Movie Review: “1776”

POINTS: The script uses actual words from the people who speak them. This lends authenticity. The script was written by a history teacher and enthusiast and you can tell. It is also educational and it gives the audience a great insight into the ideology of the day without boring you. In fact, it is the ideology that gets you excited and moves the story along. I love this movie.

FEMALE CHARACTER(S): Abigail Adams was one amazing woman. I am glad she gets some screen time. Granted we don’t see how truly amazing she is in this movie, but she is amazing and hopefully people will want to know more about her. Martha Jefferson is just there to show us a bit more about Thomas and have fun with Franklin and Adams.

CULTURAL PITFALL(S): Well, alas we do not see any people who aren’t white. Then again that isn’t too surprising considering the era of the subject. Perhaps one day we can see other colors play these roles. That would be most appropriate for our nation and the growth of liberty. 🙂

HIGH POINT(S): 1) Talk, Not Battles. So many movies about the Revolution focus on violence and fighting. This movie focuses on the dreams, ideas, and inspirations for liberty that created our nation. The dream and IDEA of liberty in America is by far more powerful than any act of fighting. The ideology is what is important, not the battles. 2) John Adams. He is the voice of liberty and the Revolution in this movie. In fact, you really see the movie from his POV. He practically carries the show; there are very few scenes where he isn’t there. He may have been “obnoxious and disliked” but I sure do think the world of him

BECHDEL TEST (Website): Alas, only 1 of 3. Sad that a movie about liberty would be so short on women. However!! It is great that a musical written in the ’70s has two women and one, Abigail Adams, is a wonderful character who shows the day to day lives of those who were not in the Continental Congress. She herself was a lover of liberty. 🙂

OFFICIAL MOVIE WEBSITE: Not necessarily the official Website but it certainly is a good one: 1776: The Movie.

DVD/BLU-RAY WORTHY: Done. I conducted quite the quest to purchase this DVD. I play it at least once a year – on the 4th of July of course. 🙂

LION PAW PRINTS: 5 of 5. This is the movie that made me a patriot. This is the movie that made me love my country and freedom and democracy. This is one of the movies that shaped my life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all who made it.

2 responses to “Movie Review: “1776””