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IMDbPro

Trumbo

  • 20152015
  • RR
  • 2h 4m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
81K
YOUR RATING
Bryan Cranston in Trumbo (2015)
The successful career of Hollywood screenwriter, Dalton Trumbo, comes to an end when he is blacklisted in the 1940s for being a Communist.
Play trailer2:32
16 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Biography
  • Drama
In 1947, Dalton Trumbo was Hollywood's top screenwriter, until he and other artists were jailed and blacklisted for their political beliefs.In 1947, Dalton Trumbo was Hollywood's top screenwriter, until he and other artists were jailed and blacklisted for their political beliefs.In 1947, Dalton Trumbo was Hollywood's top screenwriter, until he and other artists were jailed and blacklisted for their political beliefs.
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
81K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Jay Roach
  • Writers
    • John McNamara
    • Bruce Cook(book "Dalton Trumbo")
  • Stars
    • Bryan Cranston
    • Diane Lane
    • Helen Mirren
Top credits
  • Director
    • Jay Roach
  • Writers
    • John McNamara
    • Bruce Cook(book "Dalton Trumbo")
  • Stars
    • Bryan Cranston
    • Diane Lane
    • Helen Mirren
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 234User reviews
    • 304Critic reviews
    • 60Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 8 wins & 45 nominations total

    Videos16

    New International Trailer
    Trailer 2:32
    New International Trailer
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:26
    Official Trailer
    It Simply Lacks Genius
    Clip 1:06
    It Simply Lacks Genius
    The Second We Need You You Do Nothing
    Clip 0:52
    The Second We Need You You Do Nothing
    This Isnt A Discussion
    Clip 0:44
    This Isnt A Discussion
    He Thinks Hes The Cat
    Clip 1:09
    He Thinks Hes The Cat
    Spartacus
    Clip 0:51
    Spartacus
    You Live Like A Rich Guy
    Clip 1:11
    You Live Like A Rich Guy
    You Don't Want My Name On It
    Clip 0:51
    You Don't Want My Name On It
    You Live Like A Rich Guy
    Clip 1:11
    You Live Like A Rich Guy
    F Ire Dalton Trumbo
    Clip 0:47
    F Ire Dalton Trumbo
    Ill See You In Washington
    Clip 0:56
    Ill See You In Washington

    Photos120

    Louis C.K. in Trumbo (2015)
    Trumbo (2015)
    Trumbo (2015)
    Jay Roach and Bryan Cranston in Trumbo (2015)
    James DuMont in Trumbo (2015)
    Trumbo (2015)
    Jay Roach and Michael Stuhlbarg in Trumbo (2015)
    Jay Roach and Bryan Cranston in Trumbo (2015)
    Jim Denault in Trumbo (2015)
    Diane Lane in Trumbo (2015)
    Christian Berkel in Trumbo (2015)
    Bryan Cranston in Trumbo (2015)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Bryan Cranston
    Bryan Cranston
    • Dalton Trumboas Dalton Trumbo
    Diane Lane
    Diane Lane
    • Cleo Trumboas Cleo Trumbo
    Helen Mirren
    Helen Mirren
    • Hedda Hopperas Hedda Hopper
    Louis C.K.
    Louis C.K.
    • Arlen Hirdas Arlen Hird
    Michael Stuhlbarg
    Michael Stuhlbarg
    • Edward G. Robinsonas Edward G. Robinson
    David Maldonado
    David Maldonado
    • Roccoas Rocco
    • (as Dave Maldonado)
    John Getz
    John Getz
    • Sam Woodas Sam Wood
    Laura Flannery
    Laura Flannery
    • Party Goeras Party Goer
    David James Elliott
    David James Elliott
    • John Wayneas John Wayne
    Toby Nichols
    Toby Nichols
    • Chris Trumbo (age 6-10)as Chris Trumbo (age 6-10)
    • (as Tobias McDowell Nichols)
    Joseph S. Martino
    • Rally Participantas Rally Participant
    Madison Wolfe
    Madison Wolfe
    • Niki Trumbo (age 8-11)as Niki Trumbo (age 8-11)
    Jason Bayle
    Jason Bayle
    • Young Fatheras Young Father
    James DuMont
    James DuMont
    • J. Parnell Thomasas J. Parnell Thomas
    Alan Tudyk
    Alan Tudyk
    • Ian McLellan Hunteras Ian McLellan Hunter
    Dan Bakkedahl
    Dan Bakkedahl
    • Roy Breweras Roy Brewer
    Richard Portnow
    Richard Portnow
    • Louis B. Mayeras Louis B. Mayer
    Roger Bart
    Roger Bart
    • Buddy Rossas Buddy Ross
    • Director
      • Jay Roach
    • Writers
      • John McNamara
      • Bruce Cook(book "Dalton Trumbo")
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Edward G. Robinson testified four times in front of the House Un-American Activities Committee, and the fourth time, on April 30, 1952, named Albert Maltz, Dalton Trumbo, John Howard Lawson, Frank Tuttle, Edward Dmytryk, and Sidney Buchman. He also expressed regret at his association with the Communist Party, proclaiming himself a "dupe". However, one character mentioned in the movie, Arlen Hird, played by Louis C.K., never actually existed. He is, in fact, an amalgam of several historical blacklisted writers.
    • Goofs
      When the Oscar is presented for Best Screenplay at the 1954 Awards the presenter says, "And the Oscar goes to..." This phrase was not used by presenters until the 61st Academy Awards in 1989. In the 1950s the presenter would have said, "And the winner is..." when presenting an Oscar.
    • Quotes

      Dalton Trumbo: [challenging John Wayne] If you're gonna talk about World War II as if you personally won it, let's be clear where you were stationed - on a film set, shooting blanks, wearing makeup, and if you're going to hit me, I'd like to take off my glasses.

