John Adams, the HBO-aired seven-part miniseries based on David McCullough's bestselling Pulitzer Prize-winning biography, has been justly accused of taking a few minor liberties with the story of American liberty. In the opening episode, for instance, even though Boston lawyer Adams successfully defended the British soldiers accused of killing five people in the so-called Boston Massacre of 1770, not all were acquitted—as claimed—but rather two were found guilty of manslaughter (and given suspended sentences with branded thumbs). But on the whole, John Adams is faithful to both the history and spirit of this mostly unsung Founding Father, while also adding cable's trademark extra dash of sex and violence. Viewers will not only witness a man's leg being amputated, but also see John and Abigail getting their groove on (missionary position, of course) in their sturdy handmade wooden bed. Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney shine in the lead roles (the Adams' marriage—recounted in numerous letters between Abigail and the often-absent-on-birth-of-a-nation business John—would span 54 years), with solid supporting turns by Stephen Dillane (Thomas Jefferson), Tom Wilkinson (Benjamin Franklin), and David Morse (a ringer for George Washington). Produced by Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman (Band of Brothers) and directed by Tom Hooper (Elizabeth I), John Adams is not flawless, but it is an incredible achievement on several levels, not the least of which is its meticulous attention to detail. Whether we're seeing Mr. Adams engaged in heated debate before the Continental Congress or as the nation's second President entering the dusty, smoky, still-under-construction White House, the period trappings of Colonial America are convincingly presented. DVD extras include a new documentary on McCullough entitled “Painting with Words,” a behind-the-scenes featurette, and a “Facts Are Stubborn Things” onscreen historical popup guide. Highly recommended. You'll not find John and Abigail Adams boinking (although you will hear the pair trade a few lines of saucy innuendo) in The Adams Chronicles, the 13-part 1976 PBS-aired miniseries that traces the Adams' family history over a 150-year-period, beginning with the early years of country lawyer John Adams and his wooing of Abigail Smith. Made over 30 years ago, the production values today seem decidedly lackluster and small-scale in comparison to HBO's John Adams, but this vintage series boasts its own charms, including a fulsome recounting of the lives of the patriarch (Emmy nominee George Grizzard) and matriarch (Emmy-winning Kathryn Walker), as well as engaging portraits of their son John Quincy Adams (sixth President), grandson Charles Francis Adams (the third Adams to serve as minister to Great Britain), great-grandson historian Henry Adams, and the latter's Union Pacific railroad-running brother Charles Francis Adams II. DVD extras include a 12-page booklet with essays and an historical timeline. Recommended. (R. Pitman)[Blu-ray Review—June 23, 2009—HBO, 3 discs, 501 min., TV-14, $79.98—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 2008's John Adams sports an excellent transfer and 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio sound. Blu-ray extras ported over from the original DVD release include a new 39-minute “Painting with Words” documentary on author David McCullough, and a half-hour behind-the-scenes featurette. Enhanced for the Blu-ray release are a “Facts are Stubborn Things” historical pop-up guide, and “Who's Who in History” character biographies. Bottom line: a fine Blu-ray debut for this award-winning historical miniseries.]
The Adams Chronicles; John Adams
Acorn, 4 discs, 780 min., not rated, DVD: $59.99 Volume 23, Issue 3
The Adams Chronicles; John Adams
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