Review of 1776 (1972) by Sam M — 28 Jun 2007

I just saw a stage production of this last summer, and it inspired me to bust out the DVD again. I went through a phase in 1999 or so where I was watching this all the time. I even taught it in a collegiate film class about legal issues.

It's odd for a musical, because it's not wall-to-wall musical numbers. But the fascinating information and portrayals of the Founding Fathers are an excellent history primer for anyone. Benjamin Franklin's comments about posterity ("What will they think we were? Demi-gods?" -- actually, yes, Benjamin!) and everything else shine as insight into the minds of Americans evolved from British Imperialism.

Remember, this was literally the first time a colony had fought for and won independence from its "mother' country. The ideas were radical, and we take them for granted today. We see why slavery remained an issue in the U.S. as long as it did (thank you, South Carolina -- you ought to be ashamed of yourselves!), and we see how persuasive politics came into play in the U.S. You scratch our backs, we'll scratch yours! There is a lack of women in this film, of course, although Abigail Adams' role is particularly interesting in its influence upon the true driver of independence -- her husband John. Overlook always by his more popular predecessor (George Washington) and his more famous successor (Thomas Jefferson), we really do see the great Adams for who he was in this film.

The acting? Fun! It's fun to see the voice of K.I.T.T. singing songs, ironic to see the basketball coach from *The White Shadow* writing the Declaration of Indepence with such "felicity of expression", and strange to see the old barkeep from *Northern Exposure* as such a racist prig. Also look for the governor from *Benson* and Gwyneth Paltrow's mom -- she looks exactly like Gwyneth, it's eerie.

The songs are catchy and will remain in your brain. Only the somewhat annoying Richard Henry Lee song will grate. The rest is pure joy and learning. Not surprising, considering it was mostly written by a history teacher.