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John Adams - The Complete HBO Series [DVD] [2008]

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John Adams - The Complete HBO Series [DVD] [2008]

DVD ~ David Morse

4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)

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Product details

Actors: David Morse, Justin Theroux, Paul Giamatti, Sarah Polley, Tom Wilkinson
Directors: Tom Hooper
Format: PAL
Subtitles: English, Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish
Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
Number of discs: 3
Classification: 12
Studio: Warner Home Video
DVD Release Date: 2 Feb 2009
Run Time: 481 minutes

Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)

ASIN: B0017I1GAC
Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 542 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)
Popular in this category:
#33 in DVD > Documentary

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Reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review

Based on David McCullough's bestselling biography, the HBO miniseries John Adams is the furthest thing from a starry-eyed look at America's founding fathers and the brutal path to independence. Adams (Paul Giamatti), second president of the United States, is portrayed as a skilled orator and principled attorney whose preference for justice over anti-English passions earns enemies. But he also gains the esteem of the first national government of the United States, i.e., the Continental Congress, which seeks non-firebrands capable of making a reasoned if powerful case for America's break from England's monarchy. The first thing one notices about John Adams' dramatisations of congress' proceedings, and the fervent pro-independence violence in the streets of Boston and elsewhere, is that America's roots don't look pretty or idealised here. Some horrendous things happen in the name of protest, driving Adams to push the cause of independence in a legitimate effort to get on with a revolutionary war under the command of George Washington. But the process isn't easy: not every one of the 13 colonies-turned-states is ready to incur the wrath of England, and behind-the-scenes negotiations prove as much a part of 18th century congressional sessions as they do today.

Besides this peek into a less-romanticised version of the past, John Adams is also a story of the man himself. Adams' frustration at being forgotten or overlooked at critical junctures of America's early development--sent abroad for years instead of helping to draft the U.S. constitution--is detailed. So is his dismay that the truth of what actually transpired leading to the signing of the Declaration of Independence has been slowly forgotten and replaced by a rosier myth. But above all, John Adams is the story of two key ties: Adams' 54-year marriage to Abigail Adams (Laura Linney), every bit her husband's intellectual equal and anchor, and his difficult, almost symbiotic relationship with Thomas Jefferson (Stephen Dillane) over decades. Giamatti, of course, has to carry much of the drama, and if he doesn't always seem quite believable in the series' first half, he becomes increasingly excellent at the point where an aging Adams becomes bitter over his place in history. Linney is marvelous, as is Dillane, Sarah Polley as daughter Nabby, Danny Huston as cousin Samuel Adams, and above all Tom Wilkinson as a complex but indispensable Ben Franklin. --Tom Keogh

DVD Description

Starring Paul Giamatti (Sideways, Cinderella Man, HBO's American Splendor) in the title role and Laura Linney (You Can Count On Me, Kinsey) as Adams' devoted wife Abigail, John Adams chronicles the extraordinary life journey of one of the primary shapers of our independence and government, whose legacy has often been eclipsed by more flamboyant contemporaries like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and Benjamin Franklin. Set against the backdrop of a nation's stormy birth, this sweeping miniseries is a moving love story, a gripping narrative, and a fascinating study of human nature. Above all, at a time when the nation is increasingly polarised politically, this story celebrates the shared values of liberty and freedom upon which this country was built.

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Customer Reviews

26 Reviews

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

Average Customer Review

4.4 out of 5 stars (26 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

80 of 80 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gritty and honest classic, 20 Oct 2008

By	J. Duducu (Ruislip) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is not the story of the US war of independence, nor is this the story of the founding fathers. This really is the story of John Adams the second president of the United States.

The mini series goes to great lengths to show the events leading up to 1776 as not just one way. Indeed it's refreshing to show such an even handed account of the causes of the war of revolution. This is underlined by Adams at first despising and then defending a troop of British Red Coats for firing into a crowd of civilians.

The war of independence is of course the backdrop for most of the series and yet very little of it is shown, there is a standout scene where Adams is in a brief sea battle but this is largely a costume drama more in the vein of Barry Lyndon than Pride and Prejudice. Everyone has bad teeth, the sets appear to be naturally lit and the clothing all looks very authentic. Indeed if I have one grumble is that there are too many scenes where people are whispering to one another meaning you are constantly turning up and down the volume on your remote.

The location shots are lavish; we have Versailles, Hampton Court, sea battles, court rooms and huge (computer enhanced) crowd scenes. The production values are that of a film, the acting is always faultless with the best of both sides of the Atlantic taking this project very seriously and often it's the unspoken details that count. The decadence of the French Court is implied but never really discussed and the meeting between John Adams and George the third is a master class in what not to say to make a scene work.

