Mario Cuomo Movies
Filmmakers David Leaf and John Scheinfeld offer a compelling look at the efforts of the United States government to silence one of rock & roll's most outspoken war critics in this documentary detailing the Vietnam-era struggle between the Richard Nixon administration and iconic peace activist John Lennon. The Vietnam War was raging and the nightly news was filled with stories of failed offensives and massacred U.S. troops. As anti-war protests back home gained momentum, it was the hopeful voice of former Beatle Lennon that served to perfectly encapsulate the frustrations felt by many citizens that the U.S. had gotten caught up in an quagmire from which there was seemingly no end in sight. There's a high price to be paid for standing strong in your beliefs and openly criticizing the ruling elite, though, and now, through interviews with those who knew him best and revealing glimpses into an era where all hope seemed lost, filmmakers finally uncover the truth behind the Nixon administration's highly classified efforts to isolate and eventually deport the man whose powerful words threatened to actually make sense in a world slowly suffocated by the grip of insanity. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Stew Albert, John Lennon, (more)
- 2000
In the early days of America's history, politics played a role in presidential elections, but in order to attain the highest office, a candidate did not have to be an astute politician. This changed as time passed, and before long, those who could be called professional politicians made their way to Washington, DC, and the White House. The American President: The Professional Politician takes a look at a few of those politicians who became president, including Martin Van Buren, James Buchanan, Abraham Lincoln, and Lyndon B. Johnson, showing how their attitudes shaped their presidencies. ~ Alice Day, Rovi
- 1998
In The Great Depression, Vol. 1: The Great Shake-up the first years of this devastating period in American history are explored through rare photographs, film footage, and commentary from historians and citizens. From the migration of Dust Bowl farmers, to the presidential victory of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his New Deal, the pivotal events of this period are brought to life. Additionally, author James Michener relates his experiences joining thousands of out of work men who took to the rails to lead the life of the hobo. ~ Sean Hurley, Rovi
- Starring:
- Mario Cuomo
- 1998
Per its title, this epic, multipart documentary miniseries from The History Channel covers the single most devastating financial crisis of the Twentieth Century: The Great Depression. Beginning with the colossal stock market crash of 1929, the United States entered an economic downturn that yielded massive, widespread unemployment, rescued both by the efforts of Franklin Roosevelt and the U.S. entry into World War II circa 1941. Part One of this program, "The Great Shake-Up," surveys the tumultuous changes undergone by the U.S. from 1929-32, including the sweeping election of FDR and the relocations of Dust Bowl farmers; Part Two, "Face the Music," discusses the way that contemporary American entertainment (such as movies and marathon dancing) evolved as a release from the difficulties of daily life thanks to the Depression. Part Three, "Striking Back," hones in on those Americans who felt let down by Roosevelt's New Deal, mostly individuals who had been driven to the point of no return by the fiscal crisis. And Part Four, "Desperate Measures," reflects on the way in which World War II permanently ended the Depression. Former New York governor Mario Cuomo narrates. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi
- Starring:
- Mario Cuomo
- 1998
The Great Depression, Vol. 2: Face the Music explores the ways in which Depression-era Americans found relief through flights of entertainment fancy. Footage of the strange phenomenon of "marathon dances" and the fantastical offerings of Hollywood are offered as examples of the way in which Americans escaped the difficult circumstances that touched all parts of American society. Radio programs also enjoyed huge popularity and this video follows the developments that led to the creation of the sitcom and the soap opera formats that now dominate television content. In the art world, the Great Depression offered the documentary photographer fodder for such striking images as Dorothea Lange's Migrant Mother, included here among others in this 50-minute video. ~ Sean Hurley, Rovi
- Starring:
- Mario Cuomo
- 1998
The Great Depression, Vol. 3: Striking Back explores the dissatisfaction that simmered in the American population as the programs of the New Deal failed to live up to expectations. Using archival footage and photographs to help tell the story, the video examines the worker strikes that sprang up during this period, as well as the violent response to them. The program also explores the Harlem riots, which were sparked by rumors about a black youth who was beaten to death by police because of a minor shoplifting offense. Finally, the video follows J. Edgar Hoover's F.B.I. agents in the gunning down of the bank-robbing anti-hero Pretty Boy Floyd. ~ Sean Hurley, Rovi
- Starring:
- Mario Cuomo
- 1998
The Great Depression, Vol. 4: Desperate Measures examines the desperate conditions that led to the "Battle of Washington," where 25,000 World War I veterans camped along the Potomac River to protest the government's reneging on promised bonuses. Images of Douglas MacArthur's troops dispersing these vets with tear gas and tanks help detail this difficult period. As the video reveals, the approach of America's entry into WWII does what all the New Deal programs promised to do -- end the Great Depression. ~ Sean Hurley, Rovi
- Starring:
- Mario Cuomo
- 1993
The 16th president of the United States comes fully to life in the one-hour special Abraham Lincoln: A New Birth of Freedom. This PBS program explores the history of the gentle leader from birth to presidency. Lincoln was unlike any other world leader because of his sense of humanity and justice. Raised in the wilds of Kentucky, the tall gangly pioneer educated himself, eventually earning a law degree. His devotion to freedom was played out during his unique reign in the White House. By far, Lincoln's greatest challenge was navigating the Civil War and its aftereffects. Dedicated to the abolishment of slavery, Lincoln fought hard to maintain that ideal while holding the Union together. All the while, he had to fight the possibility of a British invasion. This in-depth documentary features the voices of Andrew Young, Peter Coyote, and Louis Gossett Jr. It offers a rare glimpse into the motivations of one of America's greatest heroes. ~ Sarah Ing, Rovi
