Craig Haffner Movies

Celsius 41.11 was an attempt by conservative pundits and politicians to respond to the runaway box-office success of Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11. The film features interviews with such notable public figures as Fred Barnes, Michael Medved, Fred Thompson, and Charles Krauthammer and offers a dissection of the democratic party's 2004 nominee for president, John Kerry. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

Do angels exist? And if they do, what are they? This documentary features interviews with a number of people who discuss how their lives were touched (both physically and spiritually) by the presence and intervention of spiritual messengers sent by God. Angels: Beyond the Light - Amazing Stories of Divine Encounters also features appearances by celebrities who discuss their encounters with heavenly beings, including Carlos Santana, Stefanie Powers, and Evander Holyfield. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

This video is part of an acclaimed series from the History Channel that chronicles the American Civil War. The series, narrated by Danny Glover, uses archival photographs, diaries, articles, reenactments, and scholarly commentary to tell the story of the War Between the States. This volume recounts the story of the military leader whose services were sought after by both sides in the conflict. But Virginian Robert E. Lee entered the affray on the side of the Confederacy and became its most honored and revered general in the losing cause. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide

The civilization of ancient Egypt has long held a fascination for modern people. The Sphinx, the pharaohs, pyramids, mummies, and treasure all provide tantalizing clues to this enigmatic culture, whose architectural achievements stand like question marks in the desert sand. This program is the third episode in a four-volume series, hosted by Peter Woodward, which presents a fresh look at the Egyptians. Who were the people who built these mansions of the spirits? And what were their lives like? Archaeologists look for clues in burial sites in Mendes and Deir El Medina, where pyramid workers once lived. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide

The civilization of ancient Egypt has long held a fascination for modern people. The Sphinx, the pharaohs, pyramids, mummies, and treasure all provide tantalizing clues to this enigmatic culture, whose architectural achievements stand like question marks in the desert sand. This program is the first episode in a four-volume series, hosted by Peter Woodward, which presents a fresh look at the Egyptians. Using state-of-the-art technology, archaeologists have uncovered new information about the majestic final resting places of the pharaohs and their families. The program goes on-location to the Valley of the Kings to explore these mansions of the spirits. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide

The History Channel goes in-depth with this two-volume documentary Tora, Tora, Tora: The True Story of Pearl Harbor. December 7, 1941, was a tragic and surprising day for the United States. The attack on the Hawaiian island was a costly and sudden invitation to enter World War II. Archival footage and interviews make up the bulk of this release. Both American and Japanese remembrances are included for a complete history lesson. The series begins with the events leading up to the attack, especially concentrating on Admiral Yamamoto's detailed plans. Using personal testimony, the History Channel re-creates the frantic action on the ground as American soldiers scrambled for safety. Some, such as those aboard the U.S.S. Arizona, had no time to retaliate. The program concludes with a real-life reunion of soldiers from both sides. From inception to aftermath, Tora, Tora, Tora: The True Story of Pearl Harbor provides a thorough account of a day that will always live in the memory of a nation. ~ Sarah Ing, All Movie Guide

Episode three of this four-part series focus on the expansion and development of the empire. After the legions conquer a territory, narrator Joe Mantegna explains, lawyers reconcile the territory's laws with Roman law and engineers construct links to the Eternal City. Trade then takes place and prosperity follows. When new buildings rise, their design mixes provincial and imperial styles as the new territory becomes integrated into the Roman culture. After Trajan becomes emperor in 98 A.D., he pursues a policy of benevolence toward the citizens and Hadrian continues this policy when he succeeds Trajan in 117 A.D. However, Hadrian deals harshly with rebels in Judea. To build goodwill in the provinces, he travels throughout the empire and appoints regional leaders to important imperial positions. In addition, he patronizes the arts, constructs magnificent buildings, and establishes fortifications to protect the empire from invaders. Episode three includes a tour of the rock-paved streets, shops, and homes of the well-preserved ruins of Pompeii. ~ Mike Cummings, All Movie Guide

Episode four of this four-part series chronicles the rise of Constantine and Christianity and the end of the empire's glory years. After the birth of Christianity, its followers suffer persecution until the fourth century. Then, in 306 A.D., a future friend, Constantine, becomes one of four rulers of the empire -- two in Rome and two in Byzantium. In 312 A.D., Constantine has a vision of Christ that leads him to victory against the rival western emperor, Maxentius. Afterward, Constantine decrees toleration for Christians, then wins a war against the east to become sole ruler of the eastern and western empires. In 324 A.D., he moves the empire's capital to Byzantium, rebuilds it, and names it Constantinople. With the support of his Christian mother, Constantine builds churches and makes Christianity the state religion, then becomes a Christian himself on his deathbed. Meanwhile, the western empire falls to barbarian invaders. Two centuries later, Emperor Justinian I reorganizes the empire's legal system, beautifies Constantinople, and attempts to reclaim Rome, but fails. Upon his death, the glory days of the empire end, although the eastern empire survives until the Ottoman Turks conquer it in 1453. ~ Mike Cummings, All Movie Guide

Actor Jeroen Krabbe made his directorial debut with this Dutch-Belgian-U.S. drama examining anti-Semitic attitudes in 1972 Antwerp. Free-spirited 20-year-old student Chaja (Laura Fraser) has a long-haired revolutionary lover and sometimes visits her parents (Maximilian Schell, Marianne Sagebrecht), both concentration camp survivors. Evading eviction from her apartment, Chaja finds work as a nanny with the Kalmans, an Orthodox Hassidic family. Initially rebelling against the rigid traditions, she eventually comes to terms with their way of life as she teaches their four-year-old to follow his father's doctrines. Adapted from Carl Friedman's novel The Shovel and the Loom, this film was shown at the 1998 Berlin Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide

Part of the Biography television series from A&E, this documentary reviews the political career and personal life of President John F. Kennedy.

During World War II, he commanded a PT boat in the Pacific. When the boat was rammed and sunk by a Japanese destroyer in August 1943, Kennedy, despite serious injuries, led the surviving crew through miles of perilous waters to safety.

He married Jacqueline Bouvier on September 12, 1953, and the couple had two children. While recuperating from back surgery, Kennedy wrote Profiles in Courage,a study of courageous political acts by eight United States senators, which won a Pulitzer Prize. Kennedy campaigned for and nearly gained the Democratic nomination for vice president in 1956, and four years later was a first-ballot nominee for president. After winning the presidency in 1960 by a narrow margin, Kennedy became the 35th president of the United States, the youngest president ever elected, and the first Roman Catholic president.

Kennedy was assassinated by rifle fire while being driven in an open car through Dallas, Texas. The alleged assassin Lee Harvey Oswald, was shot and killed by night club owner Jack Ruby two days later, while under heavy police escort on a jail transfer. Much controversy remains concerning the Kennedy assassination, and speculation about conspiracy theories abounds, despite the Warren Commission's conclusion that Oswald most likely acted alone.
~ John Patrick Sheehan, All Movie Guide