# Hamilton (2020 film)

Hamilton is a 2020 American biographical musical historical drama film consisting of a live stage recording of the Broadway musical, which was inspired by the 2004 biography Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow. Co-produced by Walt Disney Pictures, 5000 Broadway Productions, RadicalMedia, Nevis Productions, and Old 320 Sycamore Pictures, it was directed by Thomas Kail, who also produced the film with Jeffrey Seller and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Miranda, who wrote the music, lyrics, and book for the musical, also stars as Treasury Secretary and Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, along with the musical's original principal Broadway cast, including Leslie Odom Jr., Phillipa Soo, Christopher Jackson, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Daveed Diggs, Anthony Ramos, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Okieriete Onaodowan, and Jonathan Groff.
Originally planned for theatrical release on October 15, 2021, Hamilton was instead released worldwide by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures to stream on Disney+ on July 3, 2020. Acclaimed by critics for its visuals, performances, and direction, it became one of the most-streamed films of 2020. The film was named as one of the best films of 2020 by the American Film Institute, and was nominated for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (for Miranda) at the 78th Golden Globe Awards, while Daveed Diggs was nominated for Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Male Actor in a Limited Series or Television Movie. Hamilton was also nominated for twelve Primetime Emmy Awards, and won two, including Outstanding Variety Special.

## Synopsis

Hamilton narrates Alexander Hamilton's life in two acts, and details among other things his involvement in the American Revolutionary War as an aide-de-camp to George Washington, his marriage to Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, his career as a lawyer and Secretary of the Treasury, and his interactions with Aaron Burr (the main narrator for most of the musical), which culminates in their duel that ends Hamilton's life.

### Act I

The orphan Alexander Hamilton experiences a difficult early life, but through his wits and the charitability of his townsfolks escapes his home, the island of St. Croix, and immigrates to New York City ("Alexander Hamilton"). As a student at King's College in 1776, Hamilton meets Aaron Burr, John Laurens, the Marquis de Lafayette, and Hercules Mulligan ("Aaron Burr, Sir"), and impresses them with his rhetorical skills ("My Shot"). The latter three and Hamilton affirm their revolutionary goals to each other, while Burr remains apprehensive ("The Story of Tonight"). Later, the daughters of the wealthy Philip Schuyler—Peggy, Angelica, and Eliza—go into town and share their excitement about the upcoming revolution ("The Schuyler Sisters"), while loyalist bishop Samuel Seabury argues against the revolution ("Farmer Refuted") and King George III insists on his authority ("You'll Be Back"). During the New York and New Jersey campaign, Hamilton accepts a position as George Washington's aide-de-camp despite longing for field command ("Right Hand Man").
At a ball hosted by Philip Schuyler ("A Winter's Ball"), Eliza falls helplessly in love with Hamilton, who reciprocates her feelings to the point of marriage ("Helpless"), as Angelica suppresses her own feelings for the sake of their happiness ("Satisfied"). After the wedding, Burr and Hamilton congratulate each other's successes ("The Story of Tonight (Reprise)"), and Burr reflects on Hamilton's swift rise compared to his own more cautious career, as well as his affair with Theodosia, the wife of a British officer ("Wait For It").
As conditions worsen for the Continental Army ("Stay Alive"), Hamilton aids Laurens in a duel against disgraced Major General Charles Lee ("Ten Duel Commandments"), for which Washington temporarily suspends him from the army ("Meet Me Inside"). Back home, Eliza reveals that she is pregnant with their first child, Philip, and asks Hamilton to slow down to take in the good that has happened in their lives ("That Would Be Enough"). Lafayette convinces Washington to recall Hamilton and grant him field command for the Battle of Yorktown ("Guns and Ships"). Knowing that Hamilton would die a martyr, Washington tells him that he should carefully consider his actions because whatever he does will be remembered for all time ("History Has Its Eyes on You"). At Yorktown, Hamilton works with Lafayette to take down the British and reveals that Mulligan has been working as a spy, helping them trap the British and win the war ("Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)").
Soon after the victory of Yorktown, King George asks the newborn America how it will succeed on its own ("What Comes Next?"). Hamilton's son Philip is born, while Burr has a daughter, Theodosia, and the two new fathers promise their children that they will do anything to protect them ("Dear Theodosia"). Hamilton receives word that Laurens has been killed in a pointless battle with evacuating British troops after the war was already over and responds to his grief by throwing himself into his work ("Tomorrow There'll Be More Of Us (The Laurens Interlude)"). Over the next decade, both Hamilton and Burr return to New York and work as lawyers. Through his work and writing, Hamilton rapidly gains influence, participates in the Constitutional Convention, co-authors The Federalist Papers and is selected as Secretary of the Treasury by newly elected President Washington, amidst Eliza begging him to slow down and Angelica moving to London with her new husband ("Non-Stop").

