Customer Reviews

Truman

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have watched this movie many times and have always felt better for it. I have always had a great respect for President Truman. Mr.Sinise's performance was heart-warming & captivating. He brought the essence of the character to life. The movie transports the viewer to his time and does not let go until the end (which, I found myself wanting to know more of the Trumans, post-White House). Diana Scarwid's portrayal of Bess Truman conveyed that the man who made some very tough calls in a nation's darkest hours had a woman of steel behind him. He made decisions that were unpopular and yet necessary. "War is Hell". Our 33rd President did what he felt was right at the time. He is in my estimation one of the most under-appreciated US Presidents and important historical figures of the 20th Century.

Brilliant made for cable film about the life of President Harry Truman. Although not a complete account of his life, this film nevertheless covers all the major events that helped shape the man. There is no better casting choice than Sinise. In one of his rare occasions as THE MAIN star of a film, his talents are brought to the surface brilliantly.

HBO dvds up to this time have never been known to have many supplements on them, and unfortunately this is no exception. The live action menus are a refreshing addition. However, there are countless extras you can add when it comes to historical figures like these. There are no trailers, no documentaries. Certainly a disappointment there. Tne film itself is worth getting however. Truly a milestone for a great actor.

This DVD stars Gary Sinise as Harry S. Truman and covers his life from when he is a farmer, through marrying Bess, up until the time he leaves the White House. Gary is terrific as usual and when he gets going as the older Truman on the campaign trail, he is dynamic. Also stars Diana Scarwid as Bess, who is usually in campy movies such as playing Christina Crawford in Mommie Dearest, but she is also very endearing as Mrs. Truman. There are some very cute points, especially when the Truman's move into the White House, the "first house they have ever had alone" and Mrs. Truman comments about how dirty it is! Not to be missed! One minor flaw - there are NO special features on this DVD.

...tries his luck as one of the most unpretentious Presidents ever. That's the mark of a good character actor--when he can play two men absolutely unlike each other. Especially when Gary Sinise's performance here covers a period of Truman's life when he was about the same age as "The Stand"'s Stu Redman. Truman's low popularity while he was in office was entirely attributable to the fact that he lacked the charisma his predecessors and successors all had. Americans have always liked flash and Truman had none. We've always preferred leaders who tell us what we want to hear, or at least in a way that makes it sound like that. Truman was always blunt--often painfully so. In recent months (which is to say since September 11) one of his observations that appears here has come back to bite us on the rear end--that far too many of us are so carried away with "freedom" that we forget that responsibility also goes along with that freedom.

Let me begin by saying that the acting is first class, and the film does a good job of capturing the basic spirit of Harry S. Truman. However, the filmaker makes a conscious decision not to examine any of the man's lesser qualities or any of his poor political decisisions. I wouldn't say it's propaganda or revisionist, but we are left with the film maker's view of Truman through rose colored glasses. (editorially, I add that a similar positively spinned view of our current pres would never fly past the public.) The film is extremely enjoyable, and Sinise is wonderful. The story moves quicky, and even people who don't care for politics or biopics may still like it. I've watched it a few times and it ages well.It covers some of the hardest times in our history, up to and including Truman's agonizing decision to use nukes, and his choice to fire Doug MacArthur. I recommend this film for entertainment, and if you're interested afterwards, read McCullough's biography for the complete picture. Three and a half stars. Thanks for reading my review.

I had to watch this film for my government class. It was for an "executive branch" lesson. I felt it was very informative and relates to what we watched it for. I would recommned this film to many people.

Gary Sinese is one of the best actors of our time. Now we can enjoy him every week on CSI: New York. Back in 1995 he did Truman & he is right on. Truman was a farmer before World War I. He volunteered for an artilley unit, even though he didn't have to go on two accounts: his age & his weak eyes. He went, commanded men & acquited himself very well. This movie follows his life until the end of his presidency. After the war he failed in business, & aligns himself with the local political boss & crook Tom Pedergast. He got Truman elected to political jobs but never turned him. Once elected to the US Senate Truman was known as the Senator from Pendergast & carried the stench of scandal. It was pointed out that Truman, with little influence & less money would never have become Senator without the Pedergast machine behind him. Ironically, he became a tireless worker against government waste & graft. Diana Scarwind played Bess Truman & she made Bess look a lot better. The real Bess Truman made Eleanor Roosevelt look cute by comparison. That's cruel, but Truman never looked at another woman. Harry loved her & she was the only women he ever had. FDR according to the movie, shamed Truman into accepting the vice presidential spot. Why Truman was picked is a mystery given the fact that everyone knew that FDR was dying. Truman was not really that well-known. So he became president, when FDR died, totally unprepared. He had not been trusted with war secrets as VP. The biggest secret, led to his most important & the best decision of his presidency: Dropping the atomic bomb, ending the war, & saving a million American & Japanese lives. The second best decision was firing megalo-maniac General Douglas MacArthur in Korea. Truman probably saved the US from World War III, this time with the Soviet Union & China. A fine tape that should be in every school library.

Film biography is very ticky business. Directors are often tempted to to make their subjects out to be over the top martyrs, or self- importent gods. Frank Pierson avoids that trap in this wonderful look at our 33rd president, Harry S. Truman. The Truman we see here, as brought to us by the always wonderful Gary Sinise, is a very flawed human being. He's not sure of everything, and he makes his share of mistakes. However, he is also an honest, inteligent man, who works hard to help our country, and becomes one of our greatest presidents.Pierson's attempt to make such an honest movie is commendable, as is his wonderful recreation of America in the first half of this century. Rural Missouri in the 1920's and Washington D.C. in the 1940's are brought to us effortlessly. It is a delight to see such informative and interesting portrayals of great men like Harry Truman coming out in recent years. It is importent that we as Americans know about the great men who have served our country, and what better a way then through the movies?

Gary Sinise gave a wonderful performance as Harry Truman. This film is one we will watch from time to time and share with our grandchildren too.

David McCullough is overall best historical writer of our time. Gary Sinise is an actor of character and does a superb job presenting one of our least heralded and most human of presidents. The movie of course cannot detail all that the book reveals, but Sinise is Truman. I was four years old when FDR died. Harry Truman was the president of my childhood. I remember well the news about Margaret and her piano playing. Historians now give Truman the due he deserves. Who could have succeeded FDR and survived comparison? Truman was a painfully honest man who said what he thought. My disappointment in the DVD is the fact that it is advertised as having closed captioning. I am hard-of-hearing and always check to see if that is available for films I purchase. The back cover even indicates closed captioning, but it is not there. It is not my machine, for it plays the others with CC just fine. Since Truman does not offer subtitles, I was left only with the option of loud volume. Otherwise, it is a fine production.