McCarthy (2020)

Power Feeds on Fear

McCarthy (2020) poster

"McCarthy" chronicles the rise and fall of Joseph McCarthy, the Wisconsin senator who came to power after a stunning victory in an election no one thought he could win. Once in office, he declared that there was a vast conspiracy threatening America — emanating not from a rival superpower, but from within. Free of restraint or oversight, he conducted a crusade against those he accused of being enemies of the state, a chilling campaign marked by groundless accusations, bullying intimidation, grandiose showmanship and cruel victimization. With lawyer Roy Cohn at his side, he belittled critics, spinning a web of lies and distortions while spreading fear and confusion. After years in the headlines, he was brought down by his own excesses and overreach. But his name lives on linked to the modern-day witch hunt we call “McCarthyism.”

Director: Sharon Grimberg
Genre: Documentary, History
Runtime: 120 min
Release Date:

Cast

Screenplay

Music: Gary Lionelli
Cinematography: Jason Longo, John Baynard
Editing: Jon Neuburger
Production: PBS American Experience, GBH
Country: United States of America
Language: English
Original Language: en

Themes

Cold War: Espionage and Secrets

Keywords

cold war, biography, mccarthy era, anti-communism, social documentary, government regulation, joseph mccarthy, usa politics, cold war propaganda, cold war era, american politician, documentary portrait

Trailer

McCarthy Trailer
More Films by Director: Sharon Grimberg
More Films in Genre: Documentary, History

Frequently Asked Questions

What is McCarthy about?
"McCarthy" chronicles the rise and fall of Joseph McCarthy, the Wisconsin senator who came to power after a stunning victory in an election no one thought he could win. Once in office, he declared that there was a vast conspiracy threatening America — emanating not from a rival superpower, but from within. Free of restraint or oversight, he conducted a crusade against those he accused of being enemies of the state, a chilling campaign marked by groundless accusations, bullying intimidation, grandiose showmanship and cruel victimization. With lawyer Roy Cohn at his side, he belittled critics, spinning a web of lies and distortions while spreading fear and confusion. After years in the headlines, he was brought down by his own excesses and overreach. But his name lives on linked to the modern-day witch hunt we call “McCarthyism.”
Who directed McCarthy?
McCarthy was directed by Sharon Grimberg.
Who stars in McCarthy?
McCarthy stars Joseph McCarthy, Donald Ritchie, Beverly Gage, Tim Naftali, Jelani Cobb, Sam Tanenhaus.
How long is McCarthy?
McCarthy has a runtime of 2h 0m (120 minutes).
What genre is McCarthy?
McCarthy is a Documentary, History film.
Where was McCarthy produced?
McCarthy was produced in United States of America.
What are the themes of McCarthy?
The themes of McCarthy include: Cold War: Espionage and Secrets.