### Act II

In 1789, Thomas Jefferson returns to America from being the U.S. ambassador to France, taking up his newfound position as Secretary of State ("What'd I Miss"). Jefferson and James Madison debate against Hamilton's financial proposals at a Cabinet meeting. Washington orders Hamilton to figure out a compromise to push his plan through Congress ("Cabinet Battle #1"). Eliza and her family—along with Angelica, visiting from London—travel upstate during the summer, while Hamilton stays home to work on the compromise ("Take a Break"). Hamilton begins an affair with Maria Reynolds, making him vulnerable to her husband's extortion ("Say No To This"). Hamilton, Jefferson, and Madison finally reach a compromise over a private dinner: they will push through Hamilton's financial plan in exchange for placing the country's permanent capital on the Potomac River. Burr is envious of Hamilton's sway in the government and wishes that he had similar power ("The Room Where It Happens"). Burr switches political parties and defeats Hamilton's father-in-law Philip Schuyler in a race for the Senate, now making Hamilton a rival ("Schuyler Defeated").
In another Cabinet meeting, Jefferson and Hamilton argue over whether the United States should assist France in its conflict with Britain. President Washington ultimately agrees with Hamilton's argument for remaining neutral ("Cabinet Battle #2"). In the wake of this, Jefferson, Madison, and Burr decide to join forces to find a way to discredit Hamilton ("Washington on Your Side"). Washington retires from the presidency after his second term, and Hamilton assists in writing his farewell address ("One Last Time"). A flabbergasted King George receives word that George Washington has stepped down, and will be replaced by John Adams ("I Know Him"). Adams fires Hamilton, who, in response, publishes an inflammatory critique of the new president ("The Adams Administration").
Jefferson, Madison, and Burr confront Hamilton about James Reynolds's blackmail years earlier, accusing him of embezzlement ("We Know"). Desperate to salvage his political career by proving that he was merely lustful and not corrupt, Hamilton reminisces over his life and how writing has always saved him ("Hurricane"), before prophylactically publicizing his affair in the Reynolds Pamphlet, which wrecks his own reputation ("The Reynolds Pamphlet"). It also ruins his relationship with Eliza, who, in heartbroken retaliation, burns all the letters Hamilton wrote her, trying to erase herself from history ("Burn"). After graduating from college, Hamilton's son Philip attempts to defend his father's honor in a duel with George Eacker ("Blow Us All Away"), but is fatally shot ("Stay Alive (Reprise)"), eventually leading to reconciliation between Alexander and Eliza ("It's Quiet Uptown").
Hamilton's surprising endorsement of longtime political enemy Jefferson over Burr in the 1800 presidential election ("The Election of 1800") dramatically intensifies the animosity between Hamilton and Burr, who reaches his breaking point and challenges Hamilton to a duel via an exchange of letters ("Your Obedient Servant"). Hamilton writes his last letter in a rush while Eliza tells him to go back to bed ("Best of Wives and Best of Women"). Burr reflects on the events leading up to the duel, while Hamilton reflects on his legacy, before throwing away his shot. Burr fatally shoots Hamilton, and laments that though he survived, he is destined to be remembered by history as the villain who killed Hamilton ("The World Was Wide Enough"). The musical closes with a reflection on historical memory. Jefferson and Madison reflect on Hamilton's legacy, while Eliza tells how she reinserted herself in history and ensured Hamilton's memory by recording the memories of fellow veterans, raising funds for the Washington Monument, speaking out against slavery, and establishing the first private orphanage in New York City ("Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story"). Eliza then turns toward the audience and lets out a tearful gasp.

