John Adams (HBO Miniseries) Reviews

• Sorry campers, but I can't agree with you...

  
  By A1WGQ27SG6COZL on 2008-03-24
  I have not had the opportunity to view the entire series, as several of the other reviewers have. I am viewing the episodes one by one as they unspool on HBO. Nor have I yet read Mr. McCullough's undoubtedly excellent book. However, I have studied both John and Abigail Adams for a number of years. I have read multiple volumes, viewed many different presentations, and have visited both the Adams home and the Untarian church where both John and John Quincy Adams are entombed with their respective spouses. I have found this series to be an excellent depiction of the lives, contributions and sacrifices of John and Abigail Adams. It is true that a number of details of their stories are not represented, but I understand that such films must concentrate on dramatic high points and haven't enough time to get it all in there. I personally have no problem with the cinematography...yes, it is a bit murky, but so were many details of life at that time. I rather like the score, and feel that both Mr. Giamatti and Ms. Linney gave excellent performances. These characters so vital to our history were underappreciated in both their time and our own, and I hope that this series will help to bring them some of the consideration they so richly deserve. I intend to purchase this DVD set when it is released and add it as another version of the lives of this facinating couple.
  
  

• John Adams (HBO Miniseries)

  
  By ARDTRW91C1DZ4 on 2008-04-15
  I read David McCullough's GREAT book in anticipation of this miniseries. McCullough painted a picture of a man and a time that I found fascinating; a picture of a hardworking, sensitive (maybe mildly obsessive-compulsive in terms of his emotional high and lows) genius. I found the first few episodes excellent, albeit different from the book. It is the last few episodes that have really affected my view on this series.
  
  The series insists on focusing on Adams' lows. It seems the writers took all the depressing elements of McCullough's book, which were few, and magnified those to center stage. For instance, John Adams' alcoholic son Charles has a major part in the series, but played a relatively minor role in the book. The mudslinging between Jefferson and Adams in Adams' second election for president was jettisoned for the Charles Adams storyline. Also, Adams, presented by McCullough, was a good natured man with a self-deprecating sense of humor. In the series he seems to live in misery.
  
  They also took scenes that were generally upbeat and made them darker. When Adams meets King George III (in my opinion the climax of the story - or at least the first half of the story) in the book, the King is very polite and friendly (much like his portrayal in The Madness of King George III). He smiled a lot and made Adams more comfortable, if not less in awe. In the series the King is just plain weird. I can only guess the filmmakers were hinting at King George's future illness/madness. It's almost as if this series is based on another book about John Adams - a darker book. This series really missed the tone of McCullough's great book.
  
  Still -- divorcing myself from the book -- I find this series is well-made and held my attention. Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney are very good. My advice would be to watch the series first, then read the book for a much more uplifting story.
  
  

• Takes you to that heady time

  
  By A1OC972JQ97EGI on 2008-03-31
  Like many others, I am seeing the series as they come out on HBO, and have yet to read the book (which I intend to at some point). The series features great acting, poignant scenes, and memorable oratory. But what really got me was how it transported you to that time, when life was a series of great heroics, but was also harsh, gritty, and so unforgiving. The series kept sending me to try and research different historial events that I remembered fleetingly reading about, in one line or a few paragraphs during unfortunately uninspiring history classes of many years ago. The concept of being "tarred and feathered" took a whole new dimension for me, as the brutality of that era touched everyone, rightly or wrongly. I am sure I would have more to say once I have finished seeing the series, but I cannot stop thinking about the different scenes. I recommend it to everyone very highly, and can't wait for the DVD to come out.
  
  

• A POWERFUL LOOK AT THE LIFE OF ONE OF THE FOUNDING FATHERS!

  
  By A3VQSFORKH8B7O on 2008-04-21
  Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning biography by David McCullough, "John Adams" takes an in-depth look at the life of the title character, and his role in the first fifty years of the United States. From his time as a Boston lawyer, to his death on the Fiftieth Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the life of John Adams and his wife, Abigail, are told with powerful drama and epic sweep.
  While the story itself is a bit slow at times (the film could definitely have used some additional music than was there), it is overall very powerful, with dramatic renditions of the events that shaped our nation. Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney both give brilliant performances as John and Abigail Adams, piercing the soul of these dynamic characters. Tom Wilkinson is fascinating as Benjamin Franklin, while Stephen Dillane does a fine job as Thomas Jefferson. But the best supporting role is David Morse, who is surprisingly effective as George Washington, portraying him with great humility, along with occasional bouts of anger, in a performance that is deserving of an Emmy. Sarah Polley, Rufus Sewell and Danny Huston also give strong performances.
  "John Adams" is a remarkable miniseries that sheds light on one of the most fascinating characters of the American Revolution. Historians and non-historians alike will find much to enjoy in this epic look at one of the men who played a large role in the birth of our country.
  Program/DVD Grade: A
  
  

• The Good, the Bad and the God Awful

  
  By A2NFM03IYQ47P8 on 2008-03-20
  The Good; Nice performances abound.
  
