The Adams Chronicles

Disc 1
Chapter I:John Adams, Lawyer
John Adams centers his ambitions on two goals: becoming a lawyer of repute and marrying Abigail Smith. But as his family and profession prosper, taxes from Britain cause tumult in Boston. He embraces the patriotic cause even as he agrees to defend the British soldiers involved in the Boston Massacre.

Chapter II:John Adams, Revolutionary
John returns to Braintree after successfully defending the Redcoats, but Hancock soon lures him back into politics. Elected to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, John struggles with separation from Abigail and the continued reluctance of the colonial delegates to declare independence from Britain.

Chapter III:John Adams, Diplomat
Serving as a diplomat in France with Benjamin Franklin, Adams earns a reputation for rudeness while Franklin becomes a beloved celebrity. He splits with Franklin and decamps to Holland, where he meets with greater success. Adams helps negotiate the Treaty of Paris, ending the war.

Chapter IV:John Adams, Minister to Great Britain
After nearly five years of separation, John’s family joins him in Great Britain, where he has been appointed America’s first ambassador. Adams lobbies fruitlessly to improve trade relations with Britain before finally returning to America.

Disc 2
Chapter V:John Adams, Vice President
While Adams acts as America’s first vice president, the nation becomes embroiled in the war between France and Britain. As the government fractures into political parties led by Jefferson and Hamilton, Adams finds himself opposing his longtime friend.

Chapter VI:John Adams, President
War rages in Europe and warring factions threaten Adams’s presidency. He feuds with Jefferson, his Cabinet is under Hamilton’s sway, and the public clamors for a war with France that the country cannot afford. Adams walks a diplomatic tightrope that saves the nation from war but costs him a second term.

Chapter VII:John Quincy Adams, Diplomat
Reserved and cool-headed, John Quincy Adams bears little resemblance to his father except in his political prowess. After spending years as ambassador to Russia, he becomes an instrumental force in brokering the Treaty of Ghent ending the War of 1812.

Disc 3
Chapter VIII:John Quincy Adams, Secretary of State
As Secretary of State, Adams expands U.S. territory to the Pacific and drafts the Monroe Doctrine. But when the next election yields no outright winner, rumors abound that he made a deal with Clay to secure the presidency. Meanwhile, his sons George and John fall in love with the same woman.

Chapter IX:John Quincy Adams, President
Hampered by negative press from Jackson’s camp, Adams’s single term is marked by frustrated efforts to institute national improvements. His personal life also suffers, with the family in debt, his sons at odds, and his wife increasingly estranged, culminating in the mysterious death of his eldest son.

Chapter X:John Quincy Adams, Congressman
Adams wins a seat in the House, where he serves with more success than he had as president. During his 17 years in office, "Old Man Eloquent" introduces anti-slavery legislation, advocates for the Amistad defendants, and tirelessly protects civil liberties.

Disc 4
Chapter XI:Charles Francis Adams, Minister to Great Britain
On the eve of the Civil War, Charles Francis Adams becomes the third generation in the Adams family to be appointed minister to Great Britain. While two of his sons fight on the battlefields, he strives to ensure that Britain does not assist the Confederacy.

Chapter XII:Henry Adams, Historian
The sons of Charles Francis Adams endeavor to make their own marks on the world. Henry becomes a noted historian, first as a professor and then as the author of several books. He marries Marian "Clover" Hooper, a vivacious and keenly intelligent woman whose devotion to her father proves her undoing.

Chapter XIII:Charles Francis Adams II, IndustrialistWhile his brother Henry travels the world, Charles Francis II takes charge of the Union Pacific Railroad. Envisioning a national railway, he expands the business almost to the breaking point. Quarrying in Quincy ruins its appeal for the Adamses, who leave the town that has been home to the family for 200 years.

• 12-page program guide featuring articles by C. James Taylor, editor in chief of the Adams Papers, and Neil Horstman, president of the White House Historical Association.

Packaging: Boxed set
Run Time: 13 hours
Format: Full screen
Number of discs: 4
Language: English
Subtitles: N/A
Color or B&W: Color
CC: Yes
SDH: No
Region Code: 1
Aspect Ratio: 4:3
Rating: N/A

"American TV at its best"—The New York Times

"Splendid"—The Washington Post

"Performances are exemplary"—Exclusive Magazine

"I can unreservedly recommend this Acorn Media set to any interested viewer."—Pioneer Press Newspapers(Chicago)

"3½ Stars"—Creative Screenwriting / CS Daily

"An interesting and well-acted look at some fascinating characters"—Los Angeles Daily News

"A classy, intelligent drama all the way"—Wilmington on DVD

"A rich opera of human endeavor and failings"—The Star-Ledger

"Presents a fascinating historical arc"—Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"An overflowing entertainment"—Playbill.com

"The earlier production still has engaging vitality."—Home Theater Sound

"As good as the recent "Adams" is, its older and less polished predecessor has just as much to offer."—Tulsa World

" holds up remarkably well today, filled with wonderful performances by half-forgotten stage actors and distinguished by writing that's more literate and historically realistic than the HBO series."—Tulsa World

Director’s Guild of America Award Nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Dramatic Series’ – Night (James Cellan Jones, 1977)

Emmy Award Winner for Lead Actress for a Single Appearance in a Drama or Comedy Series (Kathryn Walker, 1976)

Emmy Award Winner for Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series (1976)

Emmy Award Winner for Outstanding Achievement in Technical Direction and Electronic Camerawork (1976)

Emmy Award Winner for Outstanding Achievement in Video Tape Editing for a Series (1976)

Emmy Award Nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design for a Drama or Comedy Series (1977)

Emmy Award Nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Direction (two), (1977)

Emmy Award Nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Tape Sound Mixing (1977)

Emmy Award Nomination for Outstanding Art Direction or Scenic Design for a Drama Series (1977)

Emmy Award Nomination for Directing in a Drama Series (Fred Coe, 1977)

Emmy Award Nomination for Outstanding Limited Series (1977)

Emmy Award Nomination for Writing in a Drama Series (two), (1977)

Emmy Award Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series (George Grizzard, 1976)

Emmy Award Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress for a Single Appearance in a Drama or Comedy Series (Pamela Payton-Wright, 1976)

Emmy Award Nomination for Outstanding Limited Series (1976)

Emmy Award Nomination for Achievement in Art Design or Scenic Design – Single Episode of a Comedy, Drama or Limited Series (1976)

Emmy Award Nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design for a Drama or Comedy Series (1976)

Emmy Award Nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Graphic Design and Title Sequences (1976)

Emmy Award Nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Direction (1976)