I have never written a review for a live show before but I enjoyed this so much, I just had to get the word out somehow. Especially as I'm now realizing that this little telefilm doesn't have nearly as much attention on it as it should.
A little bit of background about me: Politics are not my area of interest whatsoever. So I'm not even sure what possessed me to watch this. But wow am I ever glad I did!
I was a bit skeptical if I would enjoy it because it was a one-man-show which means no other actors but one are present during this production. Naturally, it runs the risk of being stale or boring. However, Robert Vaughn's performance as 32nd President Franklin Roosevelt is so interesting and so full of life, I barely even noticed I had sat through the entire 1 hour and 42-minute show until it was over! He had my attention for every single moment. I have since gone on to watch it two more times because it is simply that good.
Another very positive point about this show that I have to comment on is how educational it is without being dull. I went into this knowing only the bare minimum about FDR. (He was president during WWII and the depression, he had Polio, etc.) And I came out of it feeling pretty confident that if I was asked to write a book about FDR, I could probably do it using just the information I got from this show. Granted, I'm sure certain historical details were omitted or dramatized somewhat for the effect of the show, but from everything I've gathered, this telefilm is mostly accurate and didn't take too many historical liberties. This is something I greatly respect as both a history fan and just a stickler for detail and accuracy in general.
Another word about Vaughn's performance (something that I cannot oversell or give too much praise for) is that countless times throughout I forgot what I was watching. I had to keep reminding myself that this was not colourized footage of the real FDR. This was a performance from the early 1980s by an actor who flawlessly disappears into this charismatic and energetic portrayal of a past American President; perhaps one of the most iconic ones ever. Even while confined to a wheelchair for the majority of the show (as the real FDR was during much of his life) he radiates with boundless energy and emotion. I could not take my eyes off of him.
It's impossible for me to pick a favourite scene from this show because I have so many favourite moments from the entire thing. But no matter if it was a funny or dramatic scene, I was greatly moved by the entire performance. The humerous scenes were every bit as good as the more serious moments and the balance between comedy and drama was perfectly executed throughout. I now have a much larger appreciation and tons more respect for both Robert Vaughn and Franklin Roosevelt after viewing this incredible insight on his life both as a man paralyzed by illness and as a United States President.
Anyone who loves History (especially American History) should definitely give this a watch. I also think this would be a great video to show in History Classes. If my History teacher had shown this during class, I think I would have been a lot more interested!
9/10
A little bit of background about me: Politics are not my area of interest whatsoever. So I'm not even sure what possessed me to watch this. But wow am I ever glad I did!
I was a bit skeptical if I would enjoy it because it was a one-man-show which means no other actors but one are present during this production. Naturally, it runs the risk of being stale or boring. However, Robert Vaughn's performance as 32nd President Franklin Roosevelt is so interesting and so full of life, I barely even noticed I had sat through the entire 1 hour and 42-minute show until it was over! He had my attention for every single moment. I have since gone on to watch it two more times because it is simply that good.
Another very positive point about this show that I have to comment on is how educational it is without being dull. I went into this knowing only the bare minimum about FDR. (He was president during WWII and the depression, he had Polio, etc.) And I came out of it feeling pretty confident that if I was asked to write a book about FDR, I could probably do it using just the information I got from this show. Granted, I'm sure certain historical details were omitted or dramatized somewhat for the effect of the show, but from everything I've gathered, this telefilm is mostly accurate and didn't take too many historical liberties. This is something I greatly respect as both a history fan and just a stickler for detail and accuracy in general.
Another word about Vaughn's performance (something that I cannot oversell or give too much praise for) is that countless times throughout I forgot what I was watching. I had to keep reminding myself that this was not colourized footage of the real FDR. This was a performance from the early 1980s by an actor who flawlessly disappears into this charismatic and energetic portrayal of a past American President; perhaps one of the most iconic ones ever. Even while confined to a wheelchair for the majority of the show (as the real FDR was during much of his life) he radiates with boundless energy and emotion. I could not take my eyes off of him.
It's impossible for me to pick a favourite scene from this show because I have so many favourite moments from the entire thing. But no matter if it was a funny or dramatic scene, I was greatly moved by the entire performance. The humerous scenes were every bit as good as the more serious moments and the balance between comedy and drama was perfectly executed throughout. I now have a much larger appreciation and tons more respect for both Robert Vaughn and Franklin Roosevelt after viewing this incredible insight on his life both as a man paralyzed by illness and as a United States President.
Anyone who loves History (especially American History) should definitely give this a watch. I also think this would be a great video to show in History Classes. If my History teacher had shown this during class, I think I would have been a lot more interested!
9/10
