May 8 - 1776

Today’s movie is a musical with a scene set on May 8. I hope you will enjoy this film and watch it tonight.

1776                  

In Philadelphia at the Continental Congress, on May 8, 1776, 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 by the time 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 trying 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

Awards- The film was nominated for the Best Cinematography Oscar at the 45^th Academy Awards..

Director - Peter H. Hunt                      

Producer - Jack L. Warner                                     

Screenplay - Peter Stone                                       

Runtime – 2 hours 48 minutes           
                  

Released - November 9, 1972                               

Starring –

William Daniels as John Adams

Howard Da Silva as Benjamin Franklin

Ken Howard as Thomas Jefferson

Donald Madden as John Dickinson

Virginia Vestoff as Abigail Adams

Blythe Danner as Martha Jefferson

Ron Holgate as Richard Henry Lee

James Noble as Rev. John Witherspoon

Jonathan Moore  as Lyman Hall

John Cullum as Edward Rutledge

Copyright by Ivan Walters 2014.