American Presidents in the movies

[MSM 194]

First of all, I know this can TURN into something politically, however it should be possible for reasonable people to not let it to. I think it is perfectly valid to discuss this topic here, also in the light of the upcoming Lincoln movie. (Also I discussed with Jay who gave permission to post this.)

So please be sensitive in your posts as I don't want to have this thread blocked. A good rule would be: your posts should not reflect or reveal your personal political views; please just discuss the movies without judging the policies of the main characters (similar to what a movie critic would do), or please stay out of this thread.

So here is it:

I very much like movies about American presidents, as it is very interesting to see who are the personalities behind the decisions that changed the course of America as well as world history. Movies can be an effective way to evaluate these characters. I think there are several well made movies and miniseries about presidents, some better than others.

Please discuss the qualities of movies/miniseries about presidents that you watched and why you liked the movie or not (so again, without discussing why you liked a certain president or not.) Also in the first place this thread is about real presidents. Although I really enjoyed some fictional presidential movies like The American President, I think it's better to keep it to the real ones.

These are my favorites in order of preference:

10) The Reagans. Compared to other president movies not my favorite. It's too superficial as to the president's character, there was definitely more to him than being a good-mannered smiling movie star without strong judgement or decisiveness. Also movie is too long, and I would have liked a more political appraoch to his presidency, more like Thirteen Days or Path to War. After all, there have been several important strategic dicisions he took that could have been told way better. However this is due to the script rather than to the acting, which is quite good (James Brolin).

9) W. about Bush jr. by Oliver Stone. Not a very good movie, with a too much satirical undertone for my taste. Apart from Josh Brolin as W. and James Cromwell as H.W. the acting was not very convincing, also partly because of a relatively weak script. IMO, James Earl Jones would have been the right choice for the role of Colin Powell. Overall the movie felt like a sketch with impersonations rather than a genuine biopic (which was probably intentional).

8) Truman, about president Harry Truman, about Truman's rise from nobody to president and his decision to use the atomic bomb against Japan. Gary Sinise looks the part, but his acting isnt very emotionally engaging, but it might reflect the character. It's an interesting movie about important historical events, but it's a bit dull.

7) Nixon. Another Oliver Stone movie, with a clear intent to depict Nixon in a particular way. Although well made and well acted, like in W. there is only limited likeness and the movie makes the president a very one-dimensional character. Generally I feel Oliver Stone is too jugdemental in his movies, while I prefer the more objective strategy, like the ones below.

6) Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor, about the American Revolution and the rivalry between George Washington and Benedict Arnold. Well made historical movie, well acted, and well designed, but not very exciting.

5) The Special Relationship, about Bill Clinton and Tony Blair. As was the case with W., this movie does not really have much to say. I think Michael Sheen is not very convincing as Tony Blair, Dennis Quaid as Bill Clinton on the other hand was surprisingly good, and quite convincing even as to likeness. From a political point of view, I would have preferred a focus on domestic strategic decisions; I don't think Clinton's relationship to Blair is really the most interesting part of his presidency.

4) Thirteen Days, about Kennedy's strategic decisions in the Cuba crisis. Bruce Greenwood makes a nice Kennedy, and the scirpt is well written and keeps you to the edge of your seat. I didn;t like the depiction of McNamara, and the presence of Kevin Costner (more or less playing a fictional character among real events) too much. The 'Irish' drawls are distracting. The story is more or less covered similarly in one episode of The Kennedy's, which has become my slightly preferred version.

3) The Kennedy's. Story is effectively told, production standards above average, acting is quite convincing especially as to the character of Bobby Kennedy. The weakest link is unfortunately Katie Holmes as Jackie Kennedy. I think the miniseries give a nice overview of the Kennedy's including flaws and successes, without being too jugdmental. I know some people would think this series to be overly dramatized and historically incorrect, to my taste it was perfectly acceptable. Music wasn't very fitting except for the title theme.

2) Path to War: compelling movie about Johnson's presidency and the difficult decisions he had to make. Great acting from Michael Gambon as the president, Donald Sutherland as Clark Clifford and a very convincing Alec Baldwin as Robert McNamara. You are really drawn into the story which makes you think what you yourself would do were you in the president's position. This movie positively changed my judgment of Johnson's presidency, it's that powerful. Also: the music by Gary Chang is very fitting, and although in some places too much an echo of John WIlliams' JFK, it has real tension and a JW like quality to it.

1) Sally Hemings: An American Scandal. I just saw this miniseries and it has become my favorite president movie instantly. It tells the story of Thomas Jefferson and his relationship with a slave girl during times when this was absolutely impossible. The acting is very convincing (including Sam Neill as Jefferson). The story (after a book) is very compelling, and very well told, and should be not far beside the real events. It makes you think about many ethical issues along the way. This movie also made me an instant fan of Joel McNeely: his score is very rich and very fitting to the onscreen emotions. It sounds simliar to John Williams' The Patriot more than once, but it only helps. Overall, really a must see for anyone interested in American history!!


I still want to see John Adams and maybe someone will come up with other good suggestions.

[Melange 448]

One that comes to mind is a fictional U.S president in the novel and movie Clear and Present Danger. I believe it shows the 'potential' for a president (of any country) to let personal vendettas render them susceptible to policy suggestions from others in their administration (or exterior lobbys) who have their own agenda in suggesting them.

[Kendal_Ozzel 36]

Dan Hedaya in Dick is easily my favorite Nixon. The film as a whole may be hit or miss (although I love the idea of it), but Hedaya was great.

[MSM 194]

Dan Hedaya in Dick is easily my favorite Nixon. The film as a whole may be hit or miss (although I love the idea of it), but Hedaya was great.

Is it a very cheesy movie or actually an entertaining watch?

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,391]

Its a comedy

[JoeinAR 1,957]

Morgan Freeman is the greatest President ever filmed.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,391]

The acting is good, but a black US president is simply not very realistic.

[Xander Harris 9,677]

My President is black, my Lambo's blue.