Give 'Em Hell, Harry!

Play trailer

Give 'Em Hell, Harry!

PG

1975

1h 42m

Biography

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

6 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

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.

Richard Eder

New York Times

06/18/2012

4/5

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

Go to Full Review

Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

06/18/2012

3/4

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

Go to Full Review

Charles Faber

Los Angeles Free Press

11/22/2019

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

Go to Full Review

TV Guide

06/18/2012

3/4

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.

Go to Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

10/08/2010

A

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

Go to Full Review

Phil Hall

Film Snobbery

07/23/2010

5/5

Simply wonderful, with an astonishing James Whitmore performance.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Cameron M

@Cameron11 08/28/2021

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.

See more

09/19/2020

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.

See more

steve d

@RT35616104 07/16/2020

Probably better fit for the stage but still quite entertaining.

See more

07/20/2008

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

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Steve Binder

Director

Peter H. Hunt

Director

James Whitmore

Harry S. Truman

Samuel Gallu

Screenwriter

Joseph E. Bluth

Producer

Al Ham

Producer

MacArthur

45%

59%

MacArthur

Watchlist

Bound for Glory

81%

76%

Bound for Glory

Watchlist

Young Winston

55%

51%

Young Winston

Watchlist

The Buddy Holly Story

100%

77%

The Buddy Holly Story

Watchlist

Joe Hill

50%

90%

Joe Hill

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

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
Producer: Joseph E. Bluth, Al Ham, David Permut, J. Mark Travis
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
Runtime: 1h 42m

Most Popular at Home Now