George Wallace (film)

George Wallace is a 1997 biographical two-part mini-series produced and directed by John Frankenheimer and starring Gary Sinise as the titular former Governor of Alabama. The mini-series's 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.
"George Wallace" was highly praised by critics and received various accolades: including Emmy Awards for Outstanding Directing (Frankenheimer), Outstanding Lead Actor (Sinise), and Outstanding Supporting Actress (Winningham), and Golden Globes for Best 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 attempted assassination—and his surprise victory in several states during the 1968 Presidential election.
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."
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.
Awards and nominations.
1998 American Cinema Editors (Eddies)
1998 American Society of Cinematographers
1998 Art Directors Guild
1997 CableACE Award
1998 Casting Society of America (Artios)
1998 Directors Guild of America
1998 Emmy Awards
1998 Golden Globe Awards
1998 Humanitas Prize
1998 Motion Picture Sound Editors (Golden Reel Award)
1997 Peabody Award
1998 Screen Actors Guild Awards
1998 Writers Guild of America Awards