Somewhat amazingly, I just watched "1776" for the first time though I've known about it since basically it's inception. Oddly enough, I found it essentially unwatchable as a true musical, but very moving and extremely well done as a play. Many of the acting performances are truly outstanding, but only the great John Cullum can actually sing (of course he's a fine actor also). The version I saw on TCM also seemed extremely long. I will never see it on the stage, now.

Being a fan of history in general, and American history in particular, I fully expected to love this film. Unfortunately, for me at least, there are several troublesome factors here that take this one down a few pegs.The history itself is seriously spotty. Too many to list, but for one, Adams and Franklin were NOT buddies, so to see them cavorting side-by-side was an odd sight indeed. It is well known Adams despised Franklin (he despised a lot of people actually). There are many minor/trivial oddities here as well - things like Martha Jefferson showing up in Philadelphia (she did not); Jefferson writing the Declaration as we know it today (in truth much of the wording was altered by the Committee); Cesar Rodney shown here on his deathbed (he lived for 8 more years); Franklin saying he founded the first abolition society in the new world (he did not). I can go on, you get the point. I don't find all of these inaccuracies to be a 'big deal' - however when I read other reviewers here refer to this film as a 'great history lesson' - well, now it becomes one. Because the reality is, like many films, '1776' is NOT a history lesson and should not be viewed as such. It is a play set in a historical place and time, but as with many other films and plays, a heavy dose of dramatic license has been applied here and that needs to be understood.That in itself wouldn't be too bad. However, there are a few more issues....for a musical with something like 15 songs, an alarming number of them aren't particularly good or catchy or noteworthy. There are a few good ones, yes, but only a few. I am hard-pressed to name a musical that has less memorable music than this one. If I were to watch this again (something I'd probably not do as I now contemplate it), I would definitely fast-forward over some of the lesser songs. That is not a good thing for a musical, needless to say.Speaking of fast-forwarding, another reason I'd do it is that at nearly three hours, the film is just too darn long for its own good. I am not against lengthy films, but generally longer films are usually associated with epic story-telling on a grand scale. There is nothing grandiose with 1776, virtually the entire film is set in the Congress chamber (not surprising as this was adapted from a play). With several sub-standard musical numbers here, though, it makes the film a chore to sit through for that long. Jack Warner was right to cut this film in 1972, that version is probably more palatable than the director's cut.Some of the humor in this was excellent, probably the best part of the film. While the Adams character was the main protagonist, Franklin was by far the funniest. And I will say I was surprised at the frequency of sexual innuendos in the film. Not a bad thing, as I mentioned some of the puns were quite funny, but not something for 'the kids' to watch I'd say, if they managed to understand (Franklin's line that 'at my age the pen is mightier than the sword' comes to mind).Overall, not terrible but not great. I don't think I'd watch this again, but if I did I'd skip maybe 8 of the songs. That speaks volumes, and what it says isn't especially complimentary. If this were to be redone with new and better songs it would make it more deserving of the 'classic' moniker some strive to give it now. In its current form it's a tad lacking. 6/10.

Several highly reputable web sites (eg Netflix) falsely state that the musical "1776" (upon which this film is based) won a Pulitzer: https://dvd.netflix.com/Search?oq=&ac_posn=&search_submit=&v1=1776 https://www.overstock.com/Books-Movies-Music-Games/1776-Blu-ray- Disc/9967177/product.html I am quite familiar with the Pulitzer canon and I can assure you it did NOT! I have no idea how this false idea got started, but the truth is easy to find. The complete list of Pulitzer winners with "1776" in the title can be found here: http://www.pulitzer.org/search/1776 As of 2017 there are exactly three matches and the musical "1776" is NOT one of them. I would appreciate any useful information on how to pursue correcting this misinformation on Netflix and other sites.

