A Historical Review of The Musical 1776 (part 1) 

Should be required viewing by every school child. It entertains, it teaches, it gives one pride in their country and the debate scenes are second to none. Yes, it takes artistic license but never-the-less captures the spirit of what happend back then to give us this great country. I watch it every year and I also like to listen to the commentary version.

Let me add, that"1776" was almost entirely the work of songwriter Sherman Edwards, who wrote no other works for musical theater or the stage. Edwards was a high school history teacher who gave that up to pursue a career as a jazz pianist, with considerable success, playing with the likes of Louis Armstrong, Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman. Sherman wrote a handful of hit songs in the 1950s and 60s but found himself at odds with the emerging genre of rock & roll in popular music and quit songwriting to pursue his concept for a musical about the nation's founding. He did the research, wrote the dramatic treatment, the lyrics and the music. It was a hit and an extraordinary personal achievement. 1776 won three Tony Awards, including best musical and ran for more than 1,200 performances. In 1972 Warner Brother made the musical 1776 into a movie. For the movie, Jack Warner eliminated the song "Cool, Cool Considerate Men" at the insistence of then-President Richard Nixon who objected to the song's portrayal of conservatives as self-serving, power-hungry opponents of the nation's independence. Sherman Edwards died in 1981. He was 61. 1776 was revived on Broadway in 1997.

I saw the movie 1776 in the theater on a school field trip in the 1970s. I was in the 5th grade. I grew to love it cuz it gave me perspective into the historical characters as real people. The movie even helped me answer trivia questions that I otherwise wouldn’t have known: BF wanting the turkey to be the national bird, JA’s wife’s name & TJ’s musical instrument. I went on to learn more as an adult by reading books on Rev War history & biographies on JA & TJ. I love this stuff. Thanks for the video.

Yeah!! Another fan of 1776!!! I always watch the movie with my Mom around July 4th in honor of Independence Day 😁 BTW: You didn't mention the 1776 Revival Broadway in 1997 featuring Brent Spiner (Star Trek - Data) as John Adams.

"For God's sake, John, sit down" was also uttered in the wonderful miniseries "John Adams" but in a far less pleasant context. In a scene late in the series, John and Abigail are downstairs while their daughter Abigail was undergoing a mastectomy upstairs. (A gruesome procedure that was carried out totally without anesthesia, but during which the surgeon was astonished as Abigail did not cry out once.) In the scene, Abigail (the mother) is seated while John (played by Paul Giamatti) paces nervously about the room. Finally, Abigail looks up and states..."For God's sake, John, sit down." There is a rumor that the line was put in the miniseries because the authors remembered it fondly from "1776."

Its not perfectly accurate but its fun and it gets the spirit of what happened and a great way to lightheartedly celebrate Americas liberation from Britain

"Pins Madame; Saltpeter!" Great Review. Welcome to our cult, Madame! I was in Middle school and we went to see 1776 on Broadway with most of the original cast. It was wonderful and obsessed ever since. "Abigail; Abigail, I have such a desire to knock heads together!" Thank you for this.

I saw this movie in its first release in 1972 (worked at the theatre at the time), and watched it over and over again from the wings, as it did not do very well that year. "Molasses to Rum" just stunned what audience there was every time. "For the love of God, Mister Rutledge, please..." When they came out, it was all they could talk about. Me, I loved the movie so much that I asked the projectionist if I could record the sound from the headphone jack in the booth. He let me, and I memorized every moment of that movie and wore the cassette tapes out until first I bought the VHS and then the DVD. And then, yes, the Blu-Ray. Definitely my favorite musical of all time.

My dad has watched the '72 movie every Independence day for as long as I can remember and no one has ever joined him (not me, either of my siblings or my mom); I finally gave it a chance this year (2023) and really wish I had done so sooner, it's AMAZING!!

Was shown this film in 5th grade & fell in love with it. Would love to catch the Broadway revival :)

This is the most underrated musicals and a very good musical. Honestly this should be thought in class cause I think people are starting to forget just how hard it was just to get independence and how hard it was to get the declaration sign. Most people just look at it and bash it saying oh they said all man are created equal but still did slaverly. And it's like yes that's true but do you even know everything about all it took to get it sign?

