John Adams
HBO (2008)
History, Biography
In Collection
#136
0*
Seen ItYes
883929020065
IMDB   8.8
501 mins USA/English
DVD  Region 1   NR (Not Rated)
Paul Giamatti John Adams
Laura Linney Abigail Adams
David Morse George Washington
Clancy O'Connor Edward Rutledge
Sarah Polley Abigail Adams
Rufus Sewell Alexander Hamilton
Justin Theroux John Hancock
Tom Wilkinson Benjamin Franklin
Landon Ashworth The Senator
Danny Huston Samuel Adams
Stephen Dillane Thomas Jefferson
Aaron Angus Sailor / British Sailor / Dead Hero / Militia
Josh Archer Sailor / Frenchman in Mob / Senator
Director Tom Hooper
Producer Greg Spence
Tom Hanks
Writer Kirk Ellis


A miniseries on the life of John Adams and the first 50 years of the United States.
Episodes
    Seen it: Yes   60 mins    3/16/2008  1.  Join or Die
In an emotionally charged trial John Adams defends the British sentries involved in the Boston Massacre who contend they were provoked into firing on the assembled crowd. John's success brings him offers of positions in the Massachusetts government. But after John Hancock rouses a crowd to tar and feather a representative of the British East India Tea Company and the British respond to the growing unrest with oppressive measures, John instead speaks against the British policies and chooses to represent Massachusetts in the Continental Congress.
Director:  Tom Hooper  Writer:  Kirk Ellis 
    Seen it: Yes   60 mins    3/16/2008  2.  Independence
After viewing the dead and wounded on the battlefield of Concord, John Adams takes up the cause of Independence. Frustrated by the caution of delegates from colonies that do not share Massachusetts plight, the inexperienced politician is abrasive, obnoxious and even insulting. But with the advice of Abigail and Ben Franklin he soon learns he has allies, to cultivate them, to bide his time and to seize opportunities. Following John's nomination, George Washington takes charge of the army and enjoys successes despite supply shortages. Back at home, Abigail and the children risk supporting the war effort in most tangible ways but find Mother Nature more threatening.
Director:  Tom Hooper  Writer:  Kirk Ellis 
    Seen it: Yes   60 mins    3/23/2008  3.  Don't Tread on Me
Over the emotional objections of Abigail, John Adam and his son endure turbulent seas and an encounter with the British Navy to join Ben Franklin on a diplomatic mission to Paris. But Ben cannot restrain John's abrasive personality which is even less well suited to Paris than Philadelphia.
Director:  Tom Hooper  Writer:  Kirk Ellis 
    Seen it: Yes   60 mins    3/30/2008  4.  Reunion
Following the surrender of the British, John secures a long sought loan from the Dutch and returns to Paris to oversee the peace treaty. John can no longer bear his absence from Abigail and invites her to Paris which immediately overwhelms her with it's opulence. John is appointed ambassador to England but soon longs to return home to participate in the formation of the new government and, like Abigail, to be reunited with the children. They return home to an overwhelming welcome and John reluctantly returns to public service.
Director:  Tom Hooper  Writer:  Kirk Ellis 
    Seen it: Yes   60 mins    4/6/2008  5.  Unite or Die
John Adams chaffs under the mantle of Vice President for its utter lack of authority and responsibility. Despite his abhorrence of the divisiveness of political parties John is drawn to the Federalist camp favoring a strong executive. Divisions even reach into the President's cabinet, exacerbated by war in Europe.
Director:  Tom Hooper  Writer:  Kirk Ellis 
    Seen it: Yes   60 mins    4/13/2008  6.  Unnecessary War
Following the peace treaty with England President Adams struggles to avoid war with France despite pressure from his Federalist cabinet and French provocation. John finds the price of peace to his career and the price of his long career of public service to his family is indeed high.
Director:  Tom Hooper  Writer:  Kirk Ellis 
    Seen it: Yes   60 mins    4/20/2008  7.  Peacefield
In retirement John Adams laments the perils of a long life; loss of loved ones and growing irrelevance. But out of tragedy John rekindles his broken friendship with Thomas Jefferson and lives to discuss John Quincy's ambitious presidential agenda with him.
Director:  Tom Hooper  Writer:  Kirk Ellis 
Edition Details
Edition HBO Miniseries
Series John Adams
Distributor Anchor Bay
Release Date 6/10/2008
Packaging Custom Case
Screen Ratio Widescreen (1.78:1)
Subtitles English; French; Spanish; English (Closed Captioned)
Audio Tracks Dolby Digital 5.1 [English]
Dolby Digital Stereo [Spanish]
Layers Single Side, Dual Layer
No. of Disks/Tapes 3

Features
Disc 01 - David McCullough: Painting With Words - A Rare And Personal Glimpse At The Life And Works Of Author David McCullough - Facts Are Stubborn Things - An Exclusive Onscreen Historical Guide - The Making Of John Adams - Featurette