The Plot Against America (TV Mini Series) Part 1 (2020) User Reviews

Responding to other reviewer.

[marcdantin · 8/10 · 17 March 2020]

Mainly replying because of the first person to review this episode mentioning "under God". The series takes place in 1940. Under god was added to the pledge in 1954. Overall solid first episode. Good acting, decent pace. Looking forward to seeing where it goes.

Response to "Under God" and Pledge of Allegiance

[mike-43852 · 17 March 2020]

The reviewer disgusted by the omission of the words "under God" absent from the Pledge of Allegiance as recited in a pre-WW2 classroom, fails to understand that this is historically accurate. "Under God" was added to the pledge in 1954!

Great start

[davidwick · 10/10 · 17 March 2020]

Again, the Under God part of the Pledge of Allegiance was not added until the middle 50s to distinguish us from the "godless" commies. When I saw this scene I immediately appreciated this detail, seeing as this is set in 1940. I didn't read the novel so I wonder if the "Philip" character was a method to show Roth's point of view. In many of the dialogue substitute "Jew" for "Black" or any other minority name and realize how history repeats.

First episode riveting

[schreck-42434 · 10/10 · 17 March 2020]

If the first episode is any indication, this cinematic version of Philip Roth's novel will be even more powerful and foreboding than the novel. By the end of this first episode the personalities are established as well as the frightening conceit that America will be turning into a fascist country aligned with Hitler. The photographers and designers recreated the America of the 1940s. The actors easily inhabit their roles. The drama builds slowly. The use of old newsreels at the end of the episode helped recreate a reality that my father had once acknowledged to me - that back then millions feared and believed that Hitler could defeat Britain and win WWII. And some, like Lindbergh, even supported Hitler. This HBO presentation is a political event. It must not be ignored. The resurgence of interest in Roth's novel dovetails with Trump's presidency and his vitriolic attacks against immigrants, the press, and everyone who opposes him. We should never forget Trump's support of the Nazis who marched in Charlottesville VA in 2017. Similarly we should not forget that more than 20,000 Nazis held a rally in Madison Square Garden in 1939. This program might be classified as "alternative history." But it is based on true history. And as George Santayana taught us: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." I remember what it was like in the 1950's being the "Jew kid" that other people pointed out on the street. I remember how Catholics were vilified when Kennedy ran for President. I recall that just a couple of years ago some students at a school sporting event taunted their opponents, chanting that they were illegal and should go back to Mexico. Need I mention lynchings and KKK cross-burnings? America has always had a problem with people promoting hate, fear, discrimination, nativism, segregation and anti-immigration policies. How absurd that is when everyone, other than Native Americans, is either an immigrant or a descendant of an immigrant. Kudos to David Simon and HBO for realizing Philip Roth's vision and once again bringing these important ethical, social and political issues to the forefront.

Yet Another Unoriginal HBO Adaption

[PurpleCrayon2014 · 1/10 · 11 October 2020]

There was a time when HBO set precedence over other sources when creating the 'mini-series' and HBO has many awards to show for their work - those days are now long gone. Since Part 1 of The Plot Against America is laying the foundation for the future episodes of the total story, the writers have decided to take pieces of Inglorious Bastards, The Man in the High Castle, The Americans plus other episodic tales and films to create a most unoriginal patchwork of storytelling. Part 1 is a really slow burn of an episode, with only one climatic scene within the last 5 minutes. I'm really disappointed at the lack or originality this series will represent.

promising start

[Kirpianuscus · 22 March 2020]

No doubt, a challenge. Beautiful frame, admirable construction of atmosphere, great portrait of Jewish life style and nice come back of Winona Ryder and John Turturro. But the star of serie seems be Morgan Spector. So, good premises, hopeful start.