"John Adams" (2008) TV mini-series

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

16 March 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | History

Tagline:

Join or Die

Plot:

A miniseries on the life of John Adams and the first 50 years of the United States.

Plot Keywords:

John Adams | TV Mini-Series | First Lady | Law | Colonial America

Awards:

Won 4 Golden Globes. Another 32 wins & 19 nominations

Cast

Paul Giamatti	...	John Adams (7 episodes, 2008)
Laura Linney	...	Abigail Adams (7 episodes, 2008)
John Dossett	...	Benjamin Rush (6 episodes, 2008)
Stephen Dillane	...	Thomas Jefferson (6 episodes, 2008)
Sarah Polley	...	Nabby Adams (4 episodes, 2008)
Samuel Barnett	...	Thomas Adams (4 episodes, 2008)
David Morse	...	George Washington (4 episodes, 2008)
Andrew Scott	...	Colonel William Smith (4 episodes, 2008)
Danny Huston	...	Samuel Adams (3 episodes, 2008)
Ebon Moss-Bachrach	...	John Quincy Adams (3 episodes, 2008)
Steven Hinkle	...	Young John Quincy Adams (3 episodes, 2008)
Madeline Taylor	...	Young Nabby Adams (3 episodes, 2008)
Mamie Gummer	...	Sally Smith Adams (3 episodes, 2008)
Kevin Trainor	...	Charles Adams (3 episodes, 2008)
Tom Wilkinson	...	Benjamin Franklin (3 episodes, 2008)
Michael Hall D'Addario	...	Young Charles Adams (3 episodes, 2008)
Landon Ashworth	...	The Senator (3 episodes, 2008)
Dan Taylour	...	Merchant / ... (3 episodes, 2008)
Rufus Sewell	...	Alexander Hamilton (2 episodes, 2008)
Justin Theroux	...	John Hancock (2 episodes, 2008)
Judith Magre	...	Madame Helvétius (2 episodes, 2008)
Brennan Brown	...	Robert Treat Paine (2 episodes, 2008)
Tom Beckett	...	Elbridge Gerry (2 episodes, 2008)
Jules Croiset	...	Second Dutch Banker (2 episodes, 2008)
Sieger Sloot	...	Dutch Man (2 episodes, 2008)
Lex van Delden	...	First Dutch Banker (2 episodes, 2008)
Zeljko Ivanek	...	John Dickinson (2 episodes, 2008)
John Keating	...	Timothy Pickering (2 episodes, 2008)
Thomas Langston	...	Young Thomas Adams (2 episodes, 2008)
Timmy Sherrill	...	Attorney General Charles Lee / ... (2 episodes, 2008)
Juan Eloy Carrera	...	Bostonian Townsperson (2 episodes, 2008)
Robert Rice		(2 episodes, 2008)

Also Known As:

Untitled John Adams Miniseries (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

501 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M | Singapore:NC-16

Filming Locations:

Budapest, Hungary

Company:

HBO Films

Trivia:

The turquoise and white striped robe a la Francais worn by Laura Linney (Abigail Adams) is the same costume previously worn by Kirsten Dunst (Marie-Antoinette) in Marie Antoinette (2006).

Goofs:

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: Episode 5 shows John Adams brushing his teeth with a toothbrush - this is not incorrect, although toothbrushing was not the most common form of dental hygiene at the time. Most people, especially the poor, would have rubbed their teeth with a rag and salt or ashes. Tooth brushes were in use in China c. 1400, in England about 1690, and mass produced tooth brushes were available in the 1780s. The modern American toothbrush was invented in 1938.

Quotes:

John Adams: My thoughts are so clear to me... each one takes perfect shape within my mind. But when I speak, when I offer them to others, they seem to lose all definition.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "30 Rock: Jackie Jormp-Jomp (#3.18)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

Chester

Worthy of Golden Globe, Emmy

The only t.v. dramas (historical or otherwise) that I would watch was Masterpiece Theatre because they were mostly British made and classy. Now we have something to rival anything that Masterpiece Theatre put out: John Adams. First, the theme music is first rate slowing building up to a quiet crescendo. Second, the photography is of a theatrical release quality. The set and production values are first rate: you feel as if you are in the scenery and living at that time of our history. The makeup and costumes are historically correct or close to it. Finally, what superb acting by Giamatti and the great Laura Linney and the supporting actors are fine. In fact, I can not find a fault with this mini-series so far.I look forward to watching every Sunday on HBO. I agree with others who say this will win Golden Globe and Emmy Awards. For anyone who says this is boring or lacking bloodshed and violence, I say: "Your ignorance is beneath my contempt" - John Adams, 1777( to Samuel Furlong who told Adams that the 'Declaration of Independency would be the death warrant of the colonies."