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The Last Hurrah

Play trailer Poster for The Last Hurrah 1958,  2h 1m,  Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 83% 12 Reviews Tomatometer 81% 500+ Ratings Popcornmeter
83% Tomatometer 12 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Based on the novel by Edwin O'Connor, this political drama focuses on Frank Skeffington (Spencer Tracy), an aging mayor who is embarking on his final campaign for reelection. Aided by his nephew, Adam Caulfield (Jeffrey Hunter), and savvy strategist John Gorman (Pat O'Brien), Skeffington faces considerable challenges as the political landscape that he knows slowly crumbles away, but, undaunted, he remains determined to stay in the game a bit longer.

Critics Reviews

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Lindsay Anderson Sight & Sound Mar 18, 2020
Ford has done all this once... But the poetry is gone. Go to Full Review
Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Aug 23, 2020
6/10
Full of eccentric characters, many of whom appear exaggerated but are likely quite abundant in the world of politics. Go to Full Review
Alberto Abuín Espinof Aug 21, 2019
The extreme sensitivity in these last moments of the movie is of an astonishing delicacy. [Full Review in Spanish] Go to Full Review
Christopher Lloyd The Film Yap Jun 3, 2019
4/5
A rare John Ford political drama in which Spencer Tracy shines as an over-the-hill pol who chases one more term as mayor. Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Apr 23, 2019
3.5/4
Terrific entertainment until it's stopped dead in its tracks by a painfully protracted finale. Go to Full Review
Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Mar 23, 2012
B-
Enjoyable as crowd-pleasing nostalgia. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Finn R Apr 7, 2019 John Ford (ever a slightly drunk barroom poet at around closing time - and proud of it) poetically ruminates about a) changing times, b) and being passed by, all while being particularly aware of both and not wanting either, in this excellent piece about an aging mayor's (Spencer Tracy) last campaign. Although viewed as an anachronistic scoundrel and crook by most, Ford takes deliberate care that we are shown his doppelganger's true good intentions and motives. As with most Ford efforts the supporting cast is both capable and familiar. The work of an accomplished artist here, sure in his abilities and skill. See more
Poe M Dec 30, 2018 A comedy-drama that's not funny nor dramatic. The humor doesn't translate well to modern times.
Harry L Jun 16, 2013 Captures the struggles of a mayor.
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The Last Hurrah

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Movie Info

Synopsis Based on the novel by Edwin O'Connor, this political drama focuses on Frank Skeffington (Spencer Tracy), an aging mayor who is embarking on his final campaign for reelection. Aided by his nephew, Adam Caulfield (Jeffrey Hunter), and savvy strategist John Gorman (Pat O'Brien), Skeffington faces considerable challenges as the political landscape that he knows slowly crumbles away, but, undaunted, he remains determined to stay in the game a bit longer.
Director
John Ford
Producer
John Ford
Screenwriter
Frank S. Nugent, Edwin O'Connor
Distributor
Columbia TriStar Home Video, Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Columbia Pictures Corporation
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 24, 1958, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 19, 2010
Runtime
2h 1m
Sound Mix
Mono
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