Rating: 
Summary: The second most increfibly boring film ever
Review: What is "1776"? It's about the signing of the Decleration of Independence. And it's a musical. The songs will make you cringe. And Blythe Danner had a very small role. What's with that? "1776's" acting was not very good. And it was way too lond - at 148 minutes. It takes a long time for July 4th to get there. I really disliked this movie. Oh, the most boring movie ever is "Lost in Space" (1997).
Rating: 
Summary: Our Forefathers Portrayed as Humans? Incredible!
Review: I really enjoyed this movie. I liked the dialogue, loved the music, and found it refreshing to see all of those people you learned about in American History class being portrayed as ordinary people. I don't know how truly accurate it is, but I really don't care. It's a fun movie which is truly entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: Best musical ever
Review: There is no better musical and I have seen all produced on the stage and screen since 1968. The plot is unique, not just a theme redone or remake of an old story. It has a perfect blend of serious issues mixed with humor as not to be to overbearing. The music is fantastic. It is most memorable to the point of getting it in your head and singing it all day long. I have four copies to ensure that I can watch it indefinitely. Too bad it is not on DVD.
Rating:
Summary: The Rocky Horror Picture Show of Historical Movies
Review: Watching 1776 is an annual family tradition in my household. Mind you, we're not the kind of folks who have a favorite movie for every holiday......just this one. We have a tendancy to sing along and join in the dialog ala' Rocky Horror Picture Show. And when we visited the Adams homestead in Quincy, Massachussetts, it felt like we were visiting the home of an old (if obnoxious and disliked) friend. OK, so maybe the movie isn't historically accurate... but wouldn't you like to think that Adams sent for Martha Jefferson so Tom could get his concentration back? And is there a better description of a perfect couple than Ben Franklin's "Of course she's his wife, John. Look how well they fit" ? Perhaps the thing I like best about this movie is that it takes a subject that has the potential to be lethally boring and make it and its subjects come alive. It clearly demonstrates that these were _real_ people, not just dusty legends. The only thing that could make this movie better is for it to finally come out on DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Just buy the damn thing!
Review: This is the finest tribute to John Adams (my own personal hero) one can imagine, portrayed to fiery brilliance by the great William Daniels (who is now and for all time, the quintessential John Adams in film and theatre). It is nothing short of his spirit ("obnoxious and disliked," because of his uncompromising vision and devotion to the cause of freedom for all Americans, not merely the white colonists) which thunders through this great work of art. Franklin, Jefferson, and various other chaps assist as well. And it's fun on top of it!
Rating:
Summary: So I'm not the only one who LOVES 1776...
Review: I got to see 1776 in Radio City in 1972 when it first opened and then saw it at least 5 more times while it was in release. To say it's my favorite is like saying the Red Sox are chokers (sorry fellow Sox fans but it's true!). I finally got the video a few years ago and have watched it over and over and now my 17 year old nephew even likes it! I've always loved American history but even the best teacher cannot show you all that must have gone on for our nation to be born. The drama along with the humor and the humanity of the men involved are wonderfully portrayed in this movie. If anyone thinks a group of men suddenly decided to sign a paper saying the that America was a free nation in 1776 they need to see this. The struggles of men, some ordinary, others more influential such as Franklin, Jefferson and Adams are riveting as they come to life in this movie. The main focus is Adams, often branded as "obnoxious and disliked" but respected by his peers, Jefferson and Franklin as well as men such as Hancock and Lee. He is committed to American freedom, and in the rousing opening song we see what he is up against as he implores everyone to vote for independence. His struggles, personal and professional, are brought to life as we see him talking to his dearest friend Abigail and later questioning himself. As he comes to the realization that he cannot have both American freedom and a continent free of slavery we feel what must have been for Adams a time of serious soul searching. His personal vision of America, given in the song, Commitment, is one of my favorite parts of the movie, where he says "I see fireworks - I see the pomp and parade - I hear the bells ringing out - I hear the cannons roar - I see Americans , all Americans, free, forevermore!" John Adams may not have realized it but his words (and the song does take many of them from his letters to Abigail and his private writings)come to life every 4th of July, especially on the Esplanade in Boston!! If you really want to see what he envisioned go to Boston on the 4th for the Pops concert, take in the magnificent fireworks and then if you are still awake, pop 1776 in the VCR - or see the tape before you go. Whether you are interested in music, history or just entertainment, 1776 fits the bill nicely. I recommend it highly!
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Movie of All Time!
Review: If it was possible, I would give this movie 100 stars! This movie got me into the American Revolution, and the men behind it with its almost perfect representations of our Founding Fathers. Though everyone knows the story of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, '1776' adds so much more detail and insight into the event. William Daniels is a perfect John Adams...his dogged determination for indpendence are wonderfully portrayed. John Cullum is a chilling Edward Rutledge, and his song 'Molasses to Rum', is a painfully accurate picture of the slave trade. Howard da Silva and Ken Howard are both notable as Franklin and Jefferson, but my favorite actor has to be Ronald Holgate as Richard Henry Lee. He gives such an energetic and humorous performance, and 'The Lees of Old VA' is probably my favorite scene in the movie. '1776' is great for both history buffs and casual viewers. It's really an experience to see how it probably really was in Philadelphia that summer, and it gives so much more body to the men who created our nation. A great movie!!!
Rating:
Summary: Great Video, but WE NEED THE DVD!!!!!!!
Review: This is an incredibly funny, intelligent historical musical! The music is excellent as well. But a film of this quality deserves to be released on DVD for those of us with players! We long to hear those incredible musical numbers like "But Mr Adams" and "He Plays the Violin" in 5 channel Dolby Digital Surround that can only be found on a DVD! But all of that aside, I suppose William Daniels is unbelievably brilliant on VHS too, BUT I WANT IT ON DVD!!!
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Musical!
Review: This is my absolute favorite musical, ever since my history teacher showed it in class in 11th grade. The songs are catchy, and humor is mixed in throughout the movie, giving it that perfect touch. Where else but in 1776 can you see the founding fathers doing a toe-step at the top of the stairs? My one complaint is that the movie should be put onto DVD, and it isn't.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Adaptation
Review: I am a big history buff, this era in particular. And although this musical is not completely historically accurate, it is very entertaining. William Daniels is at his best, playing a wonderfully condescending John Adams. Ken Howard has the ideal look and style of Thomas Jefferson. But the icing on the cake is Howard Da Silva. It's like Ben Franklin himself came back to play the part. And he gets all the great lines. The addition of John Cullum as Edward Rutledge was a good decision (as I am a fan of his). The music is inspired. My personal favorites are the opener "Sit Down, John," "Piddle, Twiddle, and Resolve," and "Molasses to Rum." Musical fans and history fans alike will enjoy this bringing back to life of an era so long ago.
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