George Wallace (film)

Last updated
George Wallace
GeorgeWallaceDVDCover.jpg
DVD cover
Genre Biographical
Based onWallace: The Classic Portrait of Alabama Governor George Wallace
by Marshall Frady
Screenplay by Paul Monash
Marshall Frady
Story byPaul Monash
Directed by John Frankenheimer
Starring Gary Sinise
Mare Winningham
Clarence Williams III
Joe Don Baker
Angelina Jolie
Terry Kinney
William Sanderson
Mark Rolston
Tracy Fraim
Skipp Sudduth
Ron Perkins
Mark Valley
Theme music composer Gary Chang
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producerMark Carliner
ProducersJohn Frankenheimer
Julian Krainin
CinematographyAlan Caso
Editor Tony Gibbs
Running time178 minutes
Production company TNT Original
Original release
Network TNT
ReleaseAugust 24, 1997 (1997-08-24)

George Wallace is a 1997 biographical television film, produced and directed by John Frankenheimer and starring Gary Sinise as George Wallace, the 45th governor of Alabama. The teleplay, written by Marshall Frady and Paul Monash, is based on the 1996 biography Wallace: The Classic Portrait of Alabama Governor George Wallace by Frady. Mare Winningham, Clarence Williams III, Joe Don Baker, Angelina Jolie, Terry Kinney, William Sanderson, Mark Rolston, Tracy Fraim, Skipp Sudduth, Ron Perkins, and Mark Valley also star.

Contents

Sinise reprised his role as George Wallace in Frankenheimer's 2002 television film Path to War , about the Johnson administration's entry into the Vietnam War. [1]

George Wallace premiered on TNT in August 1997, being broadcast in two parts. It was highly praised by critics and received various accolades: including Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Directing (Frankenheimer), Outstanding Lead Actor (Sinise), and Outstanding Supporting Actress (Winningham), and Golden Globe Awards for Best Miniseries or Television Film and Best Supporting Actress (Jolie).

Plot

George Wallace portrays the political life of a complex man. Initially an ordinary Southern judge, Wallace transforms himself to achieve political success and glory, becoming one of the most reviled political figures in the U.S. Finally, a failed assassination attempt -- which leaves him paralyzed and in pain -- leads him to realize what he has become.

The film follows the story of Wallace's life from the 1950s, when he was a circuit court judge in Barbour County, to his tenure as the most powerful Governor in Alabama's history. The movie depicts his symbolic "Stand in the Schoolhouse Door", where Wallace attempted to block black students from entering the University of Alabama. It details his stance on racial segregation in Alabama at the time, which proved popular with his white constituents, and also depicts Wallace's rise as a presidential hopeful. This eventually leads to his surprise victory in several states during the 1968 Presidential election, followed by his attempted assassination four years later.

Cast

Reception

The New York Times ' Caryn James, wrote that events were "recreated with startling veracity and tension in the two-part mini-series called simply George Wallace." James wrote that Sinise was "amazing" and Mare Winningham was "extraordinary." [2]

The Associated Press stated that the film's version of Cornelia Wallace was depicted as "a shallow sex kitten" and therefore Cornelia Wallace had criticism towards the portrayal. [3]

Awards and nominations

George Wallace received award nominations: including eight Primetime Emmy Awards (winning three), four Golden Globe Awards (winning two), two Screen Actors Guild Awards (winning one), four Satellite Awards (winning one), nine CableACE Awards (winning four), a Directors Guild of America Award, and a Writers Guild of America Award. Also winning an American Cinema Editors Award, an American Society of Cinematographers Award, an Art Directors Guild Award, and receiving a Peabody Award.

