1776 (1972): Cast & Plot
1776 is a 1972 historical drama directed by Peter H. Hunt, starring William Daniels as John Adams, Blythe Danner and Howard Da Silva. It runs 2 hours 21 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 21m (141 min)
- Director
- Peter H. Hunt
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Columbia Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is 1776 About?
The premise of 1776 without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
This adaptation brings the award‑winning stage musical to the screen, dramatizing the 1776 Continental Congress in Philadelphia, where delegates work to create a governing framework for the new United States. Benjamin Franklin and John Adams task Thomas Jefferson with drafting a declaration announcing independence from British rule.
1776 Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- declaration of independence
- continental congress
- american revolution
- based on stage musical
- year 1776
- philadelphia pennsylvania
- debate
- fourth of july
- rum
- reference to george washington
- committee
- colonial america
+38 more Show fewer
- year as title
- reference to edmund burke
- reference to crossing the rubicon
- abolitionist
- triangular trade
- minuet
- reference to richard the lionheart
- reference to magna carta
- reference to battle of hastings
- conjugal visit
- benjamin franklin character
- thomas jefferson character
- john adams character
- reference to the liberty bell
- reference to triangular trade
- cosmopolitan
- male protagonist
- independence
- screenplay adapted by author
- based on broadway musical
- 1770s
- portrait painting
- singer
- singing
- song
- actor recreates his stage role
- actress recreates her stage role
- cigarette smoking
- american
- reference to the college of william and mary
- reference to harvard
- dancing
- southern aristocrat
- soldier
- idealism
- birth of a nation scenario
- reference to rhode island
- revolution
1776 Cast & Characters
William Daniels leads the cast as John Adams, with Blythe Danner as Martha Jefferson and Howard Da Silva as Dr. Benjamin Franklin. Directed by Peter H. Hunt; 25 actors are credited in all.
- Director Peter H. Hunt
-
William Daniels as John Adams -
Blythe Danner as Martha Jefferson - Howard Da Silva as Dr. Benjamin Franklin
- Ken Howard as Thomas Jefferson
Also Starring in 1776
· 21 more- Virginia Vestoff Abigail Adams
- Ron Holgate Richard Henry Lee (VA)
- Donald Madden John Dickinson (PA)
- William Hansen Caesar Rodney (DE)
- David Ford Congressional President John Hancock (MA)
- Rex Robbins Roger Sherman (CT)
- John Myhers Robert Livingston
- Patrick Hines Samuel Chase (MD)
- John Cullum Edward Rutledge (SC)
- Emory Bass James Wilson (PA)
- Howard Caine Lewis Morris (NY)
- William Duell Andrew McNair
- James Noble Rev. John Witherspoon (NJ)
- Roy Poole Stephen Hopkins (RI)
- Ray Middleton Col. Thomas McKean (DE)
- Peter Forster Oliver Wolcott (CT)
Show all 25 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Daniel Keyes Dr. Josiah Bartlett (NH)
- Stephen Nathan Courier
- Ralston Hill Charles Thomson
- Leo Leydon George Read (DE)
- Charles Rule Joseph Hewes (NC)
More from Peter H. Hunt
More films directed by Peter H. Hunt: Dead Man’s Island, Secrets, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and It Came Upon the Midnight Clear.
1776 Plot Summary
What happens in 1776 from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
William Daniels as John Adams, representing Massachusetts in the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia, laments the body’s reluctance to debate independence and instead to grind through routine matters. He leans on the steady voice of his wife, Virginia Vestoff as Abigail Adams, for both solace and strategic counsel, knowing that a personal touch could help sway wavering delegates.
Full summary
The whole story of 1776, scene by scene
1776 Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 2 trailers.
- Trailer Official Trailer
How Well Do You Know 1776?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrays John Adams in the film?
Seen 1776?
Movies Like 1776
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Revolution, America and The Declaration of Independence.
1776 FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of 1776, each answered in a sentence.
How long is 1776?
1776 runs 2 hours 21 minutes (141 minutes).
When was 1776 released?
1776 was released on November 9, 1972.
Who directed 1776?
1776 was directed by Peter H. Hunt.
More films by Peter H. Hunt Who is in the cast of 1776?
1776 stars William Daniels as John Adams, Blythe Danner as Martha Jefferson and Howard Da Silva as Dr. Benjamin Franklin, among 25 credited actors.
Does 1776 have a post-credit scene?
No. 1776 has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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