Parents' Guide to 1776

Parents need to know that 1776 is a 1972 musical about the Founding Fathers in the Continental Congress in Philadelphia debating whether to remain as colonists or to break from England. Those used to more ponderous and dramatic presentations of our Founding Fathers as sanctimonious orators prone to dramatic proclamations of the glories of democracy might be surprised by the humor and outright bawdiness in some of the scenes. For instance, Thomas Jefferson tells John Adams and Benjamin Franklin that he has writer's block and can't come up with anything for the Declaration of Independence because he "burns" for his wife, who he has not seen in six months. Adams expresses similar yearnings, and Franklin then makes a joke about how at his age it's best to stick to writing because "the pen is mightier than the sword." A letter to the Continental Congress from George Washington reports on the general drunkenness of militia in New Jersey, and how their demand for prostitutes is greater than the supply of prostitutes in New Jersey, and that many have contracted venereal disease. Another Founding Father is constantly talking about or drinking rum while the Congress is in session. There is mild profanity, such as "son of a bitch," and "hell." This musical brings the Founding Fathers back down to earth and humanizes them, and shows that they could be just as divided, just as prone to good and evil, just as irrational temper, as any of us, especially the politicians of this or any other age. Teamwork, courage, and integrity are emphasized.

To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .