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The Fearmakers

Play trailer Poster for The Fearmakers 1958 1h 23m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 2 Reviews 33% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
After two years as a Korean War POW, Alan Eaton (Dana Andrews) returns home, where the Washington, D.C., PR firm he co-founded was sold to Jim McGinnis (Dick Foran) just before Alan's partner died in a car accident. Invited to stay as a consultant, Alan grows suspicious when his friend Sen. Walder (Roy Gordon) tells him he suspects the company has become a propaganda outlet. Fearing his partner may have been murdered, Alan discovers McGinnis is behind an anti-nuclear-power communist plot.

Critics Reviews

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Michael E. Grost Classic Film and Television Strange political thriller, with vivid atmosphere, and a prophetic look at the worlds of polling and political persuasion. Aug 9, 2007 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews This film can make you almost see Red! Rated: C- May 2, 2003 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member A film very much of it's time, about Korean war veteran rooting out communist influences on the government. However, what makes this Jacques Tourneur film different from most others of it's ilk is that the dirty commies are influencing the government in a way that still resonates today, using the same despicable tactics that are now used by corporations, the very wealthy or other well funded special interest groups. The commies have taken over a PR firm and use polling to manipulate public perception, they promise politicians to help get them re-elected and they also write legislation for congressmen. This film teats these practices as utterly despicable, so it does seem sad that these same practices are an accepted practice in Washington DC today. The story itself, while not especially original, director Tourneur keeps things moving at a quick pace, even if the film isn't as stylishly directed as some of his best films. Dana Andrews does an adequate job in the lead, but is completely unspectacular. Worth checking out, but it's the films politics that makes it most interesting. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Audience Member just ok 'social drama' as dana andrews is a whisle blower Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Fearmakers

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The Fearmakers

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Movie Info

Synopsis After two years as a Korean War POW, Alan Eaton (Dana Andrews) returns home, where the Washington, D.C., PR firm he co-founded was sold to Jim McGinnis (Dick Foran) just before Alan's partner died in a car accident. Invited to stay as a consultant, Alan grows suspicious when his friend Sen. Walder (Roy Gordon) tells him he suspects the company has become a propaganda outlet. Fearing his partner may have been murdered, Alan discovers McGinnis is behind an anti-nuclear-power communist plot.
Director
Jacques Tourneur
Production Co
Pacemaker
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 1, 2016
Runtime
1h 23m