DVD Review: Ronald Reagan: Rendezvous With Destiny
by John NolteHosted and narrated by Newt and Callista Gingrich, “Ronald Reagan: Rendezvous With Destiny” looks at the life and varied careers of America’s 40th President and would make an excellent primer for anyone interested in what made the great man tick and the incredible legacy he left behind. Well paced and insightful, the 90 minute documentary presents a number of brand new interviews with, to name a few, Bill Kristol, Fred Barnes, James Baker, Linda Chavez, Bill Bennett, P.J. O’Rourke, Michael Reagan and Edwin Meese, along with ABC newsman Sam Donaldson, who had the White House beat during Reagan’s two terms, biographer’s Douglas Brinkley and Lou Cannon, and Poland’s Lech Walesa.
While Reagan’s childhood, Hollywood career, and two terms as California Governor are covered, the meat of the focus is on Reagan’s handling of the Cold War. Through the interviews and Reagan’s own handwritten diaries, we’re given an insider’s look at the beat by beat history in what proved to be, much to everyone’s surprise, including many of Reagan’s allies, an astonishingly successful quest to put the Soviet Union on “the ash heap of history.”
There are many Reagan documentaries currently available, including some very good ones, but what makes “Rendezvous With Destiny” unique is its focus on how the President’s mind worked. While the main story covers the intriguing high-stakes chess moves of the Cold War, the overall theme is a fascinating examination of Reagan’s psychology and mindset as he made those moves. It’s easy to forget just how controversial and out-of-the-box Reagan’s thinking was at the time, but having those who were there frame the historical and political context for us is a reminder that Ronald Reagan was a true visionary.
Planned by the filmmakers or not, the time spent on Reagan’s successful economic policies comes with a rich irony. Reagan came into office facing a very troubled economy, much worse than what we’re going through today. The result of the tax cutting and deregulation known as Reaganomics not only lifted America out of economic crisis but started us down the path of an unprecedented quarter-century of growth broken only by a couple of short, shallow recessions. Reliving this while at the same time realizing our current President is meeting today’s economic troubles doing the complete opposite of what Reagan proved works is — well, I guess by “irony,” I meant “scary.”
Written and directed by Kevin Knoblock, “Rendezvous” is professionally produced, well shot and great looking in widescreen. All the production values are across the board superb and Anthony Marinelli’s score made enough of an impression that I took a note so as not to forget to mention it. You may already be familiar with the historical beats of Reagan’s life and career, but “Rendezvous” stands out because it allows you to better understand (and appreciate) a great but elusive man.
NOTE: For those of you in the area, the Reagan Presidential Library will host a “Rendezvous with Destiny” premiere in Simi Valley California on Sunday, March 15th. Newt Gingrich will be there and here’s where you can get the specifics.
I’ve been in Los Angeles six years and have already visited the library four times. There’s no place like it.
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43 Comments
Good review. Great man.
I recently listened to the "Reagan In His Own Voice" audiobook, and this sounds like a good followup.
These works on Reagan are now more important than ever. The current occupant likes to channel Reagan's
populist rhetoric but empty words are just that… he also thinks himself a transformational President in the Reagan mold. So,as not to confuse the issue folks need to brush up on what Renaldo Maximus was all about. To find out why he caused the largest defection of Democratic voters in modern electoral history.
It's about the man and the issues.
This sounds wonderful. Soon after his death, there was an NBC special narrated by Brian Williams that was actually very good. I've been looking for a dvd of it, but haven't had much luck. If anybody can steer me to that I'd appreciate it. I'll certainly look into this one, though.
This one?
It was good. Not as good as In The Face of Evil. But good.
Wow. That looks amazing. I will be ordering this!
that was fast! doesn't say much for my search efforts. Unfortunately they don't let me watch Hulu at work so I need to wait… Thanks!
My pleasure. Unfortunately if you're still looking for the actual DVD, I don't think Hulu sells them, so you might be stuck with the online version.
I am watching it now!
Those old enough to remember the transition from Carter to Reagan, “déjà vu all over again, “HOPE!” Can’t wait to see the documentary.
Just out of curiosity, besides the names mentioned did Ron Jr. or the one daughter who both had serious issues with their father make an appearance in the new documentary?
Let's hope not.
when you have courage in your convictions you need not explain anything…
I do not believe Ron Jr even showed up for the christening of the USS Ronald Reagan – something about US imperialism or something. Truly a fine example in the limits of genetics.
I remember back in 1979 when I first heard a Ronald Reagan speech regarding limited fed government and giving the states more responsibility ( I think the constitution mentions this). It was the first time a politician ever resonated with my thoughts on government.
I doubt you'll find the DVD anytime soon rountry. NBC and Brian Williams have taken a much different road since the days of Reagan! Today it's all about "the one" and they sadly they don't mean President Reagan. Good luck with your search.
I was busy raising our children during the Reagan era and sadly didn't pay that much attention to politics. However I remember enough to know this was a great man and we aren't likely to have someone to equal him for a very long time!!
Ron and Patti are not interviewed. Michael's moments are touching, though. He was always the one who spoke most eloquently about his father. Nancy isn't in the doc either.
Though it was a little off-subject for the review, there are some great moments with a Secret Service agent who was with Reagan after his presidency. His affection for his former charge really shines through.
I'm setting the over/under for Small Hollywoodies already masturbating to this at 12.
[...] Read more [...]
I miss President Reagan. That's all I got to say.
"The result of the tax cutting and deregulation known as Reaganomics not only lifted America out of economic crisis but started us down the path of an unprecedented quarter-century of growth broken only by a couple of short, shallow recessions."
