May 8 - 1776

Hello. Here is today's movie. It's a musical that puts a lighter touch on a serious historical subject. 

1776

In Philadelphia at the Continental Congress, John Adams is fed up because the delegates won’t even debate independence, while they’re annoyed with him because Adams keeps talking about independence. [2:24 to 11:22]. Ben Franklin suggests getting someone else to bring up the idea. They ask Richard Henry Lee of Virginia who agrees and he rides home to get the legislature to instruct the state’s delegation to vote for independence. Almost a month later Lee returns with new instructions and moves that the colonies declare independence. John Dickinson of Pennsylvania moves to postpone debate, but loses by one vote. The debate becomes quite acrimonious and the new Jersey delegation arrives. Dickinson moves and wins a requirement that any vote on independence must be unanimous. Adams then asks for a postponement so a declaration can be drafted. A committee is appointed to do so. Thomas Jefferson who was pushed into writing it, suffers from writers block until his wife arrives in town. Franklin and Adams start looking to change minds in favor of independence. Franklin, Adams and Chase of Maryland go to see the army and Chase returns believing the army can defeat the British and in favor of independence.  Jefferson’s declaration is presented to Congress, who proceed to make many pedantic and silly changes. Jefferson and Dickinson argue over whether George III is a tyrant. Edward Rutledge of South Carolina says that the Southern states will not support independence if a statement condemning slavery is left in. Finally Adams has to agree to its deletion. The vote is taken. A dying Caesar Rodney returns to break a deadlock and swing Delaware’s vote to yes for independence. All the states vote yes, but it appears that Pennsylvania will vote ‘no”. However James Wilson, a shy and retiring man votes yes so he can be one of many, rather than the man who prevented American independence.  Pennsylvania votes yes and Dickinson leaves Congress to join the army. The declaration is signed by the delegates.  

An interesting film. The songs are not the greatest Broadway showtunes ever, but they don’t make you want to put on noise canceling headphones either. The story is interesting, but not entirely historically accurate. 

The date is given in the film at 4:16

Director - Peter H. Hunt

Producer - Jack L. Warner

Starring –

William Daniels as John Adams

Howard Da Silva as Benjamin Franklin

Ken Howard as Thomas Jefferson

Donald Madden as John Dickinson

John Cullum as Edward Rutledge

David Ford as John Hancock

Roy Poole as Stephen Hopkins

Ron Holgate as Richard Henry Lee

Ray Middleton as Thomas McKean

William Hansen as Caesar Rodney

Blythe Danner as Martha Jefferson

Virginia Vestoff as Abigail Adams

Emory Bass as James Wilson

Ralston Hill as Charles Thomson

Howard Caine as Lewis Morris

Patrick Hines as Samuel Chase

William Duell as Andrew McNair

Daniel Keyes as Josiah Bartlett

Leo Leyden as George Read

Stephen Nathan as Courier

Jonathan Moore  as Lyman Hall

James Noble as Reverend John Witherspoon

John Myhers as Robert Livingston

Rex Robbins as Roger Sherman

Charles Rule as Joseph Hewes

Sreenplay - Peter Stone

Awards- The film was nominated for the Best Cinematography Oscar.

Released - November 9, 1972

Runtime – 2 hours 48 minutes

Watch 1776 trailer