1776 DIRECTOR'S CUT: MUSICAL FOUNDING FATHERS

Hard to believe but it’s been 46 years since the musical 1776 opened on Broadway. While 1969 proved a tumultuous years for politics, the reverence that the material this musical dealt with was well founded and spoke not only to those who supported the government but who questioned it as well. It was only natural that the hit make its way to the silver screen and in 1972 it did just that. And while it’s been available on DVD before, it just now makes its way to blu-ray with a special edition director’s cut.

If you’re not familiar with the musical or the movie then by all means become acquainted. It tells the story of the Continental Congress and how they came to decide the fate of this nation, the United States of American. As seen through the eyes of John Adams (William Daniels) the movie opens with most of the congress tired of hearing his call to arms wanting to declare independence from England. Some are content with the way things are, other side with him and several are indecisive as of yet.

Adams here is portrayed as a man with a short temper and a very vocal demeanor. Siding with him all the way is the ever well-spoken Benjamin Franklin (Howard Da Silva). They both have the same goal in mind but go about it differently, all the time working united to get this congress where they believe it and the country should go. Periodically word arrives from Gen. George Washington concerning the country’s battles against the better organized British army as they make their way inland doing what they please. The battle of Concorde is long past but the memories of it weigh heavy in the mind and words of Adams.

Eventually Adams gets his way enough that the Congress must at least discuss the idea of independence from Britain. But that nearly gets derailed as John Dickinson, one of the representatives from Pennsylvania, presses the issue that this must be a unanimous vote or it fails. To sidestep immediate failure, Adams proposes that a document be made first that offers what it is they are seeking. A committee is formed and the man given responsibility for bringing these ideas together is Thomas Jefferson (Ken Howard).

Once the document is written more maneuvering is called for to get the needed votes to pass it. Not an easy task as the southern states aren’t in favor of language that considers slaves to be people and not property. Adjustments are made, clauses stricken and the language finessed until that document, the Declaration of Independence reaches its final form and is voted on. A familiar story, right?

It is indeed but as presented here in musical form it brings the men who formed that Continental Congress to life. It shows their intolerance for one another but respect at the same time. It displays the fact that they were simply men and longed for their wives. It shows that they didn’t agree on everything but were willing to compromise to get started on independence. And in the end it shows the courage that it took to make the decisions they made as well as to follow through with them, placing their own lives and all they owned at risk.

The music flows with ease here and is quite enjoyable but I didn’t find any single song that I felt I would be humming in my head days after watching. It didn’t matter. Between the performances and the subject matter it stirred emotions of pride and wonder at these men who have been besmirched in more recent years on film. What a difference nearly 50 years makes. We’ve gone from noting with distinction the sacrifices and bravery of these men to treating them more like news items on TMZ instead. There are few people without faults in their lives, but in the end the achievements of these men deserves more note than their bedroom activities.

At the same time those items are discussed in this movie but not focused on. Jefferson’s longing to be alone with his wife, Franklin’s love of the ladies and the love of rum by most are all seen. But that’s the point, they are merely touched on rather than making the movie about those things. The major focus is what they accomplished with creating this document known as the Declaration of Independence.

The movie is sure to create a feeling of patriotism for those who are still inclined to feel that emotion. With hope it will do the same for those who lack it these days. Coming out as near the Fourth of July celebration as it is, merely a month away, it might make a good movie to watch on that day. On the whole the movie entertains, informs and will hold your interest from start to finish even if it runs almost 3 hours long. Some might find that too much time to spend hearing about this act, but isn’t it’s a small sacrifice compared to those made by these men. I highly recommend not just watching this but adding it to your collection as well. 

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