In the fall of 1948 President Harry Truman orchestrated and traveled the grandest political journey of his life. Down in the polls and considered unelectable by the Republicans and many in his own party, a landslide loss in November seemed certain. But one man, unwavering in his beliefs and his passion for what he believed was right, challenged the political tsunami that was approaching him. That man was President Harry Truman.
This film will take viewers back to post-war 1948 when most Americans believed that come November their new president elect would be Thomas Dewey, Harry Truman believed differently. Experience President Truman whistle stop campaign through the lens of time and explore why this bold effort to connect with the American people is a fascinating story about ordinary Americans, the power of believing in oneself and the innate fair mindedness of the American people.
Why is this story worth telling?
First and foremost the 1948 presidential election is one of the greatest political elections in modern American history. Additionally, the come from behind victory of President Truman resonates with people of all ages, Americans love an underdog. President Truman was one of only a handful of sitting presidents ever to be considered a true underdog in a reelection campaign. The film will take us back to a time in America when broad political views were represented in a single election. In 1948 four major candidates headed four national tickets for the presidency. It was also one of the last campaigns before modern media and television began reshaping the political landscape. The film will not only tell the story of the great campaign of 1948 but also treat the viewer to the “whistle stop” railroad political campaign.
A pivotal year on both foreign and domestic fronts, many tough decisions faced the President making President Truman’s job of winning the presidency in his own right even more difficult. However President Truman was a man of principle and integrity. He did not shrink from his duties or pass the buck.
Finally, this is a true American story and I believe that audiences will not only be informed and entertained but will walk away from viewing this film with a sense of who the man from Independence really was – a fighter for what he believed in, a man of conviction and a President that knew taking his case to the American people was imperative.
From sea to shining sea President Truman engaged the American people and asked them to vote for their future and to seek with him a better America, it was the great campaign of 1948. This film will share the excitement and hope of victory with viewers young and old.
Moving Forward
Currently, we are in pre production and raising funds for our film.
We have received a full endorsement from the Truman Presidential Library and also a full endorsement from President Truman’s eldest grandson Clifton Truman Daniel.