  The Bad; Did the entire Revolution take place in John Adams' front yard? He hustles the kids in the house during the battles of Lexington and Concord, which took place about 25 miles away? Henry Knox just swings by with the canons from Fort Ticonderoga?
  
  And speaking of Henry Knox, he was 26 at the time of the Revolution, the actor playing him is 45. Could be worse though, Thomas Jefferson is played by a 52 year old actor. Jefferson was 33 in 1776. Oops.
  
  
  The God Awful; There is no excuse for the camera work in this film. Early in the second episode there is a shot of a house that is so insanely tilted that I actually laughed out loud. Then they cut to a dinner scene inside and jumped from one angle to another until I thought I was watching people dinning on a ship at sea. When the executives previewed this farce did it not occur to them to question shots that made it look like John and Abigail were about to slide off the bed?
  
  Poor John Adams, will he never catch a break?
  
  Update; This just goes from bad to worse. The happiest times in the Adams' lives were the days that John, Abigail, John Quincy and Nabby spent in Europe during Adams' SECOND diplomatic mission. After a joyous reunion in London they all went to Paris. There they learned to enjoy what the city had to offer while Thomas Jefferson helped Adams tutor young John Quincy. Instead of the joyous reunion in London we have an awkward meeting in Paris in which John and Abigail are so intimidating by the servents that they dare not even smile at one another. That is SOOO not John and Abigail!
  
  I could understand it if a film maker decided to omit this chapter of their lives in favor of making time for events of more historic import. But why, why on earth, would you replace these true events with scenes that depict the family as deeply unhappy and make John Adams out to be an uncaring father?! Why put John and Abigail in Paris without the two children that accompanied them?
  
  This doesn't even make sense as an effort to increase the drama. If, instead of having Adams snap at Jefferson, "You won't be meeting John Quincy!", the film makers had shown Jefferson and Adams working late into the night as they taught John Quincy geometery (which is what actually happened) then when Jefferson betrayed Adams it would have had the tragic impact that it deserved.
  
  Adams had a temper at times but was, for the most part, an outgoing man with a great self-depricating sense of humor who was also a devoted father. This film not only fails to make that point but seems to go out of its way to portray him as a selfish and angry tyrant. What a pity.
  
  
• Not at all compelling like McCullough's Book w/ awful cinematography
  By A3RWR50VUII07D on 2008-03-18
  David McCullough's book John Adams was one of the best and most interesting books that I read a year or so back. What happened to the HBO treatment of it? A group of us watched all seven parts through the other evening really anticipating the event, and the consensus (but I give my own opinion) was that the translation of the book to the screen was as dry as dust and it looked it, too. John and Abigail Adams are two of America's greatest couples, and Adams was as goatheaded as a man could be. Why, then, was HBO so intent on telling a rather blah story that was even further compounded by the the camera work of Tak Fujimoto? I have to say that as a presentation, the book was followed, but not properly energized for viewing on the screen. The shots during the Continental Congress debates were unbearably dull, continually showing different head shots back and forth, at cock-eyed angles, while rhetoric was flying! This just so took away from the power of the words.
  
  Paul Giamatti is a favorite actor of mine. I thought his look was perfect for the portly ,not overly handsome Adams. I felt as though Giamatti did not interpret Adams correctly, though. Others may disagree, but for me, Giamatti was a huge casting mistake.
  
  The overall look, though, of the series was cheap, and with Fujimoto's truly avant-garde camera work, the editing of tilted scenes was incredibly distracting. For me, it was not so much the content as much as the presentation. I felt there was a great deal of dead time,especially in the opening two episodes.
  
  [...]
  
