"John Adams" Unnecessary War (2008)

Director:

Tom Hooper

Writers (WGA):

Kirk Ellis (written by)
David McCullough (book)

TV Series:

"John Adams" (2008)

Original Air Date:

13 April 2008 (Season 1, Episode 6)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | History

Plot:

Following the peace treaty with England President Adams struggles to avoid war with France despite pressure...

Plot Keywords:

Criticism | Stagecoach | Military Uniform | Crying Man | Insult

Cast

Paul Giamatti	...	John Adams
Laura Linney	...	Abigail Adams
Stephen Dillane	...	Thomas Jefferson
Rufus Sewell	...	Alexander Hamilton
Sarah Polley	...	Nabby Adams
John Dossett	...	Benjamin Rush
Samuel Barnett	...	Thomas Adams
Kevin Trainor	...	Charles Adams
Mamie Gummer	...	Sally Smith Adams

Jose L. Penaranda	...	Congressman / Sailor / Townsman
Aaron Angus	...	Sailor / British Sailor / Dead Hero / Militia
Josh Archer	...	Sailor / Frenchman in Mob / Senator
Adrian Black	...	Senator (as Brian Ross Huse)
Mitch Bordeaux	...	Juror
Christopher Clawson	...	Senator (uncredited)
Rhett Coates	...	Wharfman (uncredited)
Matt Cockburn	...	Colonial Militia Man
Tim Colmus	...	Senator
Michael L. Colosimo	...	Artillery Soldier (uncredited)
Thomas Joe Craig	...	Redcoat / bostonian
John E. Daniel	...	British Sailor
Daniel Michael DeLuca	...	Boston Citizen / British Sailor
Kurtis Dement	...	Citizen
Sam Edens	...	Sailor
David Foster	...	Boston aristocrat (uncredited)
Bill Gentry	...	Sons of Liberty (uncredited)
Mariano Gowland	...	Mohawk Indian
Matt Gulbranson	...	Militia Leader (uncredited)
Chris Gulluscio	...	Redcoat
Sean Haggerty	...	Congressman
Alec Stephens III	...	House Servant
Lucky Judd	...	Maryland Delegate
Landon Kerric	...	William Stephens
Sean Kraemer	...	Son of Liberty / Boston Citizen
Kirk Lambert	...	Delegate
Todd A. Langenfeld	...	Red Coat Officer Brown, Bostonian Fireman, Ship Helmsman
Kerry Meushaw	...	New Jersey Delegate
Frank Moran	...	New York Delegate
Jared Morrison	...	Sons of Liberty horseman
Austin Murray	...	Continental Artillery NCO
Sandor Istvan Nagy	...	French Guest
Sam Navarro	...	British Soldier
Fred Ortiz	...	Eastern Indian
Tim Paterson	...	Virginia Delegate
Gavin Peretti	...	Redcoat / Bostonian
Chaz Petteway	...	Young french naval officer
Phillip A. Ranallo	...	Redcoat (uncredited)
Jordan Rozum	...	Citizen / Redcoat
Mark Ruggiero	...	Senator
Tom Patrick Stephens	...	New Jersey Senator (as Tom Stephens)
Patrick Michael Strange	...	British Sailor / Boston Townsman / Upperclass Philadelphian (uncredited)
Stephen Szibler	...	British Sailor / Militia with smallpox (uncredited)
Tom Townsend	...	Redcoat (uncredited)
Robert Tucker Jr.	...	Drunk Citizen
Terry Ward	...	Tavernkeeper (uncredited)
Justin Weiss	...	Apprentice, Militia (uncredited)
John D. Wilkinson	...	Goya Man
Bruce Williamson	...	William Billings
Kyle Windley	...	Minute Man
Nora Bauer	...	Bostonian Townsperson (uncredited)
Tarnee Kendell Hudson	...	George Washington Servant (uncredited)
Sara Jerez	...	French Aristocrate
Aisha Renée Moore	...	President's House Slave Worker (uncredited)
Amanda O'Connor	...	Pro-French supporter (uncredited)
H. Lynn Smith	...	Traveller
Zanny Wade	...	Crying Woman

Certification:

Australia:M

Goofs:

Factual errors: When John Adams arrived at the White House, he arrived alone in the late evening on November 1, 1800, and at the south front of the house, which did not yet have the famous semi-circular portico, but which had the only functioning staircase. His famous blessing, which endures on the mantle of the State Dining Room, was written in a letter to Abigail, who was still in Massachusetts and arrived some weeks later. The episode also shows the Adamses occupying the East Room as a parlor/office/dining room. This was not the case; the only use of the East Room at the time of Adams' short occupation, was as a drying room for laundry. The present Green Room was used as a dining room, the Blue Room was the entry, and the Red Room was used as a combination office/parlor. The Adams family used these three rooms almost exclusively, with the exception of the one bedroom on the second floor which was accessed via the servants staircase, due to the fact that the grand staircase was not yet completed. Aside from these errors, the depiction of the White House as it stood in 1800-1801 is accurate and well represented.

Quotes:

John Adams: A mob is no less a mob because they are with you.

Soundtrack:

Piano Trio in E Flat, Opus 100 (second movement)

President Adams!

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

The election of John Adams to the presidency of the new nation, was the culmination of a life dedicated to serving his country. Unfortunately, this period proved to be quite unsettling for Mr. Adams. He had seen his son John gone abroad as a representative of the United States, a source of pride for him. On the domestic front, he had to deal with problems at home.

His son-in-law, Colonel William Smith, who had worked at his assistant announces his departure as he and Nabby separate. His son Charles, who was a rake, succumbs to a life of self-indulgence and alcohol. Before parting for trip overseas, John entrusts Charles with two thousand dollars, something that in those days was a fortune, to be invested wisely. Charles wasted the money and his life and pays a high price with his own death, something that profoundly affects John. Abigail, who is inconsolable about the loss of a child, thinks her husband is a hard man for not even crying when they receive the news. In his solitude, we watch that on the contrary, this untimely passing deeply affected him as well.

The years of his presidency were marked for a split in ideology with his close friend, and ally, Thomas Jefferson, a man with whom he, and Abigail had spent many hours talking about their views about what they wanted their country to become. It is also the period in which Mr. Adams has to move to the new capital, named after George Washington. The new residence of the head of the nation was quite unfinished by the time they move and had to put up with the construction of what became known as the White House.

The sixth chapter of this magnificent series marks one of the highlights of the book because John Adams is reduced to being a mere citizen as we watch him board a horse driven carriage in the company of ordinary citizens, who are surprised at seeing him. He puts them at ease by reminding him he is just someone like them.

Tom Hopper's direction is exceptional in the way he captures the atmosphere during the period being examined. One of the most moving moments that come alive thanks by Paul Giamatti's sensitive approach to his character. Laura Linney is perfection herself as the aging Abigail. Stephen Dillane does well with his Jefferson. Rufus Sewell is as pompous as his Alexander Hamilton. Sarah Polley and Kevin Trainor do a wonderful job as Nabby and Charles Adams.