Frank Sesno Movies
- 2003
This four-part, eight-hour PBS miniseries was the first production of the Ted Turner Foundation's documentary division. Narrated by Walter Cronkite, the series focused on weapons of mass destruction: how they came to be developed, who has them, who might first use them, how the average person can "understand" them, and what to do to prevent the end of humankind. Individual episode titles included "Silent Killers: Poisons and Plagues," "Nuclear Nightmare: Losing Control," "The New Face of Terror: Upping the Ante," "Confronting Terrorism: Turning the Tide." When Avoiding Armageddon was originally telecast from April 14 through 17, 2003, each episode concluded with a discussion moderated by series producer Frank Sesno. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Walter Cronkite
- 2003
The opening volley of the Discovery Channel anthology History Now, Defending America was a four-part, four-hour miniseries documenting America's lines of defense against outside invaders and enemies. The opening episode focused on the Homeland Security Department, with an in-depth interview with Tom Ridge. Subsequent episodes shed light upon the Coast Guard, the National Guard, and the U.S. Customs Service. Defending America premiered March 1, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frank Sesno
- 2002
- Add Ronald Reagan: A Legacy Remembered to QueueAdd Ronald Reagan: A Legacy Remembered to top of Queue
For this up-close-and-personal TV documentary, former CNN Washington bureau chief Frank Cesno was given unprecedented access to the memories of those people whose lives were profoundly touched by former President Ronald Reagan: family members, friends, political colleagues, advisors, fellow world leaders, employees. Bypassing Reagan's Hollywood career and controversial tenure as head of the Screen Actors Guild, the two-hour film focuses on his political career, and the events in his childhood and early adulthood that helped shape his vision and character. Impeccably unbiased, the film explores both the highs and lows of the Reagan administration, giving equal time to his adherents and detractors. Among the fascinating revelations herein are former Soviet premiere Gorbachev's affirmation that no one but Reagan could have successfully brokered the US-USSR peace summits, and the observation by son Ron Reagan that his father, though affable and outgoing, always held back "that last ten percent", refusing to allow anyone to get truly close to him. This evenly balanced film will confirm Reagan's greatness to his supporters, and reiterate the man's shortcomings to his non-supporters; even decades after the Reagan regime, there is no middle ground so far as his friends and foes are concerned. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frank Sesno, James Baker III, (more)
