John Adams (HBO Miniseries)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The settings and filming of this piece seem to put you there. The acting skills of all involved is of the highest qualtiy. This movie is an education for most and a treat for history buffs.

Our whole family (ages 21-53) could not wait for the next episode when this aired on HBO. Just a very well thought out and presented life of a presidential family we never paid all that much attention to. BRAVO.

This video is a must-see for all persons who wish to see United States history come alive. With few instances of artistic license, it stays close to David McCullough's historical work, and informs as it entertains.

This is one of the best videos I have ever seen. My husband and I read the John Adams book by David McCullough and this follows it very good although there are some parts missing. You need several days to watch the video, but it is absolutely wonderful! The actors playing John Adams and Abigail Smith Adams should receive an Academy Award! They were exquisite. Tom Hanks was the producer and it really showed his expertise. Anyone who likes history, and our American history especially needs to see this video.

This miniseries is true to it's period, each character is rich and truthful beyound means. I found Franklin to be exceptional since I have also read his biography. I also read the book. It is a must see.

Terry

Excellant performances. I'm so glad I purchased this DVD. I have watched it several times.

Great mini series, A must have for any history buff. Walk back in time from Boston to Williamsburg to Washington through Indepence for the US. This story shows how it unfolds. Very true and very well done by the makers.

This series is not a history class snoozer. I enjoyed watching history unfold and finally understanding how the Constitution was enacted. If John Adams could see what is happening in our country today he would be appalled. We can only thank Darwin and the far left Democrats for it.

I loved ordering with Amazon on this product. It was in the mail quickly and really affordable. I would buy from Amazon again!!

This is one of the finest pieces of television to come along for some time. I wish they would make more like it.

Product was in perfect, new condition as advertised. I had only heard good things about this miniseries, but those descriptions didn't do it justice! LOVE IT!

Really enjoyed this Miniseries. Had a problem with disc #1, it stalled and wouldn't continue, but we kept at it and finally got it going again. Was realy surprised that thing really happened to John Adams, that I didn't know about. I then went out and got a copy of the book - and that's a real hard read.

I feel this series should be required viewing in all schools. It would help us remember just how difficult it was to win our freedom, and perhaps we would value it more. Where are the men like these now, when we need them so desperately?

Makes you feel like you know what life was actually like back then. Very interesting.

The John Adams video (HBO) mini series was in terffic condition and was quickly shipped to me. Great job!

I enjoyed this series very much. John Adams is a man that every American could emulate. Would that his kind of man would be living in the White House always. It was well-done and the acting was supurb. Even though John Adams was not a handsome man, he was not quite as homely as Paul Giamatti was made up to be - in my opinion, of course.

If any one wants to get a detailed and accurate look into the twilight of our nation's history through the eyes of one of our greatest fouding fathers than check out this mini-series. All the leading actors were at the top of their games. Laurie Linney's Emmy award winning portrayal of Abigal Adams was dead on! Highly recommend!

Saw this series originally on HBO and have used it in my classroom to give the kids a better idea of how things went before the revolution. The kids liked it and it was informative.

Also used the subtitles that tells information about daily customs during the time period.

History as told by those who lived it, with all the realism and passion.
All Americans should immerse themselves in this wonderful accounting of the people that made this nation possible. Which was an experiment in self governing, and is on going and will last only as long as WE desire it so. One of the greatest masterpieces I have seen in my experience.
"Facts are stubborn things"

An excellent and interesting story about the beginnings of a new nation from the point of view of John Adams, the second president of the United states of America. Shows that the first presidents of the nation were flesh and blood, human like everybody else and not just statues on pedestals...

After reading David McCollough's truly inspiring John Adams, I was eagerly awaiting the HBO Mini-series. I was hugely disappointed. It seems HBO was hell bent on an agenda to almost totally distort the image of this passionate patriot. Several episodes in the book were particularly inspiring, as they offered a measure of John Adam's dedication to our fledgling country. One was his determination to travel with his company a thousand miles by mule to Paris after the Sensible could not make it to its intended port and needed to let the John Adam's party off the coast of Spain. In the miniseries, John Adams and John Quincy just appear in Paris. Another episode involved negotiations with the British over the details of Independence. These negotiations included defining the boundaries of United States territory, navigation rights on the Mississippi, debts, fishing rights off Newfoundland and compensation to the loyalists. Adams insisted on America's position on all these issues and won. Most impressive was John Adam's absolute insistence that the British recognize the United States before any negotiations could take place. He stood strong on this point, in spite of the Continental Congress's direction to avoid this issue. These were truly inspiring episodes which would be the stuff of imaginative genius, but they are especially glorious because they are the actual accomplishments of this truly great man. For reasons that make no sense, HBO completely disregarded them both.

