Whatever your personal thoughts are about the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan was a key participant in the dramatic shift of the geopolitic at the end of the 20th Century. This film is a mess, self-serving to the Religious Right who feel Reagan could do no wrong and should receive sainthood. As a Lincoln Republican and son of a Goldwater Democrat I was expecting a warts and all serious, balanced documentary about Reagan's rise from affable Hollywood "B" actor to concerned citizen to "Leader of the Free World". The filmmakers intentionally leave out any critical analysis of Reagan, starting from his alleged ties to organized crime in Hollywood, selling out of his members during his presidency of the Screen Actor's Guild (and violation of SAG regulations, but then we can blame that all on the counsel of MCA honcho Lew Wasserman) through his kowtowing to the Religious Right wing of the Republican Party (Senator Rick Santorum gets a special thanks in the film among others) and the financial shenanigans of his campaign financiers and key staffers. Hopefully a much better film that has non-biased research is made in the future.
7 Reviews
Redressing the Balance
snuggleskunk23 March 2005
This documentary covers a lot of old ground. Some may think that it is unnecessary for a rehash of old ground but I don't. This film is obviously an attempt by the right wing of politics to answer the conservative bashing of Michael Moore style docs that have become increasingly popular in recent times.
This film is based on a book but comprehensively covers Reagan's rise to power and his development of views on communism. We see how he came to see it as the greatest threat to freedom in the world and how he stood up to the Soviet Union in a deeply courageous way. Whatever your views on Reagan's politics this is a very interesting topic to examine.
In terms of film making this documentary does fall short in a few ways. One gets the impression that the maker had limited access to interviews and footage as a lot is told by narration and only a few people (i think 4) are interviewed for the documentary. In some ways it is not as slick as we have come to expect from recent documentaries and comes across more like a history channel biography but nonetheless I would recommend this film to anyone wanting to know more about Reagan's contribution to the cold war.
This film is based on a book but comprehensively covers Reagan's rise to power and his development of views on communism. We see how he came to see it as the greatest threat to freedom in the world and how he stood up to the Soviet Union in a deeply courageous way. Whatever your views on Reagan's politics this is a very interesting topic to examine.
In terms of film making this documentary does fall short in a few ways. One gets the impression that the maker had limited access to interviews and footage as a lot is told by narration and only a few people (i think 4) are interviewed for the documentary. In some ways it is not as slick as we have come to expect from recent documentaries and comes across more like a history channel biography but nonetheless I would recommend this film to anyone wanting to know more about Reagan's contribution to the cold war.
All Faith and No Facts
Gilly-1329 May 2007
This kind of religious rhapsodizing should be reserved for celebrating phenomena of a truly spiritual nature and not political propaganda. "Song of Bernadette" works for the spiritual life of a Spanish peasant--not for the governor of California. It's telling that the production company, Leo McWatkins, is headed by Tim Watkins, former CFO of Viguerie Companies (see his bio at the McWatkins web site). Viguerie accepted responsibility and paid penalties for election-law violations and mail fraud for bilking senior citizens of "campaign contributions" on religious pretexts--contributions which it then turned around and used to campaign against the very Social Security system that supported the senior-citizen contributors. (US v American TARGET, 4th Circuit, MISC-99-56-MC) (see also, "Please Mr. Postman", National Review, 6/20/86, David Brooks) "In the Face of Evil" is another example of the same old shell game: exploiting religion and spirituality to serve the political agenda of the "new right". And, no, Michael Moore's guerrilla-documentary style is no justification for this kind of corporate collusion among investment-broker/film-directors and mass-marketer/producers to spin politics in religious terms.
A Masterpiece
ScotlandZeif6 January 2006
This is an extremely well-made movie that shows the truth about both Ronald Reagan and Communism. I grew up in a liberal area, and practically the only thing that I heard about Reagan was that he was the reason why AIDS spread. I also grew up learning in public school that the entire fight against Communism was based on American paranoia. This movie shows the evils and horrors that Communism has wrought against this world. It also shows how many people have demonized people throughout history who have tried to stop "the beast." Other than the great message this movie exudes, it is extremely well-edited and visually spectacular. Cuts of Reagan in black and white film traverse seamlessly with color shots of him in the press. This documentary doesn't just parlay information. It also tells a full and comprehensive story about an escalated conflict that put society on the brink of nuclear war. This movie shows the courage of a man who didn't listen to his critics on the left or the right and just stuck with his principles to do what he believed. A person of any political persuasion will find something they like in this movie. All in all - a great history lesson, a great portrait, and a great film.
