John Adams: A Closer Look (HBO)

[HystricLaughingHyena]

nice video :)

[EarthYearZero]

A great show! Best that I have seen about our founding fathers.

[thejohn88]

John Adams loved his smokes and a glass of gin

[et2petty]

@TeamLibertyExpress Free, prime time, air time for candidates, and, a $500.00 fine on those who can, but do not vote, would instanly cure the unrepresentative government of the united states. We own the airwaves, through the FCC. We all must vote, (even if your vote none of the above), to beat back the lobbyists.

[TeamLibertyExpress]

A motivated, informed public could return the republic to these ideals?

Oh, yes some work required to again be motivated and informed.

Some catalyst, something , a form of new technology will pry people from their distractions and unite american minds once more.

Leaders wanted, apply within.

[rockndude87]

As much as the Revolution was a phenomenon in world history I truly believe it is another phenomenon that Jefferson and Adams died on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. And I agree with McCullough that those two men of very different backgrounds, believes, and political parties to become dear friends and become instrumental together in creating this country is just amazing. Only history could write a story as awesome as this.

[timcp1]

"The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were. . . . the general principles of Christianity.”—John Adams to Thomas Jefferson on June 28, 1813--John Adams, The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States, Charles Francis Adams, editor (Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1856), Vol. X, pp. 45-46

[Jononutoob]

@timcp1

True yet no single religion defines the Unites States. This nation IS NOT a christian nation.

[wreehill]

@Jononutoob not a christian nation i cant imagine what a nightmare that would be but a cretin nation and a non nation of conflicting ethnic groups etc and right wing wackoes a DIS united non states

[myvideos656]

Wow! Apparently YouTube has decided that my opinion is a matter of national security. I thought it was pretty benign.

[myvideos656]

I loved that this film focused on the real reason for the Revolution. I'd love to see a film done with all the intellectualness of this film interspersed with the passion and struggle of the regular people of all nations that came here to flee the oppression of the European banks and the sacrifice they made. Basically, a little more Braveheart mixed in. It's a lot of subject matter to be covered, and a lot of characters, but I think it can be done.

[boredlikehell2008]

I would really love to be able to CHOOSE where my taxes go. Because I am not crazy about my money being used to manufacture a bullet or a bomb. I want my money going to places my morals, ethics, beliefs, and priciples will allow it to go. I just can't bare the idea that my money is displacing a family somewhere across ours oceans.

[SW189]

John Adams is probably one of the more interesting figures

To some degree I think Ben Frankin said it best when he said Adams was at times the most brilliant individual alive but others he was completley "Out of his senses"

Adams is such a contrast it is remarkable, smart beyond reason with great foresight but other times that foresight failed him completly when he could not grasp always the consequences of his failure to control his temper and "mind his tongue"

[JonesGOP1]

@ginjaninja1988 Thank you for your compliments to our nation, I love New Zealand I have been to Auckland, on business, twice and found it to be a lovely place with fine cultured peoples who were a great reflection of your beautiful nation.

And of course God Bless the USA and New Zealand and GEORGE W BUSH

[kzfive]

This was very good.

[ginjaninja1988]

Man i wish I could watch this. They won't play it here in New Zealand. America ur an awesome nation, with an awesome constitution. Despite what so many people say you have been mostly good for the world and a far better superpower than any of the others we could have had like China or the USSR or Japan or Nazi Germany and even The British Empire. Free men must always rule and lead. And with u in the lead we worry less about slavery and Despots.

[nofxlildevil]

I like you, haha, You should come hangout here in Texas.

[coolhand1005]

@ginjaninja1988

New Zealanders are among the very BEST in the world, God Bless You, Sir.

[amorgan01]

@ginjaninja1988 You are a dying breed. A foreigner who believes in America! That's almost unheard of these days. I'm a 28 year old American and I must say that I'm disgusted with 95% of my government. Being a superpower has some bad side effects. Our politicians, mostly, are only interested in doing and saying what is needed in order to be re-elected. They are loyal to the party and not the country or people. If you watch it, that is how we started, not even close to what we are now.

