Screenwriter Dalton Trumbo was a family man, a writer, and a man of conscience. He penned some of the most popular films in the Twentieth century, including Spartacus, Roman Holiday, Johnny Got His Gun, Papillion, Hawaii, The Sandpiper, Exodus, The Brave One, and dozens more. Many of these, however, were penned under another name, as in the 1940s he was blacklisted by the House Un-American Activities Committee for communist association.
The House Un-American Activities Committee and the Hollywood Ten
The House Un-American Activities Committee focused on communist influences in the movie industry. While many Hollywood executives and actors went before the committee to voice their opposition to any communist attitudes and those who were part of the communist party, Trumbo and his colleagues pled the First Amendment. Not the Fifth Amendment, which would imply if they said anything that they would incriminate themselves. The First Amendment deals with the freedom of speech, and they felt deeply that answering the questions about their personal feelings and those of their associates was infringing on their freedoms as Americans.
This documentary incorporates interviews with Trumbo himself who discusses the meaning of freedom and his love of the country. Others are also interviewed, including his son and daughter. This film is based on the play by his son Christopher who wrote it as a tribute to his father.
Many actors read from letters Trumbo wrote to different people, giving the viewers a good sense of his personal style as opposed to his professional writings. Kirk Douglas discusses the horror of the blacklist, and Michael Douglas, Paul Giamatti, Nathan Lane, Josh Lucas, Liam Neeson, Brian Dennehy, Joan Allen, David Strathairn, and Donald Sutherland read parts of Trumbo’s writings.
Trumbo Leaves the Country to Provide for his Family
After his release from prison, Dalton Trumbo and some of his friends felt the only way they could live their lives and make any money is if they moved away, so they went to Mexico but discovered that that was a mistake. They later came back to the United States, and Trumbo continued to write for movies, however in order to get his work sold he had to use different names.
An Academy Award for Robert Rich, aka Dalton Trumbo
To the surprise of the Hollywood community, one of his films won the Academy Award and the author, Robert Rich, was not there to collect his award. Little did anyone know that Robert Rich was in reality Dalton Trumbo. The award was eventually retrieved, years later.
Dalton Trumbo was a unique man who stood up for his beliefs. He was also very intelligent and talented. This documentary brings back a dark time the America’s history, but shows the perseverance and dedication to his family of this iconic writer.
- Studio: Magnolia Home Entertainment
- Rating: PG-13
- Running Time: 95 Minutes
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