Harry S. Truman was much maligned in his time. Succeeding the U.S. presidency via the death of the legendary Franklin Delano Roosevelt did him no favors. Truman covers the life of the 33rd president of the United States from his humble beginnings as a farmer and haberdasher up till the point he steps down from the post of the most powerful man in the world amidst communist controversies and low popularity ratings. It would not be until historians started working on his biography that his numerous positive contributions to the American public were revealed. David McCullough, a noted historian whose recent biography of John Adams made the best-seller list, wrote the book this movie is adapted from.
Although Truman is undoubtedly a truncated version of McCullough's novel, Truman gives enough basic information about the president to appreciate his actions, but some general knowledge about U.S. history would definitely enhance the enjoyment of the movie. Throughout the movie questions about the man and his administration arose, questions that will probably never be answered unfortunately, not without plenty of time to do research and the will to do it anyway.
Although Truman is undoubtedly a truncated version of McCullough's novel, Truman gives enough basic information about the president to appreciate his actions, but some general knowledge about U.S. history would definitely enhance the enjoyment of the movie. Throughout the movie questions about the man and his administration arose, questions that will probably never be answered unfortunately, not without plenty of time to do research and the will to do it anyway.