1776 - The Signing (1972)

From the Columbia released film of the musical play "1776", this is the scene in which the Continental Congress signs the Declaration of Independence. It's the finale of the film - end titles and music are included. Music by Sherman Edwards.

"1776" starred William Daniels (John Adams), Howard Da Silva (Benjamin Franklin), Ken Howard (Thomas Jefferson), Donald Madden (John Dickinson), David Ford (John Hancock), and John Collum (Edward Rutledge). Both the DVD and the VHS versions are available for purchase at Amazon.com NOTE: There is available a fully restored DIRECTOR'S CUT version, on DVD.

This clip is from my VHS copy that I purchased long ago. :) Copyright now belongs to Sony Pictures, and I'll remove this clip if they want me to - but I think the presence of this clip might increase sales of the DVD, since the film is seldom seen on TV these days. I think it's an excellent, and timeless, film, and probably should be in everyone's collection. Total run time of the film is about 140 minutes.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• 1776
• signing
• declaration
• of
• independence
• end
• titles
• music
• theme
• film
• movie

[geoffolehane]

One of my alltime favorite movie scenes. So moving once the bell rings.

[RMNhobie]

@geoffolehane - Mine too, Geoff. Thanks. :)

[Louisa1789]

when I see this video, I always cry. signing of declaration of independence...

[RMNhobie]

@Louisa1789 - Yes - I "feel a rush" as the tableau comes together at the end. :)

[tmh24602]

Thanks for putting this up. Happy Fourth!

[RMNhobie]

@tmh24602 You're quite welcome - Happy Fourth! :)

[Pfisiar22]

"But dear god, what brave men I shall lose...before this business ends."

That entire last dispatch is stirring and brilliant. It really brings home the enormity of what they were doing.

[helenadagreat]

FEENY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RYansAdams79]

These men were pretty much throwing their lives away when they signed the Declaration of Independence and we should forever be in gratitude to these men so long rememered for one action rebelling against the British Empire. As having a great great great etc. Uncle who was a Colonel under George Washington it is amazing to say when we are more connected to these men even though its been so long ago. RIP all the signers of the Declaration of Independence

[dkupke]

I imagine the actual event went something like this; they must have been both relieved and frightened at the same time. On one hand, years of discourse and uncertainty had finally reached a definitive conclusion-on the other, they were stepping into totally uncharted territory and had little idea what the consequences would be. That took a great deal of courage, fortitude, and just a bit of foolhardiness all at the same time.

[MsSmallthings]

@Bestmanme08 You're probably right, but many years ago I charmed a luncheon of very rich American bankers' wives with my vast knowledge of American history, all of which comes from my being totally conversant with the musical 1776. It doesn't matter if the truth cut corners, it is a piece I can imagine stirs up patriotism in the USA. Thanks to the American War of Independence the British had to settle Australia, the best thing they ever did.

[candr]

Both Adams and Jefferson died within hours of each other on July4th 1826, 50 years from the supposed signing.

[agatematt]

In the Library of Congress rests the draft copy of The Declaration of Independence as written by Thomas Jefferson but edited by John Adams and Benjamin Franklin --- and boy did Franklin editor. It makes for fabulous reading. The signed copy on parchment is, of course, under thick glass at the National Archives.

[jrs689]

John Hancock, played by Tom Berenger's dad.... or so I believed when I was a kid.

[Bestmanme08]

This movie is inaccurate and rotten as history!

[BrooksOfficial]

This makes me happy(: