Truth is a 2015 American political drama film written, directed, and produced by James Vanderbilt in his directorial debut. Based on Mary Mapes's memoir, Truth and Duty, it dramatizes the Killian documents controversy and the resulting last days of news anchor Dan Rather (Robert Redford) and producer Mary Mapes (Cate Blanchett) at CBS News.
Truth had its world premiere at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival. The film received a limited release in the United States on October 16, 2015, before being released nationwide on October 30, 2015, by Sony Pictures Classics.
Contents
Plot
Months before the 2004 US presidential election, Mary Mapes (producer of 60 Minutes Wednesday) and her crew consisting of Mike Smith, Lucy Scott, and Colonel Roger Charles are seeking evidence to verify whether or not George W. Bush received any preferential treatment during his time in the military. Charles, knowing that the military "is good at what they do", believes there were no mistakes or errors, despite some claims that Bush's records were lost or altered, and that Bush had difficulty meeting minimal physical aptitude testing. Seeking leads, Mapes and her crew eventually find Bill Burkett, who says he has documents in the form of memos and letters dictating that Bush did indeed have preferential treatment and went AWOL for one year in 1972. Rather also interviews former Texan Lieutenant Governor Ben Barnes who admits he pulled strings which enabled George Bush to join the National Guard. Mapes produces a story that Dan Rather reports on 60 Minutes.
