1776 - The musical / movie is on TV tonite!

[DopeyDame]

IIRC, John Adams was considered to be stiff-spined and unlikeable in his day.

I believe the words you're looking for are 'obnoxious and disliked, you know that, sir!'

I just adore the film version of 1776. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[Rence]

Back when the movie came out - they published the script of the stage musical in paperback form. The best part was that they had a very lengthy appendix that explained what in the show was true, what they had modified, what they had to surmise (due to lack of a complete historical record) and what was downright false.

The show is for the most part historically accurate. One of the biggest changes is just the size of the Continental Congress, it was much much bigger, but in order to accommodate it on stage, they significantly reduced the size and in some cases combined characteristics of multiple historical figures into single characters.

Some of the backroom dealings had to be surmised. They knew the personalities of the players involved, and they knew where folks stood, but there was no record of some of the things that happened, so they had to fill in the blank. For example, they knew that Thomas Jefferson was having a bit of trouble writing the Declaration. There was no direct statement that it was because he missed his wife. It is believed that Tom journeyed home during that time (rather than his wife coming to Philadelphia) and that broke his writer's block. The change of vote for the Pennsylvania delegation at the end was also largely surmised. There is no record of why Wilson changed his vote, just that he did.

Perhaps the biggest made up item in the whole show is the end, but that is because everyone thinks that it is how it happened. There was no big signing ceremony. After the declaration was adopted, John Hancock signed it, but the other members of the congress did not sign it at that time. The signed copy was produced weeks later, with some members signing the document months later. But everyone believes that it was signed in a ceremony on the 4th - so that is how they felt they had to end the show.

 

[Ryan1989]

It was also on at 7PM EDT yesterday. I watched it then! I love that movie, really makes me like John Adams, and makes me proud of my home state of Massachusetts!
I think the most powerful scene in the movie is when Adams and Rutledge are debating about slaves, and Adams conceeds to Rutledge because he knows it's the only way to move forward with the Declaration.

 

[Glynis]

As a direct descendant of John Adams, I love this movie/musical! It makes me so proud of my heritage! I have loved this musical since I was tiny, and watch it every July 4th!!!

My cousin, who is an actress, was cast to play Abigail Adams which she enjoyed very much. Incidentally, she owns, and uses, the bed that Abigail and John shared as a married couple. It's been in the family since Abigail died, and is a cherished possession!

 

[tchrrx]

As a direct descendant of John Adams, I love this movie/musical! It makes me so proud of my heritage! I have loved this musical since I was tiny, and watch it every July 4th!!!

My cousin, who is an actress, was cast to play Abigail Adams which she enjoyed very much. Incidentally, she owns, and uses, the bed that Abigail and John shared as a married couple. It's been in the family since Abigail died, and is a cherished possession!

Thanks to the recommendations here, we DVR'd it. We are watching it now.

That is an awesome story about the bed. What an awesome heirloom!