The lives of Dashiell Hammett and Lillian Hellman are set against the golden era of Hollywood, HUAC and the issue of McCarthyism of the 1950s. This intimate look at the lives of two of this century’s literary titans follows their tumultuous affair, drinking bouts, career highs and lows, and activities in support of left-wing causes including Hammett’s public avowal of Communism and his membership in the Communist Party and Hellman’s sympathies for the Stalinist regime in the Soviet Union before World War II.
Director: Kathy Bates.
Writer: Jerrold L. Ludwig.
Stars: Sam Shepard, Judy Davis, Bebe Neuwirth, Laurence Luckinbill, David Paymer, Zeljko Ivanek, Ned Eisenberg, Mark Zimmerman, Victor A. Young, Stephanie Morgenstern.
Cinematographer: Bruce Surtees.
Composer: Laura Karpman (as Linda Karpman).
2000 Golden Globes – Nominated for Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television.
2000 Golden Globes – Nominated for
2000 Golden Globes – Nominated for Sam Shepard).
Optional English subtitles are available for this film, to enable them click on the subtitles icon (to the left of the cogweel icon), and they will be turned on.
Absolutely magnificent tribute to two of the greats. I’ve been working my way through all of Hellman’s plays over the past few months and stumbled upon this by accident. Heck of a made-for-TV movie.
Hard to believe it’s a TV Movie. 5 stars for sure
How refreshing!! Loved it …
Especially after all these over the top sensationalist and voyeuristic biopics of the last few years … this one was smart, informative and very well played …