The Adams Chronicles
by Paul Bogart;James Cellan Jones;Fred Coe
(Click here)
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: George Grizzard, Nicholas Pryor, William DanielsDirector: Paul Bogart;James Cellan Jones;Fred Coe
Brand: GRIZZARD,GEORGE
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0
Format: Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 780 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2008-04-15
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: ACORN MEDIA
Movie Reviews of The Adams Chronicles
Movie Review: Better than HBO's John Adams and Much More
Summary: 5 Stars
I enjoyed this series when it first aired on PBS and it is even better seeing it again in comparison to HBO's John Adams. While the HBO John Adams may have more elaborate sets and provides some interesting period details, such as how the Adams family got inoculated for smallpox, the savagery of tar and feathering, and John Adams' deteriorating teeth in old age, the Adams Chronicles brings to life the history and significance that 4 generations of the Adams family played in American History.
With superb acting from George Grizzard and Kathyrn Walker as John and Abigail Adams, William Daniels and David Birney as John Quincy Adams and strong supporting actors, such as John Houseman, the Adams Chronicles depicts the significance that the Adamses played in our country's history over some 150 years. The Adams Chronicles is also largely faithful to the historically significant events, going past where John Adams left off. A few episodes of John Adams are ones I would not be comfortable watching with my elementary school kids, nor ones I necessarily would want to watch again myself - the extended scene of John and Abigail's daughter Nabby's breast surgery in the last episode of the HBO series was uncalled for in comparison with what should have been a more extended portrayal of the historically significant correspondence and perspectives on the founding of the young nation that John Adams and Thomas Jefferson resumed in retirement for some 15 years, culminating in their deaths on the same day, the 50th July 4th anniversary. The HBO series also strayed a bit with some of the historic facts. For example, for some reason, it portrayed Nabby and Colonel Smith as marrying after John Adams was vice president and the Adamses were all reunited in America. In reality, they married two years earlier in England and already were parents with John and Abigail's first grandchild born a year before John and Abigail returned to the US. However, one episode of John Adams that is superior to that of the Adams Chronicles is the second episode on the events of 1776 leading to the declaration, portrayed in more detail and dramatic effect, if not with the spirited singing of the musical, 1776.
In contrast, I would highly recommend the Adams Chronicles for anyone who enjoys great acting, intelligent dialogue and writing, and a perspective on significant events in US history. The episodes on John Quincy Adams and his descendants were also dramatic and a good perspective on 19th century US history. The episode on John Quincy Adams' abolitionist efforts in Congress and his defense of slaves before the Supreme Court, for example, provided a perspective on another outstanding episode in history. This is a good complement to the movie, Amistad, which was an excellent drama as depicted by Anthony Hopkins.
In short, my family has enjoyed watching repeat episodes of the Adams Chronicles, and anyone interested in 18th and 19th century US history would enjoy this series.
Summary of The Adams Chronicles
Four generations of a founding familyWinner of four Emmys? and a Peabody, The Adams Chronicles created a sensation when it debuted in 1976. Lauded by contemporary critics as "the best and highest-rated series in the history of American public television," its vitality and historical integrity now prove timeless. This lavish series dramatizes four generations of Adamses and 150 years of American history from the birth of the Revolution through the Gilded Age. You meet John Adams -- passionate revolutionary and second president; John Quincy Adams -- proud son of a famous father and sixth president; Charles Francis Adams -- skillful minister to Great Britain during the Civil War; and Henry and Charles Francis Adams, Jr. -- historian and railroad magnate, respectively.
Going well beyond politics, this television masterpiece portrays these men as husbands, fathers, brothers, and sons, as well as leaders. Based on the family's personal diaries and correspondence, The Adams Chronicles not only educates as a true historical epic, but also captivates as a fully human family saga.
Anyone interested in the birth of America, and those who formed its precious Constitution--that would be just about anybody--will be riveted to all 13 hours of The Adams Chronicles, an Emmy-nominated miniseries from the mid-'70s that focuses on the life, and political dynasty, of John Adams. While occasionally rather talky, the series is accessible, well-directed and a fascinating history lesson, telling the larger story of politics, conflict, and power, through a family and relationships that are touchingly real to contemporary audiences. Adams launched an American political and financial dynasty that the Kennedys and Bushes can only dream of emulating. The second president of the U.S. was a key player in the battle for Independence and the drafting of the Constitution, and his offspring would become statesmen, historians, diplomats, a railroad magnate--even another U.S. president. Originally broadcast in 1976, the height of the American miniseries rage, The Adams Chronicles was a ratings smash, and proves to be a timeless, satisfying tour through America's inspiring formative years.
