Rating: 
Summary: Revolutionary DVD
Review: When I reviewed the VHS version many moons ago, I said that the film was desperately in need of a DVD. The laserdisc version was outstanding, but in a form that was never going to reach more than a few viewers. Unlike the LD, which was an independent reconstruction without director Peter Hunt's input, the DVD restores the film to a state Hunt considers ideal, using a far cleaner print than that utilized previously. Although some have complained that we don't have "the whole thing," one must bear in mind that giving viewers "the whole thing" was not Hunt's intent. While it is not quite clear why he decided not to restore the middle section of "Piddle, Twiddle, and Resolve," those who have seen the Pioneer LD with Hunt's commentary will be aware that he doesn't _like_ how the reprise to the "Lees of Old Virginia" came out on film. (And rightly so: the reprise works only in the context of the theatrical staging, where it plays with the audience's response to what it thinks is the entire number. But because the number simply doesn't generate the same kind of excitement when transferred to film, the reprise falls flat.) The DVD includes both Hunt's commentary, much of which will be recognizable to those who have seen the Pioneer LD, and Peter Stone's. Stone does gab a wee bit overmuch, and musical theater fans will catch him in the occasional error. However, both he and Hunt are, overall, entertaining and informative. The sound quality is outstanding, far exceeding that of the LD--for example, I could hear some percussion rhythms that I'd never been aware of previously--and the picture is bright and crisp. Overall, this is definitely a worthwhile investment.
Rating:
Summary: At Last! The Movie the way it was meant to be seen!
Review: Yes, there are a few minor faults with "1776," but they are trifles, when compared with the overall picture. As Peter H. Hunt (the director) says in the commentary audio track, producer Jack L. Warner removed bits and pieces from the original release, because of many reasons (not the least of which was Richard Nixon's dislike of a particularly powerful song). Finally, we are able to see the movie as it was meant to be seen, in this delightful director's cut DVD. "1776" has always been one of my favorite musicals - on stage and on screen. While the flaws of the movie (there are a few too many zooming shots, and one or two of the cast members retain thier stage persona, without toning things down for the camera) are there, the picture as a whole is magnificent. William Daniels is superb as John Adams - people who only know him as the voice of KITT and Mr. Feeney from the TV show "Boy Meets World" will be astounded by his brilliant performance here. Another great thing about this movie is that the cast is (for the most part) the same cast that originated the show on Broadway, in 1969. The director is the same, the screenwriter is the same, the costume designer, etc... This is a necessary addition to any theatre lover's DVD library. BUY THIS DVD! What more can I tell you?
Rating:
Summary: Magnificent Restoration
Review: I cannot get over how great this film looks and holds up after all these years. I saw the original Broadway production and loved it but was disappointed at the original distribution of the film which cut the play mercilessly. This new restoration has brought back all of the cut scenes and cleaned up the editing to make a cohesive, exciting film with all the tension and drama of the original. William Daniels is a great Adams and Howard Da Silva is a wonderful Franklin. Donald Madden, in his only screne role, is a powerful Dickinson who is defeated in the end but comes out as a respectable character. Throw away your old VHS of this movie and buy this new DVD and you will not be dissappointed.
Rating:
Summary: 4th of July Fireworks
Review: The Director's cut is marvelous; 25 minutes
of restored scenes including "Cool, Cool
Considerate Men." It's a must have and
worth every penny.
Rating:
Summary: 14 minutes missing! GET OVER IT!
Review: Yes, as one who owns the "restored" 181 minute LD, I found myself watching it only once. The "restored" parts were not restored. It was painful to watch the horrible quality of the added footage. If I am going to deal with flipping sides of a LD, the film better be in perfect shape! At least the DVD is completely crisp and clear with glorious sound and anamorphic picture. Yes, it would have been wonderful to have the whole movie, but I'm not going to get in a tizzy over 14 minutes.
Rating:
Summary: Better by far than video
Review: The scenes that were added back in for this director's cut help the movie tremendously. Several comments and partial scenes make much more sense. The DVD has better sound quality and better picture quality, plus a more coherent story line. I would recommend it to anyone who has seen 1776, and even more to people who haven't.
