1776: The Movie Musical Made For This Holiday Weekend
If you’ve never seen it, it’s worth watching the portrayals of the men who became the Founders of this Nation
1776 may be seen free with ads on YouTube and below:
1776 did something many people might have thought impossible — make a musical out of the events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Even more remarkable, it managed to only mangle the history moderately while doing so.
Written by Peter Stone, and based on his book for the 1969 Broadway musical, the same name, 1776 was directed by Peter H. Hunt. It premiered in theaters on November 17, 1972. It opened to mediocre reviews and had a rather lackluster performance at the box office. However, it acquired something of a following over the years, both from holiday broadcasts and on home media.
Given that Congress met in secret (the windows of Independence Hall were kept closed despite the heat, for fear of spies) and no records were kept, most of the historical information we have about what actually happened during the meetings of the delegates comes from recollections and memoirs. Also, a certain amount of dramatic license was taken by the writer and director, but the general consensus has been that the historical inaccuracies do not significantly affect the general authenticity of the film.
What particularly stands out about 1776 is how well it portrays the conflicts, concerns and fears of the delegates to that first Congress. Indeed, the song "Molasses to Rum to Slaves” lays out the conflict that would later send the nation into Civil War.
Some of the musical numbers are a bit campy, especially when judged by contemporary standards, but the acting of the principals is solid.
As a way of connecting with the Founders as men and not myths, 1776 more than adequately serves that purpose.
If you’d like to go deeper into the history 1776 didn’t quite right — and all the parts it did, I highly recommend 1776 | Based on a True Story by The Cynical Historian:
