John Adams (TV Mini Series) Join or Die (2008) User Reviews

A very good courtroom drama episode

[yavermbizi · 7/10 · 29 January 2021]

To me this is quite clearly the best episode of the show. I rather liked the actors, all of whom are quite charismatic and charming, the setting, which seems faithfully rendered, and the plot, which is based on real history and is gripping and evocative. The actors are given quite a few long, theatrical monologues, quite fitting for, first of all, a slower-paced, more thoughtful era of human history and, secondly, for a court of law, where the excellent main plotline unfolds.

However, there were a few moments which seemed strange to me from perspectives of accuracy; and, as is a problem throughout the series, I can't always quite get the reason why John makes one decision or another: in this episode it seems like every interaction he has with the, ehm, protestors is a negative one, and he first-hand sees their capacity for barbarity, political violence and provocation, but in the end he keeps falling back on some very theoretical and abstract concerns about "taxation without representation" and so on. You'd think he'd put greater stock in the reality happening before his eyes than in some abstract legal grievances.

If you like this episode you will like the series

[CubsandCulture · 10/10 · 10 April 2021]

The overall treatment of history of this series is both loose-Adams is often made more central to events than he really was, timelines, events are incredibly jumbled and entire subplots are hung on the tiniest historical fact-and more authentic then we usually get in when dealing with the Founding Fathers. The episode-like the series-presents the times and men with a veneer of gritty realism and blunt naturalism. Whether it is Adams' temper or the brutality of the tar and feathering this is an unpolished, realpolitik telling of the tale. The series' main strengths-Hooper's anti-classical direction, the realistic production values, the wonderful cast-are all present. But so are the aspects of the production that may annoy people-it helps to have more than a passing knowledge of Adams' life to get everything the series is doing and yet there's a tad too much of the writer's fiction if pure history is your thing.

For my part I find this an engrossing legal procedural and one of the strongest episodes.

Boston tea party

[jotix100 · 10/10 · 21 July 2009]

This chapter starts in 1770. The setting is Boston, where John Adams is a lawyer. We watch him as he returns home after being away for some time. His wife Abigail and his children Nabby and John Quincy, have been awaiting for the husband and father that seems to be always away. No sooner has he been in the house, when shots are heard in the distance. John goes to see what was the problem, and finds a horrible scene where people have been shot to death in a square at the hand of British soldiers.

To make matters worse, John Adams, a lawyer, is asked to be the British soldiers' lawyer in a trial where they are considered guilty without having gone to court. He goes against what his peers and the general public consider the soldiers indeed were at fault. Being a fair man, Adams considers all the circumstances in the case, because he believes the men are innocent and proves his point in court. Captain Preston and his men are absolved of any crime because John Adams brings out the truth that vindicates the English soldiers.

A few years after the famous trial, the event that is commonly known as the Boston Tea Party took place. It was a way to protest the taxation that George III imposed on the tea shipments sent to the new world. It was one of the things that helped people like Mr. Adams to make up his mind to try to be freed from a corrupt government that only wanted to profit from the American colonies. Thus it was probably the single event that inspired what would come later in the American Revolution.

This first installment of the series "John Adams", adapted from David McCullough excellent novel, was adapted by Kirk Ellis, and was directed by Tom Hooper. The pivotal role of John Adams presented an excellent opportunity for Paul Giamatti in which to excel. Laura Linney is Abigail Adams, the patient and wise woman who loved John. Danny Huston appears as Sam Adams, John's cousin. Ritchie Coaster has some good moments as Capt. Preston, the man in command of the accused soldiers.

Tak Fujimoto's cinematography captures in vivid detail the atmosphere of that period. The production design is by Gemma Jackson, who had an uncanny knack for making this a winning series about the beginning of the nation. The background music is by Robert Lane.

Join Or Die.

[kylehaines96 · 10/10 · 23 December 2011]

Over the next few days I will be taking a look at The famous mini-series John Adams, a look at how our second president tried to accomplish freedom for the United States of America.

Part 1 0f 7 of our mini-series is about John Adams played very well by Paul Giamatti who is trying to win over the court by stating that the soldiers involved in the Boston massacre were acting in self defense and not causing cold blooded murder.

This is very entertaining and makes you want watch the rest of the series. Part 1 is fantastic at how it pulls you into the story line. Check this out if you are a history buff.

Not Rated.

1hr 10min/70min.

****/****