JOHN ADAMS - PART ONE AND TWO
- 2008; Home Box Office
- DVD;. Parts 1-2: 161 Total Min.; CC
- JOHN ADAMS - Series:7 parts on 3 Discs; Series length-501 Min .
English and Spanish languages Bonus material on 14-2-52 (Disc 3-Pt. 6-7)
Part One-"Join Or Die". Boston, 1770. In the aftermath of the Boston Massacre-a deadly street confrontation between American colonists and an occupying British brigade-John Adams takes an unpopular stand by agreeing to serve as defense attorney for the accused British soldiers. Adams wins the case-but surprises the British by turning down a lucrative position with the Crown. As pro-independent sentiment boils over in Massachusetts following the Coercive/Intolerable Acts, Adams is invited to join the newly created Continental Congress. After a rousing speech to his constituents, he says an emotional goodbye to his family before heading to Philadelphia and an uncertain future. (70 Min.) Part Two-"Independence". Following a fruitless session of the Continental Congress, a sabbatical at Adams' Braintree farm is disrupted by news of the siege of Lexington and Concord. Adams reports back to Philadelphia. There, he jousts with delegates debating the pros and cons of independence, and throws down the gauntlet for independence. As more violence rages in and around Boston, Adams nominates George Washington to lead the newly created Continental Army. Back in Philadelphia Adams is faced with a proclamation from King George III that treason will be met with death. After several debates and postponements, Adams seconds a resolution for independence and persuades Thomas Jefferson to draft a declaration. While Abigail tends to an outbreak of smallpox in Massachusetts, the Declaration of Independence is read to a raucous crowd in Philadelphia. (91 Min.)