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John Adams is being made into an HBO mini series. I read this book and I believe it is the definitive Bio, I hope it translates to the screen. I am not sure about the actor though, Paul Giammonti(?) Is a great actor, but John Adams? Will see.http://www.movieweb.com/tv/news/81/14181.php
Interesting stuff. I kind of want to check out the HBO series “Rome” that came out last year or so. I thought I heard it was good.
I heard an interview with someone on the Bob Edwards show who worked on the John Adams series…I think it was the screen writer. He said they only filmed scenes that were actually experienced by John or Abigail…in other words, they don't show scenes that these figures do not actually experience themselves (i.e. no cutaways to battle shots in other towns, etc.). They also did not film according to television time requirements, meaning they didn't need to shorten segments to fit inside pre-defined time slots. The effect of this is that the story is told in a better, freer way. Overall it sounds like it should be a good series. It comes out on HBO very soon (this week or next, I think). I may have to watch it when it comes out on rental.
Stumpfoot – was not aware of a book from which Hanks apprarently crafted the film – thanks! Guess I watch TV too much! Thank you, sir, and off to Amazon, I be. 🙂
I heard an interview with someone on the Bob Edwards show who worked on the John Adams series...I think it was the screen writer. He said they only filmed scenes that were actually experienced by John or Abigail...in other words, they don't show scenes that these figures do not actually experience themselves (i.e. no cutaways to battle shots in other towns, etc.). They also did not film according to television time requirements, meaning they didn't need to shorten segments to fit inside pre-defined time slots. The effect of this is that the story is told in a better, freer way. Overall it sounds like it should be a good series. It comes out on HBO very soon (this week or next, I think). I may have to watch it when it comes out on rental.
The central theme (John & Abigail) is based from what I heard from preliminary documetation. I'll need to get the book, but it seems John and Abigail Adams were extremely articulate in their correspondense. Their letters are preseserved, and much of the film is derived from them. Other historical figures from that time destroyed their personal correspondence before there deaths, which raises an entire alternate line of inquirey. Why?
Perhaps they feel embarrassed? Think they don't have much to contribute? Underestimate the value of their own writings?
Never know, we will. Richard Nixon destroyed the equivalent – perhaps Jefferson (can't remember other references) and others had need to destroy their writings. Jefferson and Washington are ones I think (?) I heard destroyed their writing. Not sure here, I thought I heard their names, connected with – but John Adams and his wife were famous farmers, fighters, and revoltutionaries. It's a good thing; someone had to kick ass way back then, or we would be shit ass luckless.
The series is being dragged out, which I find frustrating. An excellent production is delayed with many reruns. And the first night was somehow mutilated by my cable recording machine. So, I still watch for a new episode, after weeks. Call me dissatisfied, but, if I pay top dollar for cable, why must I be subjected to such delays, and reruns? Reruns that clog my automatic recorder?
Well at least it's not preempted by some silly little basketball game.
A basket ball fan, your are? Bored to death, this one is by basket ball. But that's just me. Bored. To other tunes, different drummers beat ....
I am in the middle of watching this miniseries on Amazon Prime (yes, I'm about six years late to the game). It's an excellent series, and just about any fan of American history would enjoy watching it. I am impressed by the level of dialogue in it.
I recently finished watching this miniseries, which is the best one I've seen on the founding of America. Here is the last line of the series (I'm guessing from one of John Adams' writings?):
Oh posterity, you will never know how much it cost us to preserve your freedom. I hope that you will make a good use of it, for if you do not, I shall repent in Heaven that I ever took half the pains to preserve it.
Do you think John Adams has reason to "repent" now that we've seen the unfolding of American history for about 200 years after his death?
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