John Adams

The attention to detail in this mini-series only caps off the brilliant writing and acting, top to bottom. So refreshing to see this attention in simple things like seeing the cannons fire in the distance, THEN hearing the blasts several seconds later, as it is in real life... ditto thunder and lightning... brilliant. Even more importantly, seeing how our founding fathers (and mothers!) laid it all out on the line, risking life and property for ideas and ideals. This series should be mandatory watching in high school history classes from now on. It should also be mandatory viewing for our Congress, if only to remind them of what guts, personal conviction, and personal sacrifice in service to your COUNTRY is. Maybe today's leaders wouldn't be so quick to dismantle the Constitution if they see accurately what our ancestors went through to secure it in the first place. HBO, Tom Hanks, et al ... you are to be genuinely congratulated! And special thanks to David McCullough for the book, and the writers for their screenplays.

Given the current state of affairs, everyone should make time to watch this mini-series. It's refreshing to know that people though imperfect truly cared about the true nature of freedom. The actors do an outstanding job of portraying the flavor of the times, and the souls of their characters. For most of us the Declaration of Independence is taken for granted. It's wonderful to see how many struggled to unify this country and by no means was the thinking unanimous. I love Jefferson and his quiet nature, resorting to words on paper more comfortably than speaking in public.

For as much as I thought I knew about John Adams I'm finding I didn't know him at all. Pay close attention to the courtroom scenes and thank the stars that court room behavior has evolved since then. I'd hate to have to testify in an environment like that.

Watch this series and hope that some of our politicians today are watching too. I would hope that it might spark something inside them that has been buried in todays hypocrites

For this here 4th of July week I felt compelled to revisit the highly acclaimed HBO mini-series, John Adams. Few and far between are quality theatrical depictions of the American Revolutionary War era, and this is by far my favorite. Set between the years of 1770 & 1826, we follow the Massachusetts man of law turned founding father, John Adams (brilliantly portrayed by Paul Giamatti) as he swerves his way through politics and war, at home and abroad. The excellence of filmmaking here is noteworthy, as directed by Tom Hooper (a Brit might I add) who forgoes the sentimental romanticism of days-gone-by we Americans have become accustom to seeing in movies, and instead delivers a grittier, nuanced tale, of an imperfect time and an imperfect people for which our reverence still stands, deservedly so. And if you're looking for all the vintage hitters; the Jefferson, the Franklin, the Washington, they are each portrayed here with texture and competence, but its John and Abigail Adams that command our attention. For Adams was a firebrand human, stubborn, yet ingenious, essential in bringing together 13 disparate colonies as one union of states. Adams is a legend and fittingly so, for he like many brave Americans endeavored to set us on a path toward irrevocable freedom and independence in the face of ancient imperial subjugation, riding a wave of liberty once so precious and rare. And we are still riding that wave of liberty to this day. We are still endeavoring toward a freedom for all. 9/10

The first two episodes of this mini series have captivated me like very few things have. It is interesting to see a detailed look at the foundation of this great nation come to life instead of merely being read on page.

The cast is stellar. Giamatti is a great actor and he brings John Adams to life. Wilkinson as Benjamin Franklin is one of the highlights. The realism of the time frame is brought to life like few movies have done; accuracy in costumes, to architecture, and locational shots.

This is a truly moving piece, and a must watch for fans of history, and those with a appreciation of great cinema regardless.

As fine a political documentary as I have ever seen! Understated, yet amazing in its depth. Even the exhilarating music portends the events to come. A must see for those interested in how the nation they live in came to be. This film may upset some with its frankness of the times in which the characters lived, that said, I applaud that very frankness that allows us to see the people that supported and opposed our becoming a nation. A very "well done" to all those involved with the making of this ode to a time long gone. May we as a nation once more learn the lessons that came to be so well known by the majority of our "Founding Fathers"... AND Mothers.