Most people will find it strange that the American Revolution is in a musical. Yankee Doodle Dandy -- yes, but, the Continental Congress? If you can stand some of the musical numbers, this is one of the best movies from an entertainment perspective about the period leading up to the Revolution in 1776. All ages can find something to enjoy about this movie. DeSilva's and Daniel's performances are memorable.
1776 is based on the Broadway musical and retains many of the actors from the stage production. The movie traces the events of the Continental Congress as the members wander, struggle, and argue themselves into the Declaration of Independence. The trip is like the one on the Yellow Brick Road, fraught with both dramatic and comedic interludes culminating in the ideologic discovery of America. Like Emerald City, America has underlying flaws, but is bolder in execution as illustrated by the closing scene of the movie.
John Adams played by William Daniels is the chief sponsor of the Declaration. He has to persuade a cantankerous and sometimes lethargic Congress that action is needed. He receives alot of ingenious help and insight from Benjamin Franklin played by Howard DeSilva. It is Benjamin who supplies the reason for America about forty minutes into the movie. It is classic.
The actors and sometimes coarse dialogue lend a very realistic aura to this production. For example, there is the drunken representative from Vermont who would just as soon hang out at the local alehouse instead of figuring out the Colonies future. There is the New York delegate who gives new meaning to the word indecision. Contrasted with these hilarious characters are the ones we most often think off as befitting historical occasions. There is the young Thomas Jefferson played by Ken Howard who gives a manly and decorous characterization even though it appears he must pull a school-boy's all nighter to get the Declaration of Independence written.
Minus the music, 1776 offers the best portrayal of what it might have been like to have witnessed the birth of our country. (Author: Rick Osborn, 13 March 2001) You can buy this video for about $18 at Amazon.com |
