Jefferson Still Shines in HBO's "John Adams"

I just recently received a DVD copy of HBO's truly remarkable seven-part miniseries "John Adams." Being a history enthousiast, what is most exciting for me about HBO's rendering of the Revolution era and its generation is its rich detail and striking authenticity. The acting, too, is tremendously good, with a dynamic Paul Giamatti playing John Adams and an extremely intense Laura Linney playing Abigail. But as much as the series -- based on David McCullough's Pulitzer-winning book of the same name -- earnestly attempts to glorify Adams and vindicate him for his political expediencies as a Federalist president (who, maybe not coincidentally, advocated invasive domestic espionage similar to that so passionately defended by our present Commander-in-Chief), what becomes quickly clear to the liberty-minded viewer is that the character of Thomas Jefferson still shines much brighter. Jefferson's insights -- and, perhaps more important, his foresights -- cannot be hidden from view, even in a film where a flawed but ultimately altruistic Adams tries to steal the show at every turn. I would recommend the series highly, for all of these reasons. It can be bought on Amazon.

Of interest to libertarians especially:

I should add, as well, that if you look closely in the scenes taking place in Philadelphia, you will see small metallic placards appearing on the fronts of the buildings. These are, as they explain in the behind-the-scenes documentary, signs of private insurance policies each building owner purchased with individual private fire-fighting companies in the city. In the case of fire, each private company would know which buildings were theirs to defend by looking for their company placards.

ITT: we worship Jefferson, the powder-wigged hypocrite.

sorry, venting.

I've been wanting to see "John Adams," but was a little worried that they would screw it all up (historical inaccuracies). Sounds like they did a good job. I'll check it out.

But to the other poster: what's your beef with TJ? I do live in Jefferson's hometown ya know, so thems fightin' words... jk... but really, he didn't get everything right and most certainly was a hypocrite, but he was a brilliant guy and had some good insights. Sure we shouldn't worship him but there's no need to hate him with a passion.

I recommend 1776: the Musical for a better take on John Adams.  I'm no history scholar, but that's always how I imagined him... great singer, great songs, always getting in people's faces, et al.

Here's Ben Franklin, Tom Jefferson, and John Adams:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeC_phVOdnw

LMAO

1776 certainly is amusing -- I am a big fan -- but its portrayal of Adams and the Founding is a comedic caricature at best and an outright historical falsehood at worst. It was not produced as a piece of history but as a lighthearted spectacle that plays on the large body of myth that surrounds the American Revolution and its participants. It draws on actual deeds and words, but it is a gross exaggeration in innumerable ways. I trust you are joking when you say that it is a "better take on John Adams."