1776

1972 • 165 minutes
4.8
32 reviews
68%
Tomatometer
G
Rating
Eligible
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About this movie

The lively and energetic film version of the Broadway musical comedy of the same name. In the days leading up to July 4, 1776, Continental Congressmen John Adams and Benjamin Franklin coerce Thomas Jefferson into writing the Declaration of Independence as a delaying tactic as they try to persuade the American colonies to support a resolution on independence. As George Washington sends depressing messages describing one military disaster after another, the businessmen, landowners and slave holders in Congress all stand in the way of the Declaration, and a single "nay" vote will forever end the question of independence. Large portions of spoken and sung dialog are taken directly from the letters and memoirs of the actual participants. © 1972, renewed 2000, © 2002 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Rating
G

Ratings and reviews

4.8
32 reviews
Tasanee Campbell
June 8, 2020
I gave it 4 instead of 5 because I recognize I have a huge nostalgic factor. Production value can't compete with modern film, but for the day it was doing some complicated shots. It was a play converted to a movie, there are some scenes that still feel stuck to a stage, and has the drag of a musical. It gave me an appreciation of the compermise that had to go into getting our nation off the ground, but also my first realization and introductions to the race issues that still plague our nation.
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Mikaela Bell
January 28, 2019
Hamilton, it's not. While the music is repetitive and devoid of content, and much of the acting overdone, many of the discussions do give an accurate representation of the questions at stake during the summer of 1776. Three stars for being educational.
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Alan Cooper
June 11, 2021
I'm not typically fan of musicals, but this is the best musical that I've ever seen. I'm a huge history and geography buff, so maybe that's influencing my decision—or maybe it's just a masterpiece musical. I was introduced to this movie as a young child in the 80's, as it is my mother's favorite movie.
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