John Adams
HBO Home Video (2008)
Biography, Drama
In Collection
#7081
0*
Seen ItYes
883929020065
IMDB   8.7
8 hr 21 mins USA / English
DVD  Region 1   NR
Laura Linney Abigail Adams
Paul Giamatti John Adams
Rufus Sewell Alexander Hamilton
David Morse George Washington
Sarah Polley Abigail Adams
Tom Wilkinson Benjamin Franklin
Danny Huston Samuel Adams
Justin Theroux John Hancock
Clancy O'Connor Edward Rutledge
Landon Ashworth The Senator
Stephen Dillane Thomas Jefferson
Aaron Angus Sailor / British Sailor / Dead Hero / Militia
Josh Archer Sailor / Frenchman in Mob / Senator
Ebon Moss-Bachrach John Quincy Adams
John Bedford Lloyd Richard Palmes
Director
Tom Hooper
Producer David Coatsworth
Steven Shareshian
Greg Spence
Tom Hanks
Writer Michelle Ashford
Kirk Ellis
David McCollough
Cinematography Tak Fujimoto
Musician Robert Lane


He United The States Of America

What our new nation was suffering attacks from both within and without, John Adams had a vision of a nation of liberty and justice for all. He guided his peers - General George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson - in setting the values and agenda for a glorious, free America. Adams and his wife Abigail refined these ambitious democratic ideals, and their partnership became one of the most moving love stories in American history.

John Adams, the Pulitzer Prize-winning book from Author David McCullough, is now the critically acclaimed seven-part miniseries from HBO Films - a sprawling, epic production from executive producers Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman, two of the men who brought you the Emmy-award winning Band of Brothers.

Starring Academy Award nominees Paul Giamatti (Cinderella Man) and Laura Linney (The Savages) as John and Abigail Adams, directed by Emmy winner Tom Hooper (Elizabeth I) and adapted by Kirk Ellis and Michelle Ashford from McCullough's book, John Adams is the incredible saga of a man who dreamed a nation and watched it come true.
Episodes
    Seen it: Yes   1 hr 0 mins    3/16/2008  1.  Join or Die
In an emotionally charged trial John Adams defends the British sentries involved in the Boston Massacre who contend they were provoked into firing on the assembled crowd. John's success brings him offers of positions in the Massachusetts government. But after John Hancock rouses a crowd to tar and feather a representative of the British East India Tea Company and the British respond to the growing unrest with oppressive measures, John instead speaks against the British policies and chooses to represent Massachusetts in the Continental Congress.
Director:  Tom Hooper  Writer:  Kirk Ellis 
    Seen it: Yes   1 hr 0 mins    3/16/2008  2.  Independence
After viewing the dead and wounded on the battlefield of Concord, John Adams takes up the cause of Independence. Frustrated by the caution of delegates from colonies that do not share Massachusetts plight, the inexperienced politician is abrasive, obnoxious and even insulting. But with the advice of Abigail and Ben Franklin he soon learns he has allies, to cultivate them, to bide his time and to seize opportunities. Following John's nomination, George Washington takes charge of the army and enjoys successes despite supply shortages. Back at home, Abigail and the children risk supporting the war effort in most tangible ways but find Mother Nature more threatening.
Director:  Tom Hooper  Writer:  Kirk Ellis 
    Seen it: Yes   1 hr 0 mins    3/23/2008  3.  Don't Tread on Me
Over the emotional objections of Abigail, John Adam and his son endure turbulent seas and an encounter with the British Navy to join Ben Franklin on a diplomatic mission to Paris. But Ben cannot restrain John's abrasive personality which is even less well suited to Paris than Philadelphia.
Director:  Tom Hooper  Writer:  Kirk Ellis 
    Seen it: Yes   1 hr 0 mins    3/30/2008  4.  Reunion
Following the surrender of the British, John secures a long sought loan from the Dutch and returns to Paris to oversee the peace treaty. John can no longer bear his absence from Abigail and invites her to Paris which immediately overwhelms her with it's opulence. John is appointed ambassador to England but soon longs to return home to participate in the formation of the new government and, like Abigail, to be reunited with the children. They return home to an overwhelming welcome and John reluctantly returns to public service.
Director:  Tom Hooper  Writer:  Kirk Ellis 
    Seen it: Yes   1 hr 0 mins    4/6/2008  5.  Unite or Die
John Adams chaffs under the mantle of Vice President for its utter lack of authority and responsibility. Despite his abhorrence of the divisiveness of political parties John is drawn to the Federalist camp favoring a strong executive. Divisions even reach into the President's cabinet, exacerbated by war in Europe.
Director:  Tom Hooper  Writer:  Kirk Ellis 
    Seen it: Yes   1 hr 0 mins    4/13/2008  6.  Unnecessary War
Following the peace treaty with England President Adams struggles to avoid war with France despite pressure from his Federalist cabinet and French provocation. John finds the price of peace to his career and the price of his long career of public service to his family is indeed high.
Director:  Tom Hooper  Writer:  Kirk Ellis 
    Seen it: Yes   1 hr 0 mins    4/20/2008  7.  Peacefield
In retirement John Adams laments the perils of a long life; loss of loved ones and growing irrelevance. But out of tragedy John rekindles his broken friendship with Thomas Jefferson and lives to discuss John Quincy's ambitious presidential agenda with him.
Director:  Tom Hooper  Writer:  Kirk Ellis 
Edition Details
Edition HBO Miniseries
Series John Adams
Distributor HBO
Release Date 6/10/2008
Packaging Custom Case
Screen Ratio Widescreen 1.78:1 Color (Anamorphic)
Subtitles English; French; Spanish
Audio Tracks ENGLISH: Dolby Digital 5.1 [CC]
SPANISH: Dolby Digital Stereo
Layers Single Side, Dual Layer
No. of Disks/Tapes 3

Features
Disc 01 - David McCullough: Painting With Words - A Rare And Personal Glimpse At The Life And Works Of Author David McCullough
- Facts Are Stubborn Things - An Exclusive Onscreen Historical Guide
- The Making Of John Adams - Featurette