Editorial Review
Four generations of a founding family
Winner of four Emmys® and a Peabody, The Adams Chronicles created a sensation when it debuted in 1976. Lauded by contemporary critics as "the best and highest-rated series in the history of American public television," its vitality and historical integrity now prove timeless. This lavish series dramatizes four generations of Adamses and 150 years of American history from the birth of the Revolution through the Gilded Age. You meet John Adams -- passionate revolutionary and second president; John Quincy Adams -- proud son of a famous father and sixth president; Charles Francis Adams -- skillful minister to Great Britain during the Civil War; and Henry and Charles Francis Adams, Jr. -- historian and railroad magnate, respectively.
Going well beyond politics, this television masterpiece portrays these men as husbands, fathers, brothers, and sons, as well as leaders. Based on the family’s personal diaries and correspondence, The Adams Chronicles not only educates as a true historical epic, but also captivates as a fully human family saga.
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Customer Reviews
If you're expecting modern-day production style, you're watching the wrong series! 
2008-05-27
As someone who's enjoyed the series, I was puzzled by some of the recent comments, especially those regarding the production style. Let me preface by saying that, in addition to admiring the excellent cast and the scripts they were given, I find the actual production quality to be fine, at least on par with Masterpiece Theatre programs from the same era such as The First Churchills.
To give some perspective, "The Adams Chronicles" was produced in the mid-70s on a modest budget (even then public TV's budget probably wasn't funded up the level it merited), so expecting anything like the level of gloss apparent on HBO's mini-series is a bit fatuous. One imagines the producers faced a difficult trade-off between a somewhat glossier production or hiring the best writers/actors they could. Happily for viewers, they chose the latter option.
The bottom line is that the series strives to present an epic slice of our country's history in an entertaining way. And, as scenes like those in France between Adams and Jefferson show, it succeeds admirably. Frankly, if you're getting hung up on whether the program looks like it was shot in a TV studio, you're missing something that no production budget can provide for you.
Not what I expected 
2008-05-25
Not too bad when it comes to history and learning about the Adams Family through the years, but it lacks production value and character development. This series is like watching a historical documentary that was written and produced to be an adapted English Romance novel. The first few episodes are marginal and the series goes down hill shortly after. The makers of this series also need a lesson in lighting. Awkward shadows mixed with ultra bright faces takes the viewer our of the 1800s and into a low budget 1970s studio. I would not recommend this to anyone other than a die hard John Adams historian.
disappointing 
2008-05-24
I'd heard much about this 1976 series and purchased it because of the glowing reviews on Amazon.com. In fact, it isn't very good. The TV budget was obviously minimal, and the acting is soap opera quality (everyone seems to shout, as if on stage, and at times you can almost read the script). As for the history, well, a great deal is left out, and one can imagine most people being quite confused. The makeup is the outstanding feature of the series (although the line of the lead's bald spot is sometimes visible), which says too much about this lengthy series. It's wiser to invest the time in McColloch's biography.
We've waited 22 years, PBS! 
2008-05-20
Here was America's answer to the great literary and historical dramas and miniseries from Great Britain in 1976. It aired regularly only twice (multiple airings on different PBS outlets) in 1976 for America's Bicentennial and in 1986 for the centennial of the Statue of Liberty. After that, it was relegated to the vaults with only VHS and Beta copies made from the original broadcasts in the hands of a few collectors. It is a brilliant series, brilliantly acted and directed. The late George Grizzard seemed to be a lock for the Emmy for Best Actor in a Dramatic Series of Miniseries (it was won, and just as deservedly so, by the late Gordon Jackson - Hudson on the BBC's "Upstairs, Downstairs") for his outstanding portrayal of John Adams. William Daniels (who played John Adams on Broadway and in the film version of "1776") reprises his role of eldest son John Quincy Adams after 24 years. (He first played John Quincy in his 1952 television debut, the Hallmark Hall of Fame's presentation of "A Woman of the Ages," a drama about First Lady Abigail Adams.)
In a production painstakingly assembled by Virgina Kassel and coordinating producer Robert Costello ("The Patty Duke Show," "Dark Shadows," "All My Children"), some of the great writers and directors of television's Golden Age came together with many of the finest of the Broadway stage to deliver 150 years of history. The series was taken from, not merely based on, the superlative volume of the same name, and much of the dialog comes from letters, journal writings and diaries from Adams family.
It's a decent transfer from the original tapes to the DVDs, but it was diappointing that the original "collage" openings (showing images from each of the 13 episodes as narrator Michael Tolan said, "Four generations...one family...for one hundred-fifty years their lives are interwoven with American history.") from 1976 with the complete opening music weren't restored and the abbreviated openings from the 1986 rebroadcasts were used. Still, it is extremely satisfying to finally have this remarkable series about one of America's greatest and most historically influential families restored to us in a form where we won't have to wait another 22 years. It's a shame that it wasn't re-introduced while Mr. Grizzard was still alive to see a couple of new generations enjoy and learn from one of his greatest achievements. HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! (Pardon my shouting!)
A True Patriot Family 2008-05-16
This reviews the history of a superlative family in American history, a family that we owe so much to. We tend to forget these days what patriotism truly is all about. This will help remind the viewer.
Better than ever. 2008-07-07
I watched this with my father when it first was on PBS and we both loved it. I can honestly say it is BETTER than I remembered. That is totally surprising since I have wanted this for so many years and you know how anticipation sometimes overtakes reality. I watched the first two episodes of the HBO John Adams and it can't hold a candle (or oil-lamp)to this. Grizzard and Daniels are especially solid, giving two of the best performances ever to be seen on television. PBS would be wise to reprise this series for broadcast. If you don't feel anything about your country, your family and your mortality after watching this then you really don't have any feelings at all.
Worth waiting for! 2008-06-30
I looked for the Adams Chronicles on dvd about a year ago and was excited when it finally was available. The story is very entertaining. It seemed more entertaining than the new Adams video which was still good. I saw parts of the videos since 1976 when it came out but it was good to see it in its enirety. The advantage over the HBO John Adams is that John Quincy Adams' career is featured.
John Navarra
Daytona Beach, Florida
the adams chronicles with george grizzard 1976 2008-06-09
this is such a great chronicle of john adams I cant say enough. George Grizzard stars in 13 episoldes 1976 and it is his tour de force!! so perfectly done, well acted, editing, production supurb. you must not miss it! i have seen all the other films including the new one and they dont compare at all...grizzard died last yr, i wish i could have told him how much this mini series means to me... It is fabulous!!! dont miss it..[...]i have JUST been released in dvd for aroudn 38.00 on amazon.com ive been waiting since 1976 for this!!!
The Adams Chronicles 2008-06-02
I have been looking for this series ever since it was shown on PBS. I found that it has even more appeal now. This is a very good look at our country's beginnings. Every citizen should review this series.
Adams Chronicles 2008-05-31
Great characters of history come across as very human. This helps us understand the motivations and determination that drove one of our most influential founding father & the personal costs that his public life caused.The Adams Chronicles