HBO's depiction of John Adams as a person was of one not recognized in the book. John Adams was clearly the fire and passion behind Independence, a truly great patriot, a loving husband and father and a faithful friend. HBO's John Adams comes off as a humorless, peevish, arrogant toad, guided to any positive accomplishment only buy the hand of his wife. In fact HBO's Abigail is so prominent in the miniseries, she at times seems to hold the central role. I grew increasingly weary of Abigail being continually lionized in contrast to the HBO's deeply flawed version of our second president. Shame on HBO!

A great man - a great book - a disastrous miniseries.

My cousin and I watched this mini series over a period of 2 days and we thought it was wonderful, full of history, love, politics. I can't wait to see it again to see what I missed.

We've watched two of the seven segments, enough to get a feel for the whole. Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney are excellent in the lead roles. You quickly are drawn into their rich marital relationship and family life, set against pivotal national and world events. John comes across as cantankerous, intellectual and passionate; Abigail as a wise manager of her home and a deep patriot herself. As for the other characters, they seem drawn well enough -- it is a little odd to hear them say Memorable Lines From the American Revolution, but I suppose I'll get used to that. George Washington seems wooden, but perhaps he was so in real life. All in all a promising start -- I'm looking forward to the remaining five parts. And I love the theme music.

This is one of the best historical mini-series I have ever seen. The man and his time are brought to life. Great DVD package!

Absolutely great. The movie is well done. The content is amazing. I loved experiencing some of the history of a great American Forefather and President that deserves more recognition then he gets.

I am an avid reader of David McCullough. I find his books interesting and such detail!!! He truly loves his history and this DVD show this as a reflection of his book. This is that rare instance when the movie matches the joy of the book.

I was a K-12 student with good attendance, who never fell asleep in class. Nevertheless, "John Adams" was a revelation for me. It's not just that it contains information about one person's life and career. The little known facts and stories around our 2nd president, as well as many of his contemporaries [Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, Hancock, etc] bring the birth of our nation to life. "John Adams" also debunks some of our nations 'cherry tree type' myths, while bringing the realities of real sacrifice for the sake of freedom to the screen. I recommend "John Adams" to teachers for their classrooms, to history buffs, and to anyone who wants to watch an honest-to-gosh 'reality show.'

Wonderful production about a wonderful figure in History! I'm a school teacher who appreciates a way to make students excited about history with such multimedia productions!

I have always loved history because I realized pretty early that its not really about dates. Or at most, dates are a very small part of it. Its mainly about real flesh and blood people. I just recently watched this and absolutely loved it. I'm a huge fan of David McCullough's writings. This does his book proud. I did hear that 1776 is in the works. It'll be great and I can't wait.

McCullough stated that when he wrote this book he intended to write about both Adams was more compelling and more interesting. One of the main themes that runs through the book was how uninspiring, to say the least, Thomas Jefferson's behavior was (especially towards Adams). Strangely, this never really comes up in the movie. Instead it is Adams who is presented as a curmudgeon, almost manic-depressive, cold man and Jefferson comes across as the sage from Monticello. Never mind the fact that Jefferson spent his entire life massively in debt to english creditors and ran back to his mansion whenever things got tough. No, these things never come up in the movie and we are left with an incomplete picture from which we draw inappropriate conclusions about the shortcomings of Adams. The movie never details how Jefferson undercut Adams time and time again. Instead it goes to great lengths to show how Hamilton tried to screw things up. The whole feel of the movie just falls on its face compared to the book.

For instance,what joy is there in the eventual renewal of friendship towards the ends of Adams and Jeffersons life if there is no real alienation? I hate to seem cynical, but it almost seems as if the producers are loathe to question the historical integrity of Jefferson. This couldn't have anything to do with him being the father of the Democratic Party you think?

The history shows the weak early nation. I am limited on history, but it was enjoyable to watch. The characters are not idealized so they were able to be enjoyed more.

What hit me most was the immense love of Adams and spouse, and this was acted so beautifully, it was almost something that leaked a tear. These are top actors. Thank you for sharing your gift.

This is an awesome movie..every American should have to watch John Adams. You just can't stop watching, and you learn so much about your history.

