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 Holds up well after more than three decades. Mar 14, 2010
I loved "The Adams Chronicles" when it first aired on PBS in 1976, and I'm delighted to see how well it holds up after nearly 35 years. People who saw HBO's "John Adams" and expect "The Adams Chronicles" to be a carbon copy will be disappointed in the earlier miniseries' staginess, borne of its low budget. But it's the history in "The Adams Chronicles," and the vigor and passion with which it is presented, that make it exceptional. The scripts and dialogue make the historical issues crystal-clear, and also make it plain why they mattered. The dry lessons from our high-school history classes--the XYZ Affair, the election of 1824, the Slidell-Mason scandal--come urgently to life in this miniseries, making it a must-see for any history buff.
I appreciated the scope of "The Adams Chronicles," which takes the story of the Adamses beyond the usual presentations of John and John Quincy to their children and grandchildren--diplomat Charles Francis, railroad magnate Charles Francis II, and historian-novelist Henry. Some viewers may feel a letdown in the series' last few episodes, which have inherently less drama than the stories of John and John Quincy. But those episodes also have their fascination, showing show how the Puritan rectitude and noblesse oblige of the Adamses became steadily less influential as America became a nation of immigrants. "Do you know Sean O'Hara, Mr. Adams?" one character asks Charles Francis II in the last episode. "I know Sean O'Hara, and his vote counts just as much as yours."
While I am second to none in my admiration of the performances of Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney in "John Adams," the performances of George Grizzard and Kathryn Walker as John and Abigail are in their own way just as fine (Walker took home an Emmy, and Grizzard should have). I also loved the performance of William Daniels as John Quincy, particularly in John Quincy's last years as he became a fiery antislavery advocate in Congress and before the Supreme Court. It's also fun to see the familiar faces (John Houseman, Nancy Marchand, James Broderick) in small roles. Occasionally a supporting performance is less than effective (Tom Hulce as a law student comes to mind), but that is negligible. While you should turn to "John Adams" for greater dramatic sweep and better production values, "The Adams Chronicles" stands tall as a loving, often thrilling recreation of American history.
 Great American history Jan 24, 2010
I watched The Adams Chronicles when it was on PBS and enjoyed it very much. Now I am enjoying it even more.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Fascinating History Dec 29, 2009
I first saw "The Adams Chronicles" when it was originally aired on PBS. When it was released on DVD I purchased it. I thought I might use it in my Social Studies classes. The information - for people who LOVE history - is great. For today's high school audiences it is a bit dated and slow moving, but I thoroughly enjoyed it - again. The reader, as always must remember who is writing and if they are trying to send a message. Much of Adams' writing tends to put a positive spin on them and their thinking, but understanding that, the brilliant minds of both John and John Quincy easily shine through. This documentary, although not as insightful as Ellis's book on the John Adams, in it's own way helped to revive the reputation of a man lost in the shadow of Thomas Jefferson, just as he feared would happen. Great for the entire family old enough to understand the complex issues surrounding the Revolution and the founding of our nation.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Better than HBO's John Adams and Much More Sep 13, 2009
I enjoyed this series when it first aired on PBS and it is even better seeing it again in comparison to HBO's John Adams. While the HBO John Adams may have more elaborate sets and provides some interesting period details, such as how the Adams family got inoculated for smallpox, the savagery of tar and feathering, and John Adams' deteriorating teeth in old age, the Adams Chronicles brings to life the history and significance that 4 generations of the Adams family played in American History.
With superb acting from George Grizzard and Kathyrn Walker as John and Abigail Adams, William Daniels and David Birney as John Quincy Adams and strong supporting actors, such as John Houseman, the Adams Chronicles depicts the significance that the Adamses played in our country's history over some 150 years. The Adams Chronicles is also largely faithful to the historically significant events, going past where John Adams left off. A few episodes of John Adams are ones I would not be comfortable watching with my elementary school kids, nor ones I necessarily would want to watch again myself - the extended scene of John and Abigail's daughter Nabby's breast surgery in the last episode of the HBO series was uncalled for in comparison with what should have been a more extended portrayal of the historically significant correspondence and perspectives on the founding of the young nation that John Adams and Thomas Jefferson resumed in retirement for some 15 years, culminating in their deaths on the same day, the 50th July 4th anniversary. The HBO series also strayed a bit with some of the historic facts. For example, for some reason, it portrayed Nabby and Colonel Smith as marrying after John Adams was vice president and the Adamses were all reunited in America. In reality, they married two years earlier in England and already were parents with John and Abigail's first grandchild born a year before John and Abigail returned to the US. However, one episode of John Adams that is superior to that of the Adams Chronicles is the second episode on the events of 1776 leading to the declaration, portrayed in more detail and dramatic effect, if not with the spirited singing of the musical, 1776.
In contrast, I would highly recommend the Adams Chronicles for anyone who enjoys great acting, intelligent dialogue and writing, and a perspective on significant events in US history. The episodes on John Quincy Adams and his descendants were also dramatic and a good perspective on 19th century US history. The episode on John Quincy Adams' abolitionist efforts in Congress and his defense of slaves before the Supreme Court, for example, provided a perspective on another outstanding episode in history. This is a good complement to the movie, Amistad, which was an excellent drama as depicted by Anthony Hopkins.
In short, my family has enjoyed watching repeat episodes of the Adams Chronicles, and anyone interested in 18th and 19th century US history would enjoy this series.
1 of 3 found the following review helpful:
 The Adams Family Aug 29, 2009
Too much talking and talking and talking. Too many speaches and too wordy. It does not compare with the DVD titled "John Adams", which I enjoyed from start to finish. This DVD does not explain some of the historic scenes in detail. It shows some of the scenes, but does not explain how it happened in detail. If you are not paying attention one could fall asleep.
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