Appreciate your response, Doc. Agree that there's no need to move the thread now that we're all back to the series particulars (not that discussing the views of the Founders & how they're presented in the miniseries is really off-topic). Just think of it as one of the heated discussions during a hot summer day's meeting of the Continental Congress. Anyway, back to the show....

I haven't read McCullough's "1776"...how does it compare to "John Adams"?

I was wondering about the absence of battle scenes, too...although I'm enjoying the portrayal of the political developments so much that I realized that I'm not missing the "action" scenes. The wounded soldiers, dead horses, etc. seem to convey the horror of the war even better than so many modern battle scenes...and they give a good sense of the viewpoint of the bystanders such as Abigail Adams & her children. If they can maintain this level of writing & acting, I don't think we'll miss them at all (although I get your point about Washington).

It's sort of like HBO's Rome...we were so fascinated by the political intrigue & personal drama that we didn't miss the epic battles (haven't seen the second season yet, so might be misspeaking). "John Adams" reminds me of "I Claudius" in the depth of characterization & presenting the behind-the-scenes manipulation, compromises, etc. Not comparing the tones...sometimes I felt like taking a shower after I Claudius; with John Adams, I want to go out, raise the flag, & mobilize voters!

Beyond awesome. Now let's hope they keep the same actors where roles intersect... especially Morse as Washington. Getting just that little tease of Knox and his guns from Ticonderoga... I can't WAIT to see that scene depicted in 1776. Thanks for the info, Doc!




Cheers! By the by - as anyone who has spent a summer in Philly knows, that scene really captured how opressively humid and miserable it can get. Thank G(.E.)od for air conditioning.


Very well said. I can totally see the comparison to "I Claudius", and another series it reminds me of in a certain way is "The West Wing." One of the very effective story telling methors TWW had (aside from Sorkin's pen) was the ability to never actually show the events that were happening in the world (Special Ops rescues, military strikes, embassy bombings, etc. etc.), and yet the way they were discussed in the Situation Room or the Oval Office made you believe absolutely that these events were taking place and that they were serious.

It's a testament to the writing and performances of "John Adams" that they can imbue these debates and discusssions which such weight that you fully understand the dire consequences should they fail.


As for 1776, I highly recommend it. It's actually quite a nail-biter, which is impressive since we know how it all turns out. But think (and this is a very loose comparison) more of the command-focused episodes of "Band of Brothers." We're very much inside Washington's thought-process (as we were with Winters, particularly in the episode, "Crossroads") through his journals, letters to Martha and what was written about him by his two Lts.

It's the most humanizing portrayal of the man I've ever read, and it's very charming in its own way (The way it depicts his prejudice toward northern soldiers, for example, or the priority he placed on civility and decorum at all times). The tactics in the book are made easy to understand, while fully explaining the scope of the undertakings, and the methods he used to execute them (Particularly awesome was the bit hinted at in "John Adams" where - in one night - his men crept up to Dorchester heights, dragged up Knox's guns, built up the brestwork and defenses, and were able to threaton Gage's fleet by morning).

It is a masterful book, and action-packed as well. Most definitely recommended.


-Doc

Sweet!

HBO's 'John Adams' DVD release date set
Those viewers who don't have HBO will be able to see the acclaimed John Adams miniseries starting June 10.

That's the date that the premium cable channel will release the seven-hour film about the second president of the United States on DVD for $59.99.

Among the bonus features: David McCullough: Painting with Words, a documentary that examines the work and style of the historian who won a Pulitzer Prize for his biography of Adams. The HBO film is based on McCullough's book.

NICE! Going off of HBO's normal pace of DVD releases, I was figuring a wait that would take us well into '09. This is a first-day purchase, for sure.


-Doc

Kinda pricey and the extras dont sound too exciting but if I am able to pick it up for less than 30 bucks I probably will..

Compared to what Band of Brothers and From the Earth to the Moon went for originally, it's chump change.



-Doc

Thanks greatly for the "1776" recommendation, Doc. Your description has me itchin' to check it out. May be time to re-up in the History Book Club. I'll bet the local libraries & used bookstores have had a run on Revolutionary-era titles. The Band of Brothers comparison is a strong selling point, too...and your West Wing analogies for the JA series is apt (how could I have forgotten that?).

Very much agreed on the masterful handling of the participants' reactions when the full weight of the consequences of their actions comes to bear on them. No words needed...their faces said it all. I have heard sermons & lectures on this topic (the great sacrifices that many made...losing homes, fortunes, etc., if not their own lives)...this really brought it home to the audience.

Don't know if anybody has mentioned it or not...but the smallpox vaccination scene sure had me squirming (even as my stalwart RN wife was just commenting clinically). So far, I like the child actors (love to hear Adams scolding them: "Will you be quiet, sir!").

Thanks to Lateralus for the heads-up on the DVD release. I agree that the price is reasonable compared to so many other HBO sets...I was expecting $79.99 or higher. Of course, sales & eventual price drops will make it even more affordable for those who can wait, but it's a keeper for sure. And to think...you're getting the entire thing, not just one season (or even worse, half a season as with Sex & the City or Sopranos).

Whatever happened to the rumored (or planned) series based upon "Undaunted Courage"? I think I remember that Edward Norton & Brad Pitt were going be executive producers, but I could be wrong. Not even sure if they were going to play Lewis & Clark or just help finance & guide the project a la Tom Hanks with BOB, FTETTM, & JA.

I finally got around to watching part 2 tonight. Fantastic series so far! Did Morse gain weight for the Washington role or is he just wearing fat makeup?

I didn't even know about this series until the other day when I saw a poster advertising it at the Post Office... I've been without TV for a couple of weeks, so I missed any promos that were on HBO (and the end of The Wire )

So when do we start a 'lets cast 1776' thread.

Figuring (hopefully) that they use the actors in John Adams to reprise their roles in Washington, you figure to add many new characters into the mix.

DO WANT.

Honestly, I know when people hate when they put stars into historical roles, but for me, as long as they can portray the characters correctly, anything that brings more viewers, and exposes different age groups to our history, is a good thing.

Oh I looked around for updates. and the last I read, basically they are still writing the script.

But those also had more episodes and in the case of Band of Brothers a lot more extras.
But it is only about $10 overpriced so its not as bad as it could have been.