1776 (1972)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Peter H. Hunt

Writers:

Sherman Edwards (play)
Peter Stone (play)
(more)

Release Date:

17 November 1972 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Family | History | Musical

Plot:

The film version of the Broadway musical comedy of the same name. In the days leading up to July 4, 1776...

Plot Keywords:

Thomas Jefferson | George Washington | Declaration Of Independence | John Adams | Benjamin Franklin

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 nomination

Cast

William Daniels	...	John Adams (MA)
Howard Da Silva	...	Dr. Benjamin Franklin (PA)
Ken Howard	...	Thomas Jefferson (VA)
Donald Madden	...	John Dickinson (PA)
John Cullum	...	Edward Rutledge (SC)
Roy Poole	...	Stephen Hopkins (RI)
David Ford	...	Congressional President John Hancock (MA)
Ron Holgate	...	Richard Henry Lee (VA)
Ray Middleton	...	Col. Thomas McKean (DE)
William Hansen	...	Caesar Rodney (DE)
Blythe Danner	...	Martha Jefferson
Virginia Vestoff	...	Abigail Adams
Emory Bass	...	Judge James Wilson (PA)
Ralston Hill	...	Congressional Secretary Charles Thomson
Howard Caine	...	Lewis Morris (NY)
Patrick Hines	...	Samuel Chase (MD)
William Duell	...	Andrew McNair, Congressional Custodian
Daniel Keyes	...	Dr. Josiah Bartlett (NH)
Leo Leyden	...	George Read (DE)
Stephen Nathan	...	Courier
Jonathan Moore	...	Dr. Lyman Hall (GA)
James Noble	...	Rev. John Witherspoon (NJ)
John Myhers	...	Robert Livingston (NY)
Rex Robbins	...	Roger Sherman (CT)
Charles Rule	...	Joseph Hewes (NC)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Andy Albin	...	William Paca (MD) (uncredited)
William Bassett	...	Thomas Heyward, Jr. (SC) (uncredited)
Jack De Mave	...	John Penn (NC) (uncredited)
Gordon Devol	...	Thomas Lynch, Jr. (SC) (uncredited)
Frederic Downs	...	Samuel Huntington (CT) (uncredited)
Peter Forster	...	Oliver Wolcott (CT) (uncredited)
John Holland	...	William Whipple (NH) (uncredited)
Heber Jentzsch	...	Charles Carroll (MD) (uncredited)
Richard McMurray	...	Francis Lewis (NY) (uncredited)
Mark Montgomery	...	Leather Apron (uncredited)
Barry O'Hara	...	George Walton (GA) (uncredited)
Dick O'Shea	...	Francis Hopkinson (NJ) (uncredited)
Jordan Rhodes	...	William Hooper (NC) (uncredited)
Fred Slyter	...	Richard Stockton (NJ) (uncredited)

Directed by
Peter H. Hunt

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Sherman Edwards		play
Peter Stone		play
Peter Stone		screenplay

Produced by
Jack L. Warner	....	producer

Original Music by
Sherman Edwards

Cinematography by
Harry Stradling Jr.

Film Editing by
Florence Williamson
William H. Ziegler

Casting by
Michael Shurtleff

Production Design by
George Jenkins

Art Direction by
George Jenkins
John Jay Moore

Set Decoration by
George James Hopkins

Costume Design by
Patricia Zipprodt

Makeup Department
Ernest Adler	....	hair designer
Carmen Dirigo	....	hair stylist
Allan Snyder	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Emmett Emerson	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Sheldon Schrager	....	assistant director

Art Department
John Roche	....	construction

Sound Department
Al Overton Jr.	....	sound
Arthur Piantadosi	....	sound

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Mickey Sherrard	....	costumer: men

Music Department
Ray Heindorf	....	music supervisor
Ray Heindorf	....	musical director
Peter Howard	....	music arranger: dance music
Eddie Sauter	....	orchestrator
Ted Sebern	....	music editor

Other crew
Mentor Huebner	....	titles
Marshall Schlom	....	script supervisor
Onna White	....	choreographer

Production Companies

• Columbia Pictures Corporation

Distributors

• Columbia Pictures (1972) (USA) (theatrical)
• Columbia TriStar Home Video
• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1976) (USA) (TV) (original airing)

MPAA:

Rated PG for language. (edited version)

Runtime:

142 min | 168 min (director's cut) | 180 min (Laserdisc version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:G | USA:PG (longer video version) | Singapore:PG

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

In the song Is Anybody There, sung by John Adams, the lyric "Yet, through all the gloom, I see the rays of ravishing light and glory" were from a letter by the real-life Adams to wife Abigail the day after the Declaration was adopted.

Goofs:

Factual errors: In the movie Martha came to Philadelphia to see Thomas Jefferson, as the two had not been together "for 6 months" - a common refrain by Tom. While Tom wrote the Declaration, Martha stayed in Virginia, recovering from a miscarriage - there is no record of such a "conjugal visitation."

Quotes:

George Read: Among your charges against the king, Mr. Jefferson, you accuse him of depriving us of the benefits of trial by jury. This is untrue, sir. In Delaware we have always had trial by jury.
John Adams: In Massachusetts we have not.
George Read: Well, then I suggest that the words "In many cases" be added.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Playing Columbine (2008)

Soundtrack:

Piddle, Twiddle and Resolve

Reviewer Revels in 1776

1776 is a masterful representation of the emotion, logic and debate, leading to the critical creation and signing of the Declaration of Independence. It captures, beautifully and subtly, the moment the colonies crossed the line, one by one, to leave England's rule.

The writing is superb, and the direction is perfection itself. The music and lyrics add a bold exclamation point, for they range from funny to serious, simple to complex, in the richness of sound and appropriateness of placement.

Leading the charge is the cantankerous character of John Adams (William Daniels). It is nothing less than a remarkable and brilliant portrayal, probably one of the most difficult, and yet one of the best ever played. Daniels walks a very fine line, depicting the essence of a man who grates on his friends and foes, yet quickly pulls the audience to his side. You can't help but feel the desperation, frustration and passion of Adams, as he tries to persuade and pull reluctant and loyalist colonial representatives to his cause.

Frank Da Silva's Ben Franklin is equal to the challenge of the quality performance given by Daniels. Franklin is certainly the more popular figure among the characters, but nevertheless has many complexities, expertly brought out by the quality writing and Da Silva's fine skill as an actor of high caliber.

It is hard to write a review of such a fine film, without mentioning all the magnificent performances by a remarkably talented cast. It is far easier, and much more pleasurable, to simply view the film. Pay attention to the lighting and choreography. Watch the meeting room transform from a rather plain space, to one of intensity, as the room goes from static and flat, to lively and dramatic. It follows the mood of the film, as the issue of independence is moved from a side issue, to weave its way to the forefront. The oversized calendar reminds one of the ticking of a clock, as the days move inevitably to July 4th. And while we know the outcome of the events, it is too easy to be drawn into the process, and become captured by the suspense of those last six weeks leading to the formation of a new nation. The tally board, which records the votes of the colonies, also looms large on the wall. The movement from left to right, for and against independence, also adds to the suspense and drama of the film.

There are lighthearted moments, and witty banter, among the characters, as one would expect. But there are surprises too. And the viewer gets to see an amazing transformation of the irritable Adams to a much softer person, when he corresponds with Abigail. Please add 1776, with confidence, to your list of must-see movies. I think it is as fresh today as it was 30-years ago. It is time for a film re-release, or at least a revival on Broadway, but since such things rarely happen, do yourself a favor and rent or buy the movie. Personally, I think it was the finest of its kind. Can one rate it higher than a ten? Would that I could, for it deserves it. Kudos to the writer, director, and amazing cast. It was, for many, their very best performances, both behind the scenes and in front of the camera.