  
• EXTRAORDINARY!
  By A2AWWDVV8HBZIZ on 2008-03-23
  I wish that everyone would take the time to watch! What a masterpiece! Ive never seen a more realistic portrayal of the beginning of this country. I have a new appreciation for the men and women who gave so much so that we could live as free as people can. Many thanks to the writer director and actors.
  
  
• A real HBO misfire in JOHN ADAMS
  By ATXL536YX71TR on 2008-03-18
  HBO should have really taken a long look at SHOWTIME'S The Tudors - The Complete First Season before they released this really dull 7-part miniseries on John Adams. I just completed the whole series thanks to a Film Society screening, and I could not begin to remotely recommend purchasing this. Probably the singlemost disturbing aspect of this not-compelling docudrama is the bizarre camera work of veteran cinematographer, Tak Fujimoto, who insists on filming every scene with the camera tilted as if you are on board the ship 'Amistad' during rough seas! It is most unsettling as we follow John and Abigail turned to the left and then turned to the right and then back again. Whatever HBO was thinking, Tak Fujimoto, whose numerous credits include Gladiator (Widescreen Edition), Devil in a Blue Dress and The Silence of the Lambs (Two-Disc Collector's Edition) is totally out of his Revolutionary War element here that his angles become down right distracting. Director Tim Hooper allows the series to be done with "coverage" shots with this person talking, then that person talking,and back and forth and so on and so on. Very uninspiring for such a subject as John Adams.
  
  Screen composer Rob Lane has composed a good Celtic based rebel-rousing theme, but the rest of the soundtrack is rather mundane.
  
  Jemma Jackson as production designer has assembled a good look for the film, but Melanie Olsen edits Tak Fujimoto's scenes so tersely that there is never a moment for the film to simply relax.
  
  On the other side, though, the story is just down right as bland as boiled New England lobster. Paul Giamatti, as Adams, takes a lot of getting used to. He just seems wrong, plain and simple, for the part. The scenes and the dialogue are very staged looking, and there is no attempt for this show to be anything other than "Made for T.V." I frankly was glad when it ended. It never picked up any steam, and was tepid in all respects at best. Laura Linney as Abigail?....nothing new for a great actress of her likes!
  
  For more compelling treatment of the John and Abigail story and the American Revolution, I would turn to 1776 (Restored Director's Cut), American Experience: John and Abigail Adams, John and Abigail Adams: Love and Liberty (Biography). These recommendations are far more compelling, even though one of them is a musical and the other two are documentaries; combined they are far more enjoyable and enlightening than this rare misfire "heard around the world" from HBO.
  
  
• Excellent try at a tough historical figure
  By A3SAP30GEW4MKK on 2008-03-18
  What can I say. The book is really well know and the man it is written about if less well known. Of Course people think they know him, but truley few people understand the magnitude of his contributions to ideals that we take for granted. HBO did an excellent job of humanizing a great man.
  
  
• A tiresome retelling of a really exciting,excellent book.Sorry HBO
  By AG5B52W3Z10V4 on 2008-03-20
  I grew very tired of "John Adams" after episode 4. I honestly was not planning on finishing it. Since I had been given a screener's copy I decided to finish up episodes 5 through 7 and pretty well came to the conclusion that after reading David McCullough's book John Adams from which the screenplay is based, that HBO had not done a good job at all in it's production of the book. This is not in any way to take away from the character, John Adams and his accomplishments in the least, but as a piece of film work, strictly, I truly thought it was a tiresome effort from a production standpoint. The screenplay closely followed the book, (actually TOO closely for my tastes),but though I would have edited much of the material for economy's sake,THAT was not my problem. My dislike came in the way in which the entire series looked. I found that the cinematography, the music and the editing distracted me from appreciating John Adams. I mean, after all, this IS a film, and the components that completely go into a film are ALL important in communicating a story, not just the character of Adams, or his wife, or the fight for freedom etc.etc. THAT is well communicated in McCullough's book! HBO's treatment was, in my opinion, off in the many areas that I mentioned before. HBO did nothing apart from McCullough's book except to communicate what was already in the book-plain and simple. There was no "umpf" in the soundtrack (especially) and continued odd-angle shots that looked as they had come out of a 1960's Italian film detracted from the presentation. If that was attempt on HBO's part to make it more interesting, I personally feel it was a misstep on their part. Of any mini-series that I have ever seen, "John Adams" looked the worst-especially for seven episodes.
  There is nothing wrong or unpatriotic about not liking HBO's "John Adams" as it is no different than the fiasco of a few years back when Sofia Copolla unveiled her "Marie Antoinette" to all kinds of reactions! I loved the biography by McCullough and so appreciated who and what John Adams was and did. HBO only made it drawn-out boring and distracting. In this case, the book is far superior, in my opinion, to this seven episode mini-series.
  As concerning the acting, I really did not see anything unusually fantastic from Laura Linney, Paul Giamatti, Tom Wilkinson etal in making me understand or realize these magnificent Americans any better. I thought the characters were not as well formed as the book had done. Many books have gone to the screen with much success,and then again, many have not. This is one case where for me the "have not" applies.
  Would I have done it differently? Well, one thing for certain, seven episodes were about three too many. The opening two episodes were extremely sluggish, and much incidental material could have been cut in order to expedite the story more efficiently.
  There are other great books on Adams that I found interesting:My Dearest Friend: Letters of Abigail and John Adams, and American Gospel: God, the Founding Fathers, and the Making of a Nation. As far as other films concerning Adams, I especially like Hail Bop! A Portrait of John Adams!!
  
