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This has nothing to do with the Calverts or the upcoming school referendum, so it isn't likely to generate as much comment as those hot topics. But did anyone else see the premiere of "John Adams" Sunday night on HBO?
I don't watch a lot of TV, but this was exceptional. Based on the book by David McCullough, one of my favorite authors (I'd read his grocery list if he published it in hardcover), "John Adams" is a seven-part miniseries, the first two parts of which were shown Sunday, with Paul Giamatti in the lead role as the eventual second president of the United States (he's on the left in the picture below, with Tom Wilkinson as Benjamin Franklin). Tom Hanks is the series' executive producer.
There was a good scene last night in which Charleston native Edward Rutledge, later governor of South Carolina, is persuaded to join the push for independence from the British after initially opposing it.
HBO is rerunning the first two parts several times this week and parts three through seven run every Sunday night through April 20. It's worth a look.
OK. Back to the Calverts and the referendum.
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I just love this kind of well-researched historical drama that does not add a current political spin - its all to easy these days to add a global warming commentary to historical drama, or to take a shot a George Bush indirectly, and that did not happen.
The subplots on smallpox and the idea of leaving one's family in rural New England in winter to give birth to one's country seems unbelievable in this day and age, especially when one's wife is about to give actual birth to your fourth child.
One thing which jumped out at me, completely unintentionally given the spin of most of Hollywood these days, even HBO Hollywood, was that given the times, there is no possible way to watch the history portrayed in that series and not come to the conclusion that the right to bear arms was intended to be a right personal to the populace. The 'militia' was a group a local partisans. It was anything organized by the state; it was group of local citizens gathered to perform a specific service and they were required to have their own weapons. While you can argue the merits of gun control, and the right to own flintlock rifles and not automatic weapons, you certainly cannot come to the conclusion that the right to bear arms is a collective one owned by the State.
The very human politicking and horse-trading going on, the suggestion that the Quaker opposed to any fighting absent himself the day of the vote, and siege of Boston, are all things not readily taught in schools these days.
I am looking forward to the rest of it, even though I am familiar already with the history and have read the book!
PS: Laura Linney will get an Emmy for this - Poppulse - do you agree?
And Paul Giamatti - who ever would have thought!!!?
I don't have HBO capability so cannot watch this, but I'm curious as to where this series was filmed?
Much of the film was shot in Williamsburg, Va., with some scenes in Richmond. The European scenes from future installments were filmed in Hungary. Sorry, Elida - nothing filmed in Philadelphia.
Thanks. I didn't recognize those steps as being in Philadelphia.
My company sent me to Newport News, Va for a year, and we used to take a regular Sunday drive right up the road to Williamsburg. I don't remember too much about the town buildings of Williamsburg way back then, but I do remember the beautiful drive with the wild white dogwoods along both sides of the road, never saw so many before or since, hope they are still there.
I don't hear anyone speak of the "popcorn" trees in Beaufort County - they used to be wild all around here, especially up on Rt. 21 towards Gardens Corner.
..watch it. But, I dont want to get wrapped up in another series on Sunday. The Tudors are coming back soon! Im so excited!
Maybe if I could figure out that bloody TiVo thing I could watch both. :(
... let's hear it for Miss Abigail! Now she was really something, and fortunately the love of his life. Check out Cokie Roberts' book "Founding Mothers," to learn more about this remarkable woman.
Great. Now I have nothing to write about. There goes my 2,000 word piece about the top five historical costume epics.