DVD Review: The Greatest Showman

The Greatest Showman
[DVD Greatest]

I was probably one of the few people who did not see this fabulous film when it was in the theaters, but I finally watched the DVD this weekend and was sorry that I didn’t see the movie in the theater when I had the chance! The Greatest Showman tells the story of American showman and politician Phynius Taylor Barnum, better known as P.T. Barnum, creator of Barnum and Bailey’s Circus. Although the movie is loosely based on Barnum’s true life story, there is enough of the truth to make this an interesting look at the life of someone who became a self-made man and politician from a very humble background. Some of the more interesting facts that were shown was Barnum’s trip to England to meet Queen Victoria with some members of his troupe, in particular, General Tom Thumb. While in Europe, he meets the Swedish singer Jenny Lind and decides to take her show on the road in America (which made both of them very wealthy in real life, but she gave her money to favorite charities). What makes this film stand out is the superb music and dancing, especially those songs performed by Hugh Jackman. I highly recommend this film.

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try P.T. Barnum: The Legend and the Man, by A.H. Saxon.]

[ Internet Movie Database entry for this film ] | [ official The Greatest Showman Facebook page ]

Recommended by Kim J.
Bennett Martin Public Library

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