  
• Ignore the critics who have seen advanced screenings.
  By A2EG27IMPFQOMB on 2008-03-30
  I've only seen the first four of the series so far. I'm an average viewer, not a critic who receives advanced screenings, so I don't feel obligated to pick a movie apart and force myself to either hate it or love it. Believe me, being overly critical can make a simple and beautiful movie look awful, and a bland movie look like a masterpiece. Seeing as the vast majority of those who will be watching this are, as myself, average viewers seeking a good entertaining and heartfelt movie, not someone who dislikes it because it disagrees with their 'liberal arts' education, then this review is for them. Besides, the success of this film lies in the hands of the average viewer (the majority).
  
  The first thing that struck me was the acting. There are parts were I was thinking to myself, "Man, Mr Adams just politically slapped everyone and did it with style." It made me feel good, all warm and fuzzy inside :-) I wanted to stomp a staff on the floor in agreement with Mr. Adams, and boo the opposition off the floor.
  
  The second thing I noticed was how authentic the people look. It scares me and makes me grateful I don't have to live in that time. The common-folk appear to be rather grungy and I could imagine quite smelly. Some seem malnourished or just plain unhealthy.
  
  What I like most is that this series is able to capture some of the most significant events in American history and leave me with that warm fuzzy feeling as the events unfold.
  
  One thing that I don't like, but at the same time it's okay, is that it doesn't capture how vast of an area this covered. Each scene seemed rather staged and enclosed. But I say that's "okay" because I believe by putting it in more of a staged setting it helps tell the historical story a bit more efficiently that way.
  
  
  
• Outstanding treatment of a Great Man
  By AP1FE35C4TKNX on 2008-04-15
  If history bores you, this movie isn't for you. If the founding of the government of the USA is boring, this movie isn't for you. I am a history buff and a Revolutionary War re-enactor and this is, by far, one of the best acted and realistic portrayals I've encountered. Being very familiar with the time period and the founding of the nation, I can sit there and point out the nitpicky details of the scenery that are in error, but the series was not directed with armchair history geniuses in mind. This is for a much broader audience. The performances are fantastic! John Adams was a man of great integrity...qualities that are RARE these days. He was very honorable and had many faults. But, he was sure right about France :0) and he stuck to his convictions. The movie has done justice to the excellent book written by McCullough. One of the funniest reviews I ever read is by a person who reviewed the John Adams book. He/she said it was extremely boring because it was a history book! Duh!
  
  
• Giamatti's Moment
  By A195PCNYWRB75 on 2008-04-27
  As Patton was to George C. Scott, John Adams is to Paul Giamatti. It is not necessary to gauge this series according to its historical accuracy or whether events addressed are the most central (or relevant) to Adams' lifetime. Giamatti owns this character in a way that few actors acheive in their careers. The intensity of this performance, both in its vulnerablility and tenaciousness, paints a unique portrait of a man that is occasionally referenced in history books but not truly humanized in the way Jefferson or Washington has been. True I would like to have seen another 20 or so hours of this series - the briefness of certain stages of the man's life cannot be overstated - but how lucky we are to have seen such a powerful and memorable performance at all. Giamatti has so much to be proud of in this series, as does his wonderful co-star Laura Linney, who, as Abigail Adams, balanced and tempered the thinking of one of our most seminal founding-fathers. Enjoy the richness and humor of a series that will be discussed for years to come.
  
