Truman (1995)

Though considered unqualified, Harry S. Truman becomes the 33rd president following the April 1945 death of Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Director:

Frank Pierson

Writers:

David McCullough (book), Thomas Rickman (teleplay) (as Tom Rickman)

Stars:

Gary Sinise, Diana Scarwid, Richard Dysart

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 8 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gary Sinise	...	Harry S. Truman
Diana Scarwid	...	Bess Truman
Richard Dysart	...	Henry L. Stimson
Colm Feore	...	Charlie Ross
James Gammon	...	Sam Rayburn
Tony Goldwyn	...	Clark Clifford
Pat Hingle	...	Boss Tom Pendergast
Harris Yulin	...	General George Marshall
Leo Burmester	...	Frank Vassar
Amelia Campbell	...	Margaret Truman
Virginia Capers	...	Elizabeth Moore
John Finn	...	Bob Hannegan
Zeljko Ivanek	...	Eddie Jacobson
David Lansbury	...	Lt. Jim Pendergast
Remak Ramsay	...	Dean Acheson (as Remak Ramsey)

Storyline

Biographical account of America's President for the latter part of WWII. Shows Truman's rise from small-town nobody to leader of the USA, his decision to use the Atomic Bomb against Japan, and subsequent election as the US' post-war President.

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Plot Keywords:

character name as title | harry s truman character | douglas macarthur character | franklin d. roosevelt character | the white house | 

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Taglines:

It Took A Farmer's Hands To Shape A Nation

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language and some war footage

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 September 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Truman

Filming Locations:

Independence, Missouri, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$8,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

HBO Films, Spring Creek Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

135 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Pat Hingle and Daniel von Bargen previously appeared in Citizen Cohn (1992), also directed by Frank Pierson.

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Goofs

Just after Tom Pendergast's death, Truman sits down at a card table to play poker. The dealer says they are playing five-card stud, but then proceeds to deal each player two cards face down. A five-card stud hand consists of a single hole card and four cards that are dealt face up.

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Quotes

Harry S. Truman: I don't give 'em hell, I just tell the truth and they think it's hell.

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Connections

Referenced in The Oprah Winfrey Show: Summer Movie Reviews (1996)

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Soundtracks

Missouri Waltz
by J.R. Shannon (as James R. Shannon) and Frederick Knight Logan
Published by Forster Music Publisher, Inc.

User Reviews

Gary Sinise=Truman

I knew that I was going to be interested in this film from the beginning, having read and enjoyed David McCullough's book of the same name. What I wasn't expecting was the incredible performance turned out by Gary Sinise as Truman. While I thought that he was the *only* good thing about the film Forrest Gump, I still wasn't completely sold on his acting ability. This film changed my mind, because I felt like I was watching Truman himself in action. I can't even fathom the amount of research he must have put into his role, but he was amazing.

As for the film itself, it was very well done, used stock footage well (although I would swear that I caught a glimpse of FDR in some footage after he had supposedly died) and was a good overview of the very lengthy source it came from. Having read the book, I would have liked to have seen the film act as more of a thesis than a summary, so while adding another hour may have alienated some in terms of length; it would have provided a more in-depth portrayal of a sometimes underrated president.

--Shelly