Who says TV doesn\u2019t make history thought-provokingly exciting? (A-)\u201d<\/p>\n
– Entertainment Weekly<\/em>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n HBO VIDEO PRESENTS THE <\/strong>EPIC<\/strong> TV MINISERIES ADAPTATION OF DAVID McCULLOUGH\u2019S BEST-SELLING, PULITZER PRIZE WINNING BIOGRAPHY, FROM <\/strong>TOM<\/strong> HANKS <\/strong>AND<\/strong> GARY GOETZMAN, THE <\/strong>TEAM<\/strong> BEHIND <\/strong><\/p>\n \u2018BAND OF BROTHERS\u2019 \u2013 ON <\/strong>DVD<\/strong> SEPTEMBER 29TH<\/sup>\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The Critically-Acclaimed Event Starring Academy Award\u00ae Nominees Paul Giamatti<\/strong> and\u00a0 <\/span>Laura Linney<\/span><\/strong>, and Directed by Emmy Award\u00ae Winner Tom Hooper (Elizabeth I<\/em>), <\/span><\/p>\n Debuts on <\/span>DVD<\/span> <\/span>as<\/span> a 3-Volume Set<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Bonus Features Include the Documentary \u201cDavid McCullough: Painting With Words,\u201d a \u201cMaking of\u201d Featurette and an On-Screen \u201cPop-Up\u201d Historical Guide<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Executive producers Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman (Band of Brothers<\/em>) present the epic seven-part miniseries JOHN ADAMS.\u00a0 Now the \u201cspectacular\u201d New York Post<\/span> production based on David McCullough\u2019s best-selling, Pulitzer Prize winning biography, is available to own as an exceptional, bonus-laden DVD set from HBO Video. Starring Paul Giamatti (Sideways<\/em>, American Splendor<\/em>) and Laura Linney (The Savages<\/em>, Breach<\/em>), JOHN ADAMS explores American history through one of its greatest founding fathers, set against the backdrop of a nation\u2019s stormy birth.\u00a0 The JOHN ADAMS three-disc DVD set boasts over an hour of bonus features including the complete seven-part miniseries, a fascinating David McCullough documentary, and a behind-the-scenes featurette.\u00a0 In addition, all three discs include an on-screen historical guide, providing historically relevant information available throughout each episode.\u00a0 JOHN ADAMS will be available on DVD 29 September 2010 for $39.95RRP.<\/p>\n JOHN ADAMS marks the second HBO miniseries co-executive produced by Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman, the team behind multiple award-winning, critically-acclaimed Band of Brothers<\/em>.\u00a0 The miniseries was adapted from John Adams<\/em>, the Pulitzer Prize winning book by American historian and \u201cmaster of the art of narrative history,\u201d David McCullough (The Path Between the Se<\/em>as<\/em>, Truman<\/em>, 1776<\/em>). \u00a0The New York Review of Books<\/span> called John Adams \u201cby far the best biography of Adams ever written,\u201d and readers agreed; the biography spent over 60 weeks on the New York Times<\/span> best-seller list and sold millions of copies.\u00a0<\/p>\n Along with Academy\u00ae Award nominees Giamatti and Linney, JOHN ADAMS features an impressive cast of award winning actors.\u00a0 Stephen Dillane (The Hours<\/em>, King Arthur<\/em>) plays Declaration of Independence author and third U.S. president, Thomas Jefferson, two-time Academy Award nominee Tom Wilkinson (Michael Clayton<\/em>, In the Bedroom<\/em>) plays fellow<\/p>\n founding father and inventor Benjamin Franklin, and recent Emmy\u00ae nominee David Morse (\u201cHouse\u201d, Disturbia<\/em>) plays a spot-on Continental Army general and first president, George Washington.\u00a0 JOHN ADAMS was directed by Emmy award winner Tom Hooper (Elizabeth I<\/em>) whose previous HBO Films feature, Longford<\/em>, was the recipient of three Golden Globe Awards, including Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television.<\/p>\n JOHN ADAMS, told through the eyes of Adams and his wife Abigail, is an intimate portrait that taps into the uncertainty and intensity surrounding the birth of the American republic and its first 50 years. \u00a0A farmer and lawyer, Adams struggled to find the delicate balance between his love for his family and his passion for his country as he rose to a leadership position in newly created Continental Congress, and became the driving force in uniting the original 13 colonies in their declaration of independence from Great Britain.\u00a0 Adams was the nation\u2019s first ambassador to Holland and to the English court of King George III, the first American vice president, the second American president and the father of the sixth American president, John Quincy Adams.<\/p>\n JOHN ADAMS also explores the well-documented relationship between John and Abigail Adams.\u00a0 Married for 54 years, their lifetime together is regarded as one of the greatest love stories and partnerships of American history.\u00a0 Abigail was not only John\u2019s closest confidant, she was his sounding board, muse, most indispensable advisor, and spoke the truth about his weaknesses.