This is very good movie for The Fourth of July! The movie was made in America, for Americans. Let's freedom ring with this movie! Directed by Peter H. Hunt, the movie tells the story of John Adams (William Daniels) on his pursuit to get his fellow Second Continental Congressmen to vote for American independence by signing the Declaration of Independence. Without spoiling the movie, too much, it has a very unique storytelling style. I never thought, once, that somebody would have made, a musical version of this historic event. Written by screenwriter, Peter Stone and based on the 1969 stage musical of the same name. The movie was very entertaining. While, the songs by song writer, Sherman Edwards weren't that memorable; most of them, work within the story. I love the opening song, 'Shut up, John' as it establish who John Adams is, and how driven, he is, for the cause. Songs such as, "The Lees of Old Virginia", "But, Mr. Adams" and "The Egg', were fun to watch, due to its light-hearted nature. It gave me, a few chuckles. Other songs like "Mama Look Sharp" and "Molasses to Rum" weren't so fun, but it shows, the real life struggles of the times and were very powerful. Then, there are the songs that, in my opinion, serve little purpose. Honestly, did we really need a song about playing the violin? What a waste of good screen time! Then, there is the controversial song, 'Cool, Cool, Considerate Men' which depicts Revolutionary War–era conservatives as power-hungry wheelers focused on maintaining wealth. The song got so much, backlash that U.S. President Richard Nixon requested to have the song removed from the film. Further complaints about the song, came from others, like historians; whom view the song, as incorrect, due to the terms "right" and "left" in politics being used. They argue that those terms weren't coined until after the American Revolution. The producers did cut the song, from the movie, but later, restored it, in future releases. While, only about half of the songs originally written made it to the final production. I think the movie could have, cut so much more. All the songs between John Adams & Abigail Adams (Virginia Vestoff) were pretty mediocre. Yes, it help humanize, John Adams, but I really didn't want to hear songs about pins and saltpeter, at all. For the most part, I think the movie could had work, better as a historical stage play, than a musical. The movie's songs are so spread out, that, it felt like I was watching two different films. If you take away, the music, the movie still works. The political debate wasn't boring, because the movie has some very clever fun dialogue to work with. It was assemble so well, with great effect. It had some really funny and powerful moments. Since Continental Congress was held in secrecy and there are no contemporary records on the debate over the Declaration of Independence, the authors of the musical created the narrative based on later accounts and educated guesses, inventing scenes and dialogue as needed for storytelling purposes. Some of these dialogue was taken from words written, often years or even decades later. The movie also took a lot of artistic license to the film's budget. Many historical figures were dropped from the production, as the entire complement of the Congress would have been too big of a cast to portray. They did make a halfhearted attempt to explain, why there were so many absent members. Most of the actors that play the supporting characters were pretty good. My favorite had to be, Howard Da Silva as Ben Franklin, Ray Middleton as Thomas McKean and Ron Holgate as Richard Henry Lee. Man, did they hammed it up! They seem, more like cartoon characters, than real people, with their odd delivery. While, they're not the best actors, they truly stand out! I loved it! Still, I kinda hope, for a more accurate depiction of these real life men. William Daniels as John Adams was amazing. This guy work his butt, off. Although, the film, makes Adams into one of the most-hatred characters in the film; in true life, he's one of the most respected members of Congress. After all, you have to be, if you're going to become President, one day. The only character that wasn't needed in the film was Martha Jefferson (Blythe Danner). I really felt that the time, spent with her, really ruin the film, because how historic inaccurate, her visit was, and because it took away, focus on how Thomas Jefferson (Ken Howard) wrote the Declaration of Independence. The movie awkwardly, moves from first draft document to presenting his masterpiece in quick movie pacing. When, watching it, I thought, I miss a scene or two, but no, that's how the movie was presented. Do warning, some versions of the film, has been brutally cut. A lot of the raunchier scenes was badly chopped, but if you want the best version of the film. Try to get Jack L. Warner's DVD restore version. It's the best copy, out there. Overall: While the movie ends in a bittersweet note. It's still a great movie to watch on the Fourth of July! So check it out! You will like it.