YearAwardCategoryNominee(s)ResultRef.
1997
CableACE Awards MiniseriesMark Carliner, John Frankenheimer,
Julian Krainin, and Ethel Winant
Won [4]
[5]
Actor in a Movie or Miniseries Gary Sinise Won
Supporting Actor in a Movie or Miniseries Joe Don Baker Nominated
Supporting Actress in a Movie or Miniseries Angelina Jolie Nominated
Directing a Movie or MiniseriesJohn FrankenheimerWon
Writing a Movie or Miniseries Paul Monash and Marshall Frady Nominated
Art Direction in a Dramatic Special or Serires/Movie or MiniseriesMichael Z. Hanan, Charles M. Lagola,
and Douglas A. Mowat
Nominated
Editing a Dramatic Special or Series/Movie or Miniseries Antony Gibbs Nominated
MakeupJaneen Schreyer, John E. Jackson,
Matthew W. Mungle, Patricia Androff,
and Jamie Kelman
Won
Peabody Awards TNT and a Mark Carliner ProductionWon [6]
1998
American Cinema Editors Awards Best Edited Episode from a Television Mini-Series Antony Gibbs (for "Part 2")Won [7]
American Society of Cinematographers Awards Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Miniseries Alan CasoWon [8]
Art Directors Guild Awards Excellence in Production Design Award – Television Movie or Mini-Series Michael Z. Hanan, Charles M. Lagola,
and Arlan Jay Vetter
Won [9]
Artios Awards Best Casting for Mini-SeriesIris GrossmanWon [10]
Directors Guild of America Awards Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television or Miniseries John FrankenheimerNominated [11]
Golden Globe Awards Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television Won [12]
Best Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television Gary SiniseNominated
Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television Angelina JolieWon
Mare Winningham Nominated
Golden Reel Awards Best Sound Editing – Television Mini-Series – Effects & Foley Brady SchwartzNominated
Humanitas Prize PBS/Cable Television Paul Monash and Marshall FradyWon [13]
Online Film & Television Association AwardsBest MiniseriesNominated [14]
Best Actor in a Motion Picture or MiniseriesGary SiniseNominated
Best Direction of a Motion Picture or MiniseriesNominated
Best Writing of a Motion Picture or MiniseriesNominated
Best Ensemble in a Motion Picture or MiniseriesNominated
Best Editing in a Motion Picture or MiniseriesNominated
Best Lighting in a Motion Picture or MiniseriesNominated
Best Music in a Motion Picture or MiniseriesNominated
Best New Titles Sequence in a Motion Picture or MiniseriesNominated
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Miniseries Mark Carliner, John Frankenheimer,
Julian Krainin, Ethel Winant,
Mitch Engel, and James Sbardellati
Nominated [15]
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie Gary SiniseWon
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie Angelina JolieNominated
Mare WinninghamWon
Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries or a Movie John FrankenheimerWon
Outstanding Casting for a Miniseries or a Movie Iris GrossmanNominated
Outstanding Cinematography for a Miniseries or a Movie Alan Caso (for "Part 1")Nominated
Outstanding Makeup for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special Janeen Schreyer, Patricia Androff,
Jamie Kelman, Cheryl Ann Nick,
Keith Sayer, John E. Jackson,
and Matthew W. Mungle
Nominated
Satellite Awards Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television Nominated [16]
Best Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television Gary SiniseWon
Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television Joe Don BakerNominated
Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television Mare WinninghamNominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie Gary SiniseWon [17]
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie Mare WinninghamNominated
Writers Guild of America Awards Long Form – Adapted Paul Monash and Marshall Frady;
Based on the book Wallace: The
Classic Portrait of Alabama Governor
George Wallace
by Marshall Frady
Nominated [18]
1999
Costume Designers Guild Awards Excellence in Costume Design for Television May Routh Nominated [19]

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Gia</i> 1998 American biographical drama television film

Gia is a 1998 American biographical drama television film about the life and times of one of the first supermodels, Gia Carangi. The film stars Angelina Jolie as Gia and Faye Dunaway as Wilhelmina Cooper, with Mercedes Ruehl and Elizabeth Mitchell. It was directed by Michael Cristofer and written by Cristofer and Jay McInerney. The original music score was composed by Terence Blanchard. The film premiered on January 31, 1998 on HBO.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Edwards (actor)</span> American actor and director (born 1962)

Anthony Charles Edwards is an American actor, director, and producer. He played Dr. Mark Greene on the first eight seasons of ER, for which he received a Golden Globe Award and six Screen Actors Guild Awards, and was nominated for four consecutive Primetime Emmy Awards. He has appeared in various films and television series, including Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Top Gun, Zodiac, Gotcha!, Miracle Mile, Revenge of the Nerds, Planes, Northern Exposure, and Designated Survivor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary Sinise</span> American actor (born 1955)

Gary Alan Sinise is an American actor, director, producer, and musician. Among other awards, he has won a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Tony Award, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards. He has also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and he has been nominated for an Academy Award. Sinise has also received numerous awards and honors for his extensive humanitarian work and involvement with charitable organizations. He is a supporter of various veterans' organizations and founded the Lt. Dan Band, which plays at military bases around the world.

<i>Playhouse 90</i> American television series

Playhouse 90 is an American television anthology drama series that aired on CBS from 1956 to 1960 for a total of 133 episodes. The show was produced at CBS Television City in Los Angeles, California. Since live anthology drama series of the mid-1950s usually were hour-long shows, the title highlighted the network's intention to present something unusual: a weekly series of hour-and-a-half-long dramas rather than 60-minute plays.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skipp Sudduth</span> American actor

Robert Lee "Skipp" Sudduth IV is an American theater, film and television actor. He appeared in the 1998 film Ronin and the TV drama Third Watch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mare Winningham</span> American actress and singer-songwriter (born 1959)

Mary Megan Winningham, known professionally as Mare Winningham, is an American actress and singer-songwriter. She is the recipient of two Primetime Emmy Awards and has been nominated for an Academy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and two Tony Awards.

