The Adams Chronicles (1976– )

Ambitious multipart PBS production that brings to life five generations of one of America's leading political and historical families. It traces their lives from John Adams early years as a... See full summary »

Stars:

David Elliott, Albert Stratton, Michael Tolan

Won 4 Primetime Emmys. Another 18 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
David Elliott	...	George Washington Adams (4 episodes, 1976)
Albert Stratton	...	Thomas Jefferson (4 episodes, 1976)
Michael Tolan	...	Narrator (4 episodes, 1976)
John Beal	...	Charles Francis Adams (3 episodes, 1976)
Peter Brandon	...	Henry Adams (3 episodes, 1976)
Henry Butler	...	James Monroe (3 episodes, 1976)
Nancy Coleman	...	Abigail Brooks Adams (3 episodes, 1976)
Leora Dana	...	Abigail Smith Adams (age 44-74) (3 episodes, 1976)
Thomas A. Stewart	...	Charles Francis Adams (3 episodes, 1976)
Tom Aldredge	...	James McHenry (2 episodes, 1976)
Maureen Anderman	...	Mary Cathering Hellen (Older) (2 episodes, 1976)
Susan Bjurman	...	Fanny Adams (2 episodes, 1976)
Peter Coffield	...	George Washington Adams (2 episodes, 1976)
Patricia Elliott	...	Minnie Adams (2 episodes, 1976)
Paul Hecht	...	Jay Gould (2 episodes, 1976)
Ken Kercheval	...	James Madison (2 episodes, 1976)
Robert Phalen	...	John C. Calhoun (2 episodes, 1976)
J.C. Powell	...	Charles Adams (2 episodes, 1976)
Nicholas Pryor	...	John Quincy Adams II (2 episodes, 1976)
Reid Shelton	...	Timothy Pickering (2 episodes, 1976)
Charles Siebert	...	Charles Francis Adams II (2 episodes, 1976)
Jeremiah Sullivan	...	Alexander Hamilton (2 episodes, 1976)
Robert Symonds	...	Benjamin Franklin (2 episodes, 1976)
Tom Tammi	...	Thomas Adams (2 episodes, 1976)
Charles Tenney	...	Brooks Adams (2 episodes, 1976)
Mark Winkworth	...	John Quincy Adams (2 episodes, 1976)

Storyline

Ambitious multipart PBS production that brings to life five generations of one of America's leading political and historical families. It traces their lives from John Adams early years as a colonial Boston attorney to the rise in prominence of Brookes Adams in the fields of political and social philosophy. This mini looks into their triumphs and tragedies, exploring their genius and profound social conscience.

---

Plot Keywords:

john adams | president | thomas jefferson | diplomat | railroad tycoon | 

---

Genres:

Drama | History

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 January 1976 (USA)

Also Known As:

De kroniek van de familie Adams

Company Credits

Production Co:

WNET Channel 13 New York

Technical Specs

Runtime:

50 min 50 min (13 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

George Grizzard, who played John Adams, was in real life one year younger than William Daniels, who played John Quincy Adams from age 50 onward.

---

Connections

Version of John Adams: Peacefield (2008)

User Reviews

Big Fan of the Chronicles

I am old enough to have seen this when it was originally presented on PBS. I also grew up in the shadows of Boston where most the mini series takes place.

I am currently listening to the audio CDs of JOHN ADAMS by David McCullough read by Edward Hermann which got me to thinking about how wonderful THE ADAMS CHRONICLES was. I came on IMDb looking for the series on DVD or VHS or in some form that would allow me to revisit it. Disappointedly it would seem not to be available in any of those forms.

If anyone KNOWS of or about a version or if this series may be run again on PBS would you please let me know.