    • Crazy credits
      As the credit scroll begins, photos of the real Dalton Trumbo, his family and other people portrayed in the film are shown. These are followed by historical footage of Trumbo giving an interview (from the same one where he acknowledges that he is 'Robert Rich').
    • Alternate versions
      The version of the movie that has been screened on Indian theaters and telecast in India is a PG-13 level cut that has been rated UA by the CBFC.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Bryan Cranston/Rachel Maddow/Andrea Bocelli (2015)
    • Soundtracks
      Drunken Father
      Composed by Max Steiner

      Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

    User reviews234

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    a fun movie on a serious subject
    I've seen some mixed reviews of Trumbo, and in a way I can understand why it wouldn't impress some film critics. It is a movie where the movie business, and especially movie personalities, are given over to actors to play. It's not unlike a few years ago with the Anthony Hopkins Hitchcock: you got a big cast and they all have roles to play from people who, if you're a big movie buff (or even someone who just knows who Kirk Douglas or John Wayne were, and that's probably a lot, whether or not you know who Dalton Trumbo was entirely), there's an aspect of 'Oh, he's or she is playing HIM or HER!' But I think with a sharp enough script that sort of thing goes by the way-side, especially if it gives the right actors some good stuff to play. There's nothing about Trumbo that is especially complex, as it has the message that most of us in 2015 would agree with: the Hollywood Blacklist, not just what happened to the Hollywood 10 but many others, was a horrible thing, and the thesis comes down to the idea that there were good and bad people in it but it also came down to the nature of it all making people victims... well, except for Hedda Hopper.

    The movie is fun though whether or not you know a lot about the history because of who is in the cast and especially Bryan Cranston as Trumbo. He's a man who makes a lot of money in the 40's in Hollywood writing scripts and yet is an avowed Communist (he makes the case to his daughter in such a way early on in the film that some might question but most of us would go 'huh, that's it then'). A lot of the conflict comes because of what the history had right there: HUAC went after people in Hollywood who were suspected 'traitors', but in reality were just writers and (some) actors and directors who had affiliations with the party, and thanks to pressure by columnist Hedda Hopper (played here by Helen Mirren in a role that's deliciously evil) and John Wayne (actor I can't remember but does a good impression without being caricature-ish), a group got pressured. They didn't name names, were held in contempt of court, found guilty and did time. Well, unless if you were Edward G. Robinson (though he's shown in a somewhat sympathetic light, maybe just by Michael Stuhlbarg being in the role).

    The bulk of the story is about the 'front' that Trumbo led for himself and other blacklisted writers such as stubborn/cancer-ridden Arlen Hird (Louis CK, always a pleasure to watch, but especially in scenes with Cranston). They used fake names to get their scripts made, even as they had no choice for a while but to team up with filmmakers who were out to just make "crap" (an echo in a way for me of Burton's Ed Wood with the John Goodman character). There's some predictable drama that unfolds - the all-business-all-writing part of Dalton that conflicts with being a father and family-man and clashing with his daughter and wife (very good Elle Fanning and Diane Lane respectively) - but what helps it along all the way is just a sharp script and direction that keeps things thematically strong.

    This is serious stuff what happened to these people in Hollywood, and director Jay Roach and writer John McNamara know that, all the way up to a final speech from Trumbo upon winning a WGA award that puts things into a perspective that (almost) makes Trumbo too fair to those who really wronged him and his friends. But it's just full of wit an clever lines; if you're a sucker for that, as I can be sometimes, then Trumbo makes for a balance of the light and dark stuff. Again if nothing else, Cranston makes someone who can easily be seen as a CHARACTER in bold letters (and by many accounts that is who Trumbo was) and gives him three dimensions and perspective on the situations that unfold. He does things that may be wrong and provocative, in both bad and good ways, and is told off enough that any of his short-comings become kind of charming. I could've spent more time with his Trumbo and been happy, especially in light of the history that unfolds here (i.e. Roman Holiday, Spatacus, Exodus, other productions like The Brave One).
    helpful•64
    24
    • Quinoa1984
    • Nov 27, 2015

    FAQ1

    • What is the real-life story of the Hollywood blacklist depicted in "Trumbo"?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 27, 2015 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Nhà Biên Kịch Trumbo
    • Filming locations
      • New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
    • Production companies
      • Bleecker Street Films
      • ShivHans Pictures
      • Groundswell Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $15,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $7,857,741
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $74,177
      • Nov 8, 2015
    • Gross worldwide
      • $11,430,025
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 4 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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