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American Experience - Reagan Posters
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Rating:  -
This DVD has several hours of footage and commentary on the Reagan era, so that's good. But it depends for much of that coverage on the commentary of Edmund Morris, and that's not so good. Morris, the official biographer of the Reagan presidency, wrote a book with suspect documentation and a very different angle from what other people in the Reagan White House saw. With that in mind, I wouldn't recommend this DVD, but on the other hand it does have interviews with Reagan insiders like Deaver and Baker. The footage of Reagan with Gorbachev is priceless, and the presentation of how the Reagan era follows the Carter years isn't bad. This DVD is by no means an endorsement of Reagan's foreign policy, much less his economic policies. So from that perspective the bias definitely shows. Still, there's a lot of material here on Reagan and his staff, so you can always focus on them and the video if you feel the narration begins to digress. One of the best things about it is that it does include the campaign commercial that a lot of people say was one of the best ever - the "morning in America" one. Also does a good job of showing how much the country was in crisis or "malaise" mode before Reagan was elected.
Rating:  -
As a political junkie, I followed the political career of Ronald Reagan from his unsuccessful campaign for president in 1976 through the inauguration of George Bush in 1989. I saw the deepest economic recession of this half-century in the early years of his presidency, annual budget deficits that dwarfed what had come earlier, trading arms for hostages and violations of the law regarding the funding of the Nicaraguan contras. His policies of tax cuts and massive military spending came very close to bankrupting the country. After the massive tax cuts in the initial year, the economy went downhill and it recovered only after taxes were increased. His rhetoric in dealing with the Soviet Union was more bellicose than that of all other American Presidents, and in an earlier age could have led to a nuclear confrontation.
There were also major successes during his tenure. The cold war essentially ended, with the United States emerging victorious. The economy rebounded very well in the middle 1980's, achieving growth rates that were impressive. However, if you listen to some of his supporters, his presidency was an unqualified success, as they tend to forget what went wrong.
What is impressive about this tape is that it does show all of the aspects of his presidency, capturing the essence and distance of the man. While he projects an image of engagement and emotional attachment to people, he is actually very detached in his personal life. His relationship with his children was very strained and those who know him best say he really has no close personal friends. Extensive interviews are done with his children and co-workers, as they try to describe a man that they admit is very difficult to describe.
However, the most interesting segments of the tape concern his policies as president. He is someone who has unshakable beliefs and he held them to the last, although he was more adaptable than is generally thought. Even when he was speaking his most warlike rhetoric he was anguishing about the consequences. His contact with the nuclear freeze movement was the most telling, as he simply could not understand their position. The quotations from his diary describe his innermost thoughts and show a man that is a deeper thinker than anyone thought.
As a passionate man, Ronald Reagan generates great passion among those who love him and those who hate him. However, there is one aspect that no one can dispute. He is a man of great personal courage, as he was able to joke even when an assassin's bullet was threatening to take his life. His letter to the American people explaining his battle with Alzheimer's disease is one of the most moving pieces of literature that you will ever read. I was never a supporter of Ronald Reagan the politician, but after viewing this tape, I do not understand how anyone could not be a supporter of Ronald Reagan the man. He may not have been a great president, but he is a great man.
Rating:  -
This is a VHS documentary of Reagan's presidency. It's the "official White House Authorized Video" and covers "American hostages released - Assassination attempt - Bombing of Libya - Grenada - Summits - KAL 007 massacre - 40th Anniversary of D-Day - Challenger disaster - Statue of Liberty Celebration - Reaganomics - America is Back - Humorous one-liners - Convention euphoria - Tribute to Nancy - U.S.S. Stark - 'Win One for the Gipper' - Boyhood Days - Hollywood - Olympic hockey victory - Star Wars - Behind-the-scenes private moments - and much much more." It features "Nancy Reagan, James Baker II, Barry Goldwater, Mikhail Gorbachev, Harry Caray, Ollie North, Margaret Thatcher, John Towerr, Caspar Weinberger, Yasuhiro Nakasone, Irving Berlin, Grenada Students, and others", including Ronald Reagan himself of course. Approx running time 1 hour, color, 1989.
Rating:  -
This video deserves 0 stars, and that's what I'd put if it were an option. Clearly written by a left-winger with an axe to grind.
This video is NOT fair and balanced. Go elsewhere if you want to see an accurate portrayal of one of our nations greatest Presidents and everything he TRULY accomplished.
Rating: -
For anyone who is interested in a detailed account of Reagan's life and presidency, this video is suggested. The creators, in my mind, did a good job of portraying Reagan's presidency and his life. There is ample opportunity for both lovers and haters of Reagan to scream at the television. Liberals are sure to assert that this video gives Reagan too much credit for the prosperous economy and the end of the Cold War; while conservatives are sure to rail that the video sometimes went out of its way to portray Reagan as an senile dope. If there was a ideological slant, it was undoubedly to the left. The condesending commentary of Anthony Lewis added absolutely nothing; and strings of amateur psychoanalysis of Reagan by Lou Cannon, Sam Donaldson, and Edmund Morris should have been cut. Of course, the creators tried to balance critics by including the observations of George Will, Ed Meese, and Mike Deaver (and others) among their docier of Reagan experts. All in all, it did a good job at giving Reagan credit where due, and condemnation where deserved. If you're looking for a 4 hour disquisition on how wonderful or terrible Reagan was - this video is not for you. If you want a lengthy account of the 1980-88 presidency as it really was, then buy and watch it. It's not perfect. But it's probably about as perfect a video on Ronald Reagan that can be found.
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