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At first I wasn't very keen on David Morse as our first president but after watching his most recent portrayal, I've changed my mind. Episode 5 brought him more to the front as a forceful and strong willed man.
I was born and raised in a small town named "Washington". The town's founder named it so because he'd become a great admirer of the man as am ...
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I, Beagle CMXIV
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Edited by Beagle914 at 04/07/2008 2:40 PM PDT
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Re: David Morse as George Washington
May 25, 2008 4:30 PM
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David Morse is a great actor. It's a shame the production and the nature of the film (being about John Adams) was of such low quality and poor accuracy. Admittedly, the portrayl of Washington and the acting was one of the few high spots of the series.
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Re: David Morse as George Washington
May 12, 2008 7:44 PM
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in his first few scenes in the Continental Congress, his face was all scrunched up like he wanted to cry!
as he got more to do, Morse brought out more of Washington's strength and resolve.
when he whispered through the oath of office, at first I thought it was hilarious. the second time i watched it, i wound up in tears.
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Re: David Morse as George Washington
May 9, 2008 10:38 PM
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I believe the reasons they included the scene where the Adamses find the empty executive residence are twofold. First, Washington had just about enough of the Presidency and left town as quick as he could. I'm sure the people who packed his things didn't take any special care to leave the residence in tip-top condition. The people who served under him, domestics and such, didn't care much about his successor.
Secondly, Adams was in the unenviable spot of having to appear on stage after Bob Hope, as it were. Adams's Presidency would be in Washington's shadow and there wouldn't be anything he could do to measure up to that mark. Adams's inauguration wasn't as grand as Washington's and his welcome (or lack thereof) to the executive residence was a show of Philadelphia's indifference to the man. He won, after all, by three votes - not exactly a resounding mandate.
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Re: David Morse as George Washington
May 4, 2008 7:08 PM
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> I hope the John Adams series isn't the last of our
> historic figures. A George Washington, Ben Franklin,
> Thomas Jefferson, and Abe Lincoln series would be
> welcomed (my preferences).
Perhaps "they" find a more educated, more professional and more honest producer next time than the foolish tommy hanks.
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Re: David Morse as George Washington
Apr 26, 2008 4:03 AM
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I think one reason he was chosen was because he is tall as was Washington. I was disappointed that no scenes were shot at Mount Vernon and Washington seemed to have disappeared after only a few (third?) episodes. Of course, this series was solely a reflection of JA, his interactions with other people and family who could attest to the dialogue so a full recorded history would require extensive research and perhaps many more episodes. Still, it was hard to see them go when I had just started to get attached to them.
I hope the John Adams series isn't the last of our historic figures. A George Washington, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Abe Lincoln series would be welcomed (my preferences).
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Re: David Morse as George Washington
Apr 22, 2008 12:06 AM
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The Actors were one of the few good points of the series but of course they couldn't overcome the cynical, shoddy and inaccurate writing, production, scene selection and more of the series.
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Edited by RonMay7000 at 04/21/2008 9:07 PM PDT
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Re: David Morse as George Washington
Apr 21, 2008 11:49 PM
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> I have been a David Morse fan since his performance
> in "Proof of Life" - special significance for me.
> IMO, he is superb as Washington - gentle and genteel
> l giant if there ever was one.
>
> Your birth connection to "Washington", Beagle914,
> made me think of my connection. I spent 21 years of
> my life in Virginia; undoubtedly Washington [and
> Jefferson, for that matter] was extensively covered
> in Virginia's elementary history textbooks. I now
> reside in another state, in a town named Washington.
>
> As JA and AA tour the presidential residence, finding
> it stripped by the "staff", I was taken aback that
> such could/would happen. If you've ever toured Mt.
> Vernon, you know that several items from Washington's
> presidency are displayed because he 'took them with
> him upon departure.' He also 'gave things to others'
> that were given back or sold back to the family or to
> the curators of Mt. Vernon or the curators of the
> George Washington Museum (those are not quotes).
