| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Bookworm |
Posted - May 16 2004 : 08:07:02 AM
. . . and all the rest of us who love to read and learn about the American Revolution. The Parade magazine that comes with the Sunday paper reports that the next book by David McCullough, author of that wonderful biography of JOhn Adams and other great books, will be about the first year of the Revolution. |
| 18 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - February 28 2007 : 12:46:44 PM
My goodness! Was this thread really born nearly three years ago? I can't believe how time passes...
Well, I had no clue who any of these people were. I couldn't remember what Merlin looked like in King Arthur, other than bearded. So, I had to go look them up.
Hmmmmm.... I realize that wonders can be done with makeup and wigs. However, I am having a really difficult time picturing any of these people in these roles. None of them even vaguely resemble the people they will portray, in my opinion.
I will be interested to hear others' opinions after viewing the series.
BTW, I did purchase and read "1776" and enjoyed it immensely! I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to learn more about the beginning of the Revolution, and about the amazing person that George Washington was. |
| Bookworm |
Posted - February 27 2007 : 7:49:32 PM
I decided to poke around on the Internet and see what was happening with the Tom Hanks production of "John Adams" as an HBO miniseries. It turns out that a lot is happening! The miniseries is tentatively scheduled for spring of 2008. And standing in for Boston and Braintree will be . . . Colonial Williamsburg! Now, as for the cast, they paid no attention whatsoever to our recommendations, WW. Instead, John Adams will be played by Paul Giamatti, Abigail Adams by Laura Linney, and Thomas Jefferson by Stephen Dillane. Unexpected choices all, but having just seen Paul Giamatti in "The Illusionist," I think he'll do a fine job, and Laura Linney is always good (but blonde!). Stephen Dillane is a British actor who's not a big name here, but I think he'll be excellent -- he was Merlin the warrior-priest in "King Arthur," and quite a compelling figure, I thought. What think ye, Joyce? |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - October 29 2004 : 1:06:19 PM
Thanks, Bookworm! It is definitely on my list! |
| Bookworm |
Posted - October 29 2004 : 07:50:12 AM
According to Amazon.com, "1776" by David McCullough will be released in May of 2005. |
| Bookworm |
Posted - June 21 2004 : 07:32:41 AM
I know -- Robert Duvall as Ben Franklin!!! It's so obvious, I don't know why I didn't think of it before. He was so great as Robert E. Lee in Gods and Generals. That movie would have been greatly improved if he had been given more screen time. |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - June 19 2004 : 4:35:27 PM
Hahaha! Glad I didn't disappoint you, Bookworm.
Russell Crowe. Hmmmmm. I did not see "A Beautiful Mind", so I can't quite picture Russell as John Adams. But you may be right. A little padding here and there, the right makeup and the wig... it just might work. I agree that he certainly has the ability.
I watched the TV movie about Eisenhower and D-day, with Tom Selleck as Ike. Now I'm sorry, but Tom just did not fit that part, in my opinion. I enjoyed the movie from the historical aspect, but even with the haircut, Tom just didn't look enough like Ike. Too big, for one thing. I think he was a poor choice for that part.
Wonder how Tom Hanks would do in the role of John? Wonder if he is considering starring in it as well as producing? I think he is very versatile.
What about Dustin Hoffman? Again, with the proper makeup and wig... perhaps... Although he may be a little old now to play the younger John.
Hmmmm. Who else... |
| Bookworm |
Posted - June 19 2004 : 12:52:11 PM
You may not believe this, WW, but as I typed the description of John Adams as short and pudgy, I thought, "Someone's going to suggest Danny DeVito"! But seriously -- how about Russell Crowe? He's such a great actor that he can give the impression of being hefty and strong (Gladiator, Master and Commander), slight and unassuming (A Beautiful Mind), or anything in between. And I think that Madeleine Stowe would be excellent as Abigail. Everyone here knows how intelligent and strong-willed she can be! And Paul Bettany (A Beautiful Mind, Master and Commander) as Thomas Jefferson -- he and Russell Crowe make good movies together, come to think of it! Might as well bring back Jeff Daniels as George Washington, since he did such a fine job in The Crossing. Then there's Ben Franklin...I'll have to think about that one. This is more fun than "who would you cast in a remake of Casablanca?"!!! (Denzel Washington and Juliette Binoche.) |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - June 17 2004 : 10:04:01 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Bookworm
Yes, John was short and pudgy, so the usual leading men just wouldn't do.
I know! Danny DeVito!
(Just KIDDING!! That would really be beyond imagining, wouldn't it?)
 |
| Bookworm |
Posted - June 16 2004 : 12:29:09 PM
Yes, John was short and pudgy, so the usual leading men just wouldn't do. I don't subscribe to HBO, either (in fact we don't watch TV at all, just use the TV for watching DVDs). Fortunately many of the HBO series end up on video/DVD, so eventually we'd get to see it. (I've seen the first three seasons of the Sopranos, and am looking forward to Deadwood.) |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - June 16 2004 : 12:15:12 PM
That Tom Hanks! He has turned into an amazing fellow.
This series would be great. Unfortunately, I wouldn't be able to see it because we do not subscribe to HBO.
John and Abigail. Hmmmmm... I'm going to have to think about that. Abigail would be fairly easy to cast, but John could be a bit more difficult. |
| Bookworm |
Posted - June 16 2004 : 10:07:11 AM
Here's more good news: Tom Hanks said in a recent interview that his production company has outlined a 13-episode series based on McCullough's John Adams bio and is hoping to interest HBO in it! It wasn't clear whether this would be a documentary or a fictional adaptation. If the latter, who do you see as John and Abigail?
As for McCullough's next book on the Revolution, I agree with WW -- I'm sure he'll do justice to the story of Colonel Glover and the Marblehead fishermen. He emphasizes the importance of telling a good story, and that is a great story. |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - May 20 2004 : 12:17:59 PM
I agree with you on that! I'll bet that he will. |
| Diana |
Posted - May 20 2004 : 09:46:10 AM
I hope that Mr. McCullough remembers to give proper credit to Colonel John Glover and his Marblehead Fishermen!!
Diana |
| Bookworm |
Posted - May 20 2004 : 07:57:00 AM
So do I, WW. It sums up Mohicanland for me. |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - May 19 2004 : 08:05:16 AM
Haven't gone to read the interview yet, but I just have to say...
I LOVE that quote!! |
| Bookworm |
Posted - May 19 2004 : 07:22:38 AM
I went looking for more information on the next book and found an interesting interview with the author: http://www.neh.gov/whoweare/mccullough/interview.html Now he, IMHO, has a dream job! |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - May 16 2004 : 10:56:01 AM
Oooh! Oooh! This is good news, indeed! And yet another book that I shall add to my Want-to-read list.
Thanks for the heads up, BW!
BTW, I still have not read his "John Adams", but sure do want to. |
| richfed |
Posted - May 16 2004 : 08:25:33 AM
That is great news ... very elegant writer. Ought to do that most fascinating year in our history justice. Promises to be a very fine read! |
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