The life of one of the USA's Founding Fathers, its second President, and his role in the nation's first 50 years.The life of one of the USA's Founding Fathers, its second President, and his role in the nation's first 50 years.The life of one of the USA's Founding Fathers, its second President, and his role in the nation's first 50 years.
- Won 13 Primetime Emmys
- 51 wins & 38 nominations total
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Did you know
- TriviaLest any modern straight (and sometimes bleached) teeth appear on camera, every last extra in the cheering crowd at George Washington's inauguration got their teeth painted with special fast-drying saliva-proof "gunk" paint. Working-class characters were given proportionately worse-looking smiles than the merchants and aristocrats.
- GoofsWhen President John Quincy Adams is discussing his goals with his father, he states that he'll outline these objectives in his State of the Union address. The term "State of the Union Address" was not in use until 1934. At that time, 1825, it was referred to as the Annual Message to Congress.
- Quotes
John Hancock: [reluctantly] God save the King.
Samuel Adams: God damn the King!
Benjamin Franklin: [happily] God bless the King. Who else could've brought such a spirit of unity to the Congress?
- ConnectionsFeatured in Moviemaking in Virginia: Take 3 (2008)
- SoundtracksChester
By William Billings
Featured review
Historical Drama at Its Finest!
Although the miniseries title and episodes focus on the life of John Adams, the strength of the film lies in the exceptional ensemble cast. It was impressive to see such giants as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin, as well as the lesser known individuals, truly inhabited by the actors.
The challenge of the series was to breathe life into those stories and lives we know so well. The filmmakers worked closely to David McCullough's outstanding book for the details, along with the human side of the story captured in the voluminous correspondence of John and Abigail Adams. The political, military, and personal issues were all thoughtfully brought to life. The design values of the film were also superb. Nothing looked stagy or stilted in the sets and costumes, which provided an unusual authenticity of period style for television drama. With each appearance of George Washington (David Morse), it was hard not to gasp due to the believability of his character.
The drama of America's breaking from England for independence was an improbable story and one dependent on the courage and idealism of the individuals portrayed in this film. The personalities of these great figures make this program an accessible and rewarding experience for the entire family. For the patient viewer, what emerges from the John Adams miniseries is not merely a history lesson, but a drama with great relevance today. Simply put, we need more people in our country right now just like John and Abigail Adams, Jefferson, Franklin, Washington, Knox, and, above all, the ordinary human beings heroically portrayed in this fine film!
The challenge of the series was to breathe life into those stories and lives we know so well. The filmmakers worked closely to David McCullough's outstanding book for the details, along with the human side of the story captured in the voluminous correspondence of John and Abigail Adams. The political, military, and personal issues were all thoughtfully brought to life. The design values of the film were also superb. Nothing looked stagy or stilted in the sets and costumes, which provided an unusual authenticity of period style for television drama. With each appearance of George Washington (David Morse), it was hard not to gasp due to the believability of his character.
The drama of America's breaking from England for independence was an improbable story and one dependent on the courage and idealism of the individuals portrayed in this film. The personalities of these great figures make this program an accessible and rewarding experience for the entire family. For the patient viewer, what emerges from the John Adams miniseries is not merely a history lesson, but a drama with great relevance today. Simply put, we need more people in our country right now just like John and Abigail Adams, Jefferson, Franklin, Washington, Knox, and, above all, the ordinary human beings heroically portrayed in this fine film!
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- lavatch
- Mar 16, 2008
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- Untitled John Adams Miniseries
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- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 11 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.78 : 1
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