Independence (16 Mar. 2008)

After the Battles of Lexington and Concord Adams becomes the voice for independence at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.

Director:

Tom Hooper

Writers:

Kirk Ellis, David McCullough (book)

Stars:

Paul Giamatti, Laura Linney, Stephen Dillane

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Paul Giamatti	...	John Adams
Laura Linney	...	Abigail Adams
Stephen Dillane	...	Thomas Jefferson
David Morse	...	George Washington
Zeljko Ivanek	...	John Dickinson
Danny Huston	...	Samuel Adams
Justin Theroux	...	John Hancock
John Dossett	...	Benjamin Rush
Steven Hinkle	...	Young John Quincy Adams
Madeline Taylor	...	Young Nabby Adams
Clancy O'Connor	...	Edward Rutledge
Tom Beckett	...	Elbridge Gerry
Brennan Brown	...	Robert Treat Paine
Ed Jewett	...	James Duane
Del Pentecost	...	General Henry Knox

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

battlefield | reference to battle of bunker hill | epidemic | negotiation | tricome | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 March 2008 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

HBO Films, Playtone

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

General George Washington is shown wearing the blue and buff uniform of the style that he would wear throughout the war. However, the style of the collar on this particular coat is not historically accurate in that the two corners of the collar on the uniform should have been either buttoned to the top of the lapels or capable of being buttoned down (which would be evinced by two clearly visible button holes in the collar, one at each corner). While no regimental coat belonging to George Washington from the time of the revolution is known to exist today, every single artist who personally observed Washington during the war painted him in his uniform with the collar either actually buttoned down or capable of being buttoned to the lapel tops. Further, the buttoned down collar was the style fashionable and in common use by American soldiers and officers during the mid-late 1770s.

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Quotes

Edward Rutledge: Must you be so extreme, Dr. Franklin?
Benjamin Franklin: [Wryly] I'm an extreme moderate, Mr. Rutledge. I believe anybody not in favor of moderation and compromise ought to be castrated and that all this should be sent down to the... the Parliament for they seem to need - how should I put it? - stones.
[He smiles broadly]

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Connections

Version of 1776 (1972)

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Soundtracks

"Sea Shanty"
Written and performed by John Bull

User Reviews

Independence.

After Part 1 people were waiting to see what was going to happen next and here it is.

Part 2 of 7 focuses on John Adams played by Paul Giamatti Getting fellow members of the congress to sign a Dcleration Of Independence for the right to freedom. His Wife Abigail Adams played wonderfully by Laura Linney is trying to avoid her and her entire family getting the dreaded small pox.

This is as good as Part 1 and again makes you want to watch just to see what happens. You really feel for theses characters and the kind of things they do.

Not Rated.

1hr 31min/91min.

****/****