  
  
  
  
• A "must see" for every red-blooded American.
  By A32Z1V9II49XZY on 2008-06-02
  John Adams: deeply principaled, no-nonsence, ornery, lawful good, brilliant, fallible, passionate founder of our country. This is the story of the unbridled defiance, the shrewd intellect, and the angry pounding fist that tore the American colonies from British rule and gave birth to one of the greatest experiments in the history of the world - the United States of America. Stunning and haunting, this is John Adams like you've never seen him. Myth and poetry have been stripped away to reveal the far-more-fascinating, truly-human story of one of the greatest men who has ever lived.
  
  Giamatti is simply brilliant as Adams. If he doesn't win the Emmy for this, I may declare my own independance from the "dark tyranny" of the ATAS. Linney is equally wonderful in her portrayal as the groundingly sapient Abigail. Their love story is one of the greatest in American history, and it's been marvelously recaptured here.
  
  If it's even possible to have "spoilers" for a factual historical drama, then the following might qualify, but if you want to see what each eposide covers, here's my stab at it:
  
  Episode 1: Join or Die.
  Begins with the Boston Massacre, and covers the period leading up to Adams departure for Philidelphia to represent Massachusettes in the First Continental Congress.
  
  Episode 2: Independance.
  Covers the First Continental Congress, the beginning of the American Revolution at Lexington and Concord, the nomination of GW (by Adams) to serve as general of the new Continental Army, and Adams collaboration with Jefferson and Franklin to bring forth the Declaration of Independance.
  
  Episode 3: Don't Tread on Me.
  Covers the journey of Adams and Franklin to France to secure support against the British, Adam's tone-deaf approach to French diplomacy, his painful separation from Abigail, his dispatch to Holland (where his approach is somewhat better receive), and a terrible illness that befalls him.
  
  Episode 4: Reunion.
  Covers the defeat of the British forces, Adam's return to Paris and reunion with Abigail, his appointment to represent the new nation to the English crown, his frustrating absence from the Constitutional Convention, his return to America, and his election as Vice President.
  
  Episode 5: Unite or Die.
  Covers Adam's Vice Presidency under George Washington, the ongoing British and French conflict, his strained relationship with Jefferson over their very different ideas about how the new nation should be governed, and his narrow victory over Jefferson to become the second President.
  
  Episode 6: Unnecessary War.
  Covers Adam's uneasy presidency, including the retention of Washington's cabinet, largely controlled by Hamilton (mistake #1), the imfamous Alien and Sedition Acts (mistake #2), his arrival at the White House in the new capital of Washington (both still under construction), his estragement from his son Charles, the XYZ affair, his successful prevention of war with France, his loss of the Presidency to Jefferson, and his somber return to Massachusettes.
  
  Episode 7: Peacefield.
  Covers Adam's post-presidency, including the death of daugher Nabby, followed by Abigail, his reconciliation with Jefferson, the election of John Quincy as President, his long and introspective reflections on his life and legacy, and his death on the same day as Jefferson - the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration which they masterminded together.
  
  I hope you enjoy this rare masterpiece as much as I did. I watched every episode as they aired, and plan to watch them all again as soon as the DVD is available. This is television as its finest, and I give it my highest recommendation.
  
  
• Required television
  By A5Q42XWK2A95K on 2008-03-30
  I read the John Adams book by David McCullough first. I enjoyed the book very much and was eager to see how it translated to television. I have really enjoyed the way the mini-series has been able to capture the book.
  The series and the book helps me to realize how amazing our founding fathers were and how they were all such visionaries. Every American should either see the series or read the book to either re-capture their sense of patriotism, or experience it for the first time. Our forefathers and their families made many sacrifices for us to be able to live in the United States. We should never forget how fortunate we all are to be born in this country.
  
  
• Converted me to a history lover
  By A1NI153WQ8RH03 on 2008-04-05
  Extraordinary series such as this are now showing me how enjoyable it is to study history. I've set my DVR to capture each episode and I am absolutely mesmerized by this account. The acting, the storytelling and the set design are spectacular -- thank you HBO!
  
  
• Seen the first 2 episodes, and am moved.
  By A1GDCXI6V6T81M on 2008-04-12
  I have only seen the first two episodes, and have to say that this is so far, a very, very good work. This is not the story of great men being great, it is the story of a human man, with normal flaws and doubts, being thrust into a situation where he, and his fellows, rise to the occasion--even as they wish they did not have to. Even the men who you wind up disliking are not villains--they are people. They have their own thoughts and concerns, and are not "bad guys".
  
