Harrison Engle’s 1986 documentary about the nation’s 26th (and, until John Kennedy, youngest) president has been carefully restored for this Blu-ray release. Narrated by George C. Scott, the film brings together archival footage and dramatic recreations (some featuring descendants of the Roosevelt family) to present a portrait of T.R.’s life, including his childhood struggles with physical infirmity, service in New York government, domestic tragedies, Rough Riders exploits in the Spanish-American War, selection as the Republican vice-presidential nominee in 1900, and sudden accession to the presidency in 1901 as a result of McKinley’s assassination. It also celebrates Roosevelt’s landslide re-election in 1904, and his accomplishments in office, such as strengthening the Navy, establishing national parks, building the Panama Canal, and undertaking anti-trust policies to secure a "Square Deal" for ordinary citizens. But the generally uncritical assessment here of the often domineering way in which Roosevelt achieved his aims is historically debatable. His disagreements with his Republican successor Taft led him to split the party in 1912, inviting a Democratic victory, but his later years of life-threatening exploration in Brazil and vigorous support for U.S. involvement in World War I are properly treated as a poignant postscript to his political career. Overall, this veers toward the panegyric, but as an overview of a presidency central in the development of the powers ascribed to that office in the 20th century, it remains an informative educational documentary. Extras include a new interview with Engle, and a text copy of T.R.’s 1905 inaugural address. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (F. Swietek)
The Indomitable Teddy Roosevelt
(1986) 94 min. Blu-ray: $24.95. Flicker Alley (avail. from most distributors). Volume 33, Issue 3
The Indomitable Teddy Roosevelt
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