The Adams Chronicles is a thirteen-episode miniseries by PBS that aired in 1976 to commemorate the American Bicentennial.
Synopsis
The series chronicles the story of the Adams political family over a 150-year span, including John Adams (signer of the Declaration, accomplished diplomat, and the 2nd President), his wife Abigail Adams, his son John Quincy Adams (acclaimed Secretary of State, the 6th President, and prominent abolitionist Congressman), grandson Charles Francis Adams, congressman and ambassador to Great Britain during the Civil War, and much-heralded members of the fourth generation Henry Brooks Adams, the historian and author of the novel Democracy, and Charles Francis Adams II, the industrialist.
The most prominent role in the series is John Adams, played by United States Declaration of Independence. As a result of his achievements during the revolution, and afterwards as vice president and president, subsequent Adams generations have a hard time dealing with this legacy of public service and accomplishment and frequently wonder if they are measuring up to their distinguished ancestry. In the end, the members of the fourth generation feel that the time in which the Adams family can play a prominent role in the affairs of the nation has passed.
Episode list
Chapter I: John Adams, Lawyer
Chapter II: John Adams, Revolutionary
Chapter III: John Adams, Diplomat
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John Adams and his temperament find little diplomatic success in France, where Franklin is widely appreciated. However Adams negotiates a large loan in the Netherlands. John Quincy Adams is dispatched to Russia as a diplomat's secretary due to his great facility for languages. Adams concludes the Treaty of Paris.
Chapter IV: John Adams, Minister to Great Britain
Chapter V: John Adams, Vice President
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With Gen. Washington as President, Adams becomes Vice-President and head of the Senate. When Jefferson's Republicans and Hamilton's Federalists have strongly conflicting views over the French Revolutionary war, Adams finds himself in the middle. Adams is elected second President of the United States.
Chapter VI: John Adams, President
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Increasingly exasperating relations with France lead to the XYZ Affair, then the Quasi-War.
Chapter VII: John Quincy Adams, Diplomat
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In Ghent, Adams and his delegation struggle to negotiate an end to the War of 1812.
Chapter VIII: John Quincy Adams, Secretary of State
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During the Seminole War, the executions of Arbuthnot and Ambrister in Spanish Florida create a diplomatic incident. The United States and Britain consider whether to make a joint statement on the wars in South America, but this evolves into the Monroe Doctrine. In the presidential election, Henry Clay is the kingmaker. Adams becomes sixth President.
Chapter IX: John Quincy Adams, President
Chapter X: John Quincy Adams, Congressman
Chapter XI: Charles Francis Adams, Minister to Great Britain
Chapter XII: Henry Adams, Historian
Chapter XIII: Charles Francis Adams II, Industrialist
Cast
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Adams family
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U.S. politicians
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British dignitaries, politicians, others
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Foreign dignitaries, politicians, others
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Other Americans
Soundtrack
Awards received
The Adams Chronicles won a number of Emmy Awards for television excellence. These included:
Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design for a Drama or Comedy Series – 1977
The Adams Chronicles – PBS – Alvin Colt, Costume Designer
Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Direction – 1977
The Adams Chronicles – PBS – George Riesenberger, Lighting Director
Outstanding Achievement in Tape Sound Mixing – 1977
The Adams Chronicles – PBS – Emil Neroda, Sound Mixer
Outstanding Art Direction or Scenic Design for a Drama Series – 1977
The Adams Chronicles – PBS – Ed Wittstein, Production Designer
Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series – 1977
The Adams Chronicles – PBS – Fred Coe, Director
Outstanding Limited Series – 1977
The Adams Chronicles – PBS – James Cellan-Jones, Producer; Fred Coe, Producer; Robert Costello, Coordinating Producer; Virginia Kassel, Series Producer; Jac Venza, Executive Producer
Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series – 1977
The Adams Chronicles – PBS – Tad Mosel, Writer The Adams Chronicles – PBS – Roger O. Hirson, Writer
Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction or Scenic Design – 1976
The Adams Chronicles – PBS – Ed Wittstein, Art Director
Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design for a Drama Series – 1976
The Adams Chronicles – PBS – Alvin Colt, Costume Designer
Outstanding Achievement in Graphic Design and Title – 1976
The Adams Chronicles – PBS – Girish Bhargava, Graphic Design; Bill Mandel, Graphic Design
Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Direction – 1976
The Adams Chronicles – PBS – Billy Knight, Lighting Director; Dick Weiss, Lighting Director
Outstanding Achievement in Technical Direction – 1976
The Adams Chronicles – PBS – Leonard Chumbley, Technical Director; Walter Edel, Cameraman; John Feher, Cameraman; Steve Zink, Cameraman
Outstanding Achievement in Video Tape Editing for a Series – 1976
The Adams Chronicles – PBS – Girish Bhargava, Editor; Manford Schorn, Editor
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series – 1976
The Adams Chronicles – PBS – George Grizzard
Outstanding Lead Actress for a Single Performance – 1976
The Adams Chronicles – PBS – Kathryn Walker The Adams Chronicles – PBS – Pamela Payton-Wright
Outstanding Limited Series – 1976
The Adams Chronicles – PBS – Paul Bogart, Producer; Fred Coe, Producer; Robert Costello, Producer; James Cellan Jones, Producer; Virginia Kassel, Series Producer; Jac Venza, Executive Producer
Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series – 1976
The Adams Chronicles – PBS – Sherman Yellen, Writer
Pronunciation note
The series uses the historically correct pronunciation /ˈkwɪnzi/ for Quincy, rather than the more common /ˈkwɪnsi/. (See relevant discussion here.)
DVD release
The Adams Chronicles series was released on DVD by Acorn Media on May 13, 2008.
External links
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