HBO and Comcast in Partnership With the Virginia Film Office to Host Star- Studded Virginia Premiere of HBO Films Epic Miniseries Event JOHN ADAMS at Historic Byrd Theatre on Sunday, March 9

HBO and Comcast in Partnership With the Virginia Film Office to Host Star- Studded Virginia Premiere of HBO Films Epic Miniseries Event JOHN ADAMS at Historic Byrd Theatre on Sunday, March 9

Executive Producers Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman, American Historian David McCullough, Director Tom Hooper and Governor Timothy M. Kaine to attend

Shot on location in Virginia and various sites in Europe; largest film project ever in State of Virginia; pumped an estimated $80 million into Virginia's economy

RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- With the current history-making presidential race leaving Americans contemplating our country's future, the HBO Films miniseries JOHN ADAMS reminds us of a time when more than 200 years ago a leader was instrumental in establishing the United States as a powerhouse of liberty and freedom -- which it remains today. HBO and Comcast have partnered with the Virginia Film Office to host the invitation-only Virginia premiere of JOHN ADAMS on Sunday, March 9 at 7:00 p.m. at Richmond's historic Byrd Theatre. The film's executive producers Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman, Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough, Director Tom Hooper and Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine are scheduled to attend.

JOHN ADAMS, David McCullough's Pulitzer Prize-winning book and one of the best-selling American historical biographies of all time, comes to the screen as a seven-part HBO Films miniseries. The first two parts will debut back-to- back on Sunday, MARCH 16 (8:00-10:45 p.m. ET/PT) with other parts debuting on subsequent Sundays at 9:00 p.m. through April 20.

Executive producers Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman, the creative team behind the Emmy(R) Award-winning and Golden Globe-winning 2001 HBO miniseries "Band of Brothers," present the epic miniseries. JOHN ADAMS chronicles the life of this remarkable historical figure, a man whose fiercely independent spirit, reverence for the rule of law and commitment to personal liberty profoundly influenced the values on which our country was founded. The miniseries also explores the extraordinary relationship between Adams and Abigail, his wife of 54 years, a partnership regarded as one of the most moving love stories in American history.

HBO Films presents a Playtone Production, starring Academy Award(R) nominees Paul Giamatti ("Cinderella Man," "Sideways") and Laura Linney ("The Savages," "Kinsey") as John and Abigail Adams. Directed by Emmy(R) Award- winner Tom Hooper (HBO's "Elizabeth I" and the recent Golden Globe-winner "Longford"); Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman executive producer; Kirk Ellis (Emmy(R)-nominated for "Into The West" and "Anne Frank: The Whole Story") writes and serves as co-executive producer with Frank Doelger (HBO's "The Gathering Storm"); David Coatsworth (HBO Films' upcoming "Grey Gardens") and Steven Shareshian ("Starter for 10") produce. The miniseries also stars Stephen Dillane ("The Hours") as Thomas Jefferson, Academy Award(R) nominee Tom Wilkinson ("Michael Clayton") as Benjamin Franklin, Danny Huston ("Children of Men") as Samuel Adams, David Morse ("The Green Mile") as George Washington, Sarah Polley (writer and director of "Away from Her") as Nabby Adams, Ebon Moss-Bachrach ("Evening") as John Quincy Adams, Rufus Sewell ("The Illusionist") as Alexander Hamilton, Justin Theroux (HBO's "Six Feet Under") as John Hancock, Guy Henry (HBO's "Rome") as Jonathan Sewall and Zeljko Ivanek (HBO's "Oz") as Pennsylvania delegate John Dickinson.

Shot on location in Williamsburg and the greater Richmond area as well as various sites in Europe, the miniseries was granted permission to shoot in Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area. The producers received unprecedented cooperation from the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, which for the first time allowed a film production to shoot on its 301-acre historic area of restored, reconstructed and historically furnished buildings. Additionally, The Virginia Film Office, part of the Virginia Tourism Corporation, worked with production while it filmed on location in Virginia. The production pumped an estimated $80 million into Virginia's economy.

JOHN ADAMS, told through the eyes of Adams and his wife Abigail, taps into the uncertainty and intensity surrounding the birth of the American republic and its first 50 years. The miniseries presents an intimate portrait of a man who played a major role in forming the American nation, though few Americans are familiar with his story. A farmer and a lawyer, Adams struggled to find the delicate balance between his love for his wife and family and his passion for his country as he rose to be a leader of the American independence movement. He was the driving force in uniting the colonies in their decision to declare independence from Great Britain, paving the way for his role as one of America's founding fathers. He became the nation's first ambassador to The Hague (Holland) and to the English court of King George III, the first American Vice President, the second American President and the father of the sixth American President.

Set against the backdrop of a nation's stormy birth, JOHN ADAMS powerfully explores the humanity of the man, his marriage and his friendships. He was a man of uncommon intellect and the courage of his convictions, which were often contradictory. Adams was, in fact, a man defined by his contradictions. His Yankee humility and frugality were at odds with his ambition and desire for renown; his commitment to intellectual rigor was sometimes at odds with his passionate advocacy; and his commitment to the cause of personal liberty was sometimes pitted against his fear of mob rule. His ally in all his endeavors was his wife and closest confidante Abigail, who raised their four children and who, during Adams' long absences, managed the family, farm and finances under the duress of wartime. She was his sounding board, his muse, his most indispensable advisor and spoke the truth about his weaknesses. In addition, as a proponent of the rights of women and someone who viewed slavery as a sin, Abigail's views on politics were sought out and respected by many of the leaders of the new country.

