Give 'Em Hell, Harry!

PG

Released Sep 18, 1975

1 hr. 42 min.

Biography

List

100%

6 Reviews

Tomatometer

82%

100+ Ratings

Audience Score

President Harry S. Truman (James Whitmore) looks back on his life in this one-man performance. Over the course of the film, Truman talks about his upbringing on a farm, his service in World War I and his time as an aspiring politician in Missouri. He also provides details about his short stint as vice president under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Following Roosevelt's death, Truman ascended to the presidency, and he addresses the weight of that responsibility with both humor and humility.

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Audience Member

James Whitmore is fantastic as Truman in this filmed play. The way Whitmore keeps going in this one-man play with very few stumbles made me understand why the Oscars could not resist nominating him for his performance. However, I do believe it is a bit unfair, as this is more of a filmed play than an actual film. Out of the three performances I have seen in the Best Actor category, I think Whitmore was nearly as good as Nicholson and Pacino, but still the third best performance. The cinematography was ok if nothing spectacular. The script was quite good and led me to look up more regarding the history of Harry Truman. However, the jokes ranged from pretty funny to mildly amusing. Overall, a great performance with some interesting historical facts and a slightly amusing script.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

Audience Member

James Whitmore performs a one man stage play of him as Harry Truman doing a comedic insightful recollection of his life in office. Very funny. Yes historical inaccuracies are present and there's a more jokey attitude in the script but it's a well spent time with someone who feels like one of our past American icons.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

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steve d

Probably better fit for the stage but still quite entertaining.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A virtuoso performance by Whitmore, but at times the characterization is a bit grating, and there's no truly deep insight into Harry Truman.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

Full Review

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Steve Binder

Director

Peter H. Hunt

Director

James Whitmore

Harry S. Truman

Samuel Gallu

Screenwriter

Joseph E. Bluth

Producer

Al Ham

Producer

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Richard Eder

New York Times

The script, put together by Samuel Gallu, is beautifully articulated and balanced.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 18, 2012

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

The main thrust of the theatrical event is intact, and so's the Truman spirit.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 18, 2012

Full Review

Charles Faber

Los Angeles Free Press

Despite certain historical inaccuracies and an insidious hagiographic treatment, commands respect as an entertaining chronicle of our times.

Nov 22, 2019

Full Review

TV Guide

By the end of the evening, you'll feel that you spent it with a real, live Harry Truman, and that's the best compliment to give this movie.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 18, 2012

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

James Whitmore in a virtuoso performance as the plainspoken President Harry S. Truman.

Rated: A

Oct 8, 2010

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Phil Hall

Film Snobbery

Simply wonderful, with an astonishing James Whitmore performance.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 23, 2010

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Synopsis

President Harry S. Truman (James Whitmore) looks back on his life in this one-man performance. Over the course of the film, Truman talks about his upbringing on a farm, his service in World War I and his time as an aspiring politician in Missouri. He also provides details about his short stint as vice president under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Following Roosevelt's death, Truman ascended to the presidency, and he addresses the weight of that responsibility with both humor and humility.

Director: Steve Binder, Peter H. Hunt
Executive Producer: William Sargent Jr., John J. Tennant
Screenwriter: Samuel Gallu
Production Co: Permut Presentations, Theatrovision
Rating: PG
Genre: Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 18, 1975, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 3, 2019

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