Is The Great Man Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, The Great Man is likely a skip if you enjoy Drama movies.
It features a runtime of 92 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
The Great Man Review
Last updated: January 12, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1956, The Great Man emerges as a significant entry in the Drama domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Joe Harris, preparing a eulogy for popular radio commentator Herb Fuller, finds that nobody has a good word to say about him. Unlike standard genre fare, The Great Man attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
The screenplay, appearing to prioritize narrative momentum and immediate impact, sets a stage where the stakes feel personal yet universal. Under the directorial eye of José Ferrer, every scene is crafted to contribute to the atmospheric weight of the story, ensuring that the Drama elements serve the larger narrative arc rather than just providing spectacle.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass in Character Study
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Great Man features a noteworthy lineup led by José Ferrer. Supported by the likes of Dean Jagger and Keenan Wynn, the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes. However, the sheer charisma of José Ferrer, Dean Jagger, Keenan Wynn manages to keep the audience invested through the film's more predictable sequences. In the broader context of 1956 cinema, these performances stand as a testament to the evolving standards of acting within the Drama space.
Directorial Vision & Technical Craftsmanship
From a technical perspective, The Great Man is a marvel of 21st-century filmmaking. The cinematography, utilizing a moody and atmospheric color palette, significantly enhances the world-building aspects of the production. Each frame seems calculated to guide the viewer's emotional response, whether through wide, sweeping vistas or tight, claustrophobic close-ups that emphasize character isolation.
Technical Excellence: The production design and visual effects provide a solid foundation for the story, ensuring that the world of the film feels lived-in and authentic, even when the narrative logic falters. Furthermore, the sonic landscape—comprising both the score and sound design—adds a layer of subtextual narrative that rewards attentive viewers.
Narrative Pacing & Structural Integrity
The structure of The Great Man follows a sophisticated brisk pace. Over its 92 minute duration, the film manages to balance exposition with action in a way that remains consistently entertaining. The second act, often the most difficult to manage, serves here as a crucible for character growth, leading toward a climax that feels both inevitable and surprising.
Critically, the editing choices by the team help maintain a narrative tension that rarely wavers. The sharp, concise editing ensures that not a single frame is wasted, making the film ideal for a modern audience that values efficiency in storytelling.
Cultural Impact & Global Resonance
Beyond its immediate entertainment value, The Great Man resonates with contemporary social and cultural themes prevalent in the Drama landscape of 2026. It addresses concepts such as the nature of heroism and personal legacy with a level of maturity that is often missing from major releases.
This cultural relevance is likely why it has garnered a 4.6/10 rating on our platform. Films like this bridge the gap between niche interest and global appeal, proving that stories rooted in specific human experiences can find a home with audiences worldwide, from the US and UK to India and beyond.
Plot Breakdown & Philosophical Subtext
Analyzing the plot deeper, The Great Man is more than just its synopsis. It is an inquiry into the complexity of relationships. Joe Harris, preparing a eulogy for popular radio commentator Herb Fuller, finds that nobody has a good word to say about him.
The philosophical underpinnings of the third act suggest a worldview that is standard for its genre yet executed with high professional polish. This is not just a commercial product; it is a piece of art that invites discussion long after the credits have finished rolling.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Great Man (1956) is overwhelmingly negative. With an audience rating of 4.6/10 and strong performance metrics in the Drama categories, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Whether you choose to experience it for the stellar performances from José Ferrer, Dean Jagger, Keenan Wynn or the visual majesty of its technical execution, The Great Man is a significant contribution to the cinema of 1956. It represents the kind of filmmaking that movieMx is proud to champion—original, bold, and ultimately, deeply human.
Parents Guide & Age Rating
The Great Man is rated NR.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 4.6/10, and global collection metrics, The Great Man stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1956 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Great Man movie hit or flop?
The Great Man is considered a flop based on audience ratings of 4.6/10 and lower collections.
Is The Great Man worth watching?
Based on the low rating of 4.6/10, The Great Man may not be worth watching unless you are a die-hard fan.
Where can I watch The Great Man online?
The Great Man may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
Explore More Verdicts
More with José Ferrer
View full filmography
People Also Ask (FAQs)
Is The Great Man movie hit or flop?
The Great Man is considered a flop based on audience ratings of 4.6/10 and lower collections.
Is The Great Man worth watching?
Based on the low rating of 4.6/10, The Great Man may not be worth watching unless you are a die-hard fan.
Where can I watch The Great Man online?
The Great Man may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
What is the story of The Great Man?
The Great Man is a Drama movie that follows: Joe Harris, preparing a eulogy for popular radio commentator Herb Fuller, finds that nobody has a good word to say about him....
Is The Great Man family friendly?
The Great Man is classified as Drama. We recommend checking the official age rating before watching with children.
What language is The Great Man available in?
The Great Man is primarily available in its original language, with subtitles and dubbed versions available on various streaming services and digital stores.
Synopsis
Joe Harris, preparing a eulogy for popular radio commentator Herb Fuller, finds that nobody has a good word to say about him.
Critic Reviews
When national treasure "Fuller" dies, it falls to his erstwhile radio colleague "Joe"(José Ferrer) to put together the traditionally adulatory obituary programme, and so he routinely sets about gathering information and comments from the man's contemporaries. Quite quickly, though, he begins to discover that maybe this man wasn't as pure as the driven snow after all. Indeed, though people don't wish to speak ill of the dead to a microphone, there are soon no shortage of detractors assessing his character and posing quite a quandary for "Joe". Meantime, there's some internal politicking going at the station as his boss (Dean Jagger) sort of promises him the man's shoes if he delivers a positive, glowing, hour of tribute so "Joe" has to choose. Does he go with the flow or does he expose the man? Ferrer delivers competently enough here and the story is one that resonates quite potently across a society that never really feels comfortable being unkind to the dead - however fake their façade they'd presented. It all comes to an head using a conversation between "Joe" and "Beaseley" (Ed Wynn) who delivers us the best, most insightful, ten minutes of the film and poses some interesting questions about where we might draw our own lines. When it comes to the broadcast, what will "Joe" do?