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John Adams (HBO Miniseries)
Average Customer Review : 4.5/5 based on 380 reviews
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List Price : $59.99
Price : $35.99
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Editorial Reviews
Based on David McCullough's bestselling biography, the HBO miniseries John Adams is the furthest thing from a starry-eyed look at America's founding fathers and the brutal path to independence. Adams (Paul Giamatti), second president of the United States, is portrayed as a skilled orator and principled attorney whose preference for justice over anti-English passions earns enemies. But he also gains the esteem of the first national government of the United States, i.e., the Continental Congress, which seeks non-firebrands capable of making a reasoned if powerful case for America's break from England's monarchy. The first thing one notices about John Adams' dramatizations of congress' proceedings, and the fervent pro-independence violence in the streets of Boston and elsewhere, is that America's roots don't look pretty or idealized here. Some horrendous things happen in the name of protest, driving Adams to push the cause of independence in a legitimate effort to get on with a revolutionary war under the command of George Washington. But the process isn't easy: not every one of the 13 colonies-turned-states is ready to incur the wrath of England, and behind-the-scenes negotiations prove as much a part of 18th century congressional sessions as they do today. Besides this peek into a less-romanticized version of the past, John Adams is also a story of the man himself. Adams' frustration at being forgotten or overlooked at critical junctures of America's early development--sent abroad for years instead of helping to draft the U.S. constitution--is detailed. So is his dismay that the truth of what actually transpired leading to the signing of the Declaration of Independence has been slowly forgotten and replaced by a rosier myth. But above all, John Adams is the story of two key ties: Adams' 54-year marriage to Abigail Adams (Laura Linney), every bit her husband's intellectual equal and anchor, and his difficult, almost symbiotic relationship with Thomas Jefferson (Stephen Dillane) over decades. Giamatti, of course, has to carry much of the drama, and if he doesn't always seem quite believable in the series' first half, he becomes increasingly excellent at the point where an aging Adams becomes bitter over his place in history. Linney is marvelous, as is Dillane, Sarah Polley as daughter Nabby, Danny Huston as cousin Samuel Adams, and above all Tom Wilkinson as a complex but indispensable Ben Franklin. --Tom Keogh
Spotlight Reviews
Great HBO Miniseries (2008-12-04)
Customer Review : 5
I do not usually write review;however, this is the best miniseries i have ever watched. HBO always has great shows and movies, but with this one i was upset when it was over, i wanted to watch more. The acting is great, and the story is unbelievable, you learn a lot about the history of the United States, and especially John Adams, who does not get as much credit in the role of our country's history as he deserves.
If you like history, or just a great story, i would pick up this box set. I bought it when it was almost 60 dollars, now its 39.99, very god deal.
Need-to-know history (2008-12-01)
Customer Review : 5
Most Americans should watch this series in order to understand some of the truths behind the founding of our country. In addition to this, John Adams had such a full and interesting life, how could one not be intrigued by this story. It is almost unbelievable that one man could do so many things in one life-time. Also, the acting, cinematography, and direction is fantastic.
John Adams (2008-12-01)
Customer Review : 5
Amazing attention to detail in this movie. I highly recommend watching it with the "pop-ups" it adds historical context that puts things going on into an understandable format.
Historically Interesting and Accurate (2008-11-30)
Customer Review : 5
Well-acted drama. Enjoyed historical settings and interiors. Interesting cast of characters and superb development. At times outrageous, but nevertheless appealing, even spell-binding.
Inasmuch as I enjoy period/era dramas, I would certainly recommend this one very highly and would buy others of similar quality and interest.
Excellent Movie (2008-11-26)
Customer Review : 5
Very well done. Excellent. The thing that caught my eye was how they didn't pretty up the sets & people. It looked hard & dirty. You could even hear flies and bugs buzzing.
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