FDR: Part II

Episode aired Oct 13, 1994
TV-PGTV-PG
1h 9m

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8.3/10

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S7.E2

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Polio at age 39, president at age 50. Explore the public and private life of a determined man who steered this country through two monumental crises: the Depression and World War II. FDR ser... Read allPolio at age 39, president at age 50. Explore the public and private life of a determined man who steered this country through two monumental crises: the Depression and World War II. FDR served as president longer than any other, and his legacy still shapes our understanding of t... Read allPolio at age 39, president at age 50. Explore the public and private life of a determined man who steered this country through two monumental crises: the Depression and World War II. FDR served as president longer than any other, and his legacy still shapes our understanding of the role of government and the presidency. A film by award winning filmmaker David Grubin. ... Read all

IMDb RATING

8.3/10

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Director
- David Grubin
Writer
- David Grubin
Stars
- David McCullough
- Winston Churchill(archive footage)
- Adolf Hitler(archive footage)

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David McCullough

Self - Narratoras Self - Narrator

Winston Churchill

Selfas Self
(archive footage)

Adolf Hitler

Selfas Self
(archive footage)

King George V

Selfas Self
(archive footage)

Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother

Selfas Self
(archive footage)

Eleanor Roosevelt

Selfas Self
(archive footage)

Director
- David Grubin
Writer
- David Grubin
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Polio at age 39, president at age 50. Explore the public and private life of a determined man who steered this country through two monumental crises: the Depression and World War II. FDR served as president longer than any other, and his legacy still shapes our understanding of the role of government and the presidency. A film by award winning filmmaker David Grubin. This is the third of four parts. —Anonymous

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8/10

A good followup to part one.

This is the second part of the two-part biography on Franklin Roosevelt that aired on "The American Experience" in 1994. Like the previous episode, it was narrated by writer/historian David McCullough. It also consisted of various interviews, film clips and photos. Together, with some appropriate music, it made for a lovely biography--first-class all the way.

Part Two picks up as Roosevelt is assuming the presidency and runs through most of the Depression and WWII--ending with his death just before V-E Day. For the most part, there are no major surprises other than learning that Roosevelt's own daughter had arranged for him to meet with his mistress (now THAT'S odd).

Overall, very good and a nice followup to part one. It was, oddly, not the least bit critical of the man--something that seems unusual for a presidential biography (plus, he did have a decent amount of criticism of some of his Depression-era policies). While not quite as inspirational and a bit slow, it is still very much worth seeing, as Roosevelt was a truly extraordinary man.

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