1776 is a musical celebration of the founding of the United States of America based on the award-winning Broadway production. The story centers around familiar historical characters as they organize a movement for independence from Mother England: the tough and unyielding John Adams (William Daniels); the charming and pragmatic Benjamin Franklin (Howard Da Silva); the brilliant Thomas Jefferson (Ken Howard) who is chosen to write the Declaration of Independence even as he longs for the company of his new bride Martha (Blythe Danner); and the rest of the Continental Congress. All events lead up to that most significant date of July 4, 1776 when the Declaration was signed. Now fully restored for its high definition debut on Blu-ray, 1776 looks and sounds better than ever.

Exclusive Blu-ray bonus features include:

• All-new commentary with director Peter H. Hunt, William Daniels, Ken Howard, and Peter Stone
• Extended cut of the film via seamless branching
• Deleted and alternate scenes with filmmaker commentary
• Four never-before-seen screen tests including archival footage
• Original theatrical teaser and trailer

This acclaimed film version of Peter Stone's Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, which was one of the last big-budget studio musicals, stars William Daniels (TV's Saint Elsewhere) as John Adams and Howard Da Silva as Ben Franklin. A rollicking, anachronistic treatment of the creation of the Declaration of Independence, with the American forefathers conducting themselves with uncharacterstic--and comical--indignity. Academy Award Nominations: Best Cinematography (Harry Stradling, Jr.)