The Adams Chronicles |  | Director: Paul Bogart;James Cellan Jones;Fred Coe
Actors: George Grizzard, William Daniels, Nicholas Pryor
Studio: ACORN MEDIA
Buy New: $32.99
as of 11/22/2009 18:28 CST details
New (31) Used (10) from $28.04
Seller: Amazon.com
Rating:  30 reviews
Sales Rank: 10305
Format: Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number Of Discs: 4
Running Time: 780 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5.4 x 1.3
MPN: ACRDAMP8063D
UPC: 054961806393
EAN: 0054961806393
ASIN: B0013NAML0
Theatrical Release Date: 1976
Release Date: April 15, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Product Description
Movie DVD
Amazon.com
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
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 30
 Better than HBO's John Adams and Much More September 13, 2009
Sam Goodell (Illinois)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
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.
 The Adams Family August 29, 2009
eugene thiele (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
Too much talking and talking and talking. Too many speaches and too wordy. It does not compare with the DVD titled "John Adams", which I enjoyed from start to finish. This DVD does not explain some of the historic scenes in detail. It shows some of the scenes, but does not explain how it happened in detail. If you are not paying attention one could fall asleep.
should be mandatory watching in u.s. history classes May 29, 2009
JPV (NJ)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
dvds came in good condition. story is mesmerizing. share with family. this is a great story.
Great thoughts are never out of style January 20, 2009
Leyann Hart
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I really enjoyed this series many years ago. Watching it again was a joy.
The sets and the costumes still have the ring of authenticity. The acting
is superb. You feel you are really eavesdropping on the historical charac-
ters. Ah, but the content is the thing. Taken from the original sources,
the writings of the founders of our country, the dialogues and discussions
are stimulating and as true today as in the 18th century. I would highly
recommend this product to anyone interested in American history or
in the elevated thoughts of an educated, civilized people seeking freedom.
A Great Series January 14, 2009
Jeanette F. Lucey (Rock Hill, SC USA)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
I bought this item and "John Adams" at the same time. I watched "John Adams" first and thought it was good, but then I watched "The Adams Chronicles" and thought it was superior to "John Adams".
I felt this film went more in-depth on the founding of our country and the work done by the Adams family to see that the country survived.
I highly recommend this over "John Adams" and feel if you want the real story of four generations of Adams's this is the one to get. Forget the other.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 30
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