Awesome Film!! We cannot errase history out of this great country! We need to teach our kids what it took to make this country and these DVDs are a great tool to do just that.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Overall, this was very well done with amazing attention to detail in scenery, lifestyle, actual history & founder's quotes spoken by the actors. There is occasional artistic license from hollywood, but the ideals of liberty and the basic history of the founders are strongly represented. The only things that were mysteriously kept out of this hollywood creation is the massive amount of documented religious speech and activity among the founders and early congress. (Did you know that after independence was won, congress actually had bibles printed for use in schools?! Not in the movie.) All religious quotes and influence on our constitution was left out as well, but many important facts are in the production and more was added with a "facts are stubborn things" option that lets you see more of the historical reference info on the bottom of the screen as you watch. There is much more to the story than even a 7 part series such as this can include, but you will get a good sense of the founders sacrifice, risk, knowledge and character from it. You can learn more if this inspires you to read non revisionist versions of history in books, documents and websites. Obviously, most of the attention is given to the story and ideology of the Adams' with less insight into what the others were experiencing at pivotal points in the history of the Revolution. I was really hoping to see more vivid attention given to the struggles and hardships that Washington & the continental army were experiencing during the war as well, but the production is called "John Adams" and the Washington story is really too enormous to present in a few minutes! I thought that the acting was very impressive. The method of filming was great too. It's as if you were standing there, witnessing the events as they took place and you really get a sense of life without the luxuries we have today. With all of the attention to detail in most aspects, I was surprised to hear Ben Franklin say that an original line in the Declaration of Independence "Smacks" of the pulpit! I've never seen that terminology used by our founders and there is actual, historical dispute as to whether Franklin or Jefferson himself changed that line from the draft to the final version, which is in Jefferson's writing. The film has no mention of Jefferson's Declaration of Independence line condemning the king's introduction of slavery to the colonies (later voted out by 2 colonies)before unanimous signatures were gained, although it does hint at the dispute. It's amazing to look back on this time in our history with amazement and gratitude for the sacrifices that were made for that and future generations. It's nice to see it given strong attention. It really wasn't that long ago that our country's freedom was fought for and won through a war that lasted 8 years. Tom Hanks has stepped up again to put the spotlight on those who have honorably defended freedom. He did a very impressive job. Very real. I'll be keeping this. You won't see it as an ebay auction from ME! It made me explore this time period even more! Search ebay for "The American Heritage Series". I've seen some of the series on youtube and it's loaded with documented info. I've also read these books (available on ebay) .. The Real George Washington by Jay A. Parry, The Real Thomas Jefferson (American Classic Series)by Allison, Maxfield, Cook, Skousen, The 5000 year Leap by Skousen.... The John Adams DVD made me a history buff! I recommend it.Read full review
This movie separated Joe Giamatti from a character to a lead actor who carried the movie from the beginning to the end. Laura Linney played an excellent character as John Adams wife supporting him and helping him with logical thinking, the rest of the cast was just as good with an excellent story.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I liked that fact that the movie was produced in the first place since American history has become so conspicuously absent from our public education system. I did not care for what was obviously and intentionally left out of the movie. Most of the founders held deep religious convictions and encouraged the states to support religious institutions to advance good morals, which they knew to be essential if the republic was to survive. Thomas Jefferson even wrote about how pleased he was that there were many different churches in the community using the local courthouse to hold services. The founders were not at all concerned about the individual states supporting churches and religion. They're concern on this matter was only that the Federal government should not in any way support one religion or denomination over another as was the case in England. There is unfortunately a deliberate attempt today to remove God or faith from all levels of our government. Some would like all references to faith and especially Christianity removed from the public altogether. Diminishing the role that faith and the Bible played in the founding of our county is yet another attempt at removing God from our society. The success of this attempt will not be without severe consequences. I bought the movie because a friend recommended it.Read full review
Awesome movie. A book by David McCullough is a sure thing for a great movie. Being from Massachusetts, a few miles from Quincy, I can identify with the location. It was awesome to learn about someone who has been seen in the shadow of Jefferson. It was also really nice to learn about the special bond between Adams and his friend & wife Abigail.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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