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.

---

Plot Keywords:

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

---

Taglines:

He was an extraordinary ordinary man

---

Genres:

Biography | Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language and some war footage

Did You Know?

Trivia

Both Gary Sinese and Zeljko Ivanek would play the same person, Astronaut Ken Mattingly, in two Apollo era movies; Sinese in Apollo 13, and Ivanek in an episode of the mini-series From The Earth To The Moon.

---

Goofs

In the WWI segment, when Truman and his men have called for a successful artillery strike against an enemy position, the men are cheering and we can clearly hear one of them shouting "Alright!" It was not until the 1970s that people began using the word "alright' by itself as a cheer or as an exclamation of satisfaction.

---

Quotes

Bess Truman: [the Trumans have just moved into the White House] After all this time - our first, Harry. Our own house.

---

Connections

Referenced in The 18th Annual CableACE Awards (1996)

---

Soundtracks

It's a Long, Long Way to Tipperary
by Jack Judge and Harry Williams
Published by Warner Bros., 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

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