Truman (1995 film)
Truman is a 1995 American biographical drama television film directed by Frank Pierson and written by Thomas Rickman, based on David McCullough's Pulitzer Prize-winning 1992 book, Truman.[1] Starring Gary Sinise as Harry S. Truman, the film centers on Truman's humble beginnings, his rise to the presidency, World War II, and his decision to use the first atomic bomb. The film's tagline is "It took a farmer's hand to shape a nation."
| Truman | |
|---|---|
| Genre | |
| Based on | Truman by David McCullough |
| Written by | Thomas Rickman |
| Directed by | Frank Pierson |
| Starring | |
| Music by | David Mansfield |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | |
| Producer | Doro Bachrach |
| Production locations | |
| Cinematography | Paul Elliott |
| Editor | Lisa Fruchtman |
| Running time | 135 minutes |
| Production companies |
|
| Budget | $8 million |
| Release | |
| Original network | HBO |
| Picture format | Color |
| Audio format | Dolby |
| Original release |
|
Cast
- Gary Sinise as Harry S. Truman
- Diana Scarwid as Bess Truman
- Richard Dysart as Henry L. Stimson
- Colm Feore as Charlie Ross
- James Gammon as Sam Rayburn
- Tony Goldwyn as Clark Clifford
- Pat Hingle as Boss Tom Pendergast
- Harris Yulin as General George C. Marshall
- Leo Burmester as Frank Vassar
- Amelia Campbell as Margaret Truman
- Virginia Capers as Elizabeth Moore
- John Finn as Bob Hannegan
- Željko Ivanek as Eddie Jacobson
- David Lansbury as Lt. Jim Pendergast
- Remak Ramsay as Dean Acheson
- Marian Seldes as Eleanor Roosevelt
- Lois Smith as Madge Wallace Gates
- Richard Venture as J. Lester Perry
- Daniel von Bargen as General Douglas MacArthur
- Michael Murphy as Dinner Speaker
Reception
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an 88% rating based on reviews from 8 critics.[2] Steve Crum of the Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers rated it 5 out of 5, calling it a "Superb production with memorable Sinise performance in title role."[3] TV Guide said, "Over-applauded by many critics, Truman is sturdy, standardized biographical moviemaking elevated by incontestably brilliant acting. Unfortunately, this cavalcade of facts and figures is conceived and executed impersonally like a docent delivering a speech in front of the waxworks at a Presidential museum. … [The audience lacks] a sense that Truman's travails have been shaped on screen by a filmmaker's passion. … Truman offers the satisfaction of textual thoroughness and seamless storytelling, but few flashes of inspiration or imagination."[4]
Accolades
1996 American Cinema Editors (Eddies)
- Nominated – Best Edited Motion Picture for Non-Commercial Television — Lisa Fruchtman
1996 American Society of Cinematographers
- Won – Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in a Special or Pilots — Paul Elliot
1996 Casting Society of America (Artios)
- Won – Best Casting for TV Movie of the Week — Mary Colquhoun[5]
1996 Directors Guild of America
- Nominated – Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Specials — Frank Pierson
1996 Emmy Awards
- Won – Outstanding Casting for a Miniseries, Movie, or a Special — Mary Colquhoun[6]
- Won – Outstanding Made for Television Movie — Paula Weinstein, Anthea Sylbert, Doro Bachrach[7]
- Nominated – Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie — Gary Sinise
- Nominated – Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie — Diana Scarwid
- Nominated – Outstanding Editing For A Miniseries Or A Movie (Single-Camera Picture) — Lisa Fruchtman
- Nominated – Outstanding Makeup For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special — Ashlee Petersen, Gordon J. Smith, Russel Cate, Evan Penny
- Nominated – Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Miniseries or a Movie — Reinhard Stergar, Wayne Heitman, James Bolt, Joel Fein
- Nominated – Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries or a Special — Thomas Rickman
1996 Golden Globe Awards
- Won – Best Actor – Series, Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for Television — Gary Sinise[8]
- Nominated – Best Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for Television
- Won – Television Producer of the Year Award in Longform — Paula Weinstein, Anthea Sylbert, Doro Bachrach
1996 Screen Actors Guild Awards
- Won – Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries — Gary Sinise
References
- ^ J. O'Connor, John (September 8, 1995). "TV WEEKEND; Harry S Truman, Late Bloomer". The New York Times.
- ^ "Truman". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
- ^ Crum, Steve (July 6, 2006). "Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers". Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers.
- ^ "Truman Reviews". TV Guide. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
- ^ "Mary Colquhoun, 61, Casting Director". The New York Times. September 20, 2000. p. 23. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
- ^ "Outstanding Casting For A Miniseries Movie Or A Special Nominees / Winners 1996 Emmy Awards | Television Academy". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
- ^ "OUTSTANDING MADE FOR TELEVISION MOVIE - 1996". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
- ^ Gary Sinise Wins Best Actor Mini Series - Golden Globes 1996