# The Greatest Showman

> 2017 film directed by Michael Gracey

**Wikidata**: [Q27942936](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q27942936)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Greatest_Showman)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-greatest-showman

## Summary
The Greatest Showman is a 2017 musical drama film directed by Michael Gracey, inspired by the life of P.T. Barnum, a showman and businessman. It features a star-studded cast, including Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, and Zendaya, and is known for its original soundtrack and elaborate musical numbers. The film explores themes of acceptance, diversity, and the power of entertainment.

## Key Facts
- **Release Dates**: December 20, 2017 (Australia), December 28, 2017 (United States), January 4, 2018 (United Kingdom)
- **Director**: Michael Gracey
- **Production Companies**: Chernin Entertainment, TSG Entertainment, 20th Century Studios
- **Cast**: Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya
- **Genre**: Musical, Drama, Biographical Film
- **Runtime**: 105 minutes
- **Budget**: $84 million
- **Box Office**: $435.3 million worldwide
- **Music**: Original songs by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, including "This Is Me" and "The Greatest Show"
- **Awards**: Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song ("This Is Me"), Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack
- **Wikipedia Sitelinks**: 47 language editions
- **Wikidata ID**: Q1709151535361302890001
- **IMDb ID**: tt1485796
- **Rotten Tomatoes Score**: 57% (Critics), 81% (Audience)
- **Metacritic Score**: 48/100
- **Related Entities**: P.T. Barnum, 20th Century Studios, Chernin Entertainment, Zendaya, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul

## FAQs
**What inspired The Greatest Showman?**  
The film is loosely based on the life of P.T. Barnum, focusing on his creation of the Barnum & Bailey Circus and his role in popularizing the modern circus concept.

**Who composed the music for The Greatest Showman?**  
The original songs were written by the duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, with the score composed by John Powell.

**How was The Greatest Showman received critically and commercially?**  
The film received mixed reviews from critics but was a major commercial success, grossing over $435 million worldwide against an $84 million budget. It also won several awards, including a Golden Globe for Best Original Song.

**What themes does The Greatest Showman explore?**  
The film emphasizes themes of inclusion, diversity, and the transformative power of entertainment, highlighting Barnum's efforts to celebrate "freaks" and outsiders.

**What is the historical accuracy of The Greatest Showman?**  
While inspired by Barnum's life, the film takes significant creative liberties, particularly in its portrayal of his relationships and the timeline of his career.

## Why It Matters
The Greatest Showman revitalized the musical film genre in the late 2010s, demonstrating the enduring appeal of original musical storytelling. Its soundtrack became a cultural phenomenon, with songs like "This Is Me" resonating as anthems for self-acceptance and empowerment. The film's success also underscored the commercial viability of musicals in modern cinema, influencing subsequent projects in the genre. Additionally, it sparked conversations about representation and diversity, both in its narrative and in the entertainment industry at large.

## Notable For
- **Musical Revival**: Contributed to the resurgence of original musical films in Hollywood.
- **Cultural Impact**: Soundtrack topped charts globally, with "This Is Me" becoming a social anthem.
- **Awards and Recognition**: Won a Golden Globe and a Grammy Award, despite mixed critical reception.
- **Diverse Casting**: Featured a multicultural cast, emphasizing themes of inclusion and acceptance.
- **Box Office Success**: Exceeded expectations, grossing over five times its production budget.
- **Historical Figure Reimagining**: Introduced P.T. Barnum to a new generation, albeit through a fictionalized lens.
- **Technical Achievements**: Notable for its elaborate musical sequences and costume design.

## Body

### Production and Release
The Greatest Showman was directed by Michael Gracey in his feature film debut, with a screenplay by Jenny Bicks and Bill Condon. Produced by Chernin Entertainment, TSG Entertainment, and 20th Century Studios, the film premiered in Sydney on December 20, 2017, followed by releases in the U.S. and U.K. in late December 2017 and early January 2018, respectively. The project was in development for over seven years, with Hugh Jackman attached as both star and producer.

### Cast and Characters
The film features Hugh Jackman as P.T. Barnum, Zac Efron as playwright Phillip Carlyle, Michelle Williams as Barnum's wife Charity, and Rebecca Ferguson as singer Jenny Lind. Zendaya portrays Anne Wheeler, a trapeze artist and one of the circus's performers. The cast's performances, particularly Jackman's, were widely praised, though some critics noted the film's historical inaccuracies.

### Music and Soundtrack
The original soundtrack, featuring songs by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, was a critical and commercial success. Tracks like "The Greatest Show," "This Is Me," and "A Million Dreams" topped international charts, with the album reaching number one in the U.S. and U.K. The soundtrack won a Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack, and "This Is Me" received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song.

### Themes and Reception
The film's central themes of acceptance and inclusivity were both celebrated and critiqued. While audiences embraced its uplifting message, some historians and critics argued that it oversimplified Barnum's complex legacy, particularly his treatment of performers. Despite mixed reviews, the film's musical numbers and spectacle were consistently highlighted as strengths.

### Cultural and Commercial Impact
The Greatest Showman became a sleeper hit, driven by positive word-of-mouth and the popularity of its soundtrack. Its success led to the creation of a live stage show, *The Greatest Showman: Sing-Along Edition*, and influenced a surge in musical film productions. The film's emphasis on diversity and empowerment also aligned with broader cultural conversations in the late 2010s, contributing to its enduring appeal.

### Historical Context and Legacy
While not a strictly biographical account, the film renewed public interest in P.T. Barnum's life and the history of American entertainment. It has been credited with inspiring new audiences to explore circus arts and the stories of marginalized performers. The film's legacy is marked by its blend of entertainment and social commentary, solidifying its place in the modern musical canon.

## References

1. The Movie Database
2. The Greatest Showman. Rotten Tomatoes
3. [Source](http://nmhh.hu/dokumentum/198182/terjesztett_filmalkotasok_art_filmek_nyilvantartasa.xlsx)
4. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1485796/releaseinfo)
5. BBC Things
6. [Source](https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/greatest-showman-2017)
7. Entertainment Identifier Registry
8. [Source](http://www.kijkwijzer.nl/index.php?id=26&i=286952)
9. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
10. [Source](http://www.cnc.fr/web/fr/rechercher-une-oeuvre/-/visa/147891)
11. Cineplex
12. [Source](http://justica.gov.br/news/mj-divulga-a-lista-de-filmes-que-entram-em-cartaz-nos-cinemas)
13. Brazilian Advisory Rating System
14. [Source](https://sede.mcu.gob.es/webicaa/Ficheros/131017/34/131017/1/209.pdf)
15. [Source](http://cnc.abt.ro/registru/index.aspx?pageID=3&filmID=15708)
16. [Source](http://www.rtc.gob.mx/NuevoSitio/cine_clasif_35mm.php?cd=410)
17. mymovies.it
18. [Source](https://imdaonline.imda.gov.sg/classification/Search/Film/SearchDetail.aspx?sType=Feature&sRowID=AAAbRZAANAAAEeQAAA)
19. Danish Film Database
20. [Source](https://www.rcq.gouv.qc.ca/RCQ212AfficherFicheTech.asp?intNoFilm=406589)
21. TheTVDB
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