Wilson (1944) - Henry King

This historical biography of Thomas Woodrow Wilson, the 28th American president, provides a rich panoramic examination of the personal and professional life of the man who held office during World War I. It chronicles his career from president of Princeton and governor of New Jersey to his presidential election and two terms in the White House. Finally, the epic examines Wilson's staunch efforts to achieve peace through the League of Nations–efforts that failed and led to his ultimate political defeat. Even among the handful of presidents who have survived two terms of office, the events of Wilson's life and career combine with his personal qualities to create a story of unusual dramatic power. Through accurately portraying his preacherlike oratory style and commitment to abstract ideals, along with his background as a history professor, the loss of a wife, his battles with the senate, the White House marriage, and Wilson's tragic and debilitating stroke, WILSON emerges with almost as much integrity as the man it portrays. (rottentomatoes.com)

Review:
Idealistically ignoring the negative elements of the Wilson regime (notably his attitudes toward racial relationships), Wilson is not so much a biography as a paean to the late president. Though too long and overproduced, the film survives as one of Hollywood's sturdiest historical films of the 1940s. However, audiences did not respond to Wilson as Zanuck had hoped; the film was a terrific flop at the box office, so much so that it was for many years forbidden to speak of the project in Zanuck's presence. Still, Wilson garnered several Academy Awards: best original screenplay, best color art direction (Wiard Ihnen), best color cinematography (Leon Shamroy), best sound recording (E. H. Hansen), best film editing (Barbara McLean) and best color set decoration (Thomas Little). (allmovie.com by Hal Erickson )