Wednesday, January 14, 2009
HBO's John Adams: Your Thoughts
UPDATE: If you came to this page after doing a search for this HBO series as it pertains to kids, note there is a more recent post here on the topic.
A while back, I posted the following:
The HBO miniseries John Adams, starring Paul Giamatti, just won a number of Emmys and has certainly caught my attention. I added it to our Netflix list, even though I noticed its “TV 14” rating (“This program contains some material that many parents would find unsuitable for children under 14 years of age.”). After scanning a few pages of reviews (yes, mostly positively glowing), I’ve yet to see anything by a viewer explaining this rating. I had to stop reading after four or five pages, as my brain lost the power to process the actual words, since they were so redundant (“brilliant,” “superb,” “incredible”)
Have you seen John Adams? If so, can you articulate what might make it unsuitable for kids under 14 (or so)?
Ok, so now that it won a Golden Globe or two, I noticed a good number of keyword searches in the last few days bringing people here to KidsFlix involves this HBO series: parents want to know whether it's suitable for the kids or not (keyword search: "HBO John Adams for kids," etc.).
If you have seen this show, please post here and share your thoughts! I hate to see folks landing here with no information, and yes, I should put at the top of my list. I will, I will. (At least searches for the likes of "50s cat fight" and "miniaturizer movie" and "penguin heading in wrong direction" all panned out for my readers!)
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just saw 1st segment. There is a tar and feathering scene with full frontal nudity of the man being tarred and feathered. Very brief. Interesting enough, I did some research on this and found that customs officers were beaten at this riot, but no one was actually tarred and feathered.
ReplyDeleteSome were tarred and feathered
DeleteWow. You're the first to mention this scene! Thanks for posting, I appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteThe tar and feathering scene was inaccurate and highly offensive to me. I am afraid to watch the rest of the movie, even though I thought the rest of the movie was a fine piece film.
ReplyDeleteThere is also a scene in the middle of John and Abigail's reunion in France after many years, which shows a fairly graphic depiction of their re-coupling, i.e. sex. That concerns me too.
ReplyDeleteThere was either little nudity or none. Though it was a sweet scene, it would be a bit much for kids under 11 years
DeleteThank you all for this information, I couldn't find this anywhere else. We will not be watching HBO's John Adams now. I should have known not to even wonder when HBO has produced it (HBO's productions usually lack creativity and go straight for the graphic and shocking) too bad that ruined a potentially beautiful story.
ReplyDeleteThere are a good amount of great scenes in the miniseries. But there are at least 2 scenes that could be for teens and adults. There are also 7 scenes that are a bit scary, which are put into 5 categories.
DeleteBoston Massacre and War scenes: There is some blood and injuries, but not all the wounds are shown.
Smallpox inoculations: There is blood and pus, Abigail Adams and her 4 kids all stayed very calm when getting inoculated.
Tarring and feathering: A customs man is being tarred and feathered by a small group of men with a large group of spectators watching and cheering. The customs man had his clothes fully stripped from his body. Hot tar(usually pine tar) and feathers are poured onto his body. Although there is nudity in this scene, the naked body by itself is not usually considered inappropriate.
Leg amputation: Two ships are battling in the ocean. A man injures his right leg from the knee down from something hurtful. Other men carry him downstairs inside the boat, give him a numbing drink and amputate his leg. There is blood and death.
Mastectomy: There is no blood in this scene, but contains amputation of an infected breast. Though there is some nudity but by itself.
In what way is the tar and feathering inaccurate? That is what they did during this time period and it most certainly happened to one of the tax collectors representing the mother country at the time?
ReplyDeletePine tar was the common substance. Look up 5 myths of tar and feathering to find out. Other sources say similar things.
DeleteAccording to IMDb, episodes two and four are TV-MA, while the rest are TV-14, although this might not be accurate; episode three seems most violent to me.
ReplyDeleteIMDb Parental Guide and Episode Guide: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0472027/parentalguide?ref_=tt_stry_pg
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0472027/episodes?season=1&ref_=tt_eps_sn_1
Part 1 also was scary
Delete