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The Big Lie

Written by: John Mankiewicz,Jamie Napoli,Paul Jarrico
Narrated by: Jon Hamm,Kate Mara,Ana de la Reguera,Bradley Whitford,John Slattery,Giancarlo Esposito,David Strathairn,a full cast
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  • Summary

  • Jon Hamm leads an all-star cast that includes Kate Mara, Ana de la Reguera, John Slattery, and Bradley Whitford in the riveting true story behind the making of the one American movie the FBI never wanted you to see. All seven episodes will be available on June 16.

    The Big Lie follows FBI special agent Jack Bergin (Jon Hamm), who is sent to investigate three blacklisted filmmakers—Academy Award-winning writer Michael Wilson, Academy Award-nominated producer Paul Jarrico, and director Herbert J. Biberman—who were inspired by a New Mexico labor strike to make a movie that dramatized their pro-labor, pro-feminist beliefs. Convinced the film is a recruitment tool for the Communist Party, Jack will do whatever is necessary to shut the production down. 

    Featuring a star-studded cast that also includes Giancarlo Esposito, David Strathairn, Lisa Edelstein, Raymond Cruz, Troy Evans, Kirk Baltz, John Getz, and Lela Loren, The Big Lie is an explosive story of conspiracy, betrayal, and temptation that resonates with today’s divided America and reminds us all that fear spreads faster than the truth.

    Created by John Mankiewicz, based on a story from Paul Jarrico.
    ©2022 Fresh Produce Media, LLC (P)2022 Audible Originals, LLC
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Episodes
  • Trailer

    Trailer
    Jun 1 2022

    Jon Hamm leads an all-star cast that includes Kate Mara, Ana de la Reguera, John Slattery, and Bradley Whitford in the riveting true story behind the making of the one American movie the FBI never wanted you to see.

    The Big Lie follows FBI special agent Jack Bergin (Jon Hamm), who is sent to investigate three blacklisted filmmakers—Academy Award-winning writer Michael Wilson, Academy Award-nominated producer Paul Jarrico, and director Herbert J. Biberman—who were inspired by a New Mexico labor strike to make a movie that dramatized their pro-labor, pro-feminist beliefs. Convinced the film is a recruitment tool for the Communist Party, Jack will do whatever is necessary to shut the production down. 

    Featuring a star-studded cast that also includes Giancarlo Esposito, David Strathairn, Lisa Edelstein, Raymond Cruz, Troy Evans, Kirk Baltz, John Getz, and Lela Loren, The Big Lie is an explosive story of conspiracy, betrayal, and temptation that resonates with today’s divided America and reminds us all that fear spreads faster than the truth.
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    1 min
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  • Episode One: “The Man in the Hat”

    Episode One: “The Man in the Hat”
    Jun 16 2022
    From a John Wayne premiere to a late-night meeting at Griffith Observatory, the hunt for Hollywood Communists takes FBI special agent Jack Bergin on a whirlwind tour of Los Angeles. When a dangerous propaganda film secures a secret investor, Jack works around the clock to shut down the deal.
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    35 mins
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  • Episode Two: “Person to Person”

    Episode Two: “Person to Person”
    Jun 16 2022
    Jack follows the production to New Mexico and works to find an ‘in’ with the Communist filmmakers. Conflicts at home threaten to derail Jack’s mission.
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    38 mins
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Historical Fiction
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What listeners say about The Big Lie

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Profile Image for MarieL

Excellent !

Great Original from audible, I enjoyed every minute of it. The casting is absolutely fantastic and the story is good.
Highly recommend !

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Production at its best

Very well produced and directed. The acting was very, very good. This podcast is a perfect example of what dramatized audio should aspire to be. Well done folks, your efforts are appreciated.

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Fun Leisure Listen

It's a great change of pace if you're listening to podcasts that have heavier subject matter.

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Very Entertaining

I enjoyed listening to Second Acts, not something I usually do in Audible. I mean, I usually listen to full length novels or biographies - I’m glad I gave this one a chance. The performances were excellent and I thought the story was good enough to keep me coming back for more!

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Predictable

Title of this post says it all. Voice acting was decent though. Wouldn't recommend it.

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  • Carolina
  • 2022-06-17

Cinematically Entertaining For The Imagination!

I loved all the actors' portrayal of their characters and the complexity of the characters too. The sound effects were spot on and really added to the impact of the actors' great work too! They did a great job of transporting the listener to the scenes, often making me forget I wasn't actually watching but rather listening. It was as if I were truly seeing the scenes play out before my eyes as I took in all the content. Great job on all fronts. I hope there is a sequel to the series! 😁

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15 people found this helpful

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  • Terry
  • 2022-06-24

Outstanding story and cast

Interesting story, and a wonderful performance by a very talented cast. Such moving performances by Jon Hamm and Kate Mara; one could almost believe that this was a married couple. I also like the small touches when Jon Hamm‘s character wants to find out the score in a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game over the radio, Or when characters use the telephone, the listener can hear the sound of a electro mechanical rotary dial (To the younger listeners, there was a time when there were no cell phones, no Internet, Or even push buttons dialing). Give this audiobook a listen, you will not be disappointed.

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12 people found this helpful

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  • Kindle Customer2
  • 2022-06-19

Emotionally inspiring!!

As a USAF veteran I raised my right hand almost 20 yrs ago to fight for our country. When I say for our country I mean for ALL people from ALL countries who want to live free. People who have truth to tell of their stuggles and successes. NOT for the politicians (aka Republicans/democrats) & what they want others to believe. We ALL have the right to tell our truths!!

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9 people found this helpful

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  • Sandy
  • 2022-06-18

Well done

Should be a movie. Very well done and well acted. More of this please Audible!!

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8 people found this helpful

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  • Heather Candee
  • 2022-06-24

Bad Language

Lazy language. Cursing took away from the story. I couldn’t make it past 3 minutes.

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7 people found this helpful

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  • GonzoGato
  • 2022-06-17

Perfect title to fit our current Big Lie. So apt.

You got me at Jon Hamm. Ben Mankiewicz intro ditto. Very Well done. Gorgeous noirish Red Scare 1950’s.

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7 people found this helpful

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  • Farmer
  • 2022-07-07

By Hollywood for Hollywood

Thankfully this book was free. Voice acting was fine but the story was sub par.

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6 people found this helpful

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  • Don
  • 2022-07-29

Lacking Authenticity

It was a good listen- until I was jarred by a character saying “Copy” as an acknowledgement. In the fifties, it would have been something like “Roger”.

Sailors didn’t get “Deployed”. They had sea duty.

What is a “2 point 9 cube” engine?

Just a couple of examples. Picking nits? Maybe. But it was enough to convince me the production team didn’t care enough to get the details right, so why should I think that weren’t playing it loose and fast elsewhere?

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4 people found this helpful

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  • Gabriel P.
  • 2022-06-19

Important and true

very important documentation of a very sad part of American history, well executed and with a very dignified adaptation

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  • Katherine
  • 2022-06-19

One Of The Best Audible Originals

great story and phenomenal voice acting. John hamm, Kate Mara and the whole cast were incredible! I'm hoping for a sequel!

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4 people found this helpful