Desertman84 The Reagans is a 3-hour TV movie about U.S. President Ronald Reagan,the 40th president of the United States,his wife Nancy and his family.The miniseries featured James Brolin as Ronald Reagan and Judy Davis as Nancy Reagan together with Zeljko Ivanek,Mary Beth Peil,Bill Smitrovich,Shad Hart,Zoie Palmer,Richard Fitzpatrick,Vlasta Vrana,Francis Xavier McCarthy,Frank Moore,Aidan Devine and John Stamos. This covers the period in time from 1949 when Reagan was still an actor in Hollywood, through his governorship of California until hist last day in office as President in 1989.Despite charges of character assassination that drove made-for-TV movie The Reagans off CBS's primetime schedule, this production is actually sympathetic and even generous in its portrayal of Ronald and Nancy Reagan's rise from hard-working Hollywood couple to First Family. Beginning with their first date in 1949, the story establishes parallel dramatic tracks from the Reagans' acquisition of power and remoteness from their children and never veers from them. The most interesting section concerns crucial political transitions made by the onetime Democratic loyalist and future Republican governor and president though Reagan is never portrayed as an opportunist with flexible principles. Once more familiar details kick in such as Reagan's hard line as California's boss, the presidential campaigns, two terms in the White House, Iran-Contra, his position on AIDS and among other things, the screenplay shifts focus to Nancy and her ascendancy as a fierce player in the doddering Ronald's latter administration. It's all fascinating, and most certainly not a hatchet job.This TV movie would surely be enjoyed by any admirer of Ronald Reagan despite its flaws and shortcomings.

bkdement Well it's true enough that people decided not to watch this film, which is clear enough from reading their absurdly uninformed opinions about it.There was an incredible spread of lies about this movie, all published based on a completely unrelated rough draft of an entirely different screenplay, which were quickly distributed via the internet to anyone who enjoys getting fired up. That's a lot of people, and yes, most of them host television shows with screaming people on them. Thanks to the internet, the "American People" did not choose not to support "The Reagans." No, they chose to be prey to brainwashing which was based on lies about a film which had not yet been completed, assembled in the editing room, or therefor seen by anyone including it's own director.And it IS censorship which is caused by official segments of the Republican party organizing protests and threatening CBS, resulting in a fantastic film being dumped in the grand name of ignorance and hero worship. Apparently three hours of actual study is too much to ask of "the American people" these days.I have seen this film several times, because out of curiosity I purchased a copy. Now of course we don't know what Nancy Reagan said during downtime at home when her husband was running for office. But if we had to limit our films and television shows to dialogue that can be 100% verified, then we are all doomed to watch nothing but "Survivor" and "The Surreal Life" for the rest of our lives.Furthermore, anyone with a brain should know that no one, no not even Nancy Reagan, can be pleasant and happy all the time. You watch someone when they know they're in front of a camera and they will not necessarily show you the part of their personality that got them there. Truly objective and humane people would appreciate this film BECAUSE of the negative moments, and the positive ones. I would much rather watch a brilliantly-acted and produced film that seems to be balanced and believable than a live-action cartoon featuring Ronald Reagan as the protagonist.People who are sick and dying deserve to be respected, surely. However, it must be understood that a film takes time and the producers of this movie certainly could not have decided to time the release of this one just before his death. Is anyone really crazy enough to believe that they had this in mind? Is there a stupider idea for a film director to have? Oh, I know, let's mutilate the reputation of the one of the most beloved American presidents in our history just as he's slowly dying of a dreaded disease. And let's not forget to also destroy the image of his wife Nancy, before airing our expose on Mother Theresa. Yup, that must've been their motivation.It reminds me of everyone accusing Ellen DeGeneres of coming out in order to bolster her career....and look at all of the people who followed her lead because of the great effect it has on a person's career.

lord woodburry Ronald Reagan, 'The Gipper,' a supporting actor in the famous Knute Rockne story was catapulted out of a semi - historical TV show about the old west into Presidential politics by THE SPEECH, a campaign speech in favour of Barry Goldwater in 1964 in which Reagan managed throughout to omit Goldwater's name. Goldwater went down to an humiliating defeat but Reagan professing much of the Goldwater rhetoric went on to become the most popular president of the 20th century.The made for TV bio picture does fair coverage of the meteoric rise to power of Ronald Reagan and does honour to both Mr & Mrs Reagan. It covers most of the highlights well: election as Governor, the campaign for President against hapless Carter, the assassination attempt in which Reagan beat Techumseh's curse, the end of the cold war, Iran-contra affair and the departure at the end of the term.Comparable films: Backstairs at The White House.

Old70115 No matter how you feel about this production you should see it before you "trash it". Nancy in this movie comes across fine! She does love her husband! To me everybody should be loved like this! She was his protector! She was always looking out what was best for him. In the long run this caused emotional distance between all of "Reagan's" children. Now this is not a perfect movie not by a long shot however you come away from it seeing that Nancy did what Nancy wanted but did it for love. Judy Davis does a great job as Nancy. James Brolin WOW great job. As far as the children they are shown like this: "Maureen" bland and no life. "Michael Reagan" as stupid brat and always in some sort of trouble. "Patty Davis" yes a rebel but please remember she was child of the 1960's. Who wasn't a rebel in the 1960's! "Ron Reagan Jr" well they seem to hint at certain things. Its ashamed that CBS did not show this. After I finished it I respected Ronald & Nancy Reagan more than ever.