[NHL2nite]

@ginjaninja1988 -nobody offered to mail you a DVD of this gin?...I'll do it.

[ginjaninja1988]

@NHL2nite Its all gud bro. Thanks for the offer; I just purchased it in the store yesterday for $38 NZ... not bad considering it was shipped 4000 miles ;) Nice to know theres people like u out there ready to help others out. Cheers mate.

[NHL2nite]

@ginjaninja1988 Alright mate,,, enjoy it......... I did......... If you find you need any films let me know, I have a decent library. There was an old Hot Rod movie that was Australian done in the late 70's I think,,, but back when I was a gear head,,, we all loved it.... perhaps you know it. And it's not Mad Max.....It was real hot rods...

[Sarkis24]

@ginjaninja1988 wow yur an idiot

[ginjaninja1988]

@Sarkis24 Really?? Oh ur insult really hurts my feelings (sarcasm) What a randomn comment. 'Wow ur an idiot'.... fuck off

[Sarkis24]

@ginjaninja1988 yea really... yur an idiot

[tonyteb]

@ginjaninja1988 well we have an empire thats not as good as you think we neen to get back to tru liberty and we wont do it with people like obahma or any of the neo cons we need a modern day founding father someone like RON PAUL

[ginjaninja1988]

@tonyteb Funny that. I totally agree with you. My thoughts and understanding on these issues have changed completely over the past year. Im also a massive Ron Paul fan :) cheers.

[ginjaninja1988]

@tonyteb I happen to totally agree with you. Im also a massive Ron Paul fan...... my thoughts on the whole issue have changed over the past year.

[Atheeizm]

@ginjaninja1988 I hope you have seen it since mate.

[ginjaninja1988]

@Atheeizm It finally sneaked into the stores about a year and a half ago and I happened to just stumble across a few copies on DVD. But it was never advertised or played on TV.....though be rest assured they play every season of Survivor the moment it is released in the states....rolls eyes.

[Atheeizm]

@ginjaninja1988 Yeah I actually saw it playing on either SBS or one of the ABC channels but had missed the beginning but now I am up to the declaration. Loving it big time.

[tfwaters]

John Adams was a great patriot in defending the Constitution of the United States. He was a great moral leader because he knew the difference between right and wrong.

Tom Hanks on the other hand is neither. Hopefully Tom will learn these characteristics so that he turns from his Un-American ways!!

[ChurchillTea]

It's amazing...he was a devout Chistian...alot of them were and a lot of thme were in Church alot and writing to other founders about their faith

[RusThompson]

John Adams, my second cousin.

[jmghrr]

adams doesnt get half the credit he deserves.After he defended the british in the boston massacre he became very unpopular.Adams took a risk by doing that and i admire him he belive that there was only one side-the law.He not only served in the congress but he became vice president,president -he kept us out of a war which would've damaged the united states badly we were not ready even when everyone told him to declare war.

john adams will always be one of my heroes as well as abigail adams

[brabon1]

abigail was a woman far ahead of her time

an equal in both intellect and ability to her husband

[rigel5]

This was a great series with some great performances and as an Irishman, It's always good to see the Brits getting their arses kicked! The revolution of 1776 inspired a revolution a few years later in 1798 in Ireland with the usual outcome - defeat. Apart from Britan, Ireland always faced another formidable ememy in every major uprising that took place here - the weather. Over the centuries, any Spanish or French fleets that were sent to help the rebels were lost to storms.

[bulked]

you petty little man-playing up the irish victim image. Grow up

[ThectWonderer]

awesome series about a great man. If only Adams would get the respect which he deserves.

[steemsdis]

Loved this series, beautifully made.

They should make a 1776 into a series too.

[Bzerker01]

I would love to see a series based on Latin American Independence, starting around 1810. Because no one knows that story but Latin Americans and yet its as interesting if not more interesting then the United States Independence story.

