Benjamin Franklin savagely owns John Adams

To this day, Ben Franklin is absolutely REVERED in France and many French still incorrectly assume he was a president of ours.

"A Good Diplomat observes much, acts little and speaks softly" Advice taken

John Adams was a great revolutionary because he took political issues personally. John Adams was a terrible diplomat and president because he took political issues personally.

R.I.P. Tom Wilkinson 1948-2023

Franklin is the old man in every anime who presents himself as the crazy harmless old kook, but is a badass when forced to reveal his true power.

John Adams tweets in all caps.

Just a friendly reminder that they didn't want Ben Franklin to write the Declaration because they were afraid that he'd put fart jokes in there.

I LOVE American history, and I'm so glad they had cameras back then to record all of this. Otherwise, no one would know. 🎥📹🇺🇸🇺🇸

“I am persuaded... that [John Adams] means well for his Country, is always an honest Man, often a Wise One, but sometimes and in some things, absolutely out of his Senses.” - Benjamin Franklin

It’s ironic that the same actor who plays Benjamin Franklin also played General Cornwallis

What John unfortunately couldn't take into consideration here is the fact that the united states was far, far removed from being any kind of established power.. in fact, this was even before John worked with the dutch to establish credit as a sovereign power. Whatever was really happening within the colonies was of little concern to France other than the fact helping them raise a little hell would annoy the British and just add to their increasing rates of attrition, and even then we're lucky that the french royal court was so wildly irresponsible with money spending that their own people eventually beheaded them all, otherwise they might have not been as keen to give us the forces and resources we so desperately needed to stave off British aggression.

I don't care what Jim says, that is not the real Ben Franklin. I am 99% sure.

Just needs a “GOOD DAY TO YOU, SIR!” at the end for perfection.

He didn't own him in this scene, he simply gave him a reality check. Although, if I were in John Adams position, I would have been doing the same thing. Too much time BSing and drinking cocktails instead of getting shit done, I could never be a diplomat.

This is more interesting the more you read up on it. Adams was described as being blunt and a little socially awkward whereas Franklin was the heart of the party. Franklin was good at interacting with people and could work his way up to amuse the host while Adams couldn't really interact with extroverts. Both were amazing

What's fascinating is how their careers influenced their diplomatic styles. Ben Franklin was a writer and editor, and had learned how to charm and entertain an audience with his wit and humor. John Adams was a lawyer, and learned how to win over a jury by directly arguing against and discrediting the opposing side. Thus Ben Franklin's style of diplomacy was much more based on flattery and charisma, whereas John Adams' style of diplomacy was based on argument and debate.

Imagine what those French guys are thinking. 2 angry British colonists yelling at eachother in the Kings Palace.

Immediately came here after learning of the passing of Tom Wilkinson, a great actor

John Adams then forcefully adds "I said good day, sir!" Ha! Just once in my life I'd like to say that.

I'd say John Adams gives every bit as good as he gets by Franklin in this scene and this is actually one of my favorite scenes in ANY movie/series. Adams makes a very profound statement here and asserts real American independence. Something Franklin should have considered. Franklin was an AMAZING figure, but every toolbox needs its hammer.