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

In one scene Abigail is scrubbing the wooden floors in an effort to avoid the pox. The microbial theory of diseases was not postulated until the 19th. century.

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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

Philadelphia

After the battle of Concord, John Adams decides to join the movement for independence. By this time he was totally convinced that was the right path to take. In his many meetings with the principals of the cause in Massachussets, he is elected as a delegate to the Continental Congress to be held in Philadelphia. This could only mean another separation from Abigail and his children, who are left behind to fend for themselves.

The matter of agreement proved to be a hard choice to make because of the division within the colonies. Thus, the North was in agreement as to be separated from the cruel tyranny of England, and a King who was believed to be a selfish man only interested in whatever riches he could get from America.

The Congress was not exactly a total agreement of the minds. John Adams, and the delegates from the Northern Colonies, find themselves having to convince the people from the other Southern colonies, as they wanted to stay as part as England in the New World. John Adams had to fight hard, especially against John Dickinson, a delegate from Pennsylvania, and Edward Rutledge, of South Carolina. During the process, he cultivated the friendship of Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson, both of independent minds. John Adams is instrumental in suggesting, and getting the approval of George Washington to lead the revolutionary forces, a wise decision.

In the meantime, Abigail and the children see the horrors of war right in their own backyard. They must fight disease and loneliness as John is kept away in Philadelphia. After the agreement for the motion of freedom, the Declaration of Independence is read to the general public in the city of Brotherly Love.

Another excitement chapter, the second in the series of the adaptation of David McCullough's novel. Again, Tom Hooper directs with great style.

The cast reads like the Who's Who in the American and English film and theater rosters. Paul Giamatti does a fine take on John Adams, as well as Laura Linney, who plays Abigail. Tom Wilkinson is Benjamin Franklin; Danny Huston is seen as Sam Adams. Stephen Dillane appears as Thomas Jefferson. The excellent Zeljko Ivanek makes a case for his John Dickinson, a reactionary man who did not see eye to eye with Adams. Clancy O'Connor has good moments as Edward Rutledge.

A moving episode about American history.