Rating: 
Summary: Marvelous
Review: Being a historian is not required to love the movie adaptation of 1776. All you have to do is appreciate wit, comedy, and a touch of romance. These things along with the extremely compelling tale of American independence is presented in this superbly crafted film. Every actor and actress presents a portrait of what you'd expect historic Colonial figures to be like. William Daniels is the quintissential John Adams. Da Silva is truly the scene stealer as the fabulous Franklin. Every other character is wonderful and unforgettable. This is a film that will charm anyone and I can't recommend it enough.
Rating:
Summary: Three Cheers and Fireworks for 1776!
Review: I was absolutely thrilled to see this movie available for sale on Amazon.com! My family and I have nearly worn out a very poor recording made off television in 1984. Suffice to say, I absolutely love this film. The book by Peter Stone manages to make a thriller out of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Though we all know the ending, the tension and suspense built up through the film leave that ending very much in doubt until the last moment. The cast, most of whom repeat their Broadway roles, are excellent without exception. William Daniels, a perennial favorite of mine, captures the historical Adams to a T -- a man long on passion, if short on people skills. Howard daSilva, to my mind, IS Franklin. Hard to credit these days -- but true -- da Silva was almost denied the Broadway role because of having been targeted by Senator McCarthy's Committee on Unamerican Activities. Then, to top it all off, he had a heart attack right before the opening and was replaced on the cast album. So it's all the more wonderful that his performance lives on in video! Ken Howard is adorable as Jefferson, as is Blythe Danner as his wife, Martha. She, by the way, was one of the few newcomers in the film, replacing Betty Buckley. Of the other supporting characters, the absolute standout is John Cullom. As Routledge, delegate to the Congress from South Carolina, he confronts Adams on the anti-slavery clause in the draft document, threatening to sink the entire effort if the clause is not deleted. His song, "Molasses to Rum to Slaves," a chilling portrayal of the slave trade, is a show-stopper. Sherman Edwards' score may be a bit short on "hum-ability" but it is a near-perfect blend of "period" and contemporary -- no mean feat! True, the history in the fim is not 100% accurate, but it's close. What the film does do, which to me is more important, is to give life and humanity to our founding fathers -- warts, foibles and all. And it gives us all a real sense of what it was like to sit in that room during those hot days in Philadelphia when our nation nearly wasn't born!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: Saw this on broadway nearly 30 years ago and in the theatre when the movie was new. Viewed the video last night for the first time in years! It is wonderful for the U.S. history buff and could easily turn someone into a history buff! It is delightful and instructional at the same time!
Rating:
Summary: I loved it!
Review: I saw the movie only after I had seen the original production of the play (on B'way in the late 60's/early 70's), and I was hooked. My brother and I played the soundtrack over and over again to the point where even my mother was driven crazy by it, and my grandmother took me to the movie (she's the one with whom I saw the play).Since the 60s, I have seen the play once more (in a revival on Broadway in 1997), and have seen the film countless times. It has become a family tradition to watch it over 4th of July weekend, and we never miss a year. Yes, the history is a tad off, and they cut out one of my favorite songs (Cool, Cool Conservative Men), but who cares? It is a movie I never get tired of seeing.
Rating:
Summary: It is an excellent representation of that time period
Review: I love this movie. A lot of effort went into making the sets and costumes look authentic. Howard Da Silva's portrayal of Benjamin Franklin was superb. William Daniels caught Adams' firey nature perfectly. Ken Howard played the part of the quiet, studious Jefferson excellently.
Rating:
Summary: John Adams would be in 7th Heaven!
Review: This movie set me on the road to being an actress and Historian! It is very good!
Rating:
Summary: an all time best!!!
Review: It's one of my few favorites. It may sound cheesy on the outset--a musical about the declaration of indepence--but you would so surprised. It it fun, it's exciting, it's VERY witty. It starts out with my all-time favorite one-liner: "I have come to the conclusion that one useless man is called a disgrace; that two are called a law firm, and that three or more become a congress." It makes the cardboard figures of your history textbook become living human beings with dreams, fears, and frailities, especially superb SUPERB William Daniel's John Adams, but these qualities make them all the greater. Yet behind all the jokes and songs, the story is mostly very historical--the turn of events, the annecdotes, much of the dialogues and song lyrics are taken straight from words written by the founders themselves. A great entertainment for everyone. Parents and teachers: it's the greatest starter to introduce your youngsters to be interested in American founding history--it has certainly made a convert of me! :) END
Rating:
Summary: A "Must-See" for American History Buffs!
Review: Although this movie was made over 25 years ago, it is timeless in its appeal. It truthfully depicts the founding fathers as not perfect people, but as the real men of diverse backgrounds who overcame their differences for the country which was not yet born. It also showcases the marvelous voice of one of my favorite actors, William Daniels! END
Rating:
Summary: Even if you don't like history...
Review: A wonderful, endearing film. I can't count the number of times I've seen it. Good lyrics, dialogue, characters, and acting. Will make anyone laugh. Check out the soundtrack while you're at it.... "Why are we going to New Jersey?" "For the whoring and drinking, of course!" END
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?
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