I would say, rather than "they can't even agree to open up a window" that they want something done, but can't make it happen or act themselves to do it. Typical of politicians.

As someone who's FFV herself, I always enjoyed singing along with Richard Henry Lee. The songs I sang for music class in drama school come from later in the musical, though.

Doing this musical in the 5th grade is what really began my journey into learning and appreciating history, social studies, politics, and philosophy. Big shoutout to Mrs. Vickie Schindele, our director; it’s not easy getting kids to perform on a stage but she helped give our performance and air of quality that you wouldn’t often see in a school play.

Love the Boy Meets World/Mr Feeney reference to William Daniels. 😂

_You see it's here a Lee, there a Lee and- Everywhere a Lee'a Lee._

There was a Broadway revival starring Brent Spiner in the late 1990s. -Must viewing for 1776 fans who also like Star Trek!

Thank you for your lovely review of a favorite musical of mine. I hope you have been able to see a live production of it. I saw it a couple years ago and really enjoyed it. Happy 4th!

Hamilton is tiresome... I'd rather watch 1776...

Watched the director's cut and then the extended cut the last couple of days. Just a really good musical. My first experience with William Daniels was Boy Meets World. I was a kid when I saw the musical live, but I hadn't seen the movie, so when I saw William Daniels as John Adams the first time a few years back it was a real treat as it was totally unexpected to see him in a role like this. And he and the rest of the cast nailed it. This is probably my favorite musical now.

William Daniels should have won Tony Award for Best Actor. I played Martha Jefferson in my hometown at age 17.

You are such a great content creator and your narrating is great along with your editing great job👏👏👏

The lees of old Virginia is currently my favorite song

I spend three days showing much of this movie to my 7th grade students, particularly the parts where the delegates debate. I skip most of the songs except "The Egg", "Molasses to Rum", and "Momma, Look Sharp".

I once told someone I liked 1776 more than Hamilton. They wouldn't talk to me for a week.

One of the greatest love stories of American history.

It is a family tradition to watch this musical on the 4th of July every year.

I have this saved on my dvr, I watch it every Independence Day.

I have really enjoyed your 4 reviews - or parts to one review - of 1776

Best musical ever!!

12:59 fuck democracy, we're a republic

Love this movie!!!

1776 is better than Hamilton

I too have been obsessed with this movie for a while now. But did you know that Richard Henry Lee's not only related to Robert E. Lee, but also to Christopher Lee, movie actor, and Real Life Bad Ass . . . ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-CCrtZwF2C-8.html

This is my all-time favorite movie. I have also seen the musical performed. For me, this version was an almost perfect adaptation of the play, unfortunately a few small parts of a couple songs were cut out of the movie even though they were filmed. & while Brent Spinner did a good job in the revival, Wiliam Daniels is the definitive John Adams. I have no love for Hamilton, it may be big now, but I will be surprised if it has the ability to last that 1776 has & will, despite the recent 2022 revival which was an attempt to bow to the PC gang, but showed their hypocrisy. as those same people who applauding having blacks play white men would scream if a white person played a black character.

One of the few musicals I can enjoy.

Have you noticed that the male players don't really sing that well? And why should they? It makes sense. It works.

John Adams! I now him. (I’m sorry)

St. John's Church, Richmond, Virginia March 23, 1775 MR. PRESIDENT: No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do, opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely, and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfil the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offence, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the majesty of heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings. Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it. I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years, to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves, and the House? Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with these war-like preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled, that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask, gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us; they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be done, to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne. In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free² if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained, we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us! They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance, by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations; and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come. It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! Source: Wirt, William. Sketches of the Life and Character of Patrick Henry . (Philadelphia) 1836, as reproduced in The World's Great Speeches, Lewis Copeland and Lawrence W. Lamm, eds., (New York) 1973.

Subtitles please

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"SHE and her children were at the farm." Please use the correct pronoun. You wouldn't say something like "Her did this or her went there." So don't use "Her and her friends...." Btw, I do enjoy this movie immensely.

Funny that it's coming out again, after spool many years.......?

God I hate Hamilton. Doesn't make any sense at all.

The dialog in 1776 is superb but the music with the exception of two numbers; Molasses To Run To Slaves and Momma is tedious as is the music for Hamilton.

Nowadays John Adams would be represented by Marjorie Taylor Greene.