>
> I don't believe that scene was to portray that
> Washington stripped the presidential residence,
> however, I can't figure out the purpose of the scene.
> Possibly to again accentuate the relationship
> p between JA and AA as she gently admonishes him to
> pick himself up by his bootstraps(?).
>
> At first I thought JA and AA had returned for a brief
> visit to Braintree (Quincy) and found their home
> ransacked - the children being adults and living on
> their own, not in the family house.
>
> Your thoughts?
I thought GW never lived in the White House, it was built later?
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Re: David Morse as George Washington
Apr 13, 2008 1:52 PM
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yes, it took a few minutes to get used to morse, and giamatti too.
--
I came
I saw
and I conquered
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Re: David Morse as George Washington
Apr 10, 2008 6:10 PM
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I thought his portrayal of GW was very good, but it took me some time to get used to the idea.
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Re: David Morse as George Washington
Apr 10, 2008 12:51 PM
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jmts wrote:
>" ... At first I thought JA and AA had returned for a brief visit to Braintree (Quincy) and found their home ransacked - the children being adults and living on their own, not in the family house.
>Your thoughts?"
I was confused too. Perhaps there's some historical background to that scene but I don't know what it would be. I'll have to view the episode again and - maybe - buy the book.
Should do the latter anyway ...
--
I, Beagle CMXIV
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35
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Re: David Morse as George Washington
Apr 10, 2008 12:31 PM
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Yes, well, when Morse first appeared on screen in Ep. 2, my teenage son said, "Hey, it's the guy from Disturbia".
Seriously, I think he's really good in the role. And I think Giamatti is excellent as Adams. But neither is as good as Stephen Dillane as Jefferson.
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Re: David Morse as George Washington
Apr 10, 2008 11:27 AM
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At first I was not too sure of him as Washington either. Maybe I have seen him in too many other things to think of him as GW. Then as he went to war he seemed to fit into the character. In episode 5 it really made me believe he was Washington.
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Re: David Morse as George Washington
Apr 9, 2008 5:15 PM
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I have been a David Morse fan since his performance in "Proof of Life" - special significance for me. IMO, he is superb as Washington - gentle and genteel giant if there ever was one.
Your birth connection to "Washington", Beagle914, made me think of my connection. I spent 21 years of my life in Virginia; undoubtedly Washington [and Jefferson, for that matter] was extensively covered in Virginia's elementary history textbooks. I now reside in another state, in a town named Washington.
As JA and AA tour the presidential residence, finding it stripped by the "staff", I was taken aback that such could/would happen. If you've ever toured Mt. Vernon, you know that several items from Washington's presidency are displayed because he 'took them with him upon departure.' He also 'gave things to others' that were given back or sold back to the family or to the curators of Mt. Vernon or the curators of the George Washington Museum (those are not quotes).
I don't believe that scene was to portray that Washington stripped the presidential residence, however, I can't figure out the purpose of the scene. Possibly to again accentuate the relationship between JA and AA as she gently admonishes him to pick himself up by his bootstraps(?).
At first I thought JA and AA had returned for a brief visit to Braintree (Quincy) and found their home ransacked - the children being adults and living on their own, not in the family house.
Your thoughts?
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Re: David Morse as George Washington
Apr 8, 2008 1:40 PM
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SirDonald wrote:
>" ... GW was a great leader in every sense of the word and Morse has got into his head somehow and recreated him. Outstanding job!!"
Yes. Whenever asked to name the three best presidents, I always respond:
(1) George Washington (First in war)
(2) George Washington (First in peace)
(3) George Washington (First in the hearts of his countrymen)
Henry Lee (aka: "Light Horse Harry") originated the thought, of course, but I agree.
We shall not see the likes of George Washington again.
A big fan ...
--
I, Beagle CMXIV
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Re: David Morse as George Washington
Apr 8, 2008 12:34 AM
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I thought he really shined when he got more dialogue in this ep and showed a flash of anger in the Hamilton and Jefferson dispute. GW was a great leader in every sense of the word and Morse has got into his head somehow and recreated him. Outstanding job!!
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