Based on the 1969 Broadway musical of the same name, this historical musical drama tells a story of the events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Although fictionalized, portions of dialogue and some lyrics were taken directly from the letters and memoirs of the actual participants of the Second Continental Congress. The 1972 film is directed by Peter H. Hunt and written by Peter Stone, with music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards. 1776 stars William Daniels as John Adams, Howard da Silva as Benjamin Franklin, Donald Madden as John Dickinson, John Cullum as Edward Rutledge, Ken Howard as Thomas Jefferson, and Blythe Danner as Martha Jefferson. Rated PG, 2 hours, 21 minutes.