It's airing now, for President's Day. I had forgotten how excellent is this miniseries.

A reviewer on IMDB calls it "Superb in every way." I couldn't agree more.

Rousing though it is, seeing it now makes me a bit melancholy, because it reminds me of how far we've fallen as a nation since 2008, and what must inevitably happen once again if America is to be saved.

Nevertheless...

I really love the scene when Franklin and Adams are reading and commending (and editing) Jefferson's draft of the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson, played wonderfully by a favorite character actor of mine Stephen Dillane, simply responds "Well, it's what I believe."

Thanks for the reminder Para. I watched it in 08 and it was excellent. I'll watch again.

Jim

It's one of my favorites and I saved it digitally so I'd have it for as long as I inhabit this blue marble. For whatever reason, I always choke up in the scene where George Washington is taking the oath of office. I can't even BEGIN to imagine the magnitude of that moment for the gentlemen involved in establishing this Republic!!!

If and when I get to heaven, aside from rejoicing with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and giving Him praise, I hope we have the ability to experience any point in time. That's one I want to go back to.....

I liked it so much back then that I bought the boxed DVD set.

A a very well done miniseries. HBO usually get's these things right. Just watching and paying attention gives a good education on how our country was formed. Poetic license, sure but not overly so and well acted on all counts.

I'm going to have to record and watch it again.

I loved David Morse’s portrayal of General George Washington in this.

I recall reading that Washington was actually in fact a quiet and softspoken man and not some loud braggadocious type, and he did speak softly at his inauguration and people had a hard time hearing him. They portrayed that in the end of the series.

Do I have to have HBO to watch this? Any streaming options, Netflix, etc?

ETA - i just checked and I can 'rent' it for free from the Library, otherwise there are NO streaming options w/o a subscription.

We loved it so much we bought the box set. It is excellent, and Paul Giamatti is a seriously underrated actor.

quote:

Originally posted by nhracecraft:
Do I have to have HBO to watch this? Any streaming options, Netflix, etc?

ETA - i just checked and I can 'rent' it for free from the Library, otherwise there are NO streaming options w/o a subscription.

I think its HBO GO only.

I haven't watched this yet, sounds like I need to

quote:

Originally posted by Lord Vaalic:

I haven't watched this yet, sounds like I need to

Well worth the time.

Hard to believe it’s been 15 years since it debuted

It’s based on the David McCullough biography and yes, everyone show watch and/or read it. Paul Giamatti is an amazing actor and the portrayal of the Adams/Jefferson feud was spot on (so far as we know).

quote:

Originally posted by tigereye313:
We loved it so much we bought the box set. It is excellent, and Paul Giamatti is a seriously underrated actor.

I agree. He was also stellar in Sidways Billiions Cinderella Man among others.

It saddened me to see him doing that stupid Verizon commercial.

quote:

Originally posted by Lord Vaalic:

quote:

Originally posted by nhracecraft:
Do I have to have HBO to watch this? Any streaming options, Netflix, etc?

ETA - i just checked and I can 'rent' it for free from the Library, otherwise there are NO streaming options w/o a subscription.

I think its HBO GO only.

I haven't watched this yet, sounds like I need to

Just to clarify, there's no more HBO Go. It was replaced with HBO Max awhile back. Max does everything Go did plus more. I get mine in a discounted bundle with my T-Mobile account, but I'd pay full price for it if I had to. Great content.

Excellent miniseries!

Learned much about President Adams!!!

I remember it, it was really good.

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:
I liked it so much back then that I bought the boxed DVD set.

As did I.

One of my annual traditions is to start re-watching this around the end of June and finish the last episode on Independence Day... although, admittedly, I skip a year every now and then just so that it doesn't become too routine or familiar to me.

I've probably watched it 8 or 9 times by now.

Pro tip; for those of you that can possibly do so, I strongly recommend watching this from the DVD boxed set, because of the features offered. There is a selectable option feature called Facts are stubborn things that while playing will intermittently pop these interesting historical facts up that will give context, and in some cases, factual corrections, to the various scenes. A little extra dose of history while watching, although using this feature doesn't allow for the option of using subtitles as well, so you'll have to decide which you prefer.

Also, there are several bonus features on the DVD set well worth watching . There is a 'making of' feature that goes into the behind-the-scenes of this miniseries. It was filmed in Williamsburg, Virginia, with the cooperation of those who run it, to strive for historical accuracy. They also go into the period costumes and the music in it. Several great interviews with the actors in various stages of dress before or after scenes were filmed, along with comments by historian David McCullough, who was an on-set consultant.

There is a separate feature on the DVD that is about David McCullough himself; his life, his family, and his career, as well as his approach to writing a book about historical characters. Essentially, he is meticulous in his research, but beyond the documents, records, paintings, and/ or photographs, he travels to several places that his subjects lived and worked. He wants to see what they saw, take in the views and architectures that they were surrounded in while doing whatever it was that made them notable.

For his research on his book about John Adams, among the many places McCullough travelled to was the Adams' family farm Peacefield, Independence Hall in Philadelphia (there is a beautiful moment when McCullough climbed the ladder in the steeple tower and pops out of a hatch to view the surrounding city landscape), and the Boston historical archives.

For those not aware, the reason that we know so much about John and Abigail Adams, their children, and his works, is that he, his wife, and others of the time were prolific writers, and many of their personal letters have survived and are archived now.

John Adams referred to his wife as "My Dearest Friend" because she truly was not only a loving wife but his friend and consul as well, and he relied on her opinion. They had a beautiful relationship portrayed in the miniseries.

Beyond the compelling historical story, the acting, including by the supporting actors, is superb. In addition to Paul Giamatti, David Morse, Stephan Dillane, Tom Wilkinson, I thought Laura Linney's portrayal of Abigail Adams was outstanding. The musical scoring, especially the title credit sequence with the period mottos and banners was inspirational. Masterful.

I don't often comment on make-up in films, but both the frequent lack of it, along with the aging of the characters noticeably adds to their story.

Even with the brief moments of nudity, sex, profanity, public shaming, and graphic medical procedures of the period, this would be a wonderful teaching tool for school history classes, if it weren't so many hours long.

There are just so many wonderful moments in history depicted and so many great performances that it's impossible to overstate what a truly beautiful miniseries this is.

It truly has had a profound impact on me and I treasure this miniseries.

For those of you who haven't made the time to watch this gem yet you are in for a real treat.

A forum thread from last year:

Pulitzer Prize winning historian & author David McCullough dies at 89

wife and I enjoyed it,

saying that as Paul Giamatti fans,

excellent series

I need to rewatch this, it's been awhile.

While Washington gets a lot of accolades and it was a massive effort from many, Adams' role was quite pivotal.