This is a very classy retelling of a fascinating man in a fascinating time, this is well worth a few evenings to watch and enjoy.

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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HBO hit the heights once again, 11 Feb 2009

By	Bill Kelly "willireid" (Liverpool, UK) - See all my reviews

This is, as other reviewers state, a marvellous achievement. It is difficult to know here to begin -the script, the photography, the direction, and the performances are all wonderful. Special mention to Paul Giamatti as Adams. This is not a 1776 piece of hagiography, nor is it a film of warfare, but a study of a crucial period in world history.It is also a touching love story, and on a few occasions very funny;Washington's inauguration is both amusingly and perceptively portrayed.

A humane and thougthful piece of work. I am very impressed.

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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TV historical drama does not get much better, 15 May 2009

By	Mr. Stephen Kennedy "skenn1701a" (Doha, Qatar) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

Occasionally a TV drama comes along that makes you regret using 5 stars on something else, just so you can say this one is that much better. This is one of those!
From start to end, we are presented with a compelling drama, which is not only reeks of authenticity (though of course, what do I know - I'm not an historian..) but is an absorbing portrayal of a couple in love, a family in motion, and the birth of a nation.
Paul Giamatti is simply superb casting to play John Adams - a man who is not portrayed as charismatic or `pretty' but clever, sincere, moral and committed. Events start with the Boston Massacre, leading up to the Boston Tea Party, the War of Independence (unseen for the most part since Adams spent most of the time in Europe), the drafting of the Constitution and of course his term as the second president of the United States, before his retirement years. It's not told as a simplistic TV movie of the week triumph in hard times, but is told as a well rounded look at the man through fascinating historical times. Some victories, some defeats, some frustrations, but most of all the relationships with people he knew. Most fascinating of these was his wife Abigail, portrayed in definitive form by the ever adaptable Laura Linney. It seems the story of one is equally the story of the other, so intertwined are their stories. And then there are other supporting cast members, David Morse as Washington, Stephen Dillane as Thomas Jefferson and Tom Wilkinson having a blast as Benjamin Franklin.
Events are never told with rose coloured glasses.. this is warts and all, and even handed, showing Adam's frustrations and bitternesses as well as his successes, and indeed also the country's sometimes ugly birth pangs as it discovers its identity. There is little in the way of big budget battle scenes, the battles are for the most part off screen. And yet despite often being a talking heads exercise, the canvas seems writ large, giving the impression at times that we really are looking through a window to the times, rather than a cleaned up portrayal of it.
Recommended, for both those interested in a pivotal time in history, and those interested in the development of a fascinating character and those around him.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars John Adams
Beautifully acted and staged view of early American history with believable human interest.Not made enough of when on television.

Published 1 month ago by M. H. Case

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!
I've got one word to describe this series: WOW!
I'm not an American and therefore didn't really know anything about John Adams, but after seeing this I personally thinks... Read more

Published 2 months ago by Kristina

1.0 out of 5 stars Robbrown A DISASTER
This was a nightmare. It took 28 days and several e-mails from me before I received this DVD set. When I did receive it, it only palyed in black and white. Read more

Published 3 months ago by Nom de Plume

5.0 out of 5 stars John Adams
John Adams was previously unknown to me. As America's second President he was at the heart of the founding of the Republic. Read more

Published 4 months ago by Harold Stokes

5.0 out of 5 stars Intelligent, perceptive and sensitive performances
What a pleasure it is to be able to re-run at one's leisure this magnificent series which appeared first on British TV, courtesy of the United States. Read more

Published 4 months ago by H. L. Yewlett

1.0 out of 5 stars John Adams
I enjoyed the 3 CD's of John Adams very much. I am keen to learn about early American history and found characterisation and scenery well documented and hope too, that the... Read more

Published 4 months ago by Stella Harris

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb introduction
Watched all three DVD's just before visiting USA recently, and what a fabulous atmospheric introduction to my history trail from Washington through Philadelphia, Williamsburg,... Read more

Published 5 months ago by Mungo

2.0 out of 5 stars Beyond Tedious
John Adams has the usual high production values we've come to expect from HBO but this does not justify the high ratings on this site. Read more

Published 5 months ago by Stephen Allan

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb!
I didn't get to see this series when it was aired on TV but it came highly recommended by a friend, so I purchased it...and I was not disappointed! Read more

Published 5 months ago by E. A. Barker

3.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Opening then John Adams flounders Badly
HBO Mini Series covering the period of 1770-1810 and the life in that period of the 2nd President of the United States John Adams(Paul Giamatti)as he rises from Boston lawyer to... Read more

Published 5 months ago by Mark Pearce

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