Introduction"George Wallace" is a 1997 biographical tv film directed by John Frankenheimer, starring Gary Sinise as the titular character. The film chronicles the life and political career of George Wallace, the questionable four-term Governor of Alabama. Wallace is best known for his pro-segregation position in the 1960s, the opposition to racial desegregation, and the stopped working assassination effort that left him disabled. The film is based upon the 1996 biography "Wallace: Settin' the Woods on Fire" by Marshall Frady, who likewise co-wrote the screenplay.
Plot OverviewThe movie begins with a young George Wallace working as a Golden Gloves fighter to pay for his law school tuition at the University of Alabama. He later on becomes the assistant chief law officer in the state and ultimately runs for the state legislature. His early profession is marked by a progressive position on race relations, as he supports integration and forms a close alliance with the black neighborhood.
However, in his very first gubernatorial project, Wallace faces a backlash from the white-dominated Democratic Party for his progressive views. He loses the election and re-evaluates his political technique, deciding to embrace segregation and align himself with the blossoming white supremacist movement. He employs a political strategist, Seymore Trammell (played by Joe Don Baker), who persuades him that retaining the assistance of segregationists is necessary for electoral success.
Under Trammell's guidance, Wallace wins the governorship and ends up being a national figure known for his staunch assistance of racial partition. He famously announces, "Segregation now, partition tomorrow, segregation forever", and defies federal orders to desegregate the University of Alabama. Wallace physically bars black students from getting in the university, prompting President John F. Kennedy to federalize the Alabama National Guard and enforce desegregation.
Assassination Attempt and ParalysisIn 1972, while marketing for the Democratic governmental nomination for the third time, Wallace is shot by Arthur Bremer throughout a project drop in Maryland. The movie represents the tried assassination with credibility, portraying the chilling minutes leading up to the shooting, the turmoil, and confusion in its aftermath, and Wallace's gripping struggle for survival. Wallace makes it through the assassination effort but is left paralyzed from the waist down. The shooting also decreases his national political profession.
Personal Life and RedemptionThe film explores Wallace's troubled individual life, including his three marital relationships and his strained relationship with his kids. His first two marital relationships were marked by cheating and turmoil, while his third marital relationship to Lisa, a former beauty queen, brings Wallace some much-needed peace and emotional stability.
In his later years, Wallace goes through a personal improvement, renouncing the racist ideology he as soon as championed. After suffering numerous health concerns and a near-death experience, he seeks reconciliation with the black neighborhood and openly excuses his previous actions. The movie shows Wallace attending an African American church and humbly requesting for forgiveness, stressing his character arc from a ruthless political leader to a reformed, repentant figure.
Reception and Impact"George Wallace" received widespread critical praise, especially for Gary Sinise's powerful performance as the titular character. The movie won various awards, including the Golden Globe for Best Miniseries or Television Film, and four Primetime Emmy Awards. Sinise won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie, more strengthening his credibility as a flexible, talented star.
The film's unflinching representation of Wallace's life and profession offers valuable insight into a tumultuous duration in American history, highlighting the complex styles of aspiration, power, and redemption. It offers a nuanced exploration of the man behind the infamy, narrating his journey through various phases of individual and political evolution in an unforgettable way.
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