Edwin Newman

Civil War: The Fiery Trail is a brief history of the Civil War designed for classroom use. This 1987 documentary provides a summary of the major battles and events, accompanied by a historic Civil War musical score. Narrated by Edwin Newman. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide

Not yet the erstwhile talkshow host and film actor, Dennis Miller was still doing the "Weekend Update" on Saturday Night Live when he made this concert video. Taped before a DC audience which includes several of the pundits and poobahs that Miller has previously skewered on the air, the video proves that most people are willing to laugh at themselves, even those whose political activities aren't terribly funny. Miller has said on several occasions that he wants to invoke anger from his targets, and hates it when one of his victims makes a public statement praising Miller for his technique, so maybe the gales of laughter from the audience were in themselves a means of getting even. NBC news commentator Edwin Newman shows up at the beginning of the film, purportedly to "prep" Miller. Not rated, the 60-minute Live From Washington It's Dennis Miller bars no holds when it comes to profanity. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In 1979, the largest art restoration project in history got underway. It would take twice as long to complete as it took to paint, nearly 20 years in all, and cost millions of dollars. While some art experts criticized the restoration, the art of the Vatican's Sistine Chapel would be saved from more than five centuries of soot and grime. Return to Glory: Michelangelo Revealed chronicles the refurbishment of the master artist's extraordinary frescoes, its return to the original colors, and the new emergence of its sublime images. The program covers the first 12 years of this monumental restoration effort. ~ Sally Barber, All Movie Guide

Director John Landis helmed this Cold War farce starring Dan Aykroyd and Chevy Chase as Austin Millbarge and Emmett Fitz-Hume -- two loser misfits who dwell in the lower ranks of the Central Intelligence Agency. Convinced despite much evidence to the contrary that they're prime secret agent material, both men keep taking service exams in an effort to win promotion. Caught cheating on their latest round of tests, Austin and Emmett expect to be fired but are instead made full field agents and ushered into intense training. Little do they know that it's all a ruse and that they're about to be dumped in Pakistan to throw Russian spies off the scent of two real agents with an important clandestine assignment. A spoof of the "road" pictures popularized by Bing Crosby and Bob Hope, the film features a cameo by the latter as his golf-playing self. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

David Niven offers this look at the history and current reality of Scotland Yard. ~ All Movie Guide

Embroiled in an affair with Thomas Callahan (Sam Shephard), her alcoholic professor, precocious 24-year-old Tulane University law student Darby Shaw (Julia Roberts) writes up an insightful theory about the recent murder of two Supreme Court justices, one of whom, Abraham Rosenberg (Hume Cronyn), served as Callahan's mentor. When Callahan shares this so-called "Pelican Brief" with buddy Gavin Verheek (John Heard), an FBI lawyer, the document makes its way to White House flack Fletcher Coal (Tony Goldwyn), who believes it could topple the current administration. When Callahan is murdered and the President (Robert Culp) convinces the FBI to hold off on investigating Darby's theory, the resourceful student must go into hiding, stalked by relentless assassin Khamel (Stanley Tucci). Her only hope of escaping Callahan's fate and proving her theory lies in Washington investigative reporter Gray Grantham (Denzel Washington), who's already had one confidential source back out of sharing information about the assassinations. This John Grisham adaptation is fairly faithful to the best-selling novel, but the book's interracial romance between Shaw and Grantham was left out of the script (or at least the finished product), leaving many progressive viewers annoyed at Hollywood's conservatism. Fans of HBO's Sex and the City will notice one of its future stars, Cynthia Nixon, in a small role as one of Darby's New Orleans classmates. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide

This documentary depicts the battles at Iwo Jima and Okinawa, "the push on Japan," and the prominent personalities involved in the campaign. Original newsreel stories are used to show the events in these two decisive battles in the Pacific theater that resulted in the unconditional surrender of Japan in 1945. The American Navy sent the largest fleet in history to do battle in Okinawa, where 16,000 Americans died. Japanese fatalities were ten times that number. Iwo Jima, which means "Sulