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Give 'Em Hell, Harry!

Play trailer Poster for Give 'Em Hell, Harry! PG 1975 1h 42m Biography Play Trailer Watchlist
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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.

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Give 'Em Hell, Harry!

Critics Reviews

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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

Audience Reviews

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@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 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
Give 'Em Hell, Harry!

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Cast & Crew

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Steve Binder

Director

Peter H. Hunt

Director

James Whitmore

Harry S. Truman

Samuel Gallu

Screenwriter

Joseph E. Bluth

Producer

Al Ham

Producer

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Give 'Em Hell, Harry!

Give 'Em Hell, Harry! (1975) Give 'Em Hell, Harry! (1975) Give 'Em Hell, Harry! (1975) View more photos

Movie Info

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
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