Ronald Reagan: Rendezvous With Destiny DVD Review

Ronald Reagan: Rendezvous With Destiny DVD Review

by Armand Vaquer

I received my copy of the Ronald Reagan: Rendezvous With Destiny DVD yesterday. The movie is hosted by Newt and Callista Gingrich.

Rendezvous With Destiny briefly traces Reagan's life from his early and Hollywood years and then focuses in on his political life starting as president of the Screen Actors Guild. It then reviews Reagan's years as Governor of California and his presidential campaign of 1976, which he narrowly lost to President Gerald Ford. Unfortunately, it completely missed Reagan's half-hearted run for president in 1968 at the GOP National Convention.

That quibble aside, it does cover the four years Reagan spent as a columnist and radio commentator between 1976 and 1980.

Unlike other Reagan documentaries, no memorable clips from 1980 such as "I am paying for this microphone, Mr. Green!" in New Hampshire and "There you go again!" during his debate with Jimmy Carter are shown. Reaganauts most likely have these in their video libraries already anyway.

Where the movie really shines are the behind-the-scenes looks at the Reagan presidency. It focuses on three main themes: reviving the economy, restoring America's spirit and winning the Cold War against the Soviets. The movie has the Gingrichs at Rancho del Cielo (Reagan's ranch, for which this blog site is named after) and Pointe du Hoc, France (where Reagan delivered his memorable D-Day 40th Anniversary speeches in 1984) and the Reagan Library.

The DVD also features interviews from world leaders Lech Walesa and Vaclav Havel and eyewitnesses such as son Michael Reagan, ABC White House Corresondent Sam Donaldson, James Baker III, Mari Maseng Will and Edwin Meese III.

The Special Features include the behind-the-scenes of making the movie and composing the score.

The movie was produced by Citizens United Productions, Peace River Company, LLC and Gingrich Productions. Running time is 90 minutes. The movie is also in letteboxed widescreen format in stereo.

Unfortunately, the copy I received was defective as it skipped and froze in spots. I played it on my DVD player and laptop DVD player and the same problem occurred in both. I contacted Citizens United and they apologized and said they'll send another copy.



My grade: A-

To order, go to www.RendezvousWithDestiny.com