Product Description

Academy Award-nominated biography of Franklin Delano Roosevelt from the time he was stricken with polio to his presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention. Starring Ralph Bellamy, Greer Garson and Hume Cronyn.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11886 in VHS
• Released on: 1998-02-10
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Formats: Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of tapes: 1
• Running time: 144 minutes

Amazon.com
No wonder Franklin Delano Roosevelt has drawn scores of actors to portray him over the years: creator of the New Deal, national cheerleader during the Depression, statesman extraordinaire, cool-headed World War II commander-in-chief. But one of the most touching portrayals of him lies in Dore Schary's play and film, Sunrise at Campobello, which deals just with the period during which FDR was stricken with polio at age 40 and his torturously slow recovery, up to his thunderous nominating speech for Democratic presidential candidate Al Smith in 1924. Ralph Bellamy, avuncular character actor, gets the role of a lifetime as Roosevelt, and inhabits the character with subtlety, verve and heart. The humility he learns while immobilized infuses his political outlook from that point on, as he touchingly confesses to wife Eleanor (played admirably by Greer Garson, who struggles only a bit with the great lady's singular speech patterns). The film is based on Schary's play (for which Bellamy won a Tony Award), and in the film the dialogue seems rather stagy, especially in the long scenes while Roosevelt, bedridden, is off camera. But when Bellamy, with Hume Cronyn as his coarse but knowing political adviser, is center stage, we are reminded of the very human--and frail--person behind the historical tower of strength. "I feel I've had to go through the fire for some reason," he tells his wife. "Eleanor, it's a hard way to learn humility, but I've had to learn it by crawling. I know what is meant, 'You must learn to crawl, before you can walk.'" And after viewing this affecting film, so do we. --A.T. Hurley

Customer Reviews

ONE DETERMINED INDIVIDUAL
Having read several biographies of FDR, I reached the conclusion that he was a very extraordinary individual. This story, however, regarding his paralysis, shows us what a truly great man he was. The fact that he was very wealthy and could have easily faded away into obscurity living a life of ease and comfort is another example of his greatness. Everyone who was both a principal actor did a magnificent job of portraying characters who were then a part of the recent past and did so with genuine respect. I recommend this movie to anyone whose interest in Mr. Roosevelt is like mine....passionate!

Wonderful Docudrama!
This movie is one of the best ever. Franklin Delano Roosevelt got infantile paralysis (called poliomyelitis, or polio) while vacationing at his family's summer home at Campobello, in August 1921. Although totally paralyzed by polio, FDR gains back the use of his arms. To the outside world, he appeared almost able bodied when in reality he was unable to walk unassisted: either with his crutches (and braces) or on the arm of someone (usually one of his sons). He mastered the art of appearing robust and healthy. Though unsure that he could deliver the 1924 nominating speech standing up, FDR assures Governor Smith: "You certainly can't make an effective speech sitting down."

The movie gives a glimpse into FDR's life as he deals with the truth of his disability. He faced many challenges, defeat, and ultimately despair as he tried in vain to strengthen his flail legs as he had his arms. FDR was lucky to have the support he needed to get on with his life. The press also respected his privacy to a greater degree than is possible today.

The movie, which I believe was filmed at Hyde Park in NY, shows ramps that FDR needed in order to get around in his wheelchair. You also see FDR's challenge to master his heavy metal braces which were admittedly hard to fit and often uncomfortable. And, you see the pride FDR felt after learning how to pull himself upstairs by upper body strength and sheer determination. Even though his mother was not at all as impressed with his "accomplishment."

It is a story of challenge, defeat, and even despair leading ultimately to victory and confidence. It is a very good look into the life of a great and respected world leader who went on to be elected president for four terms.

Great family viewing!

Jean Hagen Shines
Ralph Bellamy and (to a lesser degree) Greer Garson won plaudits for the amazing way they sunk themselves into their roles as FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt; and Hume Cronyn is also very good, but for sheer professionalism acting honors go to Jean Hagen for her no-nonsense take as FDR's private secretary and aide-du-chambre Missy Le Hand. I wonder what Eleanor thought of this portrayal by Hagen of her hated rival, Missy, with whom FDR became romantically involved (though this isn't touched on in the film)? Hagen was one of many 50s actresses who always seemed to get the bad breaks. She was fantastically funny as Lina Lamont in the classic SINGIN IN THE RAIN, and determinedly pathetic in THE ASPHALT JUNGLE and THE BIG KNIFE, but true stardom always seems to elude her. Perhaps her talent was too mercurial to pin down; she wasn't the pin-up type, nor the heavy, emotional Anna Magnani, nor the girl next door. Playing Missy Le Hand you see glimpses into yet another side of her complicated personality; she's helpful, kind, humorous and self-deprecating, rather like Myrna Loy in her prime. Hagen had just finished filming the kind of nothing part of Fred McMurray's wife in Disney's SHAGGY DOG, a classic in a way, but hardly her shining hour; here she found a character part she could sink her teeth into. And yet what after SUNRISE? A few more forgettable parts, and then a tragically early death in 1977. What a waste!

Two of Franklin and Eleanor's children are played by then popular TV stars. Jimmy Roosevelt is played by Tim Considine from the Hardy Boys, and Anna by Zina Bethune, making a rare appearance on film--Bethune was the star of TV's "The Nurses," a quality "adult drama" along the lines of Reginald Rose's "The Defenders."