One of the hardest tasks for a historical drama is to get the historicity right. John Adams succeeds in this task at almost every level. Small things count. The first visual that screamed authenticity to me was a small leather fire bucket hanging on a wall at the Adams house in Boston. It was the same period fire bucket I saw on an Antiques Roadshow episode. You get to see exactly how men wore their hair under those powdered wigs. Hard life and hard living are shown throughout including hardscrabble farming, mud, dust, worn clothes, disease, and close quarters. And then there are the events and places: George Washington's inauguration from both our point of view and his, awful army encampments, hot and intense debates in court and in congress, foreign courts, shipboard life, and the surprisingly cruel aspects of the fight for freedom. Finally, the actors in John Adams do a superb job. Paul Giamatti brings Adam's dyspeptic frustration to life along with his unremitting drive. Laura Linney portrays an Abigail who shows caring, spine, and intelligence in equal measure. All other revolutionary characters are shown with amazing visual accuracy beyond their portraits on our currency. Altogether a treat for the history enthusiast.

Freedom is not an easy task. We have gotten spoiled. Watch and learn! The tragedies can happen again.

The HBO series on John Adams is outstanding. Perfectly cast, beautifully researched and produced, it tells the compelling story of the plain-speaking, plain-living New England farmer who was one of the key driving forces behind the American Revolution, without whom it might never even have occurred. John Adams, the second president of the United States, has been a mostly unsung hero of the American Revolution. It is high time that he got the credit he deserved for his role in the founding of the American nation. Tom Hanks, Paul Giamatti, Laura Linney and crew bring Adams and his co-revolutionaries to life and make us love them for what they were: human beings of exceptional bravery, intelligence and integrity. And it's a great drama as well. This series should be made part of the curriculum of US history classes from now on. The entire nation owes them a debt of gratitude for finally bringing to light some hidden truths about the men who created the United States.

This truly opened my eyes to the struggles we went through building the United States. It gave me a revitized appreciation for the personalities and sacrifices of our founding fathers. Paul Giamatti was John Adams and Laura Linley was Abigale Adams. Thoroughly enjoyed it, often going on to the next part to see what happened rather than waiting until the following night.

Excellent HBO television mini-series version of the book John Adams. An intriguing and entertaining view of John Adams, showing all of his qualities, his brilliance, his stubborness, his vanity, his pride, his devotion to first the idea anf later the country of America. A must have for lovers of history.

A very enjoyable and well acted mini series- a good companion to the book on which it is based. Yet I found that watching the film was like "skimming the surface" of this colorful life that David McCullough brought out so powerfully in his biography.
This is a case of a story so well done in print as to bring out the amazing character of someone like Adams at such a pivotal time in our history, that the film -inspite of the memorable potrayals- comes off more two dimentional than the book.
In the end though- I felt as if I were having a chance to revisit an old friend. Anyone who is not touched emotionally by the scenes at the end of this film (American or not) should perhaps check their sense of wonder.

Perhaps not as historically accurate as some would like, but I still thought they did an exceptional job of potraying both the events of the period and the lives of John and Abigail Adams.

John Adams is an honest and engaging exploration of an extra-ordinary, everyman with lots of flaws, foibles, and virtures. More than anything else, the movie touched me personally and provided an opportunity to examine my own life and how I might do better. Paul Giamati and Laura Liney made me believe they were John and Abigail Adams as real people, not historical figures. With the exception of David Morse, playing George Washington, I felt that I was seeing the real people behind the historical figures, contradictions and all. The quality of the sets, costumes, and re-enactors was very high. The only real criticism that I have is that I think the mini-series could have been shortened a bit. Some scenes just went on longer than necessary to make the point.

HBO's special miniseries and projects have been the gold standard in quality television productions in the last decade. They have delivered many popular portrayals of American history, such as the notable mid-90s TV movie with Gary Sinise as Harry Truman, and the recent FDR bio "Warm Springs". The former work made use of David McCullough's excellent biography, and now comes "John Adams", following McCullough's book the same. The result is a quality production overall, though it is a bit slow in places.

Adams was a major player in the American Revolution, and his contribution is deservedly celebrated here, though his life presents some challenges to filmmakers; in particular, he was not really a presence in the field (so no big battle scenes or such moments of martial heroics), so the main drag comes after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, when Adams is shuffled off to the Continent to impotently lobby for aid from Europe.

The basic outline of the story begins in Boston in 1774, when lawyer John Adams is recruited by the British to defend the soldiers under arrest for the famous Boston Massacre, when protestors were gunned down. The question is whether their captain gave the order to fire. This first episode plays out like a legal drama; in episode two, the scene shifts to Philadelphia, and we get a new rendition of the familiar scenes of the Declaration being argued-over and drafted, and meet figures such as Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. Episode three, the weakest of the seven in my opinion, sees Adams in Frnace, doing little of consequence and bemoaning his separation from his beloved wife Abigail. Adams his little talent for diplomacy or the foreign French court, and he often finds himself getting in the way of the more skilled Franklin. Upon his return to the United States in the final episodes, he must deal with the maddeningly inconsequential role of the Vice President, the rivalry between Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, his troubled presidency (with the focus being on the prospect of war with France), family squabbles (most of all his drunken failure of son, Charles), and, finally, his physical decline in retirement.