The debt went from 900 billion to 2.8 trillion dollars during Reagan's presidency. That too is also unprecedented.
What part of the DVD has got Iran Contra?
Obam has already spent more than every administration from Washington to GWB combined…what's your point.
The money spent under Reagan was primarily on military build up which Carter had ravaged with cuts. It was this military build up and spending that energized the science and production sectors of the US economy and ultimately led to cellular and micro chip technologies which of course are ultimately responsible for just about every bit of technology we enjoy now. It was also this military spending and military build up that crushed the USSR and helped us avoid an all out war, they knew they could no longer mess with us and went broke trying. To contrast the spending Obama just spent $410 billion on things like cricket research, shrimp breeding, and shuttle buses at a zoo in Montana…again what's your point.
As for the Contra affair it wasn't excatly unprecedented, the enemy of my enemy is my friend has long been standard protocol in just about every sane military strategy. It was a matter of procedure that got him in trouble since the US had previously agreed not to arm the Sandinistas and Congress was taking too long on legislation that would have over turned that, so Reagan acted. I've never seen any documentary on him that didn't cover it in great detail including his open admission and explanation of what happened. Again to contrast Obama is now prepared to cede defeat and give free reign to the Taliban.
As for the Contra affair it was
n't excatlyunprecedented, the enemy of my enemy is my friend has long beenstandard protocol in just about every sanerhetoricalmilitarypolitical strategy, especially in the cases of Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Angola, Central America and wherever Reagan thought there were dirty commies.It was a matter of
procedureabuse of power, perjury and arms sales to a sworn enemy in spite of Reagan's public pledge not to deal with terrorists. That got him in trouble since the US hadpreviously agreed not to armprohibited the federal government from providing military support "for the purpose of overthrowing the Government of Nicaragua." (via the Boland amendment) to theSandinistasContras and Congress was taking too long on legislation that would have over turned that, so Reaganactedconducted an illegal operation in secret, only to later "not remember".Fixed.
Don't you have a Earth First blog you should be reading?
Don't you have an Earth First blog you should be reading?
The Boland Amendment, which purported to place a limit on the President's plenary Article II power over foreign policy, was unconstitutional on its face. President Reagan was correct to simply ignore it.
I look forward to this DVD because it was done with a Historians Eye (Newt Gingrich). When Reagan was asked if there was anything he regreted in his term of President he said that he regreted that he did not pay more attention to the growing terrorist threat. I recently saw an interview with an insider at the CIA (whose name I cannot remember) who Bill Casey had hired to be his assistant. Bill Casey had told him a Brilliant person can get One real thing done of any signifigance, and a Genius can get Two things done. The real Genius of Reagan is that he concentrated on just Two things. One- Restoring Americas Confidence in itself and as a result the Economy etc. Two-Winning the Cold War. Any of these Two things would have been a lasting legacy but together they show the absolute Genius of his Administration and the Unflagging Resolve of the man himself.
Right, that dodge.
A couple of things:
A President’s power is limited to defensive actions, having no power to initiate or declare a war against either a foreign nation or a domestic State.
Congress can bar the President from using government property. In this case, HAWK missles, not exactly staplers or White House stationary.
The Constitution does not give the President anything resembling royal prerogative.
Thanks for playing.
I don't think you are getting the point that no one here is debating that he broke the law in doing what he did, it's not a dodge. What we are saying, and in retrospect most would agree, under the circumstances he, or rather the CIA and military, took the appropriate course of action.
They were attempting to free hostages from Iran without resorting to force, in this case trading weapons, these weapons were used in the war against Iraq which did not exactly hurt our feelings since we were not fans of theirs either. Additional monies made from these sales were then used to assist in the funding of the Sandinistas which Reagan correctly viewed as a proxy war against the Soviet Union. Both were actions that were needed but a do nothing Congress would not act. Reagan's biggest crime was willful ignorance of it, clearly he knew what was happening but did not ask for details. Plausible deniability.
"Thanks for playing" …condescending much??
"thanks for playing"? Only someone who has lost claims victory in an internet debate!
As a reformed semi-Liberal, I did not appreciate Reagan when he was President. Needess to say, I was young and stupid and believed the liberal propaganda. He was an executive with a steely spine who knew when to stand up and speak out and when to keep his mouth shut and wave! I remember the film clips of him getting off Marine One waving as the press called out questions. He just waved and cupped his ear and moved on. He did not just speak to hear his own eloquent voice. He understood his words had consequences. I can't imagine Reagan ever contemplating calling up the NYT to explain anything!
After watching this I remembered a ploy the MSM always pulls. They paint Republican presidents as delegaters. Not as knowing all the facts and being the decision makers. Democratic presidents on the other hand are painted as detail-oriented and making every decision the White House makes. Such a crock, no way can one man know all of that and make every decision.
And the MSM wonders why they are becoming irrelevant. It is because after decades of shenanigans, people are seeing through their agendas.
I take my daughter, Regan, to the library at least once a year, We love it…
When it's on rental at the video store, or at the local library, we'll watch it then, before we decide to buy.
I'm sure that one day, my two daughters (my younger one's middle name is Reagan and is but six weeks old) will appreciate it.
Appropriate?
Even James Baker said that "if we go out and try to get money from third countries, it is an impeachable offense."
"Only someone who has lost claims victory in an internet debate!
Yeah that's it, Lonewolf! Clap louder!
In related news, we won that conflict. No thanks to you.
It WAS a Democrat congress. As you mention yourself when it suits you a post or two down there.
AMEN !!!
AMEN TO richb313
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