1776

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 9:34pm

I rented the movie the other day and I have to say that it is pretty good. It was a lot better than I thought it would be. But, my main problem is with the music itself. The actual story/play portion was very interesting and hillarious. The music to me was just horrible. I really wish it was done just as a straight play.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 9:37pm

I think the campy music is part, if not most, of the charm.

I do think the musical features several genuinely great numbers, though, such as Momma, Look Sharp, Is Anybody There?, and Molasses to Rum. Cullum's Molasses to Rum is no doubt the definitive version. Updated On: 7/19/06 at 09:37 PM

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 9:41pm

I just rented it again today and I fast forward through all the songs. My wife wanted to see it, and she heard the first song and said, "Ugh, this is horrible" but like me, she loves the actual "story" part (we are both history buffs). I am just saying that the "story" is mainly serious with the occassional funny line, but the music is really corny and campy and I think it dampers the movie a little.

[harris007]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 9:42pm

has lost worlds of respect for spider

[jasonf]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 9:43pm

Wow, I couldn't disagree with you more. Do a search for all those 1776 threads that were going a couple of weeks ago - and you'll see all the praise for the movie/show...

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 9:43pm

um . . . ok! <---- is directed at Harris.

Updated On: 7/19/06 at 09:43 PM

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 9:44pm

This is just my opinion . . . if you like the music then more power to you! I think if I actually saw the musical on stage, it would be different. A lot of times during the singing (in the movie), people were severely off pitch, which could be why I don't like the music. **shrugs shoulders**

Updated On: 7/19/06 at 09:44 PM

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 9:47pm

I think the show would seem a bit trite if one were to simply remove the music. If 1776 were to be done as a straight play, the jokes would have to be replaced with, well, better jokes, as the corny jokes compliment the campy songs, and some of the plot elements would have to be altered or removed.

Like you, I love history, especially American history. However, I feel that if I want to watch a chronicle of revolutionary times, I'd watch a documentary. 1776, to me, is a great combination of lighthearted fun and history. It's definitely not for everyone, though.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 9:49pm

"It's definitely not for everyone, though"

Like I said, I love the actual "story" part, just not a big fan of the songs. I respect it for what it is and will eventually buy it.

[HOUFlip04]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 9:54pm

This is funny! I'm doing this show right now. I think the songs compliment the show. If it was done as a straight play, I think it would be very boring. There is a lot of history being spewed in the show.

Also, the voices you are probably talking about is William Daniels playing Adams. And it was the late 60's - early 70's and a lot of singers sang off key back then.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 9:59pm

Daniels definitely doesn't have much of a voice (a singing voice, that is -- the man's speaking voice is marvelous), but you can feel the passion dripping from every single word. Brilliant, brilliant performance.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 10:00pm

I agree. I think everyone was magnificent in their roles (especially the guy that played Benjamin Franklin).

[HOUFlip04]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 10:02pm

yes, I agree, siamese dream! I love Williams Daniels. His "Is Anybody There?" is riveting to me!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 10:06pm

yes, I agree, siamese dream! I love Williams Daniels. His "Is Anybody There?" is riveting to me!

It's my favorite moment in the show. He was apparently just as riveting on stage in the role as the film. This isn't going to sound especially intriguing as I can't remember all of the details, but I remember reading a personal account of someone who saw the OBC of 1776. He mentioned that he caught Daniels's gaze during Is Anybody There? and that very look was the key inspiration for his decision to serve the US years later. Granted, I'm very much opposed to the war and most military action in general, but a look that haunting and inspiring has to count for something.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 10:32pm

I think that a few of the songs are a bit weak- especially the opening number, but I have a few doubts about fully considering your opinion since you say the movie is a serious one. The whole point of it as a comedy! It has dramatic moments, (ie- M to Rum) but, the overall tone is humorous.

[Marguerite Chauvelin]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 10:33pm

*Sigh* I wish great actors could still come above good singers in today's musicals. I think back then, the issue focused less on lyricism and more on the character portrayed. That's one of the charms I find in older musicals. William Daniels and Howard Da Silvia can be perfectly brilliant because even as they sing the character speaks through them.

(Sorry to ramble stupidly).

[Katurian2]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 10:37pm

Marguerite- I totally agree! That is not stupid rambling. Singing today has lost emotion and become merely about power and too much about quality. Idina can blow the roof off a building belting, but I fins she plays many of her characters the same way through her voice production.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 10:39pm

I disagree. While watching the movie, I never saw it as a "comedy." I think it is serious subject matter with comedy sprinkled throughout! Again, this is an interpretation.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 10:43pm

Yes, I can see your interpretation of it being true. One of my old history teachers worshipped that movie- and showed it to classes each year as a lesson. But, I find the portrayal of our founding fathers as sex-starved, bumbling idiots quite funny.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 10:55pm

Well, I don't know about the others, but Benjamin Franklin was pretty much like how he is in the movie. Have you read his autobiography? It is hillarious and parts and he was a womanizer (sp?).

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 11:02pm

Franklin was definitely a womanizer. It caused Adams to lose some respect for him, actually.

However, Jefferson wasn't as sex-starved as he's presented in the musical (at least not openly so!). He never truly left Philly to meet with his wife, although it's rumored Adams sent for Martha.

[JohnBoy2]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 11:07pm

It is my 3rd favorite film musical. I adore the score.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 7/19/06 at 11:49pm

Yes, I have read portions of Ben Franklin's autobiography. I know he was just like his character- but it is not a side of him you usually hear about in common history books.

[philcrosby]

Posted: 7/20/06 at 8:34am

What's truly amazing about this work is how historically accurate it is (within the bounds of dramatic license). Years ago when the script was published, the authors included details about the history behind the play. For example, most of "Yours, Yours, Yours" comes directly from John and Abigail's correspondence.

It also amazes me how much suspense the show builds when we all know how it ends.

[MCfan2]

Posted: 7/20/06 at 8:56am

"Campy" is the last word I'd have thought of to describe the music. It's unusual, sure, but the whole musical is unusual in subject, form, etc., so it fits. When I think "campy" I think "hokey, exaggerated, artificial" (someone stop me if I'm wrong). With all the passion and sincerity that goes into those songs, both the construction and the performance, I don't see anything campy there at all.