"Trumbo" is the story of screenwriter Dalton Trumbo's harrowing descent from Hollywood royalty to blacklisted writer, then to Academy Award winner. Focusing on Trumbo's own words, the film, directed by Peter Askin, is adapted from son Christopher Trumbo's 2003 play and features performances of some of Trumbo's remarkable letters written during the devastation wrought by the "Red Scare" in mid-20th century, clips from some of his films, including Spartacus (1960), Exodus (1960) and Papillon (1973), and archival and contemporary interviews with those who knew him best.

---

Tags: PBS, American, Masters, Dalton, Trumbo