  This is not spectacle. It is not explosions and violent conflict portrayed larger than life. It is, rather, the process by which the Founding Fathers pushed, and drug, each other to recognize the need to break free of the Crown.
  
  People have complained about the cinematography. I think all I have seen fits the atmosphere the era quite well.
  
  If you like history, or human drama, this one is one to buy. And, HBO is to be commended for brining this story to the screen in this miniseries.
  
  
• Poignant and gritty
  By A2WC9EG52I2DB0 on 2008-03-20
  This series speaks for itself. John Adams is known to many as a "Founding Father"..yet pales in comparison to those better known such as Washington, Jefferson, Franklin and yes, even John Hancock. This film rights the wrongs history has done to Adams legacy. I defy anyone to watch it and come away with not a better respect for a man whose sense of justice extended to enemies as well as friends. Behold a man who made mistakes, but whose honest simplicity of nature would not allow him to support a lie over a truth. It`s reported that Adams claimed later in his life that no one would build statues and memorials to his name. This film makes the case for doing just that, in honor of a humble man whose oratory skills made the greater case for american independence from Britain, and forming a checks and balances executive, legislative and judicial government, that became the United States of America.
  
  
• From an early America historian
  By A120PYNWPN7IFW on 2008-04-21
  Since I am working on a Masters degree with a focus on early America, specifically the revolutionary years and the early republic, I found the series to do a comendable job of portraying the life of Adams. David McCullough is a first rate writer and his obvious respect for the darker side of the revolutionary period is nice to see. The process of American freedom was complicated and far less heroic then your basic elementary school unit would like to suggest. Our founding generation had the same human faults we see in ourselves. In my own research, I am often asked how I think the founding generation would react to the America of today. The honest answer is that they would not know any better than we do. They were an extraordinary group of men, but they were so in their time and place. Our modern world would be completely foreign to them. However, I think that Adams would be pleased the way this depiction of the history of the revolution exposes his weaknesses along with his strengths. We must appreciate where we have come from, but remember that each generation is a unique human creation. I would recommend this as a good place to start for those of you who would like to know more about the early history of the United States.
  
  
• History Anyone?
  By A12FQR26O65H4M on 2008-04-14
  I feel that this miniseris has made history much more attainable to the regular person. I was actually looking up Alexander Hamilton on Wikipedia last night. What other show could make me more interested in my country's history? I mean, I had never wondered before why someone who wasn't president graces our $10 bill before, had you? I highly recommend this series. What an awesome lawyer John Adams was. The court scene where he got the British soldiers off against all odds was amazing. A+
  
  
• There is no John Addams Here
  By AA98XEPL62IKC on 2008-04-17
  McCullough's excellent book is poorly treated in this mini-series. After watching the series you have no clue of what Addams or the founding fathers accomplished.
  
  Addams and Hamilton are particularly poorly portrayed, you have have no clue to Addams fiery nature or Hamilton's financial dynamo and the impact they had on the creation of the country.
  
  The series is ultimately boring because it give us no insight into the great accomplishment that was the lives of these men and women.
  
  Much like the movie Ray at the end we have not yet seen what made John Addams great. Read McCullough's book or Ron Chernow's Hamilton, they give a sense of great adventure and accomplishment of these men.
  
  
• Transported
  By A1MQ65KGB0ZBA5 on 2008-04-19
  I am completely transported back in time trough this series. To "see" Washington, Jefferson and Adams together in a room is thrilling. It has made me even more appreciative of the sacrifices and brilliance that these men with great foresight had. We are truly blessed that THEY were the ones who formed our union and that Lincoln perserved it. I only wish it were possible for them to come back see what has happened to their Republic . As Benjamin Franklin said of our republic ..." if you can keep it".
  
  
• Finally, Mr Adams gets his due
  By A3N6IZDVSLG1QS on 2008-05-25
  As an Adams buff, I was highly skeptical this movie would be acceptable to my fellow Adams historians. We would not now have a country without John Adams. In spite of his mistakes (the Aliens and Seditions Act being the worst), he was an honest, ethical person whose contributions have been overshadowed by better politicians like Jefferson and Franklin. He was generations ahead of his time in his social perspectives (his staunch abolitionism and respect for women being two of them). There is no John Adams monument in Washington, DC and no picture of Adams on our everyday currency (despite non-Presidents images appearing) but at least we have McCullough's wondrous book and now this beautiful film. Abigail Adams, no less a person than John Adams, was her husband's best friend and chief adviser. They were equals at a time when there was little power for, as Abigail said, "women and slaves".
  