The title role is essayed by Pail Giamatti, who is a rather interesting choice for the main character in a 19th century drama; he is not the sort of heroic type one might expect. This is suited to the Adams of the story, who is, for all his positive qualities, frequently petty and short-sighted, given to bursts of anger. His wife Abigail is played by Laura Linney, who sometimes skirts too close to being a stereotypical Supportive Wife, but other times is accorded more in the way of emotion and personality variance (and Linney is a great actress). Other performances of note are Stephen Dillane as Jefferson and a drole Tom Wilson as Benjamin Franklin.

Given that the story pans from 1774 to 1826, the actors require extensive use of age makeup, and the stuff used here is very good. Giamatti, in particular, spends the last few episodes as an extremely believable elderly Adams. Being HBO, the series makes a point of giving as 'realistic' a setting as possible, rather than the spotless look of movies like "1776". Bad teeth abound as Adams grows older. The series begins and ends with two especially memorable moments of period gruesomeness: the first, a grisly tarring-and-feathering of a British loyalist, the second a wince-inducing depiction of a 19th century mastectomy.

There is a rather bizarre scene where Adams rants about historical inaccuracies in the depiction of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which seems out of place, given that this miniseries takes liberties with history as the average production does (right down the Adams' rant itself, ironically, which he did not give). It's hard to know what to make of that moment.

Regardless, this is overall a very interesting piece of work.

There are two main criticisms of the HBO miniseries based on David McCullough's biography of John Adams, and I don't understand either of them. The first is that the miniseries makes Adams less admirable than he was in the book. Frankly, that was my main criticism of the book--that McCullough tended to gloss over Adams' well-documented character flaws. To my mind the miniseries presents Adams pretty much as he must have been--vain, petty, quarrelsome, yet also strong, brilliant, courageous, and incorruptible. I find I love the man all the more for his flaws, because he overcame them so wonderfully to become a truly great man.

The second criticism is that Paul Giamatti is unconvincing as Adams--a slam that to me is totally unfounded. Who did they want as Adams--Harrison Ford? I think Giamatti was the perfect actor to play Adams, and his performance is as wonderful as I expected it to be. Laura Linney is equally superb as Abigail Adams--if both she and Giamatti don't take home Emmys this year, it will be a screaming injustice--and the entire cast is first-rate, including Stephen Dillane as Thomas Jefferson, David Morse as George Washington, Tom Wilkinson as Benjamin Franklin, and Sarah Polley, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Kevin Trainor and Samuel Barnett as the Adams' children.

Everything about this miniseries seems absolutely right; this is the first drama I've seen about the American Revolution that to my mind captures the look and feel of 18th-century America. And I still can't get the soaring, touching theme music out of my head (two composers, Rob Lane and Joseph Vitarelli, are credited with the music). "John Adams" is an enthralling miniseries, one of the best in the history of the medium.

I commend HBO for this informative and highly educational production. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants a more intellectually enriching experience from his or her TV than the vast superficial TV programming we now get. It is worth buying it and even watching it a second time with the historical fact feature. It is good for the whole family.

I enjoyed this miniseries so much that I just had to buy it. I have since shared it with the rest of my family, and the response is always the same: Amazing attention to detail, and captivating from start to finish. It pulls you back in time, and you can almost imagine yourself back when our country was struggling to free itself from the yoke of England's Monarchy. It was such a turbulent time to live, when the peoples' desire to be independent could have led to charges of treason against the Crown, and their deaths by hanging.

We are given insight to how the Congress was formed, and how it worked. The election of the President and Vice-President was quite interesting in how it was accomplished.... so much less complicated than what we have today! Politics in general hasn't changed much, though....

The producers have gone to great lengths to make the sets as close as possible to the actual places they are portraying. The actors have been transformed to what we today acccept as how these historical figures actually looked. If you want more detail, you can switch on the program that gives facts about the times, the people, the places, the customs, etc... as the movie plays. It is similar to what the miniseries "ROME" offered, and gives so much more information than from just watching the movie. There are also subtitles for those that need them.

The performances of Paul Giamatti, Laura Linney, Stephen Dillane, and the rest of the cast, are top notch. Without the chemistry they project on screen, it could have been just another mediocre historical movie. But they bring these historical figures to life, making them unforgettable!

I recommend this DVD set to anyone who loves history, or to anyone who wants to learn a little more of how our country was back in its infancy.
It is truly worth the price, which, I might add, Amazon.com beat every place else, hands down!

This was a riveting series. Historically accurate. Excellent actors and amazing settings. A true reflection of the Revolutionary period!