We’re recapping the 2008 miniseries John Adams each week because the 18th-century costumes and American history are just that good! Catch all the episodes here.
We’ve touched on John Adams (2008) here and there over the years, but have never devoted a full, in-depth look at the costumes in this critically acclaimed miniseries. One of the biggest reasons is that as far as the first episode is concerned, the costumes are pretty boring. Getting past that, if all you’re looking for is a quick fix to scratch that frock flick itch, means having to sit through an hour of actual plot and acting and very little interesting costume content. Which is to say, I had tried watching John Adams a couple of times for what is probably the wrong reason: I wanted to see fabulous 18th-century costumes.
About a month into quarantine, however, Himself and I were looking for a good miniseries to watch, and John Adams came up on our Amazon Prime feed and I admitted I had never seen it. Himself expressed surprise, since he said it was one of the best shows dealing with that period of American history that he had ever watched. I kind of made some lame attempt to explain that if I watch a historical show, it’s for the costumes, not so much the content, but that made me sound like a weirdly stuck-up idiot, so I acquiesced and we put it on.
This was probably my third attempt at watching the show, but now I started to get interested because I had someone sitting beside me who was overflowing with interesting discussion points about the lead up to the American Revolution (which, again, is not my historical jam). And a funny thing happened … I started getting interested in the characters, the plot, the sets, and even, yes, the costumes. And without revealing too much for those who still think spoilers are a thing (also, why are you even here? Our motto is”there are no spoilers in history”) the costumes get much more interesting as the series progresses.
So! On to the costuming content for episode 1 (just be prepared … it’s not exciting).
Check in next week for another episode of John Adams!
I loved this series when it came out. John and Abigail Adams are my favourite Revolutionary Americsn couple. Donna Zakowska did on the whole excellent costumes.
I think the high neckline on Abigail’s brown preggers dress is suppose to convey ‘Bistonians are more puritanical when it comes to dress than their Southern neighbors (Philadelphia and the South)’ and not being preggers.
I think the high neckline on Abigail’s brown preggers dress is suppose to convey ‘Bistonians are more puritanical when it comes to dress than their Southern neighbors (Philadelphia and the South)’ and not being preggers.
I’d buy that if it weren’t for the fact that pre-pregnant Abigail is shown wearing a normal low neckline out and about (without a fichu while she’s at home, but with one while she’s in public/at dinner with the Sewalls). After she becomes pregnant, the necklines on all her outfits get higher, to the point where they’re almost at the base of her neck.
Ok it’s been awhile since I’ve seen it. Cannot find my copy either. So you’ve convinced me.
I’m mostly convinced it’s the costume designer’s attempt to compensate for the fact that almost every shot is a close-up of the actor from the shoulders up. It’s a visual cue that the character has changed somehow, since shots that show her expanding waistline don’t show up as much.
Also, appropos of nothing, I really dislike the shaky cam style of cinematography used in this era of film, and John Adams is no exception. I get that it’s supposed to appear “intimate” and give the viewer a sense of being in the room with the actors, but it’s SO distracting. Also, motion sickness inducing. Bleh.
Well why not add your favourite tipple during Part II? I can’t stand shaky cam either and imho it’s sloppy, not intimate. I mean, Sir Peter didn’t use it for Aragorn’s Arwen Dream in LOTR:TTT and him kissing the horse brought a needed chuckle.
The part that really drives me nuts with this show is long before we actually get to the Netherlands there are so many Dutch angles you’d think Boston was built on a very steel cliff. (It’s on a hill but not THAT much, guys.)
Shit, you are right. I knew I was going to end up making that mistake. I’ll fix it.
I like some aspects of the series more than others; I appreciate that the filmmakers trust the audience’s attention span without actively testing it. I cannot get over the incessant Dutch angles.
The author of the source material, David McCullough, spoke at my university. He had just the nicest things to say about actor Paul Giamatti. He said all those months of filming and Paul Giamatti did not flub one. single. line. McCullough said he’ll never again doubt how sedulous actors can be.
Giamatti is probably the best thing about the series, for sure. Love him.
Same here and I would have liked to see him turn up again as Cora Grantham’s brother.
I enjoyed this series! The acting was great.
I am really glad you’re doing this! I love John Adams and colonial history is my favorite history!
I love this series. I watch it at least once a year and cry over certain episodes. But admittedly, the first episode is the dullest and hardest for me to get into. By the time Stephen Dillane’s sexy Jefferson showed up, though, I was all in and my friends and I spent weeks talking about if it was wrong to have the hots for a Founding Father. We concluded that if he looks, sounds, and flirts as well as Dillane, the answer is no, it’s perfectly within our right. ;)
STEPHEN DILLANE’S SEXY JEFFERSON. THIS. ALL OF THIS. Omg my sister and I re-watched all of the jefferson scenes twice omg. There are so many reasons why I love this series but Stephen Dillane is. The. main. reason.
Yessss. I like how they did all the characters, but admittedly I pay way more attention whenever Dillane is around. ;)
This was a good series. Like you, Sarah, I ended up watching years after it came out. When I finally did make the time for it, I enjoyed it. As a non-costume expert, it looked “right” to me, and it looked like they spent money on this production. Sometimes I’m more turned off by a production that looks cheap rather than a production that doesn’t look accurate. Costume-wise there’s nothing in this post that grabs me except for the British soldiers in the background of the court scene. I feel a kinship with Mrs. Bennet, “I remember the time when I liked a redcoat myself very well–and indeed so I do still at heart.” :) Charity, yes,Stephen Dillane’s “sexy Jefferson” was a visual treat in this series, and Rufus Sewell’s Alexander Hamilton was an all too brief snack. Looking forward to more posts on this series…
I forgot all about Rufus Sewell was Hamilton!!!!! Bring on the Hot Federalists!
I had almost forgotten how great that cast was. And do I recall correctly that Sarah Polley was Abigail Jr.? I’d forgive Sarah Polley anything, even loose hair in public.
I remember watching this in high school history class! Delighted to return to it with Frock Flicks!
Rewatching it now, I weirdly love how they got the teacups correct? (The lack of handle is very period.)
I was obsessed (obsessed!) with this when it first came out and watched all the “making of” mini documentaries – Laura Linney herself gushed about her costumes particularly the ‘beautiful line’ of her costumes as First Lady. I don’t even know what we would call this period – Is it Regency? Even in America?
Also, not a day doesn’t go by that I don’t think about how dreamy Stephen Dillane was as Thomas Jefferson and his just :this: side of foppish day suits.
*setting aside how icky Tom Jeff might have been IRL. ahem.. Saly Hemmings.
Here it was called the Federalist style I believe. as we didn’t have a Regency. :-)
The Adamses did have paid help, something like three or four servants by the time she had all four children. When Abigail’s father died, there were at least two (possibly three) enslaved persons who were freed according to his will, whom Abigail then employed in her household on a paid salary.