SILVER SPRING, MD; March 13, 2008 —Acorn Media announces the May 13, 2008 home video debut of The Adams Chronicles, an acclaimed miniseries tracing 150 years of history through the eyes of John Adams and his heirs. The lavish 1976 production features 1,100 actors and 250 studio and location sets and was honored with four Emmys® and a Peabody Award.

Produced for America’s bicentennial, The Adams Chronicles scored a rare television hat trick: critical raves, stratospheric ratings, and scholarly recognition. Based on more than 300,000 pages of historical documents, the 13-episode series examines American history through four generations of Adamses and 150 years of American history from the birth of the Revolution through the Gilded Age. The Adams include John Adams—passionate revolutionary and second president; John Quincy Adams—proud son of a famous father and sixth president; Charles Francis Adams—skillful minister to Great Britain during the Civil War; historian Henry Adams; and railroad magnate Charles Francis Adams, Jr.

Going well beyond politics, this television masterpiece portrays these men as husbands, fathers, brothers, and sons, as well as leaders. Based on the family’s personal diaries and correspondence, The Adams Chronicles not only educates as a true historical epic, but also captivates as a complex, compelling family drama. Additionally, with its impeccable historical accuracy, more than 400 colleges and universities based a history course on the series.

Starring Emmy®-winners George Grizzard (Wonder Boys) as John Adams, William Daniels (St. Elsewhere, 1776) as John Quincy Adams, and Kathryn Walker (Neighbors, Uncle Tom’s Cabin) as Abigail Smith Adams, as well as David Birney, John Beal, Peter Brandon, Charles Siebert, and Nancy Marchand (The Sopranos).

Special Features: A 12-page program guide featuring articles by C. James Taylor, editor in chief of the Adams Papers, and Neil Horstman, president of the White House Historical Association.

Headquartered in suburban Washington, D.C., Acorn Media distributes distinctive home video releases to the North American market with a special focus on the best of British television. Acorn’s DVD sets are available from select retailers, catalog companies, and direct from Acorn Media at (888) 870-8047 or www.acornonline.com.