<i>Truman</i> (1995 film) 1995 film

Truman is a 1995 American biographical drama television film directed by Frank Pierson and written by Thomas Rickman, based on David McCullough's Pulitzer Prize-winning 1992 book, Truman. Starring Gary Sinise as Harry S. Truman, the film centers on Truman's humble beginnings, his rise to the presidency, World War II, and his decision to use the first atomic bomb. The film's tagline is "It took a farmer's hand to shape a nation." The film aired on HBO on September 9, 1995.

The 58th Golden Globe Awards, honoring the best in film and television for 2000, were held on January 21, 2001. The nominations were announced on December 21, 2000.

The 55th Golden Globe Awards, honoring the best in film and television for 1997, were held on January 18, 1998. The nominations were announced on December 18, 1997.

The 54th Golden Globe Awards, honoring the best in film and television for 1996, were held on January 19, 1997 at the Beverly Hilton. The nominations were announced on December 19, 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie</span> American award for acting in television

The Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series is an award given by the Screen Actors Guild to honor the finest acting achievements in Miniseries or Television Movie.

<i>Path to War</i> 2002 film directed by John Frankenheimer

Path to War is a 2002 American biographical television film, produced by HBO and directed by John Frankenheimer. It was the final film directed by Frankenheimer, who died seven weeks after the film debuted on HBO. It was also the last film produced by Edgar J. Scherick during his lifetime—he died seven months after its initial airing on HBO.

The 66th Golden Globe Awards, honoring the best in film and television of 2008, was broadcast on January 11, 2009, from the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, United States on the NBC television network. The broadcast was watched by approximately 14.6 million viewers with a rating of 4.9/12. The ceremony returned after the previous year's ceremony was canceled due to the Writers Guild of America strike. The nominations were announced on December 12, 2008.

Paul Monash was an American television and film producer and screenwriter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">69th Golden Globe Awards</span> Awards for best in film and television in 2011

The 69th Golden Globe Awards, honoring the best in film and television of 2011, were broadcast live from the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California on January 15, 2012, by NBC. The host was Ricky Gervais, for the third consecutive year. The musical theme for the year was composed by Yoshiki, leader of the Japanese band X Japan. The nominations were announced by Woody Harrelson, Sofía Vergara, Gerard Butler and Rashida Jones on December 15, 2011. Multiple winners for the night included the silent film The Artist which won three awards and The Descendants winning two awards. Freshman television series Homeland also won two awards.

Marshall Bolton Frady was an American Emmy Award-winning journalist and author particularly known for his work on the civil rights movement in the American South. In 1968, he published Wallace, a biography of George Wallace, later described by contemporary Marc Cooper as "an instant classic". In 1982, he won an Emmy Award for his work on a documentary about mercenaries, Soldiers of the Twilight.

References

  1. Levesque, John (May 19, 2002). "LBJ's vile realities pave HBO's 'Path to War'". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  2. James, Caryn (August 23, 1997). "Going Beyond Just Facts To Show a Hollow Soul". The New York Times . Retrieved August 12, 2016.
  3. "Widow of late Gov. George Wallace dies at 69". NBC News. 2009-01-09. Retrieved 2022-06-08. - Alternate version ("Cornelia Wallace, 69, First Lady of Alabama, Dies") at The New York Times , January 9, 2009. Version ("Cornelia Wallace, 69, second wife of Alabama Gov. George Wallace") at The Hour (Norwalk, Connecticut), January 8, 2009. Alternate ("Former Alabama first lady Cornelia Wallace dies") at The Columbus Dispatch , January 8, 2009.
  4. "CableAce Nominations". Variety. 24 September 1997. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
  5. "CableAce Awards". Variety. 17 November 1997. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
  6. "George Wallace". Peabody Awards . Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  7. "Nominees/Winners". IMDb . Retrieved April 3, 2019.
  8. Karon, Paul (March 8, 1998). "ASC hands out awards". Variety . Penske Media Corporation . Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  9. "2nd Annual Excellence in Production Design Awards". Archived from the original on March 26, 2016. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  10. "1998 Artios Awards". www.castingsociety.com. November 4, 1998. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  11. "50th DGA Awards". Directors Guild of America Awards . Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  12. "George Wallace – Golden Globes". Golden Globe Awards . Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  13. "Past Winners & Nominees". Humanitas Prize . Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  14. "2nd Annual TV Awards (1997-98)". Online Film & Television Association. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  15. "George Wallace". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  16. "International Press Academy website – 1998 2nd Annual SATELLITE Awards". Archived from the original on February 1, 2008.
  17. "The 4th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards". Screen Actors Guild Awards . Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  18. "Previous Nominees & Winners: 1998 Awards Winners". Writers Guild Awards. Archived from the original on 2015-05-12. Retrieved 2014-05-07.
  19. "The 1st Costume Designers Guild Awards (1999)". Costume Designers Guild . Retrieved July 6, 2023.