1776 (1972)

Actors: Howard Da Silva (actor), Marshall Schlom (miscellaneous crew), William Daniels (actor), William Bassett (actor), Ken Howard (actor), William H. Ziegler (editor), Blythe Danner (actress), John Myhers (actor), Jack L. Warner (producer), John Holland (actor), John Cullum (actor), James Noble (actor), William Duell (actor), Peter Stone (writer), Peter Stone (writer),

Plot: The film version of the Broadway musical comedy of the same name. In the days leading up to July 4, 1776, Continental Congressmen John Adams and Benjamin Franklin coerce Thomas Jefferson into writing the Declaration of Independence as a delaying tactic as they try to persuade the American colonies to support a resolution on independence. As George Washington sends depressing messages describing one military disaster after another, the businessmen, landowners and slave holders in Congress all stand in the way of the Declaration, and a single "nay" vote will forever end the question of independence. Large portions of spoken and sung dialog are taken directly from the letters and memoirs of the actual participants.

Keywords: 1770s, 18th-century, alcohol, american-revolution, based-on-novel, based-on-stage-musical, based-on-stage-musical-based-on-novel, bell, bell-tower, committee
Genres: Drama, Family, History, Musical,

Quotes:

Thomson: [calling for a vote] Where's Rhode Island?::McNair: Rhode Island's out visiting the necessary.::Hancock: Well, after what Rhode Island has consumed, I can't say I'm surprised. We'll come back to him, Mr. Thompson.::Thomson: Rhode Island passes.::[Roar of laughter from the Congress]

Hopkins: Well, in all my years I ain't never heard, seen nor smelled an issue that was so dangerous it couldn't be talked about. Hell yeah! I'm for debating anything. Rhode Island says yea!

[Jefferson's wife visits, and they retire behind closed doors]::John Adams: Good God, you don't mean... they're not going to...? In the middle of the afternoon?::Dr. Benjamin Franklin: Not everybody's from Boston, John!

Dr. Benjamin Franklin: Oh John, you can dance!::John Adams: We still do a few things in Boston, Franklin.

[Standing awkwardly nearby as Jefferson and Martha embrace]::John Adams: Jefferson, kindly introduce me to your wife. [pause] She is your wife, isn't she?::Dr. Benjamin Franklin: Of course she is. Look at the way they fit.

John Dickinson: Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Lee, Mr. Hopkins, Dr. Franklin, why have you joined this... incendiary little man, this BOSTON radical? This demagogue, this MADMAN?::John Adams: Are you calling me a madman, you, you... you FRIBBLE!::Dr. Benjamin Franklin: Easy John.::John Adams: You cool, considerate men. You hang to the rear on every issue so that if we should go under, you'll still remain afloat!::John Dickinson: Are you calling me a coward?::John Adams: Yes... coward!::John Dickinson: Madman!::John Adams: Landlord!::John Dickinson: LAWYER!::[a brawl breaks out]

Abigail: I never asked for more. After all, I am Mrs. John Adams and that's quite enough for one lifetime.::John Adams: Is it, Abby?::Abigail: Well, think of it, John, to be married to the man who is always the first in line to be hanged!

John Adams: A second flood, a simple famine, plagues of locusts everywhere, or a cataclysmic earthquake, I'd accept with some despair. But no, You sent us Congress! Good God, Sir, was that fair?

Dr. Benjamin Franklin: Please Mr. Dickinson, but must you start banging? How is a man to sleep?::[laughter from Congress]::John Dickinson: Forgive me, Dr. Franklin, but must YOU start speaking? How is a man to stay awake?::[More laughter]::John Dickinson: We'll promise to be quiet - I'm sure everyone prefers that you remained asleep.::Dr. Benjamin Franklin: If I'm to hear myself called an Englishman, sir, I assure you I prefer I'd remained asleep.::John Dickinson: What's so terrible about being called an Englishman? The English don't seem to mind.::Dr. Benjamin Franklin: Nor would I, were I given the full rights of an Englishman. But to call me one without those rights is like calling an ox a bull. He's thankful for the honor, but he'd much rather have restored what's rightfully his.::[laughter]::John Dickinson: When did you first notice they were missing, sir?::[laughter]

John Adams: I have come to the conclusion that one useless man is called a disgrace; that two are called a law firm, and that three or more become a Congress! And by God, I have had this Congress! For ten years, King George and his Parliament have gulled, cullied, and diddled these colonies with their illegal taxes! Stamp Acts, Townshend Acts, Sugar Acts, Tea Acts! And when we dared stand up like men, they have stopped our trade, seized our ships, blockaded our ports, burned our towns, and spilled our BLOOD! And still, this Congress refuses to grant ANY of my proposals on independence, even so much as the courtesty of open debate! Good God, what in hell are you waiting for?