[JDoggx]

i loved the john adams series in my class

[iLY0X8]

can someone please upload the miniseries onto youtube!?

[DJLaners]

the british are coming!the british are coming!

[silentstorm307]

Indeed, The Brittish are again COMING. This time it isn't the King and his army but the World Banks. I do have a poinient question though, who will be the next Paul Revere?

[tonythatigga]

I WILL!

[balkman13]

ronleon62 i agree.....they should make something like this for all of the presidents in the revolutionary dynasty(washington,jefferson,m­adison, and monroe) and adams was already done..

they should do those and stop at that cause this is the best damn history special i have ever seen ITS A SHAME I DONT HAVE HBO

and have to look for this dvd

[forest3823]

John Adams was a great man

he does not get the credit he deserves

ininstead Thomas Jefferson, a man that did nothing great apart from writing the decralation, is on Mt.Rushmore

[KNOWYOUNOW]

Most of these leaders were slave trading racists. Washington would have whipped the next opresident to death for being black. Screw them.

[forest3823]

some like John Adams appaled slavery

[freshtendrills]

Click you're heels together, and go back to africa.

[nothingsfree]

Dead white men? I don't think so.

[Flowbee79]

If our constitutional right can not hold firm and be fastened during the heat conflicts, during the storms of conflict, how well can they survive during times of calm. It is during the calm that rights must be tested, to see how strong and secure they will be during the storms. Our rights are bulwarks against tyranny and prejudice, and it is during times of conflict that they must perform successfully, because during times of peace there is no conflict, therefore no reason to be protective.

[Flowbee79]

Thanks to HBO for making this miniseries. I could use more sharp, intelligent historical dramas like this on my TV. Also, one of the best ensemble casting jobs I've seen in a long while. Even Rufus Sewell as Alexander Hamilton seems inspirational. Thanks to David McCullough for writing such a great book, too. Closest equal to Band of Brothers, in my opinion.

[theghostof2pac]

At the beginning when Paul Revere rides yelling the British are coming, something historically inaccurate about is that he had like 3 other people with him, also he never really said the british are coming i guess too but I'm not 100 percent sure on that.

[ronleon62]

"John Adams" is the best piece of television I have seen in my 46 years of life. There is no comparison.

[Pdids01]

Not to "tread" on you. But I would argue that the HBO series "The Wire" is actually the greatest television series of all time.

And I'm saying this as someone who puts "John Adams" alongside it as one of the greatest achievements, too.

[TsugaC]

Looking upon our current political class, especially the "hate America" Left, I cannot help but think of Jefferson's quip about keeping the republic pure via a revolution every 20 years. We need another Washington or Adams desperately, not a confiscationist parasite, in the White House.

[vlovemeordiev]

Amen. But wasn't it every 100 years? Not that it matters much lol. 20 would be better.

[KNOWYOUNOW]

Washington was slave tradeing racist. He would have whipped obama to death. Not a pleasant man in my view.

[Valmy77]

Hilarious a video mentioning the disaster partisan politics would be for America is commented on with pages of partisan comments.

Adams and Washington were sure right on that point.

[hachisan]

You all aren't REALLY comparing BUSH to ADAMS, are you?

Christ help us.

[nothingsfree]

No. Bush is not a bad man, just an occupant of the WH in bad times. Washington, Adams, Jefferson et al created our nation, as imperfect as it can be, to give us all a chance to be free and achieve. Their bravery and good judgment (with a little help along the way from FDR and Ronald Reagan) have brought our democracy this far. Keep the faith and use your heads. Fear is our enemy, let's not let it cloud our thinking. World history is our teacher.

[repub21]

Yet he tricked America right? Fucking "moron".

[haha9323]

What exactly has Bush done that was so dumb? The "Decisions" he makes as president aren't just him. The legislative and judicial branches have to agrees as well. Give the guy a break, he's only human.

[repub21]

Thank god you realize that. Regardless if you dislike Bush, you must realize he is only PART of our government. Congress is just as responsible.

