When HBO first announced their new mini series John Adams, I was skeptical. I had heard good things about David McCullough’s book on which the series is based, but it seemed a stretch to turn it into a television event.
So when it premiered several weeks ago, I could be found doing other things to fill the 9pm Sunday time slot. Shame on me.
I caught an episode recently, and now I’m hooked. Not only is the story incredibly well told, (again, most of that is because of McCullough) but the job HBO has done in recreating the 1700’s is phenomenal. The sets alone will surely warrant an Emmy nod next awards season, but it is the costume department that inspires the most awe and amazement. Paul Giamatti’s portrayal of Adams is spot on, as is Laura Linney’s Abigail. But the one character that still has me floored is David Morse’s George Washington. I cannot think of a more perfect role for Morse after seeing him done up and in a bone-white wig.
The plot revolves around John Adams’ involvement in the early creation of the United States. He and his band of history textbook celebrities (Ben Franklin, George Washington, John Hancock, Thomas Jefferson) write the Constitution, sign the Declaration, and otherwise collaborate to create a more perfect union after the Revolutionary War.
Ten or fifteen years from now, the series may prove to be one of the greatest and most accurate looks into the early history of this country: surely it will find its place in the libraries and curriculums of thousands of middle schools and high schools across the country.
This show is not to be missed. It may not follow the usual formula for hit television, but it certainly strikes all the right notes.
Part Five of the series premieres tonight on HBO at 9pm. An encore immediately follows that at 10pm on HBO 2, and then rebroadcasts begin Monday morning at 10am. For a preview of this episode, check out the video bar on the left.
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