisited and old and favorite friend, but learned all new things about him! The restored footage is fantastic - buy it for no other reason than to hear Cool, Cool, Considerate Men. An outstanding musical number, which of course makes Dickinson's motivations much clearer than in the cut up version released in theaters. There is much more dialogue debating independence, which is most welcome. Also, some rather saucy dialogue concerning the establishment of prostitutes in New Brunswick near the Continental Army camp. 1776 is one of my favorite musicals, and was always a MUST see every July 4, until it was no longer shown in my area. I had to content myself to singing along with the CD of the original Broadway version. I would rank the film version at least in my top five favorite movie musicals, along with Singin' in the Rain, Meet Me in St. Louis and Kiss Me, Kate. You won't be disappointed!!

Rating:
Summary: Magnificent DVD
Review: Finally the DVD version has arrived and a perfect time -- July 2nd release date. This is simply magnificent. For the first time we see it in its letter box form. But most of all -- there are an additional 25 minutes added to the film to make the "Director's Cut" version. Those 25 minutes are superb. Some scenes range from a few seconds to the complete restored musical number "Cool Considerate Men". These added minutes really enhance the characters such as Dickinson, McKean, Read and others but especially adds further depth to Rutledge and Judge Wilson. Simply a fantastic movie. Share it with your children and let them see why we are a great nation. A great nation and a great movie. ENJOY !!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: American History at It's Best
Review: This is a wonderful movie about American History. It has a fantastic mixture of comedy and drama. Although we all know how the story ends, very few of us know the steps taken to reach that end. Watching this movie was a very enlightening and entertaining experience. Suprisingly, this movie is for every member of the family. My husband loves it, I love it, and my 3 year old son loves all the singing. Even my brother and father love it. One of the few movies I can watch constantly and not get tired of. "I say, Vote yes. Vote Yes. Vote for Independency". Now I'm just waiting for it to come out on DVD.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful reminder of our freedom!
Review: I've seen this on Broadway and i was also working at Radio City Music Hall when this movie opened in '72. I'm really looking forward to the DVD in the splender of 5.1 and wide screen. This film is probably one of the most important films ever made and it's DVD release is right on time and believe is very much needed especially with the downfall of our country. This film should be a "must see" in every school and to every school kid american or not.The music is wonderful, both comic and dead serious. The actors are all vintage and well trained and coming from the stage myself these actors know there kraft and each character is very believeable. The costumes, stage settings, props all speak for themselves. If you haven't seen this do yourself a big favor,,,,,buy it. It will make you proud,,,, and forget about political correctness for a moment and see for yourself thru great music and acting what are fore-fathers really wanted for us. You'll be glad your American.July 5th. I just received my new DVD of "1776" and it is WONDERFUL! The wide screen format is so much better than the cropped version and the stereo 5.1 is more than exceptional. I could not have asked for a better transfer especially when John Adams is singing to Abagail (yours). The lows in the orchestra are great and it has a wonderful feel of depth to it. Great job whoever did it. I knew this film was great but i had forgotten how REALLY great this film is."Saltpetter John, Pins Abagail,,,for God Sake John, sit down."

Rating:
Summary: 1776 - Only a 5 star rating is not high enough!!!
Review: 1776 is one of the greatest films of all time! It depicts many great Americans pitted together, with diverse interests, who overcame seemingly insurmountable odds to forge the dream that is the United States of America. The brilliant dialog and comedic repartee provide lots of laughs and the best of entertainment. But more, we see John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock, and others as human beings like ourselves, and we witness their struggles in the debates over American independence. I, too, visited Independance Hall in Philadelphia after seeing this movie several times. The movie accurately displays both the sights and the spirit. If you truly love America, then I highly recommend you watch this movie many times. I guarantee it will keep getting better every time. And, if you are so patriotic that an American Flag and an American bald eagle can bring a joyful tear to your eye, then be sure to have a kleenex close by, because it just doesn't get any better than this! Catch the spirit, and enjoy this great movie!