The Adams Chronicles

I bought my copy back in 2009 or 2010 I would say; 4 DVD's, from amazon; recently made it to Quincy, the first 3 disks are very interesting and were obviously a back-bone and were reviewed for the HBO Adam's mini-series; many things are factually different when we first watched, the Adam's Chronicles is more accurate depiction of John and JQA. the later un-explored years of the Adam's family is unique, to my knowledge no other documentary exists beyond the lives of the original John and John Quincy Adams. One must also note and mention HENRY ADAMS who came to the shores of America within 50 years of Columbus landing here with 8 SONS, yes 8 sons, from Great Britain and founded co-founded or founded Quincy. I visited his grave site in Hancock Cemetery in the Center of Quincy. Amazing. What disappointed me is that the houses are surrounded by suburbs, I thought there would be vast farmlands, nope, it's all city. Very nice city. The town is pleasant and I encourage people that visit to stay close. May as well. We went to Boston for as much to visit Quincy, the old houses, Braintree, the presidential tombs, Abigal's birthplace and house, Hancock Cemetery and each great Italian. There is a GREAT Italian restaurant right down the street from the old houses. If's Magnificent! You must visit Alfredo's only a block up the street! You can buy tour tickets for the house downtown, and take their trolly's to do the escorted tours of the house, then go back and do pictures and have great Italian. It's worthwhile. First ever trip to Boston and we spent at least 50% of the time in Quincy.

The Boston Musiunm of Fine Arts has an excellent collection of George Washington and Adam's family portraits. Tickets are expensive BUT good for return visit. I think we could have gone back several times. The museum is superior to any other I've seen in the states and rivals anything I've seen in 3 European Country.

After so many years since the release of the ADAMS CHRONICLES I would like to thank PBS and WNET for this production. Grab your copy of this DVD collection on amazon if you can!!!!!!!!

This Mini is by far one of the best to be produced by PBS. Its success was helped largely in part by the fact that it came out during the bicentennial year, but even had that not been the case it still would have done well. I certainly made me interested in American History, and I am sure that it probably inspired others as well.

The cast is populated by several well known Broadway and television actors (including William Daniels who does a turn this time as John Quincy rather than the role he created in "1776"), and the majority of the performances are outstanding, particularly George Grizzard, Kathryn Walker, and Pamela Payton-Wright. If you every get a chance to see this mini...DO!

I saw the series when first televised on PBS (in the days before affordable VCR's) To my knowledge it has been televised one or twice since and I missed a few episodes each time. I really wish PBS would televise it again or at least offer it for sale. This is the best mini series on the beginning of America as an independent nation that has ever been made. It would be a success in any year, 1976 or 2076. I would like to purchase the series on vhs if it were available however, the copyright owner could make a fortune by remastering the sound/video for sale on DVD

For those of us who fondly remember the bicentennial celebrations that took place in 1976, will probably also remember watching the 13 episodes of Adams Chronicles.

They followed the British miniseries format by using actors who had done stage work, lavish costumes, studio sets and exterior shots at locations that fit the scene.

The story revolves around John and Abigail Adams in the first five episodes; their son and his wife John Quincy and Louisa Catherine in four episodes; and grandson Charles Frances and both of his sons Henry and Brooke each have an episode.

John Adams was an important figure in the founding of our country, but he got lost in the shuffle because he was outshone by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, and even his cousin Sam Adams. But his contributions may have even been greater because he got financial help from Holland during the latter part of the Revolution; helped Jefferson write the Declaration of Independence; through the groaning of Congress set up protocol such as how to address the President; and kept us out of war when everyone was screaming to get involved in the European mess in the final two years of the 18th century.

John's son and grandson also played important roles in helping this country to become the power that it became. But one has to remember there is always personal costs when you are in that position.

Fortunately Acorn Media has release the miniseries on DVD and it is a pleasure to see it again after so many years.

It's been a long time (30 years) since one of the best mini-series on American History has been seen, not to mention a bit difficult to remember the details.

The Chronicles, produced for WNET/PBS New York for the 200 year Centennial Celebration is sitting in the station's vault. It has not been made available for re-airing or DVD, so it's difficult to express some of the most memorable moments. Therefore, whatever is said here, won't matter much as concerns your being able to see the program (at least as of this writing). I'd like to give a tiny bit of how it is now perceived via memory.

The program was perhaps most instrumental in inspiring awe for the greatness of our founders. The costumes were meticulous, the acting superb. It made one very proud to be a part of this great American experiment of freedom.

Seeing the portrayal of the life of four generations of this great family, it was John Adams the patriarch, played by George Grizzard that was the best part of the series (perhaps a part of the first six programs?). Please pardon my memory. When this program gets aired again, I hope to be back with an updated and complete review.

You can help bring it back to life by contacting WNET /13 in New York and PBS. Please do so.