  The film completely recreates the time. Anyone who has been to Adams' birthplace and Peacefield can attest to how accurate the depictions are of those places. Giamatti's intelligent, intuitive performance has made the role his. Linney, Dillane, Morse and Wilkinson are also excellent. The direction is adult, unflinching and honest. And yes, it is shot a bit dark but the content more than makes up for the camera. I can't recommend it highly enough. The sacrifices of this good and decent human being will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.
  
  
• Freedom has its Price
  By A2XFA2HIIKS5G2 on 2008-05-29
  "Posterity! You will never know how much it cost us to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make a good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven that I ever took half the pains to preserve it."
  - John Adams 1777
  
  HBO did a fine job with the John Adams miniseries and took great pains to get "most" of the historical details correct. It aptly showed how both John and Abigail sacrificed so much in terms of their marriage and their family to help create and foster the birth of this fine nation. There was also somewhat of a more balanced storyline perspective as to fault: Colonists versus the British monarchy. It also portrayed the great love that most of the colonists had for Britain and their former roots and the great reluctance that faced many of them.
  
  There are seven segments in the saga which spans from 1770 until John Adams' death in 1826. Much of the storyline is based upon David McCullough's exceptional book on John Adams by the same name..
  
  The seven segments are as follows:
  Part I: Join or Die (1770 - 1774)
  Part II: Independence (1774 - 1776)
  Part III: Don't Tread on Me (1776 - 1781)
  Part IV: Reunion (1781 - 1789)
  Part V: Unite or Die (1789 - 1797)
  Part VI: Unnecessary War (1797 - 1801)
  Part VII: Peacefield (1801 - 1826)
  
  What is nice about the miniseries is that it can be divided up into manageable blocks which can be watched and discussed or debated with family and friends. There are so many issues discussed which will sound very familiar even to us today. To think that it took thirty six ballots to elect Thomas Jefferson because there was a tie in the number of votes for each of two candidates is absolutely amazing. The founding fathers were willing to let elections and the nomination process take its course and they allowed a lot of discussion to take place and "compromise". I have to say that there were some historical liberties taken with the miniseries but it did not detract from the story itself or the core of the story's fabric: John and Abigail Adams' life of service to their country. In fact the entire Adams family paid a price in one way or another for this dedication and devotion without which our country may have floundered and not survived. Adams was extremely instrumental in this country's creation, nurturing and survival.
  
  To own this series is a very wise investment especially if you are a history buff. The starkness of the surroundings and how they were portrayed in the film seemed on target to me. The background seemed to match the moods of the Adams themselves and what the characters had to go through to endure and not give up.
  
  Laura Linney and Paul Giamatti as the Adams couple were superb. But I had to say that once again I was very impressed with Stephen Dillane and his portrayal. I appreciated his rendition of Jefferson as much as I liked Dillane in Anna Karenina (another surprise performance).
  
  Tom Wilkinson had some fine moments as Ben Franklin and David Morse was superb as George Washington. Rufus Sewell played Alexander Hamilton and I have to say after Sewell's performance I disliked Hamilton as much as I disliked the character he played in the movie "The Holiday". His performance was also spot on as the "insensitive and manipulative" Hamilton.
  
  What impressed me was the intimate look at the dynamics of these perilous times when our country was born. So much could have gone wrong and did; and without great sacrifices from great men; everything could have been different. Very different.
  
  Posterity has a lot to be grateful for. You have to wonder whether we are capable of the sacrifices that so many had to make to preserve and keep our freedoms. Our forefathers were made of the right stuff as were those who fought in all of our wars to protect us back home. It just seemed to me at the conclusion of this very moving dramatization that there is a recurring theme which reminded me of a famous speech given by Winston Churchill in 1940 and the resulting poster which read: "Never was so much owed by so many to so few."
  
  Recommended: A-
  
  Bentley/2008
  John Adams (HBO Miniseries)
  
  
• Great Work!
  By A26D3RQQZB6WOS on 2008-03-27
  I have been watching this series as it is released.
  It is very powerful stuff.
  I got chills all the way down my spine when they read the Declaration of Independence for the first time.
  It has a great soundtrack of really moving theme music.
  Giamatti seems to whine a bit too much but I've always thought that watching his stuff.
  Overall I am really excited about this series and my wife is pretty into it as well.
  
  
• Excellent Show!!
  By A29I51FQVOLPR2 on 2008-04-12
  This mini-series has brought my friends and me to be interested in US History again. The show is extremely realistic, adventurous, and contains great dialogue and acting. You feel like you are part of the revolution and the founding of our country. My friends and I get together weekly now to watch this series. We're very sad that it's only 7 episodes. HBO, please make more series about US History that is so fun to watch like this one.
  
  
• What's with the drunk camera work??
  By A20X5TESYLZBGN on 2008-04-15
  I generally enjoyed the series. But as some have already mentioned here, the inexplicable tilting of the camera is a real annoyance. It is the major flaw in the series and adds nothing except the idea that Adams lived in a 'crazy' time, if that was even the intent. Like the old Batman series, where the Riddler's lare was on this perpetual tilt to depict the 'chaos'. Maybe that was the same idea. Who knows? A shoulder held camera would have been much more appropriate, giving the viewer the sense of 'being there'.
  
  
• VERY GOOD, BUT NOT GREAT.
  By A40AW1WE1VRGG on 2008-04-24
  THE PHOTOGRAPHY FOR THIS MINI-SERIES IS REMARKABLE. THE LOOK AND DESIGN OF THE THING TRANSPORTS THE VIEWER TO THAT PERIOD AS NOTHING I HAVE EVER SEEN IN THE MOVIES. NOT EVEN "BARRY LYNDON", THE KUBRICK MOVIE, CAN MATCH IT FOR REALISM. THE ACTORS WERE OKAY, BUT IT'S THE STORY THAT CAPTIVATES. I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION STEPHEN DILLANE, WHO PLAYS JEFFERSON, THOUGH. IF ANY ACTING AWARD IS DUE FOR THIS THING, IT SHOULD BE HIS. CERTAIN LIBERTIES ARE TAKEN WITH THE STORY BUT I GUESS THAT'S UNDERSTANDABLE. IT'S IMPORTANT TO KEEP THE DRAMA HIGH. BUT MCCULLOCH'S BOOK IS BEAUTIFUL FOR IT'S RICHNESS AND SUBTLETY. ONE OTHER THING...HAMILTON WAS NOT THE DANDY-ISH IDIOT PORTRAYED IN THIS MOVIE. TRUE, ADAMS HATED THE MAN. BUT WAS IT REALLY NECESSARY TO TURN HIM INTO A CARTOON FOR ALL THE VIEWERS WHO KNOW NOTHING OF HAMILTON'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR NATION? OVERALL, THE MOVIE IS A SUCCESS AND ALOT OF FUN.
  
  
• What a fantastic way to spend an afternoon
  By A4LPD033KNC0D on 2008-04-27
  Maybe I cheated, but I stored all episodes of John Adams on my DVR and watched them together Saturday afternoon.The photography,the acting,and the writing were all exceptional. I love to watch both Giamatti and Lineey in anything they do, but this was worthy of their talents. Because of Giamatti's extraordinary acting abilities you can see the complexities of John Adams. Giamatti is brilliant in showing the internal struggle and the effect of outside pressures with/on our 2nd President. I must admit, I had only rudimentary knowledge of John and Abrigal Adams...(you know, History 101). The story line not only kept my interest, but spurred my desire to learn more more these two incredible people. I was entralled with the portrayal on the events leading to Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution. Needless to say I have pre-ordered this DVD and I went out an bought McCullough's book.
  Two thumbs up! (I'd give it 3 thumbs up, but that would be weird.)
  
  
• History as We Haven't Seen It
  By A20KYZBVPQWCDT on 2008-05-03
  I can hardly wait to own these DVDs! I've watched the HBO series over and over and see or hear something every time that I missed in previous viewings. This series is rich in historical detail, drama, and humor. I can't vouch for the historical accuracy, but I have great respect for David McCullough, on whose book the series is based, and trust that he and the series are true to the...well, the truth. I am grateful to Tom Hanks for his vision and tenacity in bringing these stories to us in such a pleasurable way. Now, how about the Thomas Jefferson story in a similar fashion?
  
  

• The Adams Chronicles
• The Other Boleyn Girl
• Charlie Wilson's War (Full Screen)
• Cranford
• Holocaust