1776 (1972)
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64% of critics liked it
(14 reviews) -
79% of users liked it
(8,261 ratings)
The first independent production of former studio mogul Jack Warner, 1776 was adapted from the hit 1969 Broadway musical by Peter Stone and Sherman Edwards. William Daniels, Ken Howard, and Howard Da Silva are among the many actors who recreate their Broadway roles. The story is set during the first… More The first independent production of former studio mogul Jack Warner, 1776 was adapted from the hit 1969 Broadway musical by Peter Stone and Sherman Edwards. William Daniels, Ken Howard, and Howard Da Silva are among the many actors who recreate their Broadway roles. The story is set during the first Continental Congress, when the Declaration of Independence was drafted by such founding fathers as John Adams (Daniels) and Benjamin Franklin (Da Silva). The script attempts to "humanize" these remote historical figures by contemporizing them -- particularly the character of Ben Franklin. Blythe Danner's character of Martha Jefferson is expanded for the film version to allow for an elaborate outdoor production number. After 1776, Warner made only one more film, the 1972 "grunge Western" Dirty Little Billy. On an added note: the picture was originally rated G with its theatrical running time of 141 minutes. It was later expanded to 166 minutes; the added scenes caused the MPAA to re-rate it PG (for language) in 1992. Both versions are available on video. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Peter H. Hunt, Peter Hunt
- Written By
- Peter Stone
- Genres
- Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics
G,
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1972 Wide
- On DVD
- Jul 2, 2002
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Every American should watch this once a year.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Semi-successful transfer to the big screen of the 1969 Broadway musical hit, nominated for the Best Cinematography Oscar.
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Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal
A star-spangled, all-singing delight.
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Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
A wonderful, witty underrated musical. A 4th of July tradition in my house.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Long and boring musical about the American Revolution.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
No Featured Audience Ratings Found…
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Cast
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William Daniels
as John Adams
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Howard Da Silva
as Benjamin Franklin
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Ken Howard
as Thomas Jefferson
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David Ford
as John Hancock
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Roy Poole
as Stephen Hopkins
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Andy Albin
as William Paca
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Emory Bass
as James Wilson
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William H. Bassett
as Thomas Heyward Jr.
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Howard Caine
as Lewis Morris
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Blythe Danner
as Martha Jefferson
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Jack De Mave
as John Penn
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Gordon Devol
as Thomas Lynch Jr.
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Frederic Downs
as Samuel Huntington
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William Duell
as Custodian Andrew McNair
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Peter Forster
as Oliver Wolcott
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William Hansen
as Caesar Rodney
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Ralston Hill
as Secretary Charles Thomson
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Patrick Hines
as Samuel Chase
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Ron Holgate
as Richard Henry Lee
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John Holland
as William Whipple
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Daniel Keyes
as Josiah Bartlett
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Donald Madden
as John Dickinson
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Richard McMurray
as Francis Lewis
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Ray Middleton
as Thomas McKean
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Stephen Nathan
as Courier
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James Noble
as John Witherspoon
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Barry O'Hara
as George Walton
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Jordan Rhodes
as William Hooper
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Rex Robbins
as Roger Sherman
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Wabei Slyolwe
as Richard Stockton
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Virginia Vestoff
as Abigail Adams
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John Myhers
as Robert Livingston
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Leo Leyden
as George Read
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Mark Montgomery
as Leather Apron
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Jonathan Moore
as Lyman Hall
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John Cullum
as Edward Rutledge
