The tone of the film may be a bit too celebratory, but Trumbo's utter dedication to standing up and fighting for justice and freedom is commendable. The spoken word recitations of Trumbo's letters are easily the most moving and memorable segments of... (read more) The tone of the film may be a bit too celebratory, but Trumbo's utter dedication to standing up and fighting for justice and freedom is commendable. The spoken word recitations of Trumbo's letters are easily the most moving and memorable segments of the film.

What an extraordinary man with tremendous integrity and an amazing writer to boot. I loved the structure of the various actors reading his letters. This documentary is also a good reminder of how hysteria can ruin peoples lives.

fascinating. true american hero.

Enjoyable doc/performance piece.

A very good examination into the life of one of the infamous 'Hollywood Ten'....a true victim of one of the darkest times in American history. For anyone interested in seeing the disastrous, shameful events of HUAC and all that it inflicted, I would ... (read more) A very good examination into the life of one of the infamous 'Hollywood Ten'....a true victim of one of the darkest times in American history. For anyone interested in seeing the disastrous, shameful events of HUAC and all that it inflicted, I would recommend this film. Trumbo was an eccentric, stubborn, courageous, witty and principled man...and a remarkably talented writer - as witnessed in the many terrific films he penned and the extraordinary letters that Peter Askin (director) shares with us here on film. The letters are read with incredible and effortless conviction by Michael Douglas (surprise), David Strathairn (not at all surprised), Donald Sutherland, Liam Neeson, among others. Sutherland stands out, especially his superb reading from one of Trumbo's novels....it is awe-inspiring to watch him recite this excerpt. The McCarthy witch-hunt - and all it stood for - was an utter disgrace that people need to be reminded of, or, if some of the younger generations are not familiar with, need to learn about what happened. This film is a small and effective reminder.

This biography is celebratory to a fault. There is scant context about the history and political climate that led to the blacklist.

A celebration of a large-hearted contrarian, and if it's over-worshipful, the film gets you in an indulgent frame of mind.

The substance of those letters, along with documentary footage and a touching appearance by Kirk Douglas, throws a baleful light on a bleak chapter of American history.

What kind of international revolutionary whines about his family being made unwelcome among the tykes of the bourgeoisie?

Myth and piety are the film's guiding principles -- documenting truth isn't.