John Adams & Benjamin Franklin’s Dinner in Paris

In this memorable scene from John Adams (HBO), Episode 3, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin attend a Parisian dinner where their contrasting diplomatic styles are on full display. Franklin, embracing the French customs with charm and ease, is at odds with Adams, who finds the culture shock and relaxed decorum challenging to handle. Watch as Adams navigates the subtleties of French aristocratic society while Franklin thrives, demonstrating two very different approaches to diplomacy during America’s fight for independence.

[joebenzz]

Funny that despite being uncomfortable and being alienated by the situation, he manages to answer their questions, as ludicrous as they are, parfectly well.

[RafiOmar]

This miniseries is an absolute must watch for all Americans. When we mythologize the founders of this nation as if they were something more than mere mortals with no disagreements amongst each other we do ourselves and the country a great disservice.

[jasonkinzie]

This is a brilliant portrayal of culture shock.

[alexanderh]

John Adams is criminally under-taught in American education today. An imperfect man as we all are, but unmatched in his day regarding his towering intellect.

[stephenjackson]

Two superb actors in Wilkinson and Giamatti. In this, Franklin conveys a tremendous amount of information and guidance with a single look.

[laerau]

This is how I picture the French in my head even today

[micahsnow]

Paul Giamatti’s performance in this series is incredible and hugely underrated. I watched it first when I was in high school and it enhanced my understanding of my nations history so much. I didn’t find it boring at all even at 14/15 years old

[mtrxd]

Anyone else notice that when Hollywood want to demonstrate the lasciviousness and indulgence of regency France, they show people eating fruit.

[johnhaxby]

i think this is the most accurate portrayal of what it must have looked like when people all wore pasty makeup and wore thick heavy hot clothes, no matter how elegant they must have been I'm sure people were sweating and looking almost nightmarish at times. love the yellow horrible teeth too, so many historic details they nailed in this scene.

[kevo]

Imagine a French peasant walking in on this dinner seeing everyone covered head to toe in white out, having the wettest meal since that scene in Lord of the Rings, and speaking only in clever turns of phrase. No wonder their revolution was just around the corner.

[sethcopeland]

As with many lines in this series, the passage about what the Adams children and their children must study comes from an actual John Adams quote.

[timheavrin]

This scene leaves little doubt why the French Revolution took place not long after this time.

[lauramcquade]

This must have been like visiting an alien world to John Adams... They paint their faces, eat strange food and are openly sexual. It must have been so overwhelming.

[renevalice]

The Caligula aura over the French aristocracy is quite surreal and carnal.
The cleanliness of the rich was as a barn stable, just hidden with haughty etiquette, lavish clothes, and ingenious smiles.

[christopherkahn]

I love Paul Giamatti. He plays it so perfectly here as a very serious John Adams, and all laughs are at his expense. It's a tough crowd, but he finally wins them over. Great scene.

[ChooseDharma]

The grace, class, erudition, honor and integrity that the Founders of America and their immediate successors displayed is like night and day with the shallow, greedy and low life politicians of today. This is one of the best shows I have watched till date, not once but thrice.

[fonz]

This is incredible that this historical footage exists - the camera folks did a great job documenting this

[matthewcarey]

Oh god, the Puritan stuck in libertine France! Poor John. Compare this scene with when he meets King George for the first time. They have a good laugh at the French.

[ilmsff]

A grin and nod of approval from Franklin - priceless.

[Andrew-idvd]

3:49 Franklin realized Adams was cooking