1776 was fated to be my favorite movie: a musical set during the American Revolution, about none other than the great John Adams. I first saw it during a summer college course about the Revolution, and immediately afterward bought the soundtrack and video. I will never grow tired of either.

William Daniels, pictured below, portrays JA just as I had always imagined him to be... an arrogant, annoying, intelligent, witty, coniving, obstinate, fiery romantic with a great singing voice. Though I doubt some of the historical accuracy of many of the scenes, they are nonetheless quite entertaining, especially when Daniels shares the screen with Howard Da Silva (Ben Franklin) and Ken Howard (Thomas Jefferson).

Below, left, is a picture of Daniels, currently co-starring in "Boy Meets World" on ABC as the principal (of John Adams High School!). Below, right, is a scene from 1776 in which Adams is trying to convince a reluctant Jefferson to write the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson refuses, and Adams threatens if use "physical force, if necessary!"

1776: The Next Generation: with Brent Spiner as JA
The John Adams Shrine: