by Mike Hilty, Contributing Writer
The American Revolutionary doesn’t get the same amount of cinematic treatment as more modern wars. As such a pivotal moment for the world, you’d think Hollywood would give it more attention. Truthfully though, some of the most intriguing parts of the American Revolution didn’t come from the battlefield. Comparing the American Revolution to David versus Goliath would do it justice. It was the ultimate underdog story, highlighting the risks that people will take in the name of independence. Several of American history’s greatest men come from the war. With the release of Hamilton, more movies and TV shows are starting to come out about America’s inception. It was only a matter of time before Apple TV+ would take advantage of this trend.
Franklin is about the years Benjamin Franklin (Michael Douglas) spent in Paris trying to convince the French to support America’s War of Independence against Great Britain. Armed with his grandson, William Temple Franklin (Noah Jupe), and his wits, Franklin must convince the French to risk their men, money, resources, and global reputation on an unproven theory that would eventually become the United States.
Franklin hasn’t been given the Hollywood treatment as recently as some of the other Founding Fathers have. He’s a vital part of American history, which is shocking considering the highest form of office he had in the United States was Postmaster General and the president of Pennsylvania when the Articles of Confederation were the governing document before the U.S. Constitution. This show is one of the first times that Franklin is getting the Hollywood treatment, so casting the correct actor to portray him was crucial for the series to work.
Douglas seemed like an odd choice to play Franklin. The look is there, but I was concerned that I wouldn’t be able to separate Franklin’s character from Douglas’ distinct voice. Although at times his performance can come off as a little flat, Douglas is as charming as ever. Moreover, he has a presence about him that makes him a worthy choice. He knows how to command a room, and he knows how to spin his words. I don’t think it’s going to get him the same awards glory that Paul Giamatti received for John Adams, but Douglas is most definitely on par as an outstanding performer of one of America’s greatest Founding Fathers.
Along with Douglas, the noteworthy roles come from Jupe, Daniel Mays (French ally Edward Bancroft), and Thédore Pellerin (Marquis de Lafayette). Jupe’s performance in particular is a standout. Franklin’s grandson is naive and doesn’t know much about the world. Throughout the show, he learns a great deal about the world, but also about himself and his grandfather. Chess games between Franklin and his grandson are some of the best scenes in the series, as they talk about how chess is a metaphor for their mission to gain France’s allegiance. Bancroft and Lafayette are two people whose allegiance to the United States goes in drastically different directions. They’re both in tricky positions, as they yield a lot of influence. However, both Mays and Pellerin do amazing work and give great performances.
Franklin’s words don’t resonate without exceptional scripts by Kirk Ellis and Howard Korder. Ellis is a veteran when it comes to writing historical miniseries, so his selection was a wise choice. Korder also brings gravity to the script. Mixing French and English is seamless, but it requires you to pay attention more than one would expect for a show about Benjamin Franklin. This show is a dream for a history nerd like me, because it talks about the inner workings and negotiations behind the scenes. For someone who doesn’t like the diplomacy side of war, Franklin can be boring, because it spans eight years of Franklin’s fight for French support.
All of the costumes, sets, and props are beautiful. Because the series is primarily set in France, the costumes and makeup in particular stand out. All the characters have a number of costumes. Some are used for casually strolling around the day, while a lot more are used for formal occasions like plays, dinners, or parties. The set design is gorgeous, particularly the manors in Paris that are used as places where Franklin stays. Finally, props bear recognition, with nicely crafted printing presses, carriages, and weapons. The French influence on Franklin is evident in the music and the art around all the sets.
Apple TV+ is taking the pages from HBO’s playbook and making some amazing historical miniseries. Franklin is another jewel added to their history crown, along with Manhunt and Masters of the Air. Douglas anchors a great cast, the script is dynamite, and the technical work is outstanding. This show is tailor-made for history buffs like me, but there’s so much more to it than that.
Rating: Liked It
Franklin is currently streaming on Apple TV+
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