## Cast

* Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton
* Leslie Odom Jr. as Aaron Burr
* Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton
* Renée Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler
* Christopher Jackson as George Washington
* Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette / Thomas Jefferson
* Anthony Ramos as John Laurens / Philip Hamilton
* Okieriete Onaodowan as Hercules Mulligan / James Madison
* Jonathan Groff as King George III
* Jasmine Cephas Jones as Peggy Schuyler / Maria Reynolds
* Sydney James Harcourt as Philip Schuyler / James Reynolds / Doctor / Ensemble
* Thayne Jasperson as Samuel Seabury / Ensemble
* Jon Rua as Charles Lee / Ensemble
* Ephraim Sykes as George Eacker / Ensemble
Carleigh Bettiol, Ariana DeBose, Hope Easterbrook, Sasha Hutchings, Elizabeth Judd, Austin Smith, and Seth Stewart also appear as ensemble members.

## Musical numbers

End Credits
* "My Shot (Rise Up Remix)" – The Roots featuring Busta Rhymes, Joell Ortiz and Nate Ruess
* "Dear Theodosia" (Instrumental) – Orchestra
* "Exit Music" – Orchestra

## Production

The film is edited together from three performances of Hamilton at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in Midtown Manhattan in June 2016 with the original principal Broadway cast members, prior to the departure of Miranda, Leslie Odom Jr., Phillipa Soo, and Ariana DeBose from the production, combined with a few "setup shots" recorded without an audience present. These shots included numbers that were captured with the use of a Steadicam, crane and dolly. The footage, shot by RadicalMedia, was originally filmed to be spliced into the 2016 documentary Hamilton's America. The film includes a one-minute intermission.
The film features the majority of the original Broadway cast, minus ensemble members Betsy Struxness and Emmy Raver-Lampman who left in March and April 2016 respectively – their roles are performed by Hope Easterbrook and Elizabeth Judd. Jonathan Groff, who departed the role of King George III in April and was replaced by Rory O'Malley, returned to the production to reprise his role for the film. He also provides, in character, the voice of the pre-show announcer at the beginning of the film, welcoming the audience to the show.
On February 3, 2020, it was announced that Walt Disney Studios had acquired the worldwide distribution rights for the film for $75 million. Disney successfully outbid multiple competitors, including Warner Bros. Pictures, 20th Century Fox, and Netflix, which had all expressed interest in the film rights. The deal, reportedly one of the most expensive film rights acquisitions, was negotiated between Endeavor Content and Walt Disney Pictures president Sean Bailey and was placed into motion after Disney CEO Bob Iger approached the producers with personal interest in acquiring the film rights. The film is produced by Miranda, Jeffrey Seller, and Kail.

## Release

The film was originally scheduled for an October 15, 2021 theatrical wide release by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, but was later moved up to July 3, 2020, on Disney+, as announced by Disney and Miranda on May 12, 2020 in light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the film industry and the performing arts, which shut down the Broadway, West End, and touring productions. This move was also done to get the film released in time for the Fourth of July weekend, on the 244th anniversary of the independence of the United States.
The film was planned to be released for home media distribution in 2022 after the streaming release.
Hamilton received a PG-13 rating by the MPA for "language and some suggestive material". Two instances of the expletive "fuck" were censored to avoid an R rating; a third, partially unfinished one used in "Say No to This" is retained, making it the first film released by Walt Disney Pictures to feature the expletive. A fourth expletive, "motherfucker", used in "The Adams Administration" is also kept in, but is intentionally bleeped for comedic effect as part of the show and its cast album.
A behind-the-scenes documentary about the making of the film, entitled Hamilton In-Depth with Kelley Carter, premiered on The Undefeated and Disney+ the same day as the film. It features journalist Kelley L. Carter hosting a roundtable discussion with Thomas Kail and members of the cast about the musical's origins, its significance in pop culture, and how its story and portrayal of historical events resonate with the modern-day discussions about social injustice and systemic racism.

