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1776 | Year: 1972 Directed: - Peter H.Hunt Actors/Actresses: - William Daniels - Howard Da Silva - Ken Howard - Donald Madden Give me 1776 or give me death... 1776 has taken an interesting journey from stage to screen in that, originally, the film was basically an accurate transfer of the stage version. In fact, several of the original cast members reprised the roles they created on stage. But, then it went through a massive edit cutting the story into a more streamlined vehicle. The cut even included the song "Cool, considerate men." Some of the cuts benefited the pacing for film, an issue that did not plague the stage production. But, even with the cuts, the story is only slightly peppered with song. The viewer practically forgets it is a musical right up to the moment that they begin to sing again. The songs in general are simple and rely on one catchy hook ("He Plays the Violin": The vocal imitation of a violin... "Cool, Considerate Men": sounds like he's going to sing the Star Spangled Banner, "The Lee's of Virginia": it's nod to Old MacDonald Had a Farm, etc...) Still, such scrutiny is to no avail because the film remains entertaining and a good documentation of the stage production. The last section of the film is (wisely) without song and is devoted to the actual signing of the Declaration of Independence. The moment is accented by the tolling of the liberty bell and the film medium perfectly captures the anxious moment. It is presented more as a melancholy moment than a happy one... What shall become of this nation?... Are they doing the right thing?... The movie to watch every year on the Fourth of July Every 4th of July I watch "1776," the musical that has our Founding Fathers singing and dancing their way to Independency, and every time John and Abagail Adams sing goodbye to each other ("Till Then" and "Yours, Yours, Yours"), I get choked up. William Daniels has his role of a lifetime as John Adams, the obnoxious and disliked Massachusetts delegate to the Continental Congress who is the most fervent advocate of independence ("Piddle, Twiddle and Resolve"). Virginia Vestoff plays his wife Abigail, and their exchanges are based on the "Dearest Friend" correspondences they wrote to each other during the crucial summer of 1776. However, the most unforgettable performance in "1776" comes from Howard Da Silva as Dr. Benjamin Franklin. The actor, who played movie villains for years, manages to convey not only Franklin's wit but also his firm belief in the new race of "Americans." Ken Howard plays Thomas Jefferson and joins with Adams and Franlin in the show's two cutest numbers, "But, Mr. Adams" and "The Egg." I have never cottoned "The Lees of Old Virginia," the song sung by Richard Henry Lee (Ron Holgate) and where every lyric line ends with "LY," but at the other end of the spectrum is the chilling "Molasses to Rum to Slaves," the song about the Triangle Trade sung by South Carolina's Edward Rutledge (John Cullum). The ensemble cast brings the Second Continental Congress alive, with Roy Poole as Stephen Hopkins, David Ford as John Hancock and William Hansen as Caesar Rodney standing out. Most of the cast members were in the Tony Award winning original Broadway cast, although Blythe Danner replaces Betty Buckley as Martha Jefferson ("He Plays the Violin"); ironically Danner's daughter Gweneth Paltrow would also play Martha in the 1995 film "Jefferson in Paris." Peter Stone's book is remarkably accurate in relating the historical events; the biggest error a historian would point to is that John Dickinson (Donald Madden), did not show up the day of the crucial vote so that Pennsylvania would not kill Independence. But Broadway and Hollywood must be allowed to make things more dramatic. What makes "1776" so wonderful is how it teaches history while being so entertaining. The opening of the film, where the tirade by Mr. Adams against the do nothing Continental Congress is interrupted by the collective Founding Fathers jumping up and singing "Sit Down, John," sets the tone and Peter H. Hunt's film delivers throughout. The show's best moment comes in "Is Anybody There?" when John Adams, all alone in the quiet chamber, dreams of the pomp and pageantry of a free America. I also have the laserdisc version, which runs 176 minutes and includes 35 minutes of material originally cut from the film, including the song "Cool, Considerate Men" and alternative shots in several sequences. While the quality of the additional material is in very sad shape, fans of "1776" will take what they can get. Hopefully the complete film can be restored before we get to the DVD version (hint, hint, hint). Granted, the idea of a musical about the Declaration of Independence seems bizarre; I once blew off a chance to see "1776" on stage because I thought the idea was stupid. But this is a first-rate musical that makes the time and issues come alive, so that even thought we obviously know the outcome, we are enthralled because it looks like Mr. Adams will never get his Declaration adopted. If you are looking for a film to watch each 4th of July, "1776" is the one. "Will someone... One of my favorite movies is finally available on DVD, and all I can wonder is, "What took so long?" The director (of both the Broadway production and the film) was able to restore more than 25 minutes that had been sliced away by the producer, Jack Warner, immediately before the film's release, so we can now see the film as he intended it to be seen. Most of the moments restored are relatively minor, but there are extended passages that reflect many of the arguments both for and against independence that Warner viewed as "too political," as well as the long-lost "Cool, Considerate Men" number cut because of Pres. Nixon's protest of the song's portrayal of conservatives. Both the director and the writer of both movie and play were brought in for the commentary for this extended edition, and they just don't stop talking! However, there are quite long stretches when all that's being said is the writer summing up the plot and reciting some lines along with the actor(s) (about 25-30 percent of the commentary is just this, unfortunately). Both participants do have some very interesting stories to relate, mostly about the production of the play (Howard Da Silva was rather incorrigible and stubborn), and the director does contribute many details about the mechanics of filming the long shots throughout the movie. They do acknowledge the recent popularity of John Adams, and (correctly, IMO) trace much of this interest back to their play/movie. Another plus are screen tests of five of the Broadway stars that were cast in the movie (most of the cast recreated their roles in this film, at Warner's request), as well as the original teaser trailer. The best extra of this entire disc, though, is the fact that it is in widescreen! I purchased the video last year, and was highly disappointed that it was only available in pan&scan, which really wrecks this movie's rhythm and flow. It was a true delight to actually see Jefferson, Franklin, and Adams all in the same shot during "The Egg" number. The only problems that I could see with the print used for this transfer was white spotting (particularly obvious during the darker moments, especially "Mama, Look Sharp" and "Is Anybody There?") and a few moments of prismatic lighting at the edge of the frame during an early Congressional chamber scene. This movie spearheaded my lifelong fascination with the Adams family and the Revolutionary War, and I am just thrilled that it is now available in this fantastic form! Buy 1776 at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on 1776 Search with the Priority Search Engine on 1776 This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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