Movie Review, "John Adams" (HBO miniseries)

self | 5/3/08 | LS

[Mercat]

I look forward to getting it on instant view/Netflix

[devane617]

I really enjoyed the series...I thought it was well done.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

We thought this series was fabulous! I can’t stop talking about it and we will probably buy it when it becomes available.

[BibChr]

I’ve heard it was excellent; very glad to see your thoughts.

[Dr. Ursus]

Part 2 dealing with the Continental Congress was so good
that we watched it three times.The girl who plays Adam’s
son Charles wife is Meryl Streep’s daughter.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

I didn't realize that! Yes I thought the entire series was good enough it should be shown to students. It really showed the sacrifices and struggles they endured. And, I think it also shows that differing ideas can sometimes meld to become a better solution.

I think few know that Jefferson and Adams, even with their differences, were close friends and died on the same day, July 4.

[Luke21]

It is good. It starts and ends a bit slow, but is excellent in between.

[NRA2BFree]

Great review!! :o) I really enjoyed the series. There were some emotional scenes that brought tears to my eyes. They gave so much of themselves for the good of their beloved United States. With such love and dedication that they did neglect their families in service to this country.

I cringed when their daughter had breast cancer and they removed her breast with no anesthetic. Yikes! That surgical 'knife' was enough to make any woman cringe. I don't blame her for not wanting to have a second surgery when the cancer reappeared. Death would be much kinder, IMHO.

I came away from the series with a new found respect and admiration for our founding fathers and their families.

Abigail was my favorite. She was an incredible woman. Graceful, loving and strong. I don't think I could have survived in those times. I'm too spoiled. LOL

That having been said, I'm sure our founding fathers are spinning in their graves when they see what corrupt politicians have done to the country they loved so much. They sacrificed so much to make this Republic the greatest country in the world!

Do you know if it's going to air again? I missed part of one episode and would like to watch it again.

---

"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter, and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." Abraham Lincoln

---

[LS]

No, I have no inside info.

And, no, you did not want to have surgery of ANY sort back then. Washington had a tumor cut out of his abdomen without anesthesia. Unbelievable pain associated with medical procedures back then.

[LS]

Howd’ja like those teeth? Makes you want to go floss, right?

[AUsome Joy]

I think few know that Jefferson and Adams, even with their differences, were close friends and died on the same day, July 4.

My granddaughter knows that, but, after all, she is a fifth grader.

I loved the series, but the book was even better.

[Species8472]

Dillane portrays Jefferson as an elitist who only speaks for the masses, but never really "knows their pain."

Have to disagree. I thought the series did a great job in showcasing Adams as a "federalist" believing in a strong federal government and a forerunner of todays democrats. Jefferson is accurately portrayed as a strong believer in individual rights.

One of the most telling passages in the series is where Adams speaks disparagingly of Jefferson: "he considers himself a republican and believes in the sovereignty of the individual, harrumph!"

[Misschuck]

I also thought the series was great. It made me get out McCullough’s book and finish it. I am now reading “Alexander Hamilton” by Ron Chernow. The book is excellent and believe me Thomas Jefferson was a pure liberal who wouldn’t condone Hamilton’s policies even as they were working. He was subversive also just as he was portrayed in the miniseries. Amazing what some reading will do. I thought I knew some history.

[NRA2BFree]

No, I have no inside info.

I was hoping that you or someone might have seen or heard an announcement that they would play all of the episodes back to back again.

And, no, you did not want to have surgery of ANY sort back then. Washington had a tumor cut out of his abdomen without anesthesia. Unbelievable pain associated with medical procedures back then.

I can only imagine what it would have been like. I've had a lot of surgeries, and even with pain medication, I've felt a lot of pain. I've got a pretty high tolerance level for pain too. I honestly don't know how they could bear it.

[x]

Sounds good, but it makes me associate Adams with the lowlifes Giamatti usually plays.

[murron]

I got goosebumps when George Washington took his oath of office for the first time. Almost made me feel like I felt when Ronald Reagan was sworn in.

[Caramelgal]

Sounds good, but it makes me associate Adams with the lowlifes Giamatti usually plays.

That’s why the call it “acting”.

[Cate]

I was very humbled at how little I remember of John Adams. The series was great- it reminded me how hard life was for our forefathers. We have much to be thankful for today.

[Captainpaintball]

Here is the original trailer, with scenes CUT from the TV series!!! I wonder if these scenes will make it to DVD? It is hard to believe Paul Giamatti, who played John Adams so well, was the same guy who played the crazy program director In Howard Stern's Private Parts and the short-tempered wine snob in Sideways...

CLick on the "HBO JOHN ADAMS" link for the John Adams Trailer with DELETED scenes not shown on TV!