[Flowbee79]

In a government like ours, with such a triangulated system of checks and balances, the executive branch can not be held totally responsible. The executive branch has falter considerably in its duties, but so has Congress as well. Congress either laid down and shut up and gave carte blanche to bad ideas in the fear of looking unpatriotic when in fact doing the opposite would have proven more patriotic, or the meandered through the trivial matters while graver threats raged around.

[fakta15]

NO he is a moron

[viletantrum]

Clinton did,

For 7 years we've had to pay for it. Some with their lives of their children and parents! Compromise time had passed while Clinton was in office. Bush had to clean it up.Popular or not. Now get over it!

[repub21]

Yes. Thank you!

[viletantrum]

kdotcdot89,

Diplomacy only works when you're able to have discussions with people who are willing to listen to reason.When those same people ignore diplomacy and want to cause nothing but choas, death and destruction you have to go for their throats and stomp them into submission.Sounds to barbaric huh? Well pal, I want our side to win and so does Bush. Popular or not, it has to happen.

[CutterScene]

Diplomacy can have its wicked ways as well, just look at Henry Kissinger and the illegal bombings in Cambodia he managed to get without the Cambodian king raising a finger. In all, it may be disputed that Saddam had to be removed, and Bush's lack of contingency plan is inexcusable. Nonetheless, it's noteworthy a couple things on policy with China were improved while he was in office... though the brainwork obviously came from elsewhere and Bush just adding a signature below...

[kdotcdot89]

man, this series was great. i really loved how it showed us the imperfections of our founding fathers. in our early history classes, i thought these guys were too good to be true. now, i feel like i love them even more for their flaws. they learned so much from trail and error. think, no one had done this before! and i love washingtons and Adams view on parties. The president should represent a nation, not a party, and should try to comprimise and reason as much as possible.

[Spazzfrom1989]

Im not sure about this but isnt John Adams underrated and over looked? I mean exactly how much do you hear about him in your history class. And if you do hear about him its all about the alien and sedition acts. I mean thats what i learned about him in history class and i painted a bad picture on him. But if this movie is decently accurate then John Adams was actually a very good guy and very enlightened.

[mark808mark]

if your concern is that the actors are not proper for the role, perhaps you should read the works and notes of john adams himself or any founding father. like always, the book is better than any video.

[xopriiya07]

could anyone get the full episode?

or do u know where to get it from?

[saoitube]

Giamatti is not the person you'd imagine as a leader, but he does look a lot like John Adams, and in those times, it didn't matter what a person looked like. This series is fairly faithful to the excellent biography it is based on. Sometimes, several events are compressed into one for the sake of the drama (for example, the sea voyage with his son John Quincy Adams) and others are left out entirely, but HBO has created a wonderful view of one of our founding fathers.

[mylegsareswollen]

Jesus Christ, how much money has David Mccullough need?

[sam13211]

HBO has done it again. They have given us some of the best TV ever. The John Adams series was outstanding. Tom Hanks IS THE MAN! Giamatti and Linney, you were perfectly cast and gave excellent performances.

[sam13211]

Completely stupid comment by a 19 year old moron who has no clue about history, or anything else. Get a life, loser.

[himherandit]

I love this series. When I watch it, I feel for it. My mom just ordered HBO to watch John Adams. lol. But it was sooo worth it!

[histre101]

It's a great translation. Comes out on DVD June 10th. The author was very happy with the series apparently.

[kittybirg]

On the one hand, I deeply want to see this (if only I had HBO!), but on the other, I'm terrified of how the book will translate to television.

Still... Adams. :D

[veldren]

Well made series but JA was a loyalist when the British ruled then quickly followed behind American revolutionaries when they were the power. The guy was was a total wind tester and this series really does a good job sugar coating a politician. You should read the real history not some persons opinions. Read the Anti Federalist papers and Federalist papers and the actual historical accounts of what TJ and JA did when they were in office. Movie is good, but it is sensationalized.

