Barnum (1986)

The amazing biography of legendary circus impresario and unparalleled showman, P.T. Barnum.

Director:

Lee Philips

Writers:

Michael Norell (teleplay), Michael Norell (story),

Stars:

Burt Lancaster, Hanna Schygulla, John Roney

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Burt Lancaster	...	Phineas Taylor 'P.T.' Barnum
Hanna Schygulla	...	Jenny Lind
John Roney	...	Young Barnum
Sandor Raski	...	Tom Thumb
Patty Maloney	...	Tom Thumb
Laura Press	...	Charity
Kirsten Bishop	...	Nancy
Michael Higgins	...	Phineas Taylor
Lorena Gale	...	Joyce Heth
Deborah Hancock	...	Caroline
Andrew Bednarski	...	Little Phineas
Joe Cazalet	...	James Gordon Bennett
Rob Roy	...	Horace Greeley
Bronwen Mantel	...	Queen Victoria
Sean Hewitt	...	Coley Draper

Storyline

Phineas T. Barnum looks back at his life, starting when he is just a little boy. The movie shows how he muddled through his life and how he finally became a successful circus-master. But to get there he had to risk everything he had and show enormous courage.

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Plot Keywords:

show | circus | impresario | 19th century | talking to the camera | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Details

Country:

UK Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 November 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Barnum cirkuskungen

Company Credits

Production Co:

Robert Halmi, Filmline International

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

Wonderful Movie

First the bad news. Burt Lancaster is much too old for the part. Though they use a younger actor for much of Barnum's youth, when they switch to Lancaster, he's clearly much older than the character he's playing.

Now the good news. Burt Lancaster. He's great. No one else could play P.T. Barnum as well as Bur Lancaster. Thank God they overlooked the age factor and went for someone with the right soul. If you want someone to play the great Barnum, get a great actor. And they did.

The script is beautifully written. Because of that, even though the movie was obviously shot on a budget, it suffers not at all. Much as my kids loved it, this isn't really a kids movie. I mean it's good for kids -- they will like it -- but so will anyone interested in P.T. Barnum or 19th Century America. In other words, do not write this off as a mere kids movie because it's not.