Customer Ratings & Reviews

Every school should require students to see this movie. It's a great history lesson. Of course, my favorite scene is the funeral scene but that's because my husband and I are the elderly couple.

Trumbo is a more compelling movie in its second half, when it's less political and more personal, as it leaves behind the interesting, but nevertheless somewhat stuffy, political dealings and really focuses on a man writing some of cinema's best screenplays from his bathtub and crediting other names for his work. The movie's ability to take a broader historical subject and humanize it well beyond the dusty pages of history is incredible, made possible by a brilliant performance from Bryan Cranston. The movie has its weaknesses here and there, including an occasionally struggling pace and some dubious history and definitions, but it's an altogether quality film on most every other level. Universal's Blu-ray release of Trumbo features outstanding video and terrific audio but shortchanges audiences with only two throwaway supplements. Nevertheless, the release earns a recommendation.

Intriguing retelling of the communist witch hunt in Hollywood that took place in the 40's and 50's. Bryan Cranston is excellent as blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, as is Louis C K in a surprising dramatic role as a fellow screenwriter. But the standout performances are provided by supporting players John Goodman, and, as gossip columnist Hedda Hopper, Helen Mirren. Both of these performances should've received Oscar nominations in their supporting categories. "Trumbo" is a must-see for all fans of classic movies and Hollywood history.

This is a funny, biting, warm and honest look at one of the darker chapters of Hollywood history. The blacklisting of people because of their political views. This story revolves around the genius of Dalton Trumbo and how he and other writers survived those years. The story is well written and performed, especially by Bryan Cranston, Diane lane and Helen Mirren, with excellent support from John Goodman, Louis C.K. and many others. A story about a person's convictions and how they were put to the test but persevered.

Excellent movie. I never really knew much about this important time in history in Hollywood. I had, of course, heard about it, but didn't really realize the magnitude of the power that this House Un-American Activities Committee had over people's lives. Powerful acting and a beautifully written movie about a really significant time in the history of our country. Everyone should watch this, but I am afraid that not every watcher will understands its importance.

Bryan Cranston is truly an amazing actor and he deserved his Oscar nomination in this true story. He plays Dalton Trumbo the screen writer who was black listed due to his ties to the Communist Party. He went to prison and when he got out could only write under another name and not get credit. It has a great cast with Diane Lane and Louis C.K.

When I was in high school I read 'Johnny Got His Gun' by Dalton Trumbo, then I saw the movie of it, both formed my view of war as a waste of humanity. I became a Trumbo aficionado, I read everything I could find about him. This movie is an almost perfect distillation of what this great man went through to tell his stories. Bryan Cranston & a powerful cast will teach you a very timely history lesson.

This is a fantastic view at a terrible time in hollywoods history. Trumbo may not me well known to teens nowadays but it's a film definitely worth watching to see how politicized Hollywood used to be. The only gripe I would have would be that I wish John Goodman was in it more. His character is hilarious!

I missed Trumbo in theaters, but managed to get a copy while it was on sale at Best Buy. Cranston's performance was truly outstanding, as were those of his supporting players. We loved everything about this film and I'm thrilled to have it in my collection. The bluray picture looks great with well saturated colors, inky blacks and nice, crisp lines. I can't recommend this enough!

Bryan Cranston, proves once again that he is an amazing actor! Loved this film! I had the pleasure of seeing it on my birthday and I'm glad that I did. It was a dark time for writers and the film industry in general. I also enjoyed it because I had a connection to one of the real people involved: Heda Hopper (she knew my grandfather). If you don't know who she was, look her up...

Trumbo was a rare movie for me that I purchased without having already seen it either in a theater or on video somewhere... I typically like to know what I'm purchasing. Even though I wasn't super knowledgeable on the man Dalton Trumbo, I knew of him and some of the stuff he was known for which when added to a great casting of the lead role to Bryan Cranston, it was a win win for me. After finally watching the movie, I was glad I made the investment.

Once in a while a movie comes out about the Hollywood Red Scare period. An extreme zealous McCarthy approach to communism and the Black List . This great movie approaches the topic on an individual emotional level. It shows the stratergy to create and survive beyond any threat to one's talent. Others took credit for his work (voluntary) but was rewarded in the end.

This movie dramatizes the persecution that politically liberal Hollywood screenwriters endured in the 1950s. These blacklisted writers essentially lost their livelihoods because of their political beliefs. Bryan Cranston (from Breaking Bad) does a great job of portraying that suffering while still staying positive by writing under pseudonyms.

Well written and well acted. Trumbo tells us about the Red Scare and the Scourge Of McCarthyism. Blacklisting was a terrible part of American History during the early 1950's. Some people thought there were Communists everywhere, and they would trample your rights too get at them. Bryan Cranston is excellent as screen writer Dalton Trumbo.

5 stars for Bryan Cranston who is at his best. So believable! Excellent supporting cast. Was that JAG's David James Elliott as John Wayne? That Hollywood Blacklist business was bad news. Curious to learn more about it. If you like biographical/historical dramas you'll enjoy this movie.

Fact-based and most interesting look at the life and times of Hollywood screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, who was among a sizeable group of so-called "Communists or Communist sympathizers" who were blacklisted toward the middle of the 20th century. Fascinating to look back to those days and to see how some things have changed yet some haven't.

This is what Oscar is all about. To me this was the best picture of the year. All of the cast was awesome. Good from the beginning to the end. Based on a true story with a lot of information helping you to understand more of Hollywood during the 50's, 60's and 70's

If you are interested in the black list days of Hollywood this is a movie worth a look. Based on a true story it is an account of Dalton Trumbo and what he went through to continue as a writer in Hollywood after being black listed. Good job by the actors.

This was a movie i was waiting for in the theatres...such a great film i had to purchase it as soon as it was released on bluray...a true story about one of the dark periods of america..great cast and great portrayal of trumbo...a must see film!

This insight into the ugliness of people attacking people with different views or ideas to achieve power as well as control who has "American rights" and who do not made me ashamed that this went on so long. This movie was certainly very timely.