Primary

1960

1h 0m

Documentary

List

100%

Tomatometer

6 Reviews

70%

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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Alissa Wilkinson

Vox

Primary wasn't just illuminating, it was groundbreaking.

Aug 20, 2020

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Jordan M. Smith

IONCINEMA.com

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.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 20, 2020

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Luke Parker

VoiceBoxOffice

[Primary proves] there is nothing more inherently correlated with the ideals of [documentary] storytelling than elections.

Rated: 4.5/5

Jun 2, 2020

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Gives us a riveting insider's look at the political process.

Rated: B

Nov 23, 2013

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John A. Nesbit

Old School Reviews

no documentary has since captured the inside views of a Presidential campaign so naturally

Rated: A

Sep 1, 2012

Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

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.

Jul 31, 2008

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Audience Member

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.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

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Audience Member

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.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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s r

Interesting, but not well made. It was merely filming and putting it up on the screen. The narrative was minimal.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

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".

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

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Audience Member

awesome doc and the start of whats become called 'fly on the wall' photography

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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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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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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