1776 (1972)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Peter H. Hunt

Writers:

Sherman Edwards (play)
Peter Stone (play)

Release Date:

17 November 1972 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Family | History | Musical

Plot:

The film version of the Broadway musical comedy of the same name. In the days leading up to July 4, 1776...

Plot Keywords:

Thomas Jefferson | George Washington | Declaration Of Independence | John Adams | Benjamin Franklin

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 nomination

Cast

William Daniels	...	John Adams (MA)
Howard Da Silva	...	Dr. Benjamin Franklin (PA)
Ken Howard	...	Thomas Jefferson (VA)
Donald Madden	...	John Dickinson (PA)
John Cullum	...	Edward Rutledge (SC)
Roy Poole	...	Stephen Hopkins (RI)
David Ford	...	Congressional President John Hancock (MA)
Ron Holgate	...	Richard Henry Lee (VA)
Ray Middleton	...	Col. Thomas McKean (DE)
William Hansen	...	Caesar Rodney (DE)
Blythe Danner	...	Martha Jefferson
Virginia Vestoff	...	Abigail Adams
Emory Bass	...	Judge James Wilson (PA)
Ralston Hill	...	Congressional Secretary Charles Thomson
Howard Caine	...	Lewis Morris (NY)

MPAA:

Rated PG for language. (edited version)

Runtime:

142 min | 168 min (director's cut) | 180 min (Laserdisc version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:G | USA:PG (longer video version) | Singapore:PG

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Ron Holgate did all of his own riding - except for the trick mount at the end - in The Lees of Old Virginia, despite his never having been on a horse before.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Adams and Franklin are in the park, Franklin is holding a cane in his outstretched arm. In the next shot, the arm is now held against his body.

Quotes:

Dr. Benjamin Franklin: Tell me, Mr. Wilson, when you were a judge, how in hell did you ever make a decision?
James Wilson: The decisions I made were based on legality and precendent. But there is no legality here, and certainly no precedent.
Dr. Benjamin Franklin: [losing his temper] Because, it's a new idea, you CLOT! We'll be making our own precedent!

Movie Connections:

Featured in Playing Columbine (2008)

Soundtrack:

He Plays the Violin

A great musical...if you understand it

Musicals are often looked at as foreign movies. Since most younger generations are not familiar with the musical genres of the 1930's and the 1970's, they don't understand the art form and style of communication / entertainment that the musical is. To screen this movie to a group of 7th graders, it will be a challenge to get them to enjoy let alone get "it". The entire cast is perfect. Each actor is their character. Although actors William Daniels and Howard Da Silva are known for other roles, here they are Adams and Franklin. 30 years since its premiere in cinemas, many of the actors are long gone. Many have been dead for a good ten years. Still, their performances live on for modern audiences to enjoy. More then that, it remains one of the better musicals made in a movie. Especially for a post 2001 audience, there are moments interesting to watch. The issues of protection, fear and terrorism are made clear, even for 1776. This remains a great film even though its audience is small.