A solid, artistic documentary
flynnpatrick2 December 2005
In The Face of Evil offers a fresh look at 20th century history. It begins with a basic explanation the global climate after World War I, which gave rise to a number of tyrannical leaders and oppressive systems of government.
The film is artistic and well made. Powerful footage is complimented by a beautiful soundtrack. Irene Ziegler has a great voice for narration. Interviews with former high officials in the KGB & soviet military provide insight into the thoughts of the Soviet Polit Bureau.
The story of Reagan's stand against evil is just plain interesting, and I guess it wouldn't take too much creativity to make an exciting film. But I think Bannon and Watkins have brought it together with punch and sophistication.
The film is artistic and well made. Powerful footage is complimented by a beautiful soundtrack. Irene Ziegler has a great voice for narration. Interviews with former high officials in the KGB & soviet military provide insight into the thoughts of the Soviet Polit Bureau.
The story of Reagan's stand against evil is just plain interesting, and I guess it wouldn't take too much creativity to make an exciting film. But I think Bannon and Watkins have brought it together with punch and sophistication.
Everything in this "Documentary" is true
rugoing1 March 2018
The reviews from a liberal community should usher in a "ah-huh" on this masterpiece covering what not only Ronald Reagan held dear but what our current society is trending towards.
Soft Communism and Marxism is rabid in American society today. The things Reagan fought hard to defeat once again has raised its ugly head. This covers the basics of these two subjects in a light format.
The premise is to show how things slowly grew over years culminating to a near climax. A one-world communist nation is still on the agenda list. Today the word communism is softer, gentler term (defined by those that want this madness).
You have to understand and learn from the past or be destined to repeat it in either the same manner or a different but similar fashion.
The composition of the film has truth wrapped all around it.
Soft Communism and Marxism is rabid in American society today. The things Reagan fought hard to defeat once again has raised its ugly head. This covers the basics of these two subjects in a light format.
The premise is to show how things slowly grew over years culminating to a near climax. A one-world communist nation is still on the agenda list. Today the word communism is softer, gentler term (defined by those that want this madness).
You have to understand and learn from the past or be destined to repeat it in either the same manner or a different but similar fashion.
The composition of the film has truth wrapped all around it.
Incredible depiction of the evil we face in the world today
mdeminico27 July 2007
This film does a tremendous job of displaying the fact that "evil is evil", whenever and wherever it is, you can see it by the fruit that it bears. From the gulags of the Soviet Union, the mass slaughters perpetrated by communist dictators to seize control, or the fanatical frenzy caused by the leaders of Fundamentalist Islam this very hour, evil can be spotted by the results it yields.
And while none of us are perfect, and all of us have done bad things in our lives, there is a whole other level when it comes to the truly evil things that have been perpetrated by people who seek to solve all the world's problems through government control. The Communists did it through forcing strict adherence and allegiance to "the good of the state", and if you didn't comply, "Here, hold this bullet for me... in your head". And the leaders of Fundamentalist Islam today do it through forcing strict adherence to a set of guidelines set forth by their holy book, and if you don't comply (or try to convert to another religion), "Here, hold this bullet for me... in your head".
And while none of us are perfect, and all of us have done bad things in our lives, there is a whole other level when it comes to the truly evil things that have been perpetrated by people who seek to solve all the world's problems through government control. The Communists did it through forcing strict adherence and allegiance to "the good of the state", and if you didn't comply, "Here, hold this bullet for me... in your head". And the leaders of Fundamentalist Islam today do it through forcing strict adherence to a set of guidelines set forth by their holy book, and if you don't comply (or try to convert to another religion), "Here, hold this bullet for me... in your head".
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