## Reception
### Audience viewership

On the weekend of the film's release, the Disney+ app was downloaded 266,084 times, a 72% increase from the past four weeks' total. TV analytics provider, Samba TV reported that 2.7 million U.S. households streamed the film in its first 10 days on Disney+. In August 2020, it was reported that a "staggering" 37.1% of subscribers (about 22 million) had watched the film over its first month (by comparison, the second-largest viewership portion on a platform was Netflix's Unsolved Mysteries with 13.7%). In November, Variety reported the film was the most watched straight-to-streaming title of 2020 up to that point. In December, research firm Screen Engine reported that Hamilton was the second-most watched straight-to-streaming title of 2020 behind HBO Max's Wonder Woman 1984.

### Critical response

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, Hamilton holds an approval rating of 98% based on 202 reviews, with an average rating of 9.1/10. The site's critics consensus reads: "Look around, look around at how beautifully Hamilton shines beyond Broadway – and at how marvelously Thomas Kail captures the stage show's infectious energy." On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 88 out of 100, based on 42 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".
Peter Debruge, in his review for Variety, wrote: "For those fortunate enough to see Hamilton on stage, this will be a welcome reminder of being among the first to witness such a revolutionary piece of American theater. And if you couldn't get tickets at the time (some of which fetched more than the value of Cares Act stimulus payments), this 2 1/2-hour release represents an incredible equalizing moment". Justin Chang of the Los Angeles Times wrote "For those of us who have never seen the stage show, and have compensated by spending many happy hours with the soundtrack, it's a particular pleasure to be figuratively ushered into the live Richard Rodgers Theater audience, whose applause you often hear and whose presence you sometimes glimpse in passing. Unaltered from that initial staging, apart from some seamless editing (by Jonah Moran) and the silencing of a few family-unfriendly expletives, this filmed Hamilton is somehow both a four-year-old time capsule and a timely encounter with the present."
Rafer Guzmán of Newsday gave the film 3 stars out of 4, writing "Directed with a steady hand by Thomas Kail, Hamilton doesn't quite capture the electricity of a live performance, though mid-song laughs and cheers can occasionally be heard from the audience (there's also a one-minute intermission). Hamilton will surely return when Broadway does, but for now this document will serve nicely in its stead." David Ehrlich of IndieWire gave the film a grade of A− and said: "This is Hamilton as you always wanted to see it, and it always will be. And with Disney+ releasing it just in time for the Fourth of July, it doubles as a perfect reminder that America is only worth celebrating because of what it aspires to be — the version of it we see in our minds' eye, and not the one that's petrified on the pages of our history books."
David Rooney, in his review for The Hollywood Reporter, praised Kail's directing by writing "The art of the filmed performance has evolved considerably since the days when a camera or two were plonked down at the rim of the stage and the show unfolded as a static theatrical facsimile. Since staging Hamilton, director Thomas Kail has been sharpening his skills on television work like Grease Live! — still by far the best of the recent spate of live TV musicals — and Fosse/Verdon, a striking hybrid of theatrical performance and conventional narrative."
A. O. Scott of The New York Times named the film a "Critic's Pick", praising the timeliness of its release stating "One lesson that the past few years should have taught — or reconfirmed — is that there aren’t any good old days. [...] This four-year-old performance of 'Hamilton,' viewed without nostalgia, feels more vital, more challenging than ever." In 2024, Tim Grierson of RogerEbert.com named the film the "Best Fourth of July Release of the 21st Century," writing "So many Independence Day releases celebrate spectacle, but few embody the complex beauty of this country and its history. This one does, ravishingly."