"The story of John and Abigail Adams is one of the greatest love affairs of American history," notes Director Tom Hooper. "It's about surviving incredible periods of separation, and this is seen most particularly when Adams is in Europe. It is not a sentimental tale -- it's a love story with a tough center. The love story became more interesting as we emphasized the reality of that separation. We explore the cost of distance to love."

JOHN ADAMS explores the birth of our Republic through the struggles -- both political and personal -- of our nation's Founding Fathers, particularly the complicated relationship between friends and rivals John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. These two men, along with Benjamin Franklin, George Washington and Alexander Hamilton, were the visionaries and heroes who achieved our independence and joined in the creation of our nation's political system.

David McCullough explains, "Many of the ideals of our country's foundation were the personal ideals of John Adams. The Declaration of Independence begins with the line, 'When in the course of human events ... ,' and it's the human story of that founding time that will move us to greater understanding of who we are and what we stand for. It will, let us hope, inspire greater participation on our parts as citizens. Think of the blessings, blessings beyond counting, that we owe to those brave men and women who were there at the creation."

At a time when the nation finds itself increasingly polarized politically, JOHN ADAMS celebrates those who joined together because of a shared belief in personal liberty and the dream of creating a nation committed to those values. In particular, JOHN ADAMS celebrates the man and the woman whose tireless dedication, impassioned discourse and immense fortitude helped guide our nation through its infancy.

Tom Hooper (director) recently won an Emmy(R) Award for directing Helen Mirren and Jeremy Irons in the HBO Films miniseries "Elizabeth I." The HBO/Channel 4 miniseries won a total of nine Emmy(R) Awards, including Outstanding Miniseries. His most current project is HBO Films' "Longford," starring Jim Broadbent, which debuts in February. He was also nominated for a Best Director Emmy(R) for "Prime Suspect 6 - The Last Witness." Hooper also directed Hilary Swank and Chiwetel Ejiofor in the BAFTA-nominated film "Red Dust." His TV work includes "Daniel Deronda," which won the Best Miniseries award at the 2003 Banff TV Festival, "Love in a Cold Climate," "Cold Feet II," two one-hour specials for "Eastenders," which won back-to-back BAFTA Awards for Best Soap, "Byker Grove," "Quayside" and "Painted Faces." In addition to Hooper's extensive background in commercials and corporate film and video, he directed "The Trial" and "A View from the Bridge" for the stage.

Tom Hanks (executive producer) has an impressive list of producer credits along with his massive list of acting credentials. He has produced such films as "Cast Away," "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," "The Polar Express," "The Ant Bully" and HBO Films' "Starter for Ten." His TV producing credits include the award-winning HBO miniseries "From the Earth To The Moon" and "Band of Brothers," and the current HBO series "Big Love." As an actor, Hanks has been Oscar(R)-nominated five times and won twice, for "Philadelphia" and "Forrest Gump." His feature film acting credits also include "The Da Vinci Code," "The Polar Express," "The Terminal," "The Ladykillers," "Catch Me If You Can," "Road To Perdition," "Cast Away," "The Green Mile," both "Toy Story" films, "You've Got Mail," "Saving Private Ryan," "That Thing You Do!," "Apollo 13," "Sleepless in Seattle" and "A League of Their Own."

Gary Goetzman's (executive producer) producing credits include "The Polar Express," "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," "Beloved," "That Thing You Do!," "The Ant Bully," the Academy Award(R)-winning "The Silence of the Lambs," "Philadelphia," "Devil in a Blue Dress," "Miami Blues," "Amos and Andrew," "Storefront Hitchcock," "Magnificent Desolation" (filmed in 3D, Imax), "Neil Young: Heart of Gold," "Stop Making Sense," HBO Films' "Starter for Ten," and HBO's Emmy(R) and Golden Globe(R)-winning miniseries "Band of Brothers." He also currently executive produces the HBO series "Big Love."

Kirk Ellis (co-executive producer, writer) received an Emmy(R) nomination, won the Writers Guild of America Award, and earned a Humanitas Award for the TV miniseries "Anne Frank: The Whole Story." In addition, Ellis received multiple awards for the Emmy(R) and Golden Globe-nominated TV series "Into the West." His other credits include the feature film "The Grass Harp," the award-winning TV miniseries "The Beach Boys: An American Family," "Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows" and "The Three Stooges."

HBO and Playtone previously collaborated on the acclaimed 2001 miniseries "Band of Brothers," which received six Emmys(R), including Outstanding Miniseries, and the Golden Globe for best miniseries. In addition, Hanks was the executive producer of the 1998 HBO miniseries "From the Earth to the Moon," which received three Emmys(R), including Outstanding Miniseries.

About Comcast

Headquartered in Philadelphia, Comcast Cable is a division of Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA) (NASDAQ:CMCSK) (http://www.comcast.com/), the nation's leading provider of entertainment, information and communications products and services. With 24.1 million cable customers, 13.2 million high-speed Internet customers and 4.6 million voice customers, Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of broadband cable systems and in the delivery of programming content. Comcast's Eastern Division serves almost 5.4 million customers along the New York to DC corridor, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington, DC, Virginia and North Carolina. The Eastern Division also founded and manages CN8, The Comcast Network, one of the nation's largest and most honored regional 24-hour diversified television networks, seen by more than nine million homes on the East Coast. The Eastern Division employs approximately 18,000 people and is based in Oaks, Pennsylvania.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: HBO

CONTACT: Valerie Harris of HBO, +1-404-966-2445

Web site: http://www.comcast.com/

---

Profile: International Entertainment