The Indomitable Teddy Roosevelt (1983)

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In an era when opinion polls seem to determine the opinions of politicians, it is good to be reminded that President Teddy Roosevelt actually led the country on several major issues (right or wrong), without waiting for feedback from the polls to see if he should change his actions. Using historical footage, old newsreels that were just coming out at this time, re-enactments (with Bob Boyd as Roosevelt), and an excellent narration written by Theodore Strauss, director Harrison Engle has put together a rousing biography of the 26th president. Little-known tragedies in Roosevelt's life (his wife died in childbirth on the same day his mother died) are recalled alongside well-known tragedies (as vice-president, he took over the presidency when William McKinley was assassinated in 1901). Photos and narration paint a picture of a childhood that was fraught with illness, but the young Roosevelt was still raised in the lap of luxury. His education extended to a period at Harvard, and his frail childhood is long gone by the time he energetically stumps the campaign trail and then fights for the legislation he wants approved in Congress. He established national parks and wildlife preserves, inaugurated the Panama Canal, and once out of office (he lost in a second attempt at the presidency), he went on personal expeditions to Africa and up the Amazon in South America. This is altogether an interesting documentary, especially for history buffs. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi