I saw 1776 this weekend--the 1972 musical comedy that is, about what took place at the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia during the weeks preceeding the drafting, approval and signing of the Declaration of Independance. I highly recommend that everyone see it if they can for the historical context, and for the resemblance to our own current historic dilemma.
Howard de Silva was priceless as Benjamin Franklin, William Daniels as John Adams and Ken Howard as Thomas Jefferson were quite good (and Blythe Danner as Martha Jefferson reminds you of where Gwyneth Paltrow got both her looks and talent). The music was so-so, but the dialogue was quite snappy and very funny, and did a very impressive job of touching upon some of the more crucial issues and debates during that critical time in our republic's history. Many of which, I think, resemble some of the more crucial issues and debates that we face these days.
More--much, much more--below the fold: