1776

Now that David McCullough's outstanding biography John Adams has put the nation's second president in the forefront of American consciousness, interest should be high for this restored director's cut of Peter H. Hunt's 1972 filming of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical chronicling the birth of our nation. Focusing on the benevolent triumvirate of Adams (William Daniels), who is "obnoxious and disliked"; Jefferson (Ken Howard), who drafted the Declaration of Independence ("just as Tom here has written/we say to hell with Great Britain"); and Franklin (Howard Da Silva), given to snoozing during windier speeches, 1776 mixes Sherman Edwards' wonderful tunes (the sprightly "But, Mr. Adams"; haunting "Mama, Look Sharp"; and satiric stab at Republicans "Cool, Cool Considerate Men," originally cut after Nixon found it objectionable), mostly solid history (while Jefferson accepted the emendations to his draft of the declaration, he hated each one--in the film he merely nods assent), and even considerable drama, as Adams--in particular--fights the clock and loyalist delegates to get the question of American independence put to a vote. As the 56 men line up to sign America's birth certificate, John Hancock (of the big signature fame) beautifully sums up the momentous but frightening occasion by reminding the assembly that "we are about to brave the storm in a skiff made of paper." Presented in a gloriously rich widecsreen transfer with beautiful Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, the disc also includes an entertaining and informative commentary track with director Hunt and screenwriter Peter Stone: of the many amusing anecdotes they share, the one about the brief cameo by Arnold the pig (of Green Acres fame)--whose contract insisted that all actors must be onstage before he was let out of his air-conditioned trailer--is particularly choice. Recommended. (R. Pitman)[Blu-ray Review—June 2, 2015—Sony, 166 min., not rated, $19.99—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 1972's 1776 boasts a great transfer and a DTS-HD 5.1 soundtrack. Extras include a new commentary track by director Peter H. Hunt and costars William Daniels and Ken Howard, audio commentary by Hunt and screenwriter Peter Stone, screen tests (13 min.), deleted and alternate scenes (6 min.), and a bonus UltraViolet copy of the film. Bottom line: this winning musical on the birth of American independence shines on Blu-ray.]