Thomas Jefferson: A View from the Mountain was a historical drama that aired on PBS in 1995. This program follows the unresolved tensions that Thomas Jefferson battled throughout his personal life and his public career. It depicts the political and social issues that America faced in the 18th century, and how Jefferson's ideas and actions influenced the formation of the country.
The show's narrative unfolds in Monticello, Jefferson's Virginia plantation home, where the then 80-year-old statesman lives with his family and friends. It covers the last years of his life, from his retirement as president in 1809 to his death on July 4, 1826, the same day as his friend and fellow founder of the United States, John Adams.
The story is told through a series of flashbacks and conversations between Jefferson (played by Edward Herrmann) and his daughter Patsy (Kathleen Quinlan), who serves as his caretaker during his final days. As Jefferson speaks, the memories come alive as viewers are transported back in time to witness his remarkable journey.
We see Jefferson as a young lawyer, in love with Martha Wayles Skelton (Lisa Pelikan), whom he marries and with whom he has six children. Jefferson is a man of contradictions even as a young man, working with fellow founding fathers and speaking of freedom and justice while maintaining a plantation that relies on slavery. He maintains lifelong friendships with some of the most brilliant men of his time, including John Adams (E.G.Marshall) and George Washington (George Gaynes), which will guide the country toward independence.
Throughout the series, Jefferson is plagued by lifelong conflicts and contradictions. These include his vision of a world without slavery and his rise to political power, his establishment of the government's first two political parties, and his role as the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. The show delves into how Jefferson's ideas are shaped, reshaped, and sometimes abandoned in response to the social and political challenges of his time.
The show not only brings history to life, but also injects the personal trials and tribulations of the man behind the legends. It explores his relationship with his wife and children, as well as his affairs with his slaves Sally Hemings (Thandie Newton) and Sarah 'Sally' Nicholson (Laurie Phillips). We see Jefferson throughout his life lose friends to disagreements and death, with his final moments seeing him struggling with his own mortality.
Narrated from Jefferson's unique point-of-view and accompanied by an excellent score, the show takes advantage of its 240-minute runtime to provide an in-depth look into Jefferson's life, providing insights on the formation of American politics and society. It showcases the vision of one of America's founding fathers, who shaped the identity of the nation and drove the principles and values that America aspires to uphold. Thomas Jefferson: A View from the Mountain offers a well-acted, insightful, and engaging portrait of an iconic figure in American history.
Overall, Thomas Jefferson: A View from the Mountain is a beautifully crafted and well-executed historical drama. It manages to balance the complexity of Jefferson's legacy, both the good and the bad, without losing its human touch. It's a must-watch for lovers of American history and anyone who is interested in understanding the shaping of one of the world's greatest nations.
