Wilson

Released Aug 1, 1944

2h 34m

Biography

List

89%

9 Reviews

Tomatometer

41%

250+ Ratings

Audience Score

Princeton University president Woodrow Wilson (Alexander Knox) leaves his post to run for governor of New Jersey, and soon becomes President of the United States. The turmoil of this era, from the death of his first wife, Ellen (Ruth Nelson), and his remarriage to the glamorous Edith Galt (Geraldine Fitzgerald), to the buildup to and aftermath of World War I, is faithfully dramatized. Wilson's political opponent Henry Cabot Lodge (Cedric Hardwicke) serves as the film's primary villain.

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Leaburn O

Worst picture to win five Oscars? Almost certainly. Worst to be nominated for ten Oscars? It has competition to be fair. This was more of a hagiography than a biopic. Nothing much was said other than giving Wilson two hours or so to grandstand about war and peace. Interesting to understand some of the background to his life but given the year this was released and the general patriotic tone, it's hard to take much of the film seriously.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

07/04/23

Full Review

steve d

Whitewashed but really well acted.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Not bad, not bad. Strong educational value for me. Many aspects seem way over-simplified and there is no small amount of manipulation - some eyerolls no doubt - in keeping with movies of that time. It's pretty cheerleadery. But he's undeniably an important historical figure and it's a good watch. 6.8 out of 10

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Wilson is a biopic about the life of Woodrow Wilson. It is a movie that loudly proclaims the virtues of our 28th president, and makes everyone who opposes him look like a vile troublemaker. I dont mind getting some history from the movies, and it was nice to see some of the background of his career. However, when characters are presented in such a black-and-white fashion in a biopic, its hard for me to avoid questioning the authenticity and accuracy of it all. Alexander Knox was fine in the lead role, but the script continuously makes the character seem like a one-dimensional goody-two-shoes. The biggest problem with Wilson is that it desperately needed editing. The material isnt the most exciting or compelling stuff, and when you linger on scenes for an excessive amount of time you arent helping with that. For a while I feared this movie would never get past the Democratic convention scenes because those dragged on for so long. There were a few segments of the film that actually had something of interest happening, or where they were able to grab my attention, but my interest would die out long before the scenes ended. I cannot see anyone getting much out of this film, however if you want a loose estimation of things that happened in the political career of Woodrow Wilson, then I guess you could check it out. Everyone else, feel free to avoid Wilson.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Straightforward biographical film, focusing mostly on the political life, of the 28th President of the United States. Convincing portrayal of Woodrow Wilson by Alexander Knox, made all the more so by the fact that he looks very much like him.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This is a very worthwhile movie, especially in our current political environment. Knox is fantastic as Wilson; overall excellent cast and story.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

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Henry King

Director

Alexander Knox

Woodrow Wilson

Charles Coburn

Professor Henry Holmes

Geraldine Fitzgerald

Edith Bolling Galt

Thomas Mitchell

Joseph Tumulty

Ruth Nelson

Ellen Wilson

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Variety Staff

Variety

Through it all stalks a potent personality in Alexander Knox, a newborn star, supported by a flawless cast.

Jul 7, 2010

Full Review

Time Out

The result's handsome, worthy and solemn.

Jan 26, 2006

Full Review

Bosley Crowther

New York Times

Much of the film's exceptional quality is due to the performance of Alexander Knox in the title role.

Rated: 4/5

May 20, 2003

Full Review

Elena de la Torre

Cine-Mundial

[A] magnificent drama. [Full review in Spanish]

Sep 18, 2019

Full Review

TV Guide

A lavish biography of Woodrow Wilson.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 31, 2012

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Zanuck's biopic of President Woodraw Wilson is a typically middlebrow film, made for American audiences during WWII with more concern for patriotism than history or entertainment.

Rated: C+

Mar 5, 2008

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Synopsis

Princeton University president Woodrow Wilson (Alexander Knox) leaves his post to run for governor of New Jersey, and soon becomes President of the United States. The turmoil of this era, from the death of his first wife, Ellen (Ruth Nelson), and his remarriage to the glamorous Edith Galt (Geraldine Fitzgerald), to the buildup to and aftermath of World War I, is faithfully dramatized. Wilson's political opponent Henry Cabot Lodge (Cedric Hardwicke) serves as the film's primary villain.

Director: Henry King
Screenwriter: Lamar Trotti
Production Co: Twentieth Century Fox
Genre: Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 1, 1944, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 18, 2012
Runtime: 2h 34m

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