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The Plot Against America

  • TV Mini Series
  • 2020
  • TV-MA
  • 1h 2m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
12K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,290
93
The Plot Against America (2020)
An alternate American history story of the country's turn to fascism told through the eyes of a working-class Jewish family in New Jersey
Play trailer2:23
11 Videos
93 Photos
Period DramaPolitical DramaDramaThriller

Characters live in an alternative history in which Franklin D. Roosevelt was defeated in the U.S. presidential election of 1940 by Charles Lindbergh.Characters live in an alternative history in which Franklin D. Roosevelt was defeated in the U.S. presidential election of 1940 by Charles Lindbergh.Characters live in an alternative history in which Franklin D. Roosevelt was defeated in the U.S. presidential election of 1940 by Charles Lindbergh.

  • Creators
    • Ed Burns
    • David Simon
  • Stars
    • Winona Ryder
    • Anthony Boyle
    • Zoe Kazan
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.3/10
    12K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,290
    93
    • Creators
      • Ed Burns
      • David Simon
    • Stars
      • Winona Ryder
      • Anthony Boyle
      • Zoe Kazan
    • 137User reviews
    • 29Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 1 win & 17 nominations total

    Episodes6

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated1 season2020

    Videos11

    The Plot Against America: Script To Screen
    Clip 3:11
    The Plot Against America: Script To Screen
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:23
    Official Trailer
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:23
    Official Trailer
    Teaser Trailer
    Trailer 1:54
    Teaser Trailer
    The Plot Against America: Part 3
    Trailer 0:48
    The Plot Against America: Part 3
    The Plot Against America: Part 6
    Trailer 0:58
    The Plot Against America: Part 6
    The Plot Against America: Part 1
    Trailer 2:12
    The Plot Against America: Part 1

    Photos92

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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Winona Ryder
    Winona Ryder
    • Evelyn Finkel
    • 2020
    Anthony Boyle
    Anthony Boyle
    • Alvin Levin
    • 2020
    Zoe Kazan
    Zoe Kazan
    • Elizabeth 'Bess' Levin
    • 2020
    Morgan Spector
    Morgan Spector
    • Herman Levin
    • 2020
    Michael Kostroff
    Michael Kostroff
    • Shepsie Tirchwell
    • 2020
    David Krumholtz
    David Krumholtz
    • Monty Levin
    • 2020
    Azhy Robertson
    Azhy Robertson
    • Phillip Levin
    • 2020
    Caleb Malis
    Caleb Malis
    • Sandy Levin
    • 2020
    Jacob Laval
    Jacob Laval
    • Seldon Wishnow
    • 2020
    John Turturro
    John Turturro
    • Rabbi Lionel Bengelsdorf
    • 2020
    Ben Cole
    • Charles Lindbergh
    • 2020
    Kristen Sieh
    Kristen Sieh
    • Selma Wishnow
    • 2020
    Steven Maier
    Steven Maier
    • Shushy Margulis
    • 2020
    Billy Carter
    Billy Carter
    • Walter Winchell
    • 2020
    Jarrett Winters Morley
    • Wounded Soldier
    • 2020
    Caroline Kaplan
    Caroline Kaplan
    • Anne Morrow Lindbergh
    • 2020
    Eleanor Reissa
    Eleanor Reissa
    • Mrs. Finkel
    • 2020
    Philip Hoffman
    Philip Hoffman
    • Norman Peretsky
    • 2020
    • Creators
      • Ed Burns
      • David Simon
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews137

    7.311.9K
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    Featured reviews

    8davidfurlotte

    Gathering Speed as it moves forward.

    This show started out painfully slow and I almost gave up on it in the first three episodes. I'm glad I've stuck with it because now it is getting to the more interesting story.

    Firstly, let me comment on other reviewers that somehow see this as taking shots at Trump. I personally do not see that at all. Oh, and to those reviewers that think Germany would have won the war without the U.S., think again. Russia pushed back hard against Germany and eventually would have succeeded although it would have taken more time, the end for Germany was inevitable.

    Some things that most people forget about this show is that times were different. Looking at this show with PC coloured glasses is wrong. Attitudes towards people of different races and religions were not only tolerated but encouraged with jokes and skits in radio shows and movies. During that time in U.S. history was a very delicate time and this shows how close America came to not only tolerating the Nazis but actually embracing some of their ideology. Heaven help us if a scenario like this had actually taken place.