## Accolades

Following its release and acclaim, there was speculation on whether Hamilton would be eligible for Academy Awards consideration. Major publications pointed to previous instances of Academy Award-nominated films featuring stage recordings, such as Othello (1965) and Give ‘em Hell, Harry (1975), suggesting the possibility of recognition for Hamilton. However, on July 6, 2020, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences disqualified Hamilton for the 93rd Academy Awards, citing a rule implemented in 1997 that "Recorded stage productions are not eligible for consideration." Disney included Hamilton in its awards consideration campaign and reportedly submitted the film to every organization and award guild, regardless of apparent eligibility. Unlike the Academy, other major organizations that present film awards—such as the Golden Globe Awards and the Screen Actors Guild Awards—have no specific restrictions against filmed theater, and thus recognized the film.
| Year | Award | Category | Recipients | Result |
| 2020 | People's Choice Awards | The Movie of 2020 | Hamilton | Nominated |
| 2020 | People's Choice Awards | The Drama Movie of 2020 | Hamilton | Won |
| 2020 | People's Choice Awards | The Drama Movie Star of 2020 | Lin-Manuel Miranda | Won |
| 2021 | American Cinema Editors Awards | Best Edited Limited Series or Motion Picture for Television | Jonah Moran | Nominated |
| 2021 | American Film Institute Awards | AFI Special Award | Hamilton | Won |
| 2021 | Cinema Audio Society Awards | Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing for Television Non Fiction, Variety or Music – Series or Specials | Justin Rathbun, Tony Volante, Rob Fernandez and Tim Latham | Won |
| 2021 | Costume Designers Guild Awards | Excellence in Variety, Reality-Competition, Live Television | Paul Tazewell | Won |
| 2021 | Critics' Choice Television Awards | Best Television Movie | Hamilton | Won |
| 2021 | Directors Guild of America Awards | Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Limited Series | Thomas Kail | Nominated |
| 2021 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy | Hamilton | Nominated |
| 2021 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Actor – Musical or Comedy | Lin-Manuel Miranda | Nominated |
| 2021 | Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards | Best Streaming Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Live-Action Television Movie | Hamilton | Nominated |
| 2021 | Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards | Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Television Movie | Leslie Odom Jr. | Nominated |
| 2021 | Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards | Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Television Movie | Daveed Diggs | Nominated |
| 2021 | Golden Reel Awards | Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Single Presentation | Tony Volante, Dave Paterson, Nevin Steinberg, Dan Timmons and Derik Lee | Nominated |
| 2021 | Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards | Best Period and/or Character Hair Styling in a Television Special, One Hour or More Live Program Series or Movie for Television | Frederick Waggoner | Won |
| 2021 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special | Hamilton | Nominated |
| 2021 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special | Daveed Diggs | Nominated |
| 2021 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special | Leslie Odom Jr. | Nominated |
| 2021 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special | Lin-Manuel Miranda | Nominated |
| 2021 | Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards | Favorite Movie | Hamilton | Nominated |
| 2021 | Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards | Favorite Movie Actor | Lin-Manuel Miranda | Nominated |
| 2021 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) | Sander Jacobs, Jill Furman, Thomas Kail, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeffrey Seller | Won |
| 2021 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie | Lin-Manuel Miranda | Nominated |
| 2021 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie | Leslie Odom Jr. | Nominated |
| 2021 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie | Daveed Diggs | Nominated |
| 2021 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie | Jonathan Groff | Nominated |
| 2021 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie | Anthony Ramos | Nominated |
| 2021 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie | Renée Elise Goldsberry | Nominated |
| 2021 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie | Phillipa Soo | Nominated |
| 2021 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie | Thomas Kail | Nominated |
| 2021 | Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards | Outstanding Picture Editing for Variety Programming | Jonah Moran | Nominated |
| 2021 | Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards | Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Variety Series or Special | Tony Volante, Tim Latham and Justin Rathbun | Nominated |
| 2021 | Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards | Outstanding Technical Direction and Camerawork for a Special | Pat Capone, Jack Donnelly, Bruce MacCallum, Bill Winters, Maceo Bishop, Abby Levine and Joe Belack | Won |
| 2021 | Producers Guild of America Awards | Outstanding Producer of Streamed or Televised Motion Pictures | Thomas Kail, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeffrey Seller | Won |
| 2021 | Satellite Awards | Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical | Hamilton | Nominated |
| 2021 | Satellite Awards | Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical | Lin-Manuel Miranda | Nominated |
| 2021 | Satellite Awards | Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical | Leslie Odom Jr. | Nominated |
| 2021 | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series | Daveed Diggs | Nominated |