Introduction
The Declaration of Independence is one of the most important documents created in the history of the United States of America. Naturally, the document, as well as the events and people involved in its creation, has been a subject of people’s interest for as long as it has existed. This interest has pronounced itself in artistic expressions, such as the 1972 musical drama film by Peter H. Hunt.
Artistic creations help people quickly understand and sympathize with the events of real life. For example, it can change the viewers’ perspective on well-known facts of history. Before watching the movie, my perspective towards the subject was a union of people working on the most efficient way to separate their country from colonization. Having watched the film, I see the Continental Congress differently. The movie uses cinema’s passionate and articulate language through dialogue and scene composition. The combination of these aspects allows us to see clearly that the struggle for American independence was an internal as much as it was an external one.
The language and expressive nature of the movie help to see the struggle for independence as not only a fight against British rule but also an internal conflict. One of the movie’s first scenes establishes this inner clash of world views. It shows that the members of Congress shut down John Adams in his attempts to bring up the matter of independence. Another instance that supports the idea of the collision is the scenes that portray the disputes regarding slavery. Overall, the movie depicted the events surrounding the creation of the Declaration of Independence as a captivating battle of ideas and wits, making the event accessible to comprehend.
The Clash of Ambition and Apathy
The first scenes of the movie set the stage for the forthcoming conflict. At the very beginning, the scene portrays John Adams, who represents Massachusetts in Congress, in the attic of the Congress building, being requested to return to the assembly hall. It is stated that the issue that requires his presence is a pressing one. However, the movie conveys a sense of irony when it is revealed that the matter concerns militia uniforms. Right after this revelation and Adams’ exclamation Good God!, the grand musical score begins to play as Adams hastily descends the stairs. Including language that speaks of an ironic setting, such as the juxtaposition of the proposed trivial issue and Adams’ reaction alongside grandiose music, sets up the stage for future conflict.
The contrast between the Congress and John Adams is proven further when he finally enters the room. The members of the Congress are seen here as bored and apathetic as Adams cuts through the room with his fiery monologue in which he calls his fellow co-members useless. In complete silence, Adams recounts how the British government suppresses the colonies. He lists various acts that financially restricted America, such as the Townshend, Tea, Sugar, and Stamp Acts. Further, Adams’s speech shows that the attempts to combat this unfair treatment have ended in even greater misery brought about by Britain. He states that despite these facts, Congress still needs to entertain the idea of having an open debate regarding independence and take steps toward it. The speech ends with an exclamation from John Adams, asking the Congress what they were waiting for, followed immediately by a musical number.
In this scene, it is important to highlight that until the musical number starts, John Adams is presented as the focal point. Not only does the camera follow his movement, but the light is focused on him the entire time as well. Adams’ voice resonates within the walls of the room, emphasized by an echo, while other members of Congress remain silent. This creates a solid contrast between the two forces: those who are striving for independence and those who would rather remain inactive.
This contrast is emphasized further as the members of the Congress begin to sing. Their song directly responds to Adams, demanding he sit down and give up on his ambition. The choir of their voices is full of volume, compared to Adams’ interjections, losing their strengths. In addition, the scene displays the members of Congress being more concerned with opening a window than listening to Adams’ preposition. As Adams continued to make the proposition for independence, Congress called him a bore and pressured him to sit down.
The described scene is a perfect setup for the battle of wills and interests that ensues during the design of the Declaration of Independence. It was a powerful instrument that changed the notion of Congress working as efficiently as a clock to overthrow British rule. Furthermore, it portrays the Congress as an assortment of unenthusiastic people primarily concerned with trivial matters.
The Clash of Ideologies
Another matter that creates a sense of division is slavery, which is brought up during the discussion of the Declaration of Independence. A scene in which amendments are discussed contains a depiction of Edward Rutledge, representing South Carolina, who aims for the retention of slavery in his state. He declares that black slavery in South Carolina is a cherished way of life, to which Thomas Jefferson replies that it must be abolished nonetheless. This scene provides another instance of inner conflict among the Continental Congress.
This conflict is depicted through the atmosphere in the room created by the character’s position. From the beginning of the scene, the camera movement follows Rutledge, who favors retaining slavery. This focus implies the importance of his figure in the forthcoming argument. In the background, Jefferson stands up apprehensively, showcasing the change in the atmosphere among the Congress members. When the clash between the two Founding Fathers occurs, they are depicted as standing opposite, emphasizing the divide this conflict is creating in American independence.
The Matter of Conflict and the Use of Music
The use of musical numbers muddles the cinematic language and the severity of the conflict. However, music is necessary to emphasize the strengths of the personalities involved in the event. One such example is the above-mentioned use of grandiose music to create a sense of irony. This proves that musical numbers are not a detriment but rather an asset in this movie.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the film 1776 is a perfect example of how well-known historical events and people could be seen in a new light. The cinematic language used in the movie is employed to create a sense of struggle among the members of Congress despite their common goal. The conflict is portrayed on many levels of the Declaration’s creation, from the need for independence to the matters of slavery. Overall, the film was entertaining and exciting in depicting one of the most important historical events, making the change of perspective easy and smooth.