1776 (Restored Director's Cut)

If you can get past the fact that it's a musical (which I generally don't like but it seems to work here) and have some patience (it's almost 3 hours long), you will be very entertained by this film. I actually recommend watching it several times because there is really a lot of detail and it's hard to truly absorb everything the movie has to offer upon first view.

My favorites here are William Daniels as John Adams (nevermind his short stature; he turns in a big performance!), Ralston Hill as Congressional Secretary Thomson (his facial expressions at times are a riot), Ken Howard as Thomas Jefferson, and of course, Howard Da Silva as Benjamin Franklin, although I am very impressed by all the actors in this film.

For those of you who have the DVD with the restored director's cut, make sure you view the extras. I enjoyed watching the film with the commentary by the director and the screenwriter; you get a lot of interesting information about the actors, the filming of the movie, etc from those guys. Also definitely check out the screen tests, which show about five of the actors who appeared in '1776'. It's fun to see how they rehearsed one of their lines/parts. Daniels is great here, of course, but my favorite is that of James Noble, who plays the Reverend John Witherspoon of New Jersey. In his first try, he stumbles, almost swears with sounds of laughter in the background and someone saying in a shocked voice, "Reverend!" I'm a big fan of his anyway (mainly from his role as Governor Gatling on "Benson"), so I was really happy to see him in '1776'.

Bottom line? Check it out, especially if you're a history lover. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

1776 (Restored Director's Cut)An excellent film and a must see for anyone interested in American history. Though this film is NOT 100% ACCURATE, it does portray an unique perspective to the writing and signing of our (the United States) Declaration of Independence. The musical score is very entertaining as well.

In summary, an excellent film and documentary worthy of inclusion in your film library. A MUST SEE for all Americans, young and old alike!

1776 follows in the tradition of great musicals where literally every song is great, distinct and memorable so that the audience leaves the theater humming the overture. My Fair Lady was like that; so was Camelot. The greatest musicals have outstanding songs and lyrics and they just sweep you away. Also 1776 broke the mold of musicals as well - it had great music, history, drama, comedy and this combination really worked. Nuff said - it is hands down my favorite musical.

Having played John Adams at the old Fort Bragg Playhouse with the inimitable Tom Savini as Benjamin Franklin back in July of 1972, I was in great anticipation of the film release. Comparisons are inevitable, and I do recall being disappointed in the film, not because of any of the performances, which were impeccable, nor of the production values, which were astounding, but because for some unfathomable reason a key song had been cut out of the theatrical release.
Surprising too, because it had been prominently featured in the pre-publicity campaign. I refer, of course, to "Cool, Cool Conservative Men." There has been some speculation as to why it was cut, the least plausible of which is pressure from the Nixon White House, but I am happy to say that in the DVD version the song has been restored. John Dickinson is back in all his acerbic, obstructionist glory. (Historically accurate, no; dramatically necessary, yes.)
This is a DVD that should be purchased by everyone and played every Fourth of July.
We sometimes forget how unlikely an event it was, this founding of a new nation in so extraordinary a manner.
"Think of it,." Franklin opines, "It's never been done before," and indeed it had not. Never in history has a nation been created based upon a set if ideas rather than by conquest and on personality, the pattern of monarchies and dictatorships.
The Roman Republic developed over time as did Greek Democracy, only the United States was created in one fell swoop based upon the principles set down by Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence.
The remarkable thing about this treatment of the events leading up to the signing of that document is the way the audience is pulled into in the drama. Even though we know the outcome from history, during the play we are incredibly in a great deal of doubt about it. When the whole enterprise comes down to one vote in Congress, we hang on the uncertainty of it all. This is very good writing.
Performances are crisp, the pacing is effective and, with the restoration of the entire score, the music is stirring.
Five big stars.

The remastered edition of "1776" is near perfect. THe audio is crisp and clear, as is the ALL of the video. THe commentary track is interesting and insightful into not only the historical accuracies (many sections of the dialogue) and factual compromises (Martha Jefferson never went to Philadelphia, Thomas went to her), but also the politics of the Nixon era that scrubbed (at Nixon's request)and nearly lost for all time (at Jack Warner's direction) the "Cool Considerate Men" number that closes the stage version's first act. Fortunatley, the number was recovered and (as with the laser disc release) assumes its rightful place in the film. My only quibble with this edition is that, unlike the laser disc version, the second half of "Piddle Twiddle and Resolve" is missing again. William Daniels' John Adams crackles with an intesnity and iron will that still holds its own against Paul Giamatti's brilliant (2008) turn as Adams in HBO's "John Adams."