John Adams Mini Series 2008

My Explanation As To Why This Was Played In Enitirty On The Sept. 11 2015

I am certainly aware that this is Sept. 11, but my choice of Early American History as a form of marking this day is because I am utterly sick to death of the political bantering about of this country's beginnings and ridiculous "recollections" by politicians about the actual people involved, including those called "The Founding Fathers." In short, I am disgusted that such a serious day has to be marked on my calendar as "Patriots Day/National Day Of Service and Remembrance." It is more than that. That is a vulgar moniker applied by Congress. It should be a day of solemn remembrance, with respect. So, if they want remembrance, let's remember how rough and ugly it really was! From the beginning. This is right now the only way I know of giving proper remembrance to those who lost their lives 14 years ago on this day.

I do think this a rather brilliant documentary style mini-series, that starts with John Adams (Paul Giamatti) defending the soldiers involved in what is now referred to The Boston Massacre (to be sure a heavily propagandized event not long after) and winning the case for them with their innocence pronounced by a jury of peers, only not long after to have the colony basically stripped of any of it's authority and any legal matters by the crown (King George III) and having troops garrisoned amongst ordinary folks.  It's an honest account of how the very concept of the continental congress came about in the first place.  Had the British Crown not done this, along with heavy taxation without representation, the history of this place--the USA--would likely have been very, very different!  So Adams, cousin to Sam Adams (played in the mini-series by Danny Houston) (yeah the dude has a beer company named after him) and important thinker on republicanism, goes from defender of the colony as legally bound to the Crown to independent minded leader--one that went on to the be the Vice-President and 2nd President of the new country.  This, of course, takes some liberties--it would have to, especially, the conversions that he has with his wife (here played so well by Laura Linney).  But this is as honest as it could possibly be--and there are some inconvenient truths here!  Especially in regards to the southern colonies and their deal to go along with independence only if they be allowed to keep their slavery.  One very bright spot for me are at least two very well know British actors assaying roles of giants of American history; namely Rufus Sewell as Alexander Hamilton and a wonderful performance by Tom Wilkinson as the eccentric Benjamin Franklin.  In history, there is much more that is truly scary than any slasher flick, unfortunately.