Truman

Rating:
Summary: The man who played the cowboy hunk from "The Stand"...
Review: ...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.

Rating:
Summary: HONEST PORTRAYAL OF AN HONEST MAN
Review: Anyone having read an authoritative Harry S. Truman biography and/or his personal diary will not find much new in this video. Yet the docudrama brings this ... ordinary man ... [Truman's self description] to life on the screen. There is emphasis in the film on Bess Truman's role (and her merciless mother, Mrs. Wallace's) in influencing the twists and turns of Harry's life. It clearly portrays Bess as a First Lady who cannot stand living in Washington, D.C. to the point where she would spend more time at her house in Independence, Missouri than at the White House. Moreover, the video frankly deals with Truman's unpopularity as president after he fearfully succeeded President Franklin D. Roosevelt upon his death. By and large, this docudrama is an honest portrayal by competent actors. Evidently, the film is sufficiently accurate for Harry Truman's daughter Margaret to endorse it. Viewing this video is worthwhile for providing a reasonably well acted and directed picture of a dangerous period of American 20th Century history. During this period a once ordinary and largely self educated Missouri farm boy would have to become the leader of the most powerful nation on earth and pervail in this job in spite of great opposition from his political enemies. This is an entertaining, well made reenactment of Harry Truman's life.

Rating:
Summary: HONEST PORTRAYAL OF AN HONEST MAN
Review: Anyone having read an authoritative Harry S. Truman biography and/or his personal diary will not find much new in this video. Yet the docudrama brings this ... ordinary man ... [Truman's self description] to life on the screen. There is emphasis in the film on Bess Truman's role (and her merciless mother, Mrs. Wallace's) in influencing the twists and turns of Harry's life. It clearly portrays Bess as a First Lady who cannot stand living in Washington, D.C. to the point where she would spend more time at her house in Independence, Missouri than at the White House. Moreover, the video frankly deals with Truman's unpopularity as president after he fearfully succeeded President Franklin D. Roosevelt upon his death. By and large, this docudrama is an honest portrayal by competent actors. Evidently, the film is sufficiently accurate for Harry Truman's daughter Margaret to endorse it. Viewing this video is worthwhile for providing a reasonably well acted and directed picture of a dangerous period of American 20th Century history. During this period a once ordinary and largely self educated Missouri farm boy would have to become the leader of the most powerful nation on earth and pervail in this job in spite of great opposition from his political enemies. This is an entertaining, well made reenactment of Harry Truman's life.

Rating:
Summary: Sinise's crowning jewel
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Sinise's crowning jewel
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: WHO SAYS HISTORY ISN'T INTERESTING!
Review: 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?

Rating:
Summary: We Need Another Truman!
Review: Gary Sinise does a magnificent job of playing one of the greatest Presidents in history. To see the saga of a President who didn't rely on the polls, but instead simply did the right thing and let the chips fall where they may is very refreshing. From this movie (and even moreso if you read McCullagh's book, or any book about Truman and MacArthur) you can easily see why Truman HAD to fire the general. This is an amazing story: the story of a man who, at age 49 was a poor farmer in Missouri, and at the age of 60 was President of the United States. Anyone who loves this country should cherish this film.

Rating:
Summary: Great Flick
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.

Rating:
Summary: Great Flick
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.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I have read David McCullough's book on Truman twice and when I saw this video with Gary Sinise I was excited to get it. Gary did a great job acting but the story itself was too choppy. It just flitted from one highlight to the next with very little substance. Rent this one, don't buy.