    I do not know how well this show follows the book but I honestly appreciate the actors who I believe are doing a great job, ESPECIALLY the kids. I understand completely how back in those times they would react the way they did. All in all, this show is excellent and I strongly suggest viewing it.
    Saltpeter

    A Powerful Wallop

    The user review posted is ridiculous and asinine. "Mostly boring with many pointless scenes" ?? Is Siddhartha14 even watching the same miniseries? Every scene is revealing, powerful, and beautifully moves the story and characters forward. Also, the concept is not only riveting but incredibly timely, considering what's going on in the US (and, in fact, much of the western world) at this time. Highly recommended.
    9michaeljcummings

    Great Adaptation of an Excellent Novel

    This is an adaptation of a Philip Roth novel. Philip Roth was a great American novelist, possibly the last great American novelist. He died two years ago at 85. One of his themes is optimism turning to pessimism and then back to a more mature optimism. This is not a flashy story: you are not going to find "The Handmaid's Tale" here, nor any depictions of the Third Reich in the U.S.A. You are going to find a story about how U.S. isolationism could have changed the course of history from 1940 on, with devastating results. You are also going to find the quality of production that was once synonymous with HBO. Having read the book, I can say that the story is going to go in some fairly grim directions. But you shouldn't watch this expecting flash: instead, watch it for a vibrant story, brilliant characterizations, and great themes...such as what it means to be American. It doesn't hurt that some very good actors who have rarely been fully utilized have some excellent material to work with. I think Morgan Spector, Winona Ryder, and especially Zoe Kazan - she is the foundation of the story - are all outstanding.
    10olmaki

    The dangers of complacency and forgetting our ideals

    The show depicts how Charles Lindberg defeats FDR in the 1940 elections and how a country, in this case the US, can gradually slide into fascism and totalitarism. The show depicts a struggle between America's ideals and racism/bigotry/intolerance and shows is how fragile our liberties and freedoms really are.

    The cast is amazing. Every main character seems real and fleshed out. Morgan Spector and Zoe Kazan are brilliant as Herman and Bess. The kid actors are wonderful and every supporting actor is perfectly cast. I really felt like I got a unique perspective into the Jewish community in the 1940s.

    The dialogue is engaging and insightful. Characters debate about issues and you feel invested in the arguments. The shows beauty and horror is how the scenarios in these arguments don't remain distant possibilities for long and start to materialize. What the show really excels at is how an atmosphere of uncertainty and dread starts to creep in and it really shows how suddenly you can lose your country.

    This show is shot beautifully and it really transports you to the 40s. The lighting is soft and creamy and the color palette really captures the era. The details are meticulous: the costumes, old cars, locations and even pinball machines. I haven't really seen a show shot like this and it feels more like a movie than a mini series.

    It seems crazy that we still need to be reminded about equality and human rights in the 21st century. We are all human. We are all created equal. We all have the same rights. Anyone who tries to divide a country and claim otherwise should not be in charge. I will fight for your freedom and I hope you will fight for mine.

    I urge you to watch this show. I maybe a more patient viewer but I never felt like the show was moving slowly. The plot moves quickly through time and I felt like almost each scene sets up relevant plot points that are payed off later, just like in the Wire.

    I have watched all five episodes so far and I wanted to write a review and recommend the show to others. Can't wait to see how the show continues.
    10davetownsendesq

    Pledge Language: "Under God" Not Added until 1954

    Great writing. Very well acted. As for the review about the pledge, the words "under God" were not added until 1954, so it is historically accurrate.

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    The Plot Against America: Why Plot Now?

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      While this is a fictional tale, it does use accurate depictions of the time; for instance, Charles A. Lindbergh was, in actuality, very Antisemitic. Lindbergh was leader of the America First movement, created in 1940 after Adolf Hitler had invaded Poland, and believed the US should take a neutral position in WWII. He was quoted in Readers Digest in 1939 as saying " We can have peace and security only so long as we band together to preserve that most priceless possession, our inheritance of European blood, only so long as we guard ourselves against attack by foreign armies and dilution by foreign races." He believed in eugenics, that Germany had a 'Jewish' problem, and was close friends with Henry Ford, another well-known Antisemite.
    • Connections
      Featured in Jeremy Vine: Episode #3.167 (2020)

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    FAQ19

    • How many seasons does The Plot Against America have?Powered by Alexa
    • What is the name of the music played during the closing credits?
    • What is the music played during the opening credits?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 16, 2020 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • 美國外史
    • Filming locations
      • Clifton, New Jersey, USA
    • Production companies
      • Home Box Office (HBO)
      • Roth/Kirschenbaum Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 2 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.00 : 1

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