Truman (1995 film)
Truman is a 1995 American biographical drama television film directed by Frank Pierson and written by Thomas Rickman, based on David McCullough's Pulitzer Prize-winning 1992 book, Truman.[1] Starring Gary Sinise as Harry S. Truman, the film centers on Truman's humble beginnings, his rise to the presidency, World War II, and his decision to use the first atomic bomb. The film's tagline is "It took a farmer's hand to shape a nation."
Truman | |
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Genre | |
Based on | Truman by David McCullough |
Written by | Thomas Rickman |
Directed by | Frank Pierson |
Starring | |
Music by | David Mansfield |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
Production | |
Executive producers | |
Producer | Doro Bachrach |
Production locations | |
Cinematography | Paul Elliott |
Editor | Lisa Fruchtman |
Running time | 135 minutes |
Production companies |
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Budget | $8 million |
Release | |
Original network | HBO |
Original release |
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Cast
- Gary Sinise as Harry S. Truman
- Diana Scarwid as Bess Truman
- Richard Dysart as Henry L. Stimson
- Colm Feore as Charlie Ross
- James Gammon as Sam Rayburn
- Tony Goldwyn as Clark Clifford
- Pat Hingle as Boss Tom Pendergast
- Harris Yulin as General George C. Marshall
- Leo Burmester as Frank Vassar
- Amelia Campbell as Margaret Truman
- Virginia Capers as Elizabeth Moore
- John Finn as Bob Hannegan
- Željko Ivanek as Eddie Jacobson
- David Lansbury as Lt. Jim Pendergast
- Remak Ramsay as Dean Acheson
- Marian Seldes as Eleanor Roosevelt
- Lois Smith as Madge Wallace Gates
- Richard Venture as J. Lester Perry
- Daniel von Bargen as General Douglas MacArthur
- Michael Murphy as Dinner Speaker (uncredited)
Reception
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an 88% rating based on reviews from 8 critics.[2] Steve Crum of the Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers rated it 5 out of 5, calling it a "Superb production with memorable Sinise performance in title role."[3] TV Guide said, "Over-applauded by many critics, Truman is sturdy, standardized biographical moviemaking elevated by incontestably brilliant acting. Unfortunately, this cavalcade of facts and figures is conceived and executed impersonally like a docent delivering a speech in front of the waxworks at a Presidential museum. … [The audience lacks] a sense that Truman's travails have been shaped on screen by a filmmaker's passion. … Truman offers the satisfaction of textual thoroughness and seamless storytelling, but few flashes of inspiration or imagination."[4]
Accolades
Notes
- Tied with Robi Reed-Humes for The Tuskegee Airmen.
References
- J. O'Connor, John (September 8, 1995). "TV WEEKEND; Harry S Truman, Late Bloomer". The New York Times.
- "Truman". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
- Crum, Steve (July 6, 2006). "Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers". Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers.
- "Truman Reviews". TV Guide. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
- "Nominees/Winners". IMDb. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
- "The ASC Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography". American Society of Cinematographers. Archived from the original on August 2, 2011.
- "1996 Artios Awards". Casting Society of America. October 15, 1996. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
- Margulies, Lee (September 11, 1996). "CableACE Nominations Are Dominated by HBO". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
- "48th DGA Awards". Directors Guild of America Awards. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
- "Truman". Golden Globe Awards. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
- "Truman". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
- "The 2nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards". Screen Actors Guild Awards. Retrieved March 10, 2023.