Adams (also paid detailed homage in both David McCullough's biography and the HBO miniseries starring Paul Giamatti) was a more low-key Revoluntary figure than, say, George Washington or Benjamin Franklin. But his political stealth, and fervent beliefs in liberty and freedom, helped mold the very country at its birth. The Emmy-nominated George Grizzard is nuanced as Adams, whose conscience must forever be reconciled with political reality. His relationship with his intelligent wife, Abigail, is depicted lovingly. Years after the Revolution, living in France as a diplomat for the still-unrecognized United States, Adams greets his family whom he hasn't seen in several years. When Abigail asks, simply, "How are you feeling, Mr. Adams?", he replies, holding her gaze, "Twenty years younger than yesterday." The 13-hour series traces John and Abigail's children, and their children, and so on, up through the Civil War and then the turn of the 20th century. By then there is no doubt that the Adams family is America's family, intertwined with the great upheavals, and achievements, in the young country. --A.T. Hurley
Drama DVD Video
- Action & Adventure
- African American Cinema
- Animation
- Anime & Manga
- Art House & International
- Classics
- Comedy
- Cult Movies
- Documentary
- Drama
- Educational
- Fitness & Yoga
- Gay & Lesbian
- Horror
- Kids & Family
- Military & War
- Music Video & Concerts
- Musicals & Performing Arts
- Mystery & Suspense
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Special Interests
- Sports
- Television
- Westerns
DisraeliA&E HOME ENT.; Release date: 2008-04-29; DVD
Best price: $6.85
Price in other shops:
Edward the KingRelease date: 2008-09-30; DVD
Best price: $37.19
Price in other shops:
The Strauss Family (TV Miniseries)A&E HOME ENT.; Release date: 2008-07-29; DVD
Best price: $9.89
Price in other shops:
The Adams ChroniclesGRIZZARD,GEORGE; Release date: 2008-04-15; DVD
Best price: $39.63
Price in other shops:
LillieRelease date: 2008-02-19; DVD
Best price: $35.39
Price in other shops:
Centennial: The Complete SeriesUNI DIST CORP. (MCA); Release date: 2008-07-29; DVD
Best price: $19.99
Price in other shops:
The Jewel in the Crown (25th Anniversary Edition)A&E HOME ENT.; Release date: 2008-09-30; DVD
Best price: $15.49
Price in other shops:
Beau Brummell - This Charming ManPUREFOY,JAMES; Release date: 2008-07-15; DVD
Best price: $13.93
Price in other shops:
Sorrell and SonKoch International; Release date: 2008-03-04; DVD
Best price: $15.06
Price in other shops:
The ImpressionistsKoch International; Release date: 2006-12-05; DVD
Best price: $18.43
Price in other shops:
The House of Eliott - Complete CollectionRelease date: 2007-08-14; DVD
Best price: $80.38
Price in other shops:
Founding BrothersA&E; Release date: 2002-07-30; DVD
Best price: $17.17
Price in other shops:
The First ChurchillsHAMPSHIRE,SUSAN; Release date: 2004-09-21; DVD
Best price: $47.60
Price in other shops:
DisraeliA&E HOME ENT.; Release date: 2008-04-29; DVD
Best price: $6.49
Price in other shops:
Backstairs at the White HouseRelease date: 2005-11-01; DVD
Best price: $35.93
Price in other shops:
John Adams (HBO Miniseries)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2008-06-10; DVD
Best price: $18.98
Price in other shops:
Benjamin FranklinParamount; Release date: 2006-01-24; DVD
Best price: $13.88
Price in other shops:
American Experience: John and Abigail AdamsParamount; Release date: 2006-01-24; DVD
Best price: $13.00
Price in other shops:
Alexander HamiltonParamount; Release date: 2007-05-15; DVD
Best price: $13.29
Price in other shops:
Thomas Jefferson - A Film by Ken BurnsParamount; Release date: 2004-09-28; DVD
Best price: $17.21
Price in other shops: