Based on David McCullough's acclaimed book on the subject, Truman tells the story of our 33rd president Harry S. Truman from his days as a young adult courting Bess Wallace to the end of his presidency settling down to retirement in Independence, Missouri. Gary Sinise and Diana Scarwid play Harry and Bess Truman in this HBO film.
The personality of Harry S. Truman is pretty well indelibly set in the American consciousness and Sinise is faithful to the feisty image we have of Truman. Historians even now debate the impact his presidency had for good or bad. But the decisions he made while there no doubt shaped the post World War II we now live in.
Bess Truman has been an elusive figure though, probably the least public of the First Ladies of the 20th Century. From some of what we are shown in this film I would suggest that Margaret Truman's biography of her Mom was the source. An integral part of their life was Bess's mother Madge Wallace played here by Lois Smith. She was a warped woman who came undone at the suicide of her husband David Wallace, Bess's father. The home that is now a US landmark was Madge Wallace's though she lived in the White House with Harry&Bess. She died in 1952 and only after buying out Bess's brothers did the Trumans own that house.
Truman if nothing else prized loyalty. He was a product of the Pendergast machine and while he was Vice President for that brief time, he was criticized for attending Boss Tom's funeral. Pat Hingle fits my conception of what Pendergast was like. Unfortunately for Truman he put a lot of Pendergast wardheelers in jobs and they embarrassed him no end with a series of scandals in his elected term.
For those who accept the popular image of Harry S. Truman, Truman the film will suit you perfectly. After a while after looking and hearing Gary Sinise you'll think you are watching a newsreel of the 33rd President.
The personality of Harry S. Truman is pretty well indelibly set in the American consciousness and Sinise is faithful to the feisty image we have of Truman. Historians even now debate the impact his presidency had for good or bad. But the decisions he made while there no doubt shaped the post World War II we now live in.
Bess Truman has been an elusive figure though, probably the least public of the First Ladies of the 20th Century. From some of what we are shown in this film I would suggest that Margaret Truman's biography of her Mom was the source. An integral part of their life was Bess's mother Madge Wallace played here by Lois Smith. She was a warped woman who came undone at the suicide of her husband David Wallace, Bess's father. The home that is now a US landmark was Madge Wallace's though she lived in the White House with Harry&Bess. She died in 1952 and only after buying out Bess's brothers did the Trumans own that house.
Truman if nothing else prized loyalty. He was a product of the Pendergast machine and while he was Vice President for that brief time, he was criticized for attending Boss Tom's funeral. Pat Hingle fits my conception of what Pendergast was like. Unfortunately for Truman he put a lot of Pendergast wardheelers in jobs and they embarrassed him no end with a series of scandals in his elected term.
For those who accept the popular image of Harry S. Truman, Truman the film will suit you perfectly. After a while after looking and hearing Gary Sinise you'll think you are watching a newsreel of the 33rd President.