Rating: 
Summary: Poor Judgment in DVD versus Tape
Review: I love 1776! I have owned the VHS tape version for decades and immediately purchased the DVD when I found it to be available. Where the tape receives a 5 stars from me, the DVD suffers from the POOR JUDGMENT of director Hunt in his "Director's Cut" version. Jack Warner, who produced the tape version, definitely had better judgment concerning content and pacing. Changing the movie from 140 minutes to about 165 requires extreme skill and care, which Hunt lacked. I love 150 minutes of the movies, however there are 15 more minutes to watch. The added minutes had been removed by Jack Warner. These deleted scenes would in most all cases have been better seen in the Bonus material section or in a full, second version of the movie. Hunt and the distributors seem to feel that putting "Director's Cut" at the top of the DVD box adds justification to purchase the movie. Are director cuts always superior to the original? The controversial "Cool, Cool Men" was added and the prominent justification in liner notes states that President Nixon opposed it - a cheap, condescending statement to avoid saying Warner did not believe it fit the movie. I agree with Warner! The song fails on numerous counts. First, it digresses from the movie theme of GAINING INDEPENDENCE. Second, the MINUET sequence BETWEEN MEN who were boldly risking their lives and fortunes by participating in the Continent Congress is plain WRONG. Third, the idea presented in the song that these courageous men were CONSERVATIVE, RICH men - who at the same time they putting forth ideas followed by progressives around the world to aid in democracy's growth and to help end absolute monarchy found in most European countries is ludicrous. Fourth, not all those participating in the song were wealthy. Five, the song ends with a wisecrack from one of their aides, on how they were cheapskates to the lower classes - hey Hunt, check history on their generosity to charities! Finally, the song is a straight political shot.
The film also drags with the extended song/conversations between John Adams and his wife, Abigail. In fact, the DVD version could be renamed to "John Adams". A big plus added to the DVD is the exchange between Rutledge of South Carolina and John Adams of Massachusetts on the sovereignty of the individual states versus the national government, an advance look at one of the causes of the Civil War. The DVD's sound is wonderful, and its visual appearance is also great! Again, I love 150 minutes of the movie, but there are 15 minutes more to watch. Bottom Line - I will view the DVD with a remote in my hand to bypass the parts that don't work. Warner versus Hunt, hmmm - who is Hunt anyway?
Rating:
Summary: We prefer the edited version
Review: I must utter what may be the only discouraging word here ... But first, let me say I have loved this film since I saw it on TV with my family as a kid. I shared the VHS version with my own daughters a few years ago, and since then it has become our annual July tradition to watch it together. The songs, acting and dialogue are all wonderful. The only price I pay is putting up with my teenage daughters walking around the house saying things like, "DAMN YOU, Mister Adams," for a few days afterwards. HOWEVER ... I would consider the Director's Cut on DVD to be at best a supplement for the true fan. I'll be castigated for this, but in general I think the edits performed on the theatrical release were done wisely. While there are a few good moments, much of the dialogue restored to this DVD edition either 1) doesn't work or 2) repeats what is said elsewhere without advancing the plot. And whatever Nixon's reasons for asking that "Cool, Considerate Men" be removed, he was apparently a better editor than Prez; it's the weakest song in the show. Buy this DVD for the extra bits, but share the edited theatrical release (only available on VHS as of now, unfortunately) with friends; it's much more entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: 1776 - Restored Director's Cut
Review: This is not your father's 1776. The restoration of the missing pieces of the movie, especially "Cool, Cool, Conservative Men" puts right what once went wrong. The scene transitions are smoother, the audio is fantastic. If you've only seen 1776 on tape or on TV, than you haven't seen the movie as it was filmed. Especially interesting is the roll then President Richard Nixon played in deletions from the original movie. The DVD was a complete and fantastic surprise.
Rating:
Summary: A musical for even the non-musical fan!
Review: I'm not a big fan of musicals, but my spouse got me
hooked on this one. Not only is it a joy to watch, but
the story treats our founding fathers as people instead
of demigods. It's educational as well as fun. The recent DVD release of this film is amazing. Important
footage has been restored, and the sound quality is
greatly improved. We had the VHS tape for years, and the DVD is quite a bit better. I recommend this film to anybody. It's just plain good.
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