LBJ: The Early Years | Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes

Movies / TV

    Celebrity

      No Results Found

       View All       Movies Tv shows Shop News Showtimes

      LBJ: The Early Years

      1987 3h 12m Biography List
      Reviews 92% Audience Score 50+ Ratings Prodded by both personal ambition and a sincere desire to help the people of Texas, Lyndon Baines Johnson (Randy Quaid) rises from congressional staffer to member of the House of Representatives to senator through a mixture of personal charm, backroom deals and influence peddling. Aided by his equally ambitious wife, Lady Bird (Patti LuPone), Johnson then squares off against a similarly determined pair of brothers from Massachusetts, John and Bobby Kennedy (Charles Frank, James F. Kelly). Read More Read Less

      Audience Reviews

      View All (5) audience reviews
      Audience Member Randy Quaid does a great job portraying LBJ. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/15/23 Full Review Audience Member Solid recap of LBJ's climb obviously told in shorthand-a necessary evil due to the constraints of a TV format. Still you do get a feeling for the hard charging bull from Texas who confounded many when he emerged as a great advocate for civil rights. Quaid is excellent in the lead, a very good actor whose reputation has now been sullied by bizarre off screen behavior. He and Lupone who are seemingly an odd match work well together as Johnson and Lady Bird, who even though they forged a strong bond themselves were an unusual match as is shown here. For history buffs and bio fans a worthy entry. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member A mighty and impressive role played by Randy Quaid who deftly moves from young Texan Johnson to older and more seasoned politician extrodinaire. Just great history here. Well made, revealing look back at the life and times of the 36th President of the United States, doing so at the death of the 35th, John F. Kennedy. This television movie inserts actual news film footage of the eras that Johnson lived in and brings to life his wife (Lady Bird), Robert Kennedy, John Kennedy and all the notables during his life. Randy Quaid and his portrayal of Lyndon Baines Johnson in LBJ: The Early Years. 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 from congressman to senator to majority leader to vice president. Staunchly at LBJ's side through thick and thin is faithful-wife Lady Bird (Patti LuPone), whose fidelity remains unshaken even while Johnson dallies with other women. Charles Frank co-stars as John F. Kennedy, whose assassination catapults the reluctant Johnson into the presidency that he'd always wanted to win on his own merits. ****NOTE: Less than six days before LBJ: The Early Years premiered on February 1, 1987, author Larry L. King picked apart the film's inaccuracies in a TV Guide article.***** "Audiences cared not for absolute truth, and had a grand old time watching Randy Quaid impersonate the amazing Mr. Johnson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide" Thoughtful, well made movie for political history buffs or those just interested in the rise of the last century's most accomplished politico. Duration: 98min Cast: Patti LuPone, Randy Quaid, R.G. Armstrong, Barry Corbin, Pat Hingle, Kevin McCarthy, Peter Werner, Morgan Brittany, Charles Frank Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Audience Member It is strange how obscure this movie is. Probably the best biography of a president that I have ever seen. Randy Quaid gives a dynamic performance as Lyndon Johnson, making even the biggest of "Christmas Vacation" fans such as myself forget that it is actually Cousin Eddy that we are watching. Absolutely fantastic biography of a great president. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Audience Member I don't know how the onscreen Comcast guide could list this as four stars! Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 02/01/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

      Show Less Cast & Crew Show More Cast & Crew

      Photos

      View All LBJ: The Early Years photos

      LBJ: The Early Years

      LBJ: The Early Years (1987) LBJ: The Early Years (1987) LBJ: The Early Years (1987) LBJ: The Early Years (1987) View more photos

      Movie Info

      Synopsis Prodded by both personal ambition and a sincere desire to help the people of Texas, Lyndon Baines Johnson (Randy Quaid) rises from congressional staffer to member of the House of Representatives to senator through a mixture of personal charm, backroom deals and influence peddling. Aided by his equally ambitious wife, Lady Bird (Patti LuPone), Johnson then squares off against a similarly determined pair of brothers from Massachusetts, John and Bobby Kennedy (Charles Frank, James F. Kelly).
      Director
      Peter Werner
      Genre
      Biography
      Original Language
      English
      Runtime
      3h 12m