This story has been told over and over, from a 1934 movie starring Wallace Beery to a 1980's Broadway musical (featuring Jim Dale and Glenn Close), the British production of that musical (starring Michael Crawford) filmed libs for television, and a blockbuster new musical starring Hugh Jackman. Somewhere in there was this decent but not remarkable TV movie featuring one of the great screen actors of the 20th Century, Burt Lancaster, very good but a bit long in the tooth, perhaps the greatest humbug of them all, amusing in its audacity. It's colorful and fun, but because of the narration rather ordinary, and even weird, especially since Lancaster as Barnum in character describes what happens AFTER his death.
Not much for Laura Press to do as the firm but loving Charity Barnum like Glenn Close with songs did, but Hanna Schygulla as Jennie Lind does get a chance to show how formidable she was with her demands. General Tom Thumb and Joice Heath, present in the musicals, get some coverage here, with Thumb on quite a bit more and taking on Queen Victoria and the British royal family. And there couldn't be a Barnum without Bailey, and that means the appearance of the elephant Jumbo as well as animal rights activists of the time. This seems rather episodic, just covering important points in his life, and not becoming anything special. Barnum's second marriage to a much younger woman is dealt with fortunately rather quickly. However as one of my favorite actors of the 40's, Lancaster does impress, especially as he ages. But the narration is the weak point, and that is what prevents this from becoming a TV movie classic.
Not much for Laura Press to do as the firm but loving Charity Barnum like Glenn Close with songs did, but Hanna Schygulla as Jennie Lind does get a chance to show how formidable she was with her demands. General Tom Thumb and Joice Heath, present in the musicals, get some coverage here, with Thumb on quite a bit more and taking on Queen Victoria and the British royal family. And there couldn't be a Barnum without Bailey, and that means the appearance of the elephant Jumbo as well as animal rights activists of the time. This seems rather episodic, just covering important points in his life, and not becoming anything special. Barnum's second marriage to a much younger woman is dealt with fortunately rather quickly. However as one of my favorite actors of the 40's, Lancaster does impress, especially as he ages. But the narration is the weak point, and that is what prevents this from becoming a TV movie classic.