Phineas Taylor Barnum's career is chronicled in the musical, spanning from 1835 to 1881 when he partnered with James A. Bailey to create the iconic circus known as The Greatest Show on Earth. With a passion for "the noble art of humbug" and an unbridled ambition to amass wealth, Barnum purchases Joyce Heath, the world's oldest woman, as a sideshow attraction. His museum of curiosities flourishes, albeit with the support of his wife Charity, who longs for a more settled life.
Barnum!
The film tells the story of Phineas Taylor Barnum, tracing his life from 1835 to 1881, as he rises from humble beginnings to form a groundbreaking partnership with James A. Bailey, ultimately leading to the creation of the iconic "The Greatest Show on Earth" circus.
