Sunrise at Campobello (1960)

In 1921, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, fresh from a vice-presidential defeat, finds himself standing at the precipice of a life-altering struggle. While vacationing with his wife Eleanor and their five children on the serene Campobello Island, New Brunswick, the tireless Democratic Party worker starts to experience crippling mobility issues. The initial diagnosis is dismissed as minor, but it soon morphs into a sinister reality - infantile paralysis, commonly known as polio. As the story unfolds, we witness the intimate dynamics of Roosevelt's support system. His mother, Sara Roosevelt, and his closest confidant, Louis Howe, find themselves embroiled in a tug-of-war of opinions, while Eleanor, thrust into the public sphere in place of her husband, grapples with her newfound responsibilities. Under the relentless shadow of polio, Roosevelt's personal and professional worlds collide. His resilience is tested, yet, with every passing year, his spirit remains unbroken. He begins to understand his capabilities within the constraints of his disability, leading him to ponder the resurrection of his political career. The narrative crescendos at the 1924 Democratic presidential nomination convention. As the echoes of Al Smith's presidential nomination reverberate through the convention hall, Roosevelt musters the strength to take the most significant steps of his life. Sunrise at Campobello is a riveting tale of one man's journey from adversity to triumph, inspired by the award-winning Broadway play of the same name. As this cinematic odyssey traces the influences and indomitable will of Franklin Roosevelt, the audience is sure to be captivated by his resolution to recover and redefine the boundaries of his life.

Sunrise at Campobello is a drama movie featuring Ralph Bellamy and directed by Vincent J. Donehue.

It is possible to buy Sunrise at Campobello on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.