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Summary: A WAY TO CELEBRATE WHY WE BECAME "AMERICA" WITH MUSIC
Review: I'm one for collecting movies with a Holiday theme, regardless of the holiday. Look at all the Christmas classics that have come out on DVD over the last few years, and I am waiting patiently for EASTER PARADE for that holiday. By accident, I discovered this great film, which is one of my favorite musicals, was getting the DVD treatment. After exploring more today (a week from release), I am "FLOORED" that it will be the director's cut, as I have only seen the VHS and TV-broadcast edited version. I was never fortunate to see the Laser Disc with the extra footage. Prior to it's recent Broadway revival closing, I took in 1776 with the current cast and thouroughly enjoyed it, and witnessed for the first time the song that was cut from the film. I am waiting anxiously now until next Tuesday so I can finally see this masterpiece in its full form for the first time. The cast is splendid, and I agree with another reviewer here that if Ben Franklin is not Howard DaSilva's portrayal when we reach the pearly gates, we will be disappointed. One of the few film versions of a musical that retains most of the original cast, William Daniels as John Adams is superb, as is Mr. DaSilva, Ken Howard, John Cullum, et al. For the ladies, Blythe Danner is time-period gorgeous as Mrs. Thomas Jefferson, and Virginia Vestoff as Abigail Adams has a glorious voice. I don't know what happened to her, but she should have been a standards concert star in the realm of Garland and Streisand. I've seen this film every July 4 for years, and now will have it on DVD. You should too!
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Summary: A great historical musical!
Review: My family owns the VHS version of this movie, and I am glad that it is now being released on DVD as the VHS version is almost worn out. 1776 is a very well thought out musical with many memorable songs, sung by actors and actresses who each bring their own individual flairs to the characters. At the heart of 1776 is the historical story behind American Independence and the historical side of the picture is as well produced as the musical side. Indeed I've seen this movie in more than one history class. A very good movie and one I'd definitely recommend.
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Summary: LONG OVERDUE DVD RELEASE: 1776
Review: ITS ABOUT TIME THIS EXCELLENT FILM VERSION OF THE HIT BROADWAY MUSICAL MADE ITS WAY TO DVD. FAITHFUL ADAPTATION OF THE MUSICAL BEAUTIFULLY SHOT IN WIDESCREEN WITH GORGEOUS SCENERY AND VERY FINE MUSIC INDEED. YOU WILL NOT WANT TO MISS THIS ONE!
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Summary: 1776 Review
Review: This was a good movie, my teacher showed it to us in class to help uss better understand the declaration of independance. It is a good movie to show tto get kids to understand about our American history.
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Summary: Fantastic Material !
Review: I've been a fan of this film since first seeing it. The music is fabulous, the acting superb. I've actually seen a stage production rivally the movie, but this film is memorable. A classic.
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Summary: One of the best musicals ever written
Review: Great telling of the story of the men who wrote the Declaration of Independence. Ken Howard was absolutely brilliant as Jefferson, and William Daniels gave a very real life portrayal as the mercurial John Adams. As an American History major, I must admit that some of the characters were not portrayed accurately. The main part being the Delaware delegation. Caesar Romney did ride back to Philadelphia, but he rode back from his militia troops, not from a sickbed. What is also of interest is how you heard a small drumroll whenever George Washington's name is mentioned. In a time where we now tend to try to de-myth our heroes, this is a welcome touch. Movie is worth the price, and then some. Great watching for all the family.
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Summary: But Mr. Adams, dear Mr. Adams...
Review: I have loved this movie since I first saw it in the late 70's in American History class. Who would have thought the "White Shadow" could 'sing'? And sang Ken Howard did...in the finest tradition, among greats like Lee Marvin in "Paint Your Wagon". Howard's Thomas Jefferson is the central character--the composer of the Declaration of Independence. William Daniels (who would go on to play Dr. Mark Craig in the television series "St. Elsewhere" and lended his voice to K.I.T.T. in television's "Knight Rider") plays a splendid John Adams. Howard da Silva (who career was previously ruined in the blacklisting of actors during the McCarthy red-scare of the `50's) is the embodiment of Dr. Benjamin Franklin. This is a fun movie which frames this supreme act of treason against the United Kingdom in both song and moments of serious reflection, as when dispatches are read to the Congress from their "humble and faithful servant, G. Washington". What else can I say?..."Connecticut! Connecticut...."
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Summary: This is it!
Review: This is the one we've all been waiting for. This is the DVD that I bought my DVD player for. Only a couple of more weeks and we get to see 1776 wide screen and apparently better than it's ever been seen before. I've loved this musical ever since I was 14 and I checked out the audiocassette of the original broadway cast album out of the library and suddenly saw (well heard is more accurate I guess but you get the picture) history and musicals in a whole new way. As for foul language and adult content it does have some but the whole point of this musical was to show that the "Founding Fathers" were real flesh and blood human beings who made mistakes and suffered along with all the rest of us and yet, somehow, managed to rise above their personal desires and work for the common good of all people. That's something pretty cool to teach a kid, although I think only kids in 6th grade and above are really going to enjoy it anyway. it's a little dry and a little long and a little complicated at some points. But it's still my all time favorite Broadway and movie musical right up there with "The Music Man", "West Side Story", "the Fantasticks" and "Fiddler on the Roof."
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Summary: One of the best musicals i've seen
Review: Don't let the musical part scare you off this is a great film, with excellent actors, playing wonderfully rich characters.
Everyone should see this film!
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Summary: THE GREATEST MUSICAL EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: This is the greatest musical that I have ever seen. The acting is suberb and the music, dancing, and singing is great.
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