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Without Warning: The James Brady Story (1991): Cast & Plot

Without Warning: The James Brady Story (1991) movie poster

Without Warning: The James Brady Story is a 1991 drama directed by Michael Toshiyuki Uno, starring Beau Bridges as James Brady, Tonie Perensky and Christopher Bell. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes.

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Without Warning: The James Brady Story (1991) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 30m (90 min)
Director
Michael Toshiyuki Uno
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
Studio
HBO Films
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Without Warning: The James Brady Story About?

The premise of Without Warning: The James Brady Story without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

It chronicles the life of James Brady, Ronald Reagan’s press secretary, who was critically wounded during the 1981 assassination attempt on the president. Together with his wife Sarah, he emerged as a prominent champion for gun‑control reform, shaping the movement for years to come.

Without Warning: The James Brady Story Themes & Keywords

· 6 tags
  • assassination
  • handicap
  • 1980s
  • based on true story
  • based on book
  • character name in title
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Cast & crew

Without Warning: The James Brady Story Cast & Characters

Beau Bridges leads the cast as James Brady, with Tonie Perensky as Brady Secretary and Christopher Bell as Scotty Brady. Directed by Michael Toshiyuki Uno; 46 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Without Warning: The James Brady Story

· 42 more
Show all 46 cast members
From the director

More from Michael Toshiyuki Uno

More films directed by Michael Toshiyuki Uno: Buried Secrets, Dangerous Intentions, Lies of the Heart: The Story of Laurie Kellogg and Blind Spot.

Full filmography
Plot

Without Warning: The James Brady Story Plot Summary

What happens in Without Warning: The James Brady Story from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In 1980, Ronald Reagan is elected president and quickly faces the task of choosing a new press secretary. The shortlist centers on two men: James Brady and Lyn Nofziger. Brady learns he has the job, stepping into a high-pressure role and holding the position for 69 days as he and his team navigate the daily demands of the White House press corps. The story follows his early days in office, the weight of representing the presidency in the media, and the delicate balance between public statements and private pain, all set against the political currents of the time.

Full summary

The whole story of Without Warning: The James Brady Story, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Without Warning: The James Brady Story Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Without Warning: The James Brady Story.

Without Warning: The James Brady Story (1991) - VHS Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Without Warning: The James Brady Story?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who was the U.S. President when James Brady was appointed press secretary?
Details

Without Warning: The James Brady Story Also Known As

13 alternative titles, including “A História de James Brady” and “Attentatet”.

Also known as
  • A História de James Brady
  • Attentatet
  • La historia de James Brady
  • Sem Aviso: A História de James Brady
  • Bez ostrzeżenia. Opowieść o Jamesie Bradym
  • A bruciapelo: la vita di James Brady
  • Az elnök szolgálatában
  • Sem Aviso
  • Без предупреждение: Историята на Джеймс Брейди
  • Fără avertisment: Povestea lui James Brady
  • Bez varování: Skutečný příběh Jamese Bradyho
  • Sin Aviso: La Historia de James Brady
+1 more
  • Без предупреждения

Seen Without Warning: The James Brady Story?
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Movies Like Without Warning: The James Brady Story

Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Day Reagan Was Shot, Without Warning: Terror in the Towers and The Reagans.

FAQ

Without Warning: The James Brady Story FAQ: Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Without Warning: The James Brady Story, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Without Warning: The James Brady Story?

Without Warning: The James Brady Story runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).

When was Without Warning: The James Brady Story released?

Without Warning: The James Brady Story was released on June 16, 1991.

Who directed Without Warning: The James Brady Story?

Without Warning: The James Brady Story was directed by Michael Toshiyuki Uno.

More films by Michael Toshiyuki Uno

Who is in the cast of Without Warning: The James Brady Story?

Without Warning: The James Brady Story stars Beau Bridges as James Brady, Tonie Perensky as Brady Secretary and Christopher Bell as Scotty Brady, among 46 credited actors.

Does Without Warning: The James Brady Story have a post-credit scene?

No. Without Warning: The James Brady Story has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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