[MarkDouglasC]

Yel -- just give a few words -- please -- on what TJ and JA did when in office.

I thought the Series showed Adams with a lot of warts -- for one thing, he was pussy whiped. Abigail ruled him actually, she cut him off when he wasn't doing what she wanted.

[Spazzfrom1989]

I just want to ask a question? Isn't the federalist papers and anti-federalist papers just ones oppinions when it all comes down to it? I mean hamilton wrote part of the federalists papers and he wasn't exactly the most sane man? The founders could have also been biased in their history also, possibly toward adams?

[FilmPA]

I think I am the one to the left middle of croud, tallest one on that side. Next to the black hat with white stripe on brim.

[bunnylulu]

checknutsb4youstep,

you are stupid and your opinion is lame. go read your history, you idiot. this is a great show and giamatti is fantastic in the role of john adams.

[bunnylulu]

checknutsb4youstep,

you're stupid and your opinion is lame. go read your history you idiot.

[christy340]

Paul Giamatti shows how talented he is! He is perfect as John Adams!

[scj16]

Jeffereson wrote the Declaration because Adams recemmended him to. But it was Adams that fought for its support, it was Adams who did the dirty work-but history seems to give Jefferson all the credit. An admirable man. I wanna see this. And I hope they do this for each of the founders.

[MarkDouglasC]

Yes, do it for each of founders. Good idea.

Adams would have been nothing without Jefferson or his wife. Adams could be egotistical and petty -- his nutty Alien and Sedition act. By the way, the actors doing Jefferson and Washington did a much better job. I don't think they picked the right guy for Jefferson. JMO.

[sam13211]

Adams STRUGGLED with the Alien and Seditions Act and was very reluctant to sign it.

You have to take the context of the times into consideration, we had just finished a war with Great Britain and were on the verge of a war with France. We had no standing army and barely a ship to call a navy.

So you don't think Giamatti was right for the role? And you don't think they chose the right guy for Jefferson? Man you are on crack. Thank God you weren't in charge of casting for the series.

[RantVideos]

Howcome a fair, compassionate, honest, fair person with moral values and uncompromising integrity is seen or viewd as weak? If all politions had John Adams quality's the United States of America would not be at the mercy of corporate organized fraud and scandalous greed.

[Mortskcab]

John Adams should be put on our quarter....washington already has the dollar!

[Gavb77ed]

JAMES MADISON now theres a Show!

[Gavb77ed]

HBO needs to do JAMES & DOLLY MADISON, now there would be a show!

[firejack007]

interesting hearing of GW and JA worried about party politics of TJ which would later become the DNC. Very much like today. Where do people like JA and GW come from? If you look in history, we always were blessed with the right leaders at the right time. GWB now, RR in the 80's, AL in the civil war and especially GW at a time we needed the best start to this county.

[brcbrtn]

Seeing such men of integrity, honor and decency like John Adams and George Washington, and then thinking of a letcherous, lying scum like Bill Clinton desecrating the Oval Office makes me sick. Thank God for our Founding Fathers, and their desire to do what was good for the country, and not what was politically expediant, or popular.

[kataisa3]

Finally, Hollywood does something right and creates a brilliant portrayal of one of our founding fathers, instead of preaching the new P.C. mantra that these "evil white men stole the land from the Indians." I'm so tired of liberal garbage and their trying to rewrite history. Adams was a true American hero. Bravo to our founding fathers, today's so-called Americans shame them.

[rawdawg15]

please don't taint our study of history with your projection of politics

[Blobsterss]

America wins their independence from the tyranny of the dirty brits. George Washington becomes the first president. Then John Adams becomes president.

If that was a spoiler for you.  You are stupid.

[olbigdik]

God Save Our American States!

[uscpathfinder]

There should be a series made of Alexander Hamilton based on the brilliant book by Ron Chernow

[uscpathfinder]

every american should read John Adams by David McCullough brilliant book

[histre101]

No it hasn't. The war isn't over yet. That's Washington becoming president in 1789.

