LBJ: The Early Years

Name: LBJ: The Early Years
Genre: Drama
Released: 1987-02-01
Duration: 2 h 35 min
Rating: 7.2
Cast: Randy Quaid, Patti LuPone, Morgan Brittany

TV Movie
1987
Not Rated
2h 35m

IMDb RATING

7.2/10

295

YOUR RATING

Drama

This made-for-TV film chronicles the years 1934 through 1963, tracing the beginnings of Johnson's public career, chronicling his reputation for down-and-dirty politicking, and following his ... Read allThis made-for-TV film chronicles the years 1934 through 1963, tracing the beginnings of Johnson's public career, chronicling his reputation for down-and-dirty politicking, and following his progress.This made-for-TV film chronicles the years 1934 through 1963, tracing the beginnings of Johnson's public career, chronicling his reputation for down-and-dirty politicking, and following his progress.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.2/10

295

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Won 1 Primetime Emmy
- 6 wins & 5 nominations total

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The film takes place from 1934 to 1963.

Goofs
There are two clear errors during the JFK assassination sequence. LBJ and Lady Bird arrive at Parkland Hospital in a black Cadillac limousine sedan. In fact, they were riding in a light colored Lincoln convertible. An American flag covers JFK's coffin when it is removed from the ambulance at Love Field and when Jackie is setting next to it on Air Force One. It was not covered with a flag until it left Bethesda Naval Hospital early the next day.

Connections
Featured in The 39th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1987)

User reviews4

Review

Featured review

7/10

The man who really fought against Two Americas

Oscar-nominated star Randy Quaid (The Last Detail) won a Golden Globe for this performance, and it was an easy one to hand out. Quaid WAS LBJ. There was no doubt about it. He had the character nailed and gave such a good performance that you almost felt you were watching a documentary.

Before Barack Obama was born, and before he ever thought about giving a speech on the Two Americas, LBJ was fighting for legislation (1960 Civil Rights Act) to help end the fact that there were two Americas -- and he actually used those words. Four years later (after this movie) he passed the historic Civil Rights acts of 1964 and 1965, while he was President. Lincoln may have freed the slaves to end a war, but LBJ was responsible for truly giving the Black Americans their full rights, and moving us toward the end of the Two Americas.

For those that do not know the story of LB and how he was the most powerful and successful Congressman ever in the history of the US, and how he was the person who made Kennedy's dreams a reality, this is an excellent film to find out.

Patti LuPone was the best of a lot of stars that contributed to this movie. She played Lady Bird to a T. I just hope I will one day see her performance of Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in Concert.