Trumbo (2007)

Through a focus on the life of Dalton Trumbo (1905-1976), this film examines the effects on individuals and families of a congressional pursuit of Hollywood Communists after World War II. ... See full summary »

Director:

Peter Askin

Writers:

Christopher Trumbo (play), Christopher Trumbo (screenplay)

Stars:

Dalton Trumbo, Joan Allen, Brian Dennehy

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dalton Trumbo	...	Himself (archive footage)
Joan Allen	...	Herself
Brian Dennehy	...	Himself
Michael Douglas	...	Himself
Paul Giamatti	...	Himself
Nathan Lane	...	Himself
Josh Lucas	...	Himself
Liam Neeson	...	Himself
David Strathairn	...	Himself
Donald Sutherland	...	Himself
Emanuel Azenberg	...	Himself / Interviewee
Walter Bernstein	...	Himself / Interviewee
Larry Ceplair	...	Himself / Interviewee
Kirk Douglas	...	Himself / Interviewee
Peter Hanson	...	Himself / Interviewee

Storyline

Through a focus on the life of Dalton Trumbo (1905-1976), this film examines the effects on individuals and families of a congressional pursuit of Hollywood Communists after World War II. Trumbo was one of several writers, directors, and actors who invoked the First Amendment in refusing to answer questions under oath. They were blacklisted and imprisoned. We follow Trumbo to prison, to exile in Mexico with his family, to poverty, to the public shunning of his children, to his writing under others' names, and to an eventual but incomplete vindication. Actors read his letters; his children and friends remember and comment. Archive photos, newsreels and interviews add texture.

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Plot Keywords:

children | first amendment | mexico | interview | prison | 

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Taglines:

He was Hollywood's greatest screenwriter. His words still resonate today. He defied a committee, he defied the system. They took his honor. They took his freedom. So Dalton Trumbo went to war. But the ending could only be written by him.

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Genres:

Documentary | Biography

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for a sex-related commentary

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 June 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dalton Trumbo

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$28,125 (USA) (27 June 2008)

Gross:

$108,280 (USA) (25 July 2008)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Filbert Steps Productions, Reno Productions, Safehouse Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min 96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

References The Boss (1956)

User Reviews

"Trumbo" personalizes the Blacklist

Screenwriter Dalton Trumbo was arguably the most famous of the "Unfriendly Ten" who were blacklisted in 1947 in the first flash of America's witch-hunts. But that's pretty much all that the casual observer knew about him before his son, Christopher, presented his letters in the two-hander "Trumbo." Now Peter Askin's documentary, which includes dramatized readings from Trumbo fils' epistolary drama, fills in the historical gaps with newsreels, interviews, and a minimum of film clips ($). The importance of this documentary is that it shows how unquiet Trumbo was, how his insistent visibility helped break the Blacklist, and how the forces that tried to make the Blacklistees toe the line are still running things. For any doctrinaire Right-wingers reading this summary, "Trumbo" isn't about Communism, it's about thought control -- something both Left and Right seem to be fixated on imposing. The power of this film comes from its varied, non-manipulative portrayal of an indomitable creative spirit.