[XXsiphusXX]

hahahaha!

4:50-4:52

I'm in the background shaking a stick, hahahahaha

[filmgirl1888]

Brilliant stick shaking!!!!! I smell an Emmy :)

[cadudesf]

I often wondered about John Adams until Mr. McCollough's detailed, long overdue book came out. Once more, I find it a saddened, maddening shame the men and women of today's body politic only take advantage and pillage of what our remarkable Founding Fathers structured. In realizing the history presented in this HBO special, I cry that we DON'T have leaders of such integrity, dignity, and grace today.

[filmgirl1888]

Go Ron Paul! A true Constitutionalist.

[silentxnight]

what episode is from 7:40? i dont think it aired yet though.

[histre101]

It's coming up....that's Washington becoming President in 1789.

[bigleroygym]

John Adama is the only one of the "Founding Fathers" that was a good man. The others were evil slaveowners that are burning in Hell for eternity.

[EvanTheAgnostic]

w0000aaahh ease up on that superstitious statements. It was normal to own slaves back then most were against it.

[histre101]

I seriously doubt that.

[histre101]

I doubt that.

[RobinPillage]

I can tell from your statement that you know about as much about American history as you probably know about fornacating. It's better to be thought a fool than to open once mouth and remove all doubt.

God Bless the United States of America!

[anwsers08]

Wow this is a truly amazing show. I watched the first two parts yesterday and they are extremly great. Although watching this makes you realize that if they saw america today they would find their vision destroyed and see what we have done. And what we have done is destroy their vision. Hopefully someday we can get back the true greatness of what they originally created...

[angelheartOR]

I've only seen the first 2 episodes. So far it's a must see. Something that not only Americans should watch but any one that needs to know. I feel that's everyone.

[CocoJelly92]

excellently made. i love it so far. i can't wait for part 3 :)

[SkemoJoe]

Absolutely amazing mini-series.

[danpauselius]

America needs this film, now more than ever. I've been counting the days until its premier.

[ksb78]

One more day to go. I'm really excited for this.

[5ig6]

Can't wait!

[espada9]

Looks great, I only hope the leftist freaks in Hollywood don't try and add their revisionist spin.

[Methadone4Life]

Leftist? Hell,everthing in the media is right wing these days! The men who founded this country would be called "liberals" by Bush and company. The GOP have destroyed this country and are working on destroying the world. Wake up AmeriKKKa!

[espada9]

So in your world the founding fathers endorsed big government entitlement programs, multiculturalism, self-loathing, abortions as a means of birth control, class envy, radical gay agenda, contempt for faith and self loathing???

Let me guess you get your historical perspective from MTV.

[hachisan]

No, but neither did they support the current conservative doctrines that are espoused.

Please, stfu for your own damn good.

[NJRocks281]

Are you out of your fucking mind??? The founding fathers would have been considered die hard conservatives by today's standards you dumb fuck. Open a history book. They would have not stood for these liberal policies of today.

[espada9]

Nearly ALL of the founding fathers would have been in favor of revolting against BOTH major parties, our bloated government that exists for its own needs and purposes as opposed to it intended purpose of defending our liberty. Both parties spend OUR money without any representation, give OUR money to foreign nations (some of them our enemies) and allow lobbyists and their special interest group/corporate handlers to run the show and not WE THE PEOPLE.

[JAKESTADAGANGSTA92]

@espada9 Wow, that was very well said. I agree 100%. What are you then?

[DeniseMcCormick1]

@espada9

Well spoken! Watching John Adams made me feel despair about how we started out as a country... and what our current government has become. The glorious ideals of the founders has been perverted beyond recognition.

Tea Party, indeed.

[spitoncat]

WRONG The Founding Fathers were not trying to conserve the gov't that they lived under. They were left wing radicals. Thank God

[5ig6]

Can't wait!

[eagleseddie]

the british are cominggggggggggg!!!!!