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Primary

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100% Tomatometer 6 Reviews 71% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
This landmark documentary chronicles the 1960 Wisconsin primary between the two Democratic front runners vying for the presidential nomination -- John F. Kennedy and Hubert H. Humphrey. Featuring work by iconic documentary filmmakers Albert Maysles (who produced) and D.A. Pennebaker (who edited), the film captures Kennedy and Humphrey amid crowds and in more isolated settings using what was then a groundbreaking technique for documentaries: extensive hand-held camera work.
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Primary

Critics Reviews

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Alissa Wilkinson Vox 08/20/2020
Primary wasn't just illuminating, it was groundbreaking. Go to Full Review Jordan M. Smith IONCINEMA.com 10/20/2020
4/5
Robert Drew and his ingenious, talented and forward thinking filmmaking crew... broke open the stuffy world of narrated documentaries and embarked on a new frontier. Go to Full Review Luke Parker VoiceBoxOffice 06/02/2020
4.5/5
[Primary proves] there is nothing more inherently correlated with the ideals of [documentary] storytelling than elections. Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 11/23/2013
B
Gives us a riveting insider's look at the political process. Go to Full Review John A. Nesbit Old School Reviews 09/01/2012
A
no documentary has since captured the inside views of a Presidential campaign so naturally Go to Full Review Jeffrey M. Anderson Combustible Celluloid 07/31/2008
This impressive filmed record of the 1960 presidential primary documents the showdown between Hubert Humphrey and John F. Kennedy as if it were still a contest. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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10/30/2017 Not quite as compelling as what I hoped for, but a groundbreaking documentary film that does give you a brief look inside the campaign trail circa 1960. See more 12/23/2016 Unique in the matter of its early existence in the documentary genre. Following the battle in the primary president campaign Kennedy vs Humphrey. Viewed a neutral and totally realistic approach just following the two contenders in their meetings with people in the Wisconsin state. Really no interference or political agenda from its creator. See more s r @ScottR 11/11/2016 Interesting, but not well made. It was merely filming and putting it up on the screen. The narrative was minimal. See more 11/07/2016 A stunning document of the Democratic primary race between JFK and Hubert Humphrey. Some things never change. However, the art of mud slinging has certainly evolved since then. This documentary is groundbreaking in displaying some of the earliest close tracking of political candidates. The film cemented the genesis of this style of video journalism, which we see more than ever today as it has evolved into "reality television". See more 07/25/2016 Historical film from a cinematic perspective. The Maysles Brothers charted new territory with this film. A behind the scenes access direct cinema approach had never been seen before this film. Essential viewing for any aspiring filmmaker. 5 stars! See more 10/26/2013 awesome doc and the start of whats become called 'fly on the wall' photography See more Read all reviews
Primary

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Cast & Crew

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Robert Drew

Director

Robert Drew

Self

Hubert H. Humphrey

Self

Jacqueline Kennedy

Self

John F. Kennedy

Self

Robert Drew

Writer
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Primary

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Movie Info

Synopsis This landmark documentary chronicles the 1960 Wisconsin primary between the two Democratic front runners vying for the presidential nomination -- John F. Kennedy and Hubert H. Humphrey. Featuring work by iconic documentary filmmakers Albert Maysles (who produced) and D.A. Pennebaker (who edited), the film captures Kennedy and Humphrey amid crowds and in more isolated settings using what was then a groundbreaking technique for documentaries: extensive hand-held camera work.
Director
Robert Drew
Producer
Robert Drew
Screenwriter
Robert Drew
Production Co
Time Magazine
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 26, 2016
Runtime
1h 0m
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