Truth (2015)

Newsroom drama detailing the 2004 CBS 60 Minutes report investigating then-President George W. Bush's military service, and the subsequent firestorm of criticism that cost anchor Dan Rather and producer Mary Mapes their careers.

Director:

James Vanderbilt

Writers:

James Vanderbilt (screenplay), Mary Mapes (book)

Stars:

Cate Blanchett, Robert Redford, Dennis Quaid

1 win & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cate Blanchett	...	Mary Mapes
Robert Redford	...	Dan Rather
Topher Grace	...	Mike Smith
Dennis Quaid	...	Lt. Col. Roger Charles
Elisabeth Moss	...	Lucy Scott
Bruce Greenwood	...	Andrew Heyward
Stacy Keach	...	Lt. Col. Bill Burkett
John Benjamin Hickey	...	Mark Wrolstad
David Lyons	...	Josh Howard
Dermot Mulroney	...	Lawrence Lanpher
Rachael Blake	...	Betsy West
Andrew McFarlane	...	Dick Hibey
Natalie Saleeba	...	Mary Murphy
Noni Hazlehurst	...	Nicki Burkett
Connor Burke	...	Robert Mapes

Storyline

The story of The Killian Documents controversy (a.k.a. "Rathergate") in the days leading up to the 2004 presidential election. When veteran newscaster Dan Rather and CBS News head Mary Mapes choose to air a segment on 60 Minutes exposing how President Bush avoided being drafted to Vietnam through his father's political advantages, the resulting fallout ultimately costs them their jobs and reputations.

---

Plot Keywords:

fired from the job | election | tv broadcast | based on true events | ends with biographical notes | 

---

Taglines:

When Truth becomes your downfall.

---

Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and a brief nude photo

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Japan]

Country:

Australia USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 October 2015 (USA)

Also Known As:

Conspiración y poder

Filming Locations:

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

$9,600,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$66,232, 16 October 2015, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$2,541,554, 7 February 2016

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sony Pictures Classics,Echo Lake Entertainment,RatPac Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

125 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the scene toward the end of the movie where Mary Mapes is taking to Dan Rather on the phone, a book titled "Katherine Hepburn" can be seen on the shelf behind her. Cate Blanchett played Hepburn in The Aviator (2004).

---

Goofs

The 60 Minutes report airs at, presumably 8 PM eastern (in early September), based on the rundown clock in the edit room. When her husband and son are watching the show in Dallas (at presumably 7PM, it's dark outside. Also, when the 60 Minutes executive is watching the evening news reports in his office, presumably a few days later (also presumably at 6:30-7:00 in early-mid September), it's also dark out.

---

Quotes

Dan Rather: New Times Roman

---

Crazy Credits

William Devane as The voice of Gen. Hodges on the telephone is not listed in the cast.

---

Connections

Referenced in The Andrew Klavan Show: Dan Rather, the Movie! (2015)

---

Soundtracks

For Sheila
Written by Kenny Werner
Courtesy of Extreme Music

User Reviews

Adding to my long list of favorite movies.

Despite getting pretty crappy reviews and leaving the theater I work at in about a week without bringing in many customers I loved Truth. It is fascinating as a political commentary on journalism, the mistrust certain people have of feminists and liberals with the "bias", and the responsibility of reporters and sources to give accurate information. After seeing this movie I believe that no matter your thoughts on Dan Rather, Mary Mapes, or George Bush you will think this movie tells a great story. The question remains, were those documents false? Were they real? Does it matter? This movie doesn't care if they were real or fake, regardless they caused many problems in the lives of the journalists who reported this story. The actors do a great job. I was especially impressed with the performance of Topher Grace whose character Mike Smith is funny and relatable. "I'm eating ramen three meals a day," talk about truth! This movie is being bashed as propaganda by Bush supporters, most of whom, I assume haven't actually seen the film. I am adding Truth to my favorite movies. I am giving it a ten out of ten and wholeheartedly recommend it. Please note that this is a reflection of my personal opinion, not paid for or influenced by any company affiliated with the movie Truth and that, while I am a proud employee of a national movie theater chain the views and opinions expressed on this blog are mine and not necessarily a reflection of the company where I work. This review originally appeared on my blog.