Barnes & Noble

When 1776 debuted in 1972, the filmgoing public's thirst for musicals appeared to be slackening. Still, with songs and staging polished in 1776's successful Broadway run, and the country's bicentennial on the horizon, director Peter H. Hunt's screen adaptation performed moderately well at the box office. Years have added luster to this musical celebration of the Founding Fathers, and the restored director's cut now available on DVD is a truly delightful experience. Adapted from the Sherman Edwards/Peter Stone Broadway show, 1776 recounts events in Congress during the hot and stormy Philadelphia month leading up to the July 4th signing of the Declaration of Independence. A versatile cast -- led by William Daniels as the fiery John Adams and Howard Da Silva as the cagey Ben Franklin -- breathes life and humanity into the nation's defining moment. The film deftly mingles a variety of tones. The spellbinding political debates over the Declaration's text, for instance, remain mostly true to the historical record while benefiting from sharpened dialogue and dollops of wit. There is also whimsy and even romance, as the yearning, long-distance romance between John and Abigail Adams (Virginia Vestoff) is dramatized in split screens, as they act out their daily letters back and forth. Interspersed into the narrative are rousing refrains such as "But, Mr. Adams" and "The Egg," and tender tunes like "Till Then." For fans of the original film, or anyone interested in a playful interpretation of American history, this DVD release marks the triumphant return of a true musical classic.

All Movie Guide

The first independent production of former studio mogul Jack Warner, 1776 was adapted from the hit 1969 Broadway musical by Peter Stone and Sherman Edwards. William Daniels, Ken Howard and Howard Da Silva are among the many actors who recreate their Broadway roles. The story is set during the Second Continental Congress, when the Declaration of Independence was drafted by such founding fathers as John Adams (Daniels) and Benjamin Franklin (Da Silva). The script attempts to "humanize" these remote historical characters with wisecracks, scatology, and an abundance of sexual innuendo--particularly in the case of the libidinous Ben Franklin. Blythe Danner's character of Martha Jefferson is expanded for the film version to allow for an elaborate outdoor production number. Director Peter Hunt, who helmed the original Broadway production, can't quite overcome the essential staginess of the project, though the cast is game and the music is well showcased. After 1776, Jack Warner made only one more film, the 1972 "grunge western" Dirty Little Billy. Hal Erickson

Product Details

• UPC: 043396058910
• Source: SONY PICTURES
• Region Code: 1
• Aspect Ratio: Cinemascope (2.35:1)
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English, Français
• Time: 2:46:00
• Sales Rank: 1,761

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