Customer Reviews

In the Face of Evil - Reagan's War in Word and Deed

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a good documentary for anyone who wants to understand the cold war era. Starting with the rise of the evil left wing twins Communism and Nazi Fascism this tells the story of the bloodiest century in human history through the eyes of a single man who dedicated his life to doing something about it. The footage is somewhat raw in places and the pictures of the horrors inflicted by Nazi, Bolshevik, and Maoist regimes will be too intense for young children. I lived through that period and think this the best and most concise presentation of the events of those years that I have seen. My wife and I saw it in the theater and were rapt for the entire length of the movie. This DVD is a cherished member of my documentary collection. Due to the obvious budget constraints I give it a production quality of about 3* and a content quality of 5*.

The music is orchestral and deeply moving, evoking both pathos and heroism at appropriate times in the presentation. There are no jarring techno-funk or rock-n-roll cuts for those who are scrupulous of such things.

The material is perfect for Middle School and High Schools students. More depth would be required for college but the 4 step process Regan and his men devised to fight the "Evil Empire" might make good undergraduate paper material for American or World History 101.

"In the Face of Evil" is an excellent film about President Ronald Reagan's values, achievements, and career. It is also a substantive account of 20th century foreign policies and history. Reagan supporters will enjoy this movie and others will find it worthwhile. It is appropriate for mature academic settings as well, including courses on comparative political systems, foreign policy, economic history, leadership, etc. This film has the potential to help solidify President Reagan's place in history as one of America's greatest presidents.

This film really demonstrates how great leaders are those that have strong priciples and don't back down from them despite strong pressure to do so. Reagen is often portrayed as an unintelligent president who bumbled his way through 2 terms. This movie makes a great case that Reagen was a visoinary whose ideas and actions (we are only now seeing) had a tremendous impact on world history. His name will not be forgotten 1,000 years from now, in the same way that Charles Martel is still remembered.

I had the opportunity to see an advance screening of this film in July 2004. This documentary is moving, powerful, and inciteful. The analogy of Reagan and the Cold War to the current global struggle is brilliant. The best 3 hours I've spent in a theatre. Don't miss it.

In the Face of Evil is an excellent film that explains the little known facts of Ronald Reagan's life long fight against the great evil of the late Twentieth Century, communism. Despite some's view that Reagan accidentally brought down the USSR or that he just happened to be in Office when communism lost its grip on the world, In the Face of Evil exposes the faultiness in those theories. It also shows that Reagan had developed this ideas for defeating communism long before he ever reached the White House. His actions here not spur of the moment thoughts, they were well developed due to his extensive dealings with communism from his early days in Hollywood. It also shows the remarkable consistency with which Reagan viewed communism and the threat it posed. Reagan actions were not based on polls, they were founded on his unshakable view that communism was evil, it was a threat, and it needed to be ended, not tolerated. Despite whatever your views or beliefs, this is a film that you must see.

This is a truly excellent documentary that focuses on the historical context equally with the contribution that Ronald Reagan made to freedom. This is not your average documentary either - it has production values worthy of the subject and the title. Historical footage from the 20th century, combined with interviews of many of the people who were there, and a tightly edited narrative, make every second attention grabbing. The narrator's tone invites a second look - and you'll see things the second time you missed the first. For those who remember Victory at Sea and Why We Fight, this will not disappoint - even though it lacks Richard Rodger's score and the urgency of the latter's "we're at war" tone. And you'll want to watch it again. Though I thought I knew a fair amount about Ronald Reagan, the old films revealed his early days in hollywood - in the 40's - in a way that put his "evil empire" speech in context. This is an important documentary of the 20th century. For those who do not know much about Reagan prior to his presidency, it fills in the gaps of knowledge and helps you understand him - and the history he made. And oh yes, the "surprise" ending puts the 21st century into context of the 20th. Highly recommended. This one's a "keeper for the gipper"

First off, it was a great film. I know there was only so much that can be touched on, in 2 hours. I wish there were more on the end of the Cold War, but this did a nice job of condensing it all. Read Peter Schweizer's book, Reagan's War, and it expounds on this more. The chronology of Reagan's life, World War II, Communism, and his interaction with world events, even before becoming Governor and President is uncanny. Reagan was a product of Hollywood, but unlike current Hollywood, was not afraid to name names and call out the disloyal. The music in the film is unforgettable classics- Rachmaninoff, Wagner, Tchiachovsky and others. The footage, some of it very disturbing, is indellible. This film also expands on Reagan's very private, yet very assertive Christian background, which no doubt was pivotal in his policy decisions. RIP, Mr. President. Good tribute, can't wait for a sequel or film on just one of the areas of this documentary.

I was amazed at this documentary. So was my husband. We thought hands down it is one of the finest documentaries ever made - and not because of the subject matter, I'll get to that in a minute - but because of its ability to step off of the timeline, outside of our culture and world events and look upon the larger picture of events that have transpired and are transpiring now.

The subject matter is Ronald Reagan and all his flaws and human limitations are there for the reviewing. He is laid bare as on an operating table, but there is something else too. He is presented also as a human conduit (almost a "tool") for something way bigger and more important.

For those who don't think evil exists at all, I say, don't rent or buy this DVD. It is not an apologetic for evil existing. It rightly assumes it. For those who think there is no evil in the world except the ideology of Reagan and his ilk, don't delay in seeing this. All your criticisms of Reagan will be named and explained against the backdrop of a bigger picture, the one you need to see.

No one learns from history, not in all of history has a lesson been learned, but rather, Evil continues it's foray, persistent, relentless, always shrouded in the appearance of "light," "peace" and "goodness." It has duped the world many times over. This documentary strips it bare, exposes the fraud and leaves an undeniable responsiblity with the viewer.

If you want to watch a documentary from before the 2004 election, this one far out-strips the others (sorry, Michael Moore). A wonderful portrayal of one of the greatest of all Americans, this film carries you from the evil of Hitler and Nazi Germany, through the rise and fall of Communism. The film makes the case that President Reagan was the only one who had the courage to take a decisive stand against the Communists (and gives you evidence which will lead you to the same conclusion)and shows how Communism was collapsed and was defeated. The film is full of biblical and apocalyptic overtones (which those of us who lived during the Cold War era will find warranted)as well as bits of quotes and speeches from Reagan which are riveting. While the film was obviously made by pro-Reagan filmmakers, it does not gloss over the problems that he encountered during his presidency and life. Still the focus is the strength and bravery of this great American, and the level of patriotism that his life, word, and deed calls each American to today. Wonderful!

I recently bought a couple of books on Reagan. The man is truly fascinating. The life of this man is definitly worth a Big read. When I saw this DVD recently I just could not resist...

The main feature is allright. You learn enough about the man to get the big picture. If you want to know the complete story however, then more viewing (and reading)is necessary! Reagan had a pretty interesting actors career and his 8 years as Governor of California is definitly worth a closer look. But, all in all, the focus in this story is mostly on his presidency, which does a good enough job.

The bonus is surely the speeches! This was ofcourse the real power and attraction of the man. When you are confronted for the first time with his apocalyptic speech from 1964 called "A time for choosing" you are almost blown away. Most of it still rings true today...

I can recommend this film to any one who can shun the ridiculous bias which overflows in leftish circles...