\u00a0 In addition, as a proponent of the rights of women and someone who openly criticised slavery, Abigail\u2019s views on politics were sought out and respected by many of the leaders of the newly-formed country.<\/p>\n At a time when America finds itself increasingly polarised politically, JOHN ADAMS celebrates those who joined together because of a shared belief in personal liberty and the dream of creating a nation committed to those values.\u00a0 In particular JOHN ADAMS celebrates the man and the woman whose tireless dedication, impassioned discourse and immense fortitude helped guide the United States through its infancy.<\/p>\n Episodes:<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Part One \u2013 Disc 1<\/em><\/p>\n The epic story of JOHN ADAMS begins in 1770 Boston, as Adams takes on his first high profile court case defending accused British soldiers caught up in the deadly street confrontation known as the Boston Massacre.\u00a0 A loyal colonist, Adams earns a reputation for his ability to be unbiased and fair by taking an unpopular stand, and winning the case.\u00a0 He is soon invited to Philadelphia to be a part of the first Colonial Congress, representing Massachusetts.\u00a0<\/p>\n Part Two \u2013 Disc 1<\/em><\/p>\n In Congress, Adams\u2019 strong opinions and oratory skills earn him a leadership role among the colonial representatives who yearn for independence from mother Britain.\u00a0 With the oppressive British navy just outside the New York harbour, and a proclamation in hand from King George III threatening death to all colonial rebels, an agreement is made to officially declare the independence of all 13 \u201cstates\u201d from English rule.\u00a0<\/p>\n Part Three \u2013 Disc 2<\/em><\/p>\n In 1977, Adams is appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to France, where he must persuade French officials to continue their support of America\u2019s war efforts.\u00a0 He next visits Holland to solicit funds, but falls victim to a long illness and fever, helpless to further advance the revolution he helped spawn.<\/p>\n Part Four \u2013 Disc 2<\/em><\/p>\n As he convalesces in Holland, Adams learns of the British surrender to Washington at Yorktown, and the Dutch, unwilling to part with their money during war-time, generously open their purses eager to begin commerce with an independent America.\u00a0 Adams travels back to France to secure commerce with other nations, and Abigail joins her husband in Paris where they luxuriate in the city\u2019s intoxicating lifestyle.\u00a0 Adams is next sent to London as the first Ambassador to Britain, but returns to Boston, reuniting with his family as the new federal government is about to be elected.<\/p>\n Part Five \u2013 Disc 2<\/em><\/p>\n Adams is elected America\u2019s first vice president in 1789, and once again must put his private life on hold.\u00a0 Though he\u2019s vilified for casting an unpopular swing vote in the Senate that ratifies a new treaty with Britain, Adams wins the presidential election in 1797, a mere three votes over Jefferson.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Part Six \u2013 Disc 3<\/em><\/p>\n As president, Adams holds firm on keeping the nation out of war, despite the French aggression and pro-war sentiment among his advisors.\u00a0 Meanwhile, Adams faces a crisis at home when he disowns his alcoholic son Charles: when Charles later dies, Abigail pleads to her husband to make peace with their son\u2019s memory, but Adams refuses and a disappointed Abigail returns to the family home in Massachusetts.\u00a0 The president is vindicated as peace is brokered with Napoleon, but loses the third presidential election to Jefferson.\u00a0 Drained by politics and family tragedy, Adams leaves the new capital, Washington City, and the still unfinished White House.<\/p>\n Part Seven \u2013 Disc 3<\/em><\/p>\n In 1801, John Adams retires and begins writing his memoirs.\u00a0 Family tragedy strikes again with the death of his daughter Nabby, and then his beloved Abigail.\u00a0 On July 4, 1826, having lived to see his son John Quincy become president, 90 year old John Adams dies on the 50 anniversary of the ratification of the Declaration of Independence, and coincidently, the very same day as Thomas Jefferson.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Special Features:<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Rating:<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n TBC<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Approx Runtime:<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n 482 mins<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Who says TV doesn\u2019t make history thought-provokingly exciting? (A-)\u201d – Entertainment Weekly\u00a0 HBO VIDEO PRESENTS THE EPIC TV MINISERIES ADAPTATION OF DAVID McCULLOUGH\u2019S BEST-SELLING, PULITZER PRIZE WINNING BIOGRAPHY, FROM TOM HANKS AND GARY GOETZMAN, THE TEAM BEHIND \u2018BAND OF BROTHERS\u2019 \u2013 ON DVD SEPTEMBER 29TH\u00a0\u00a0 The Critically-Acclaimed Event Starring Academy Award\u00ae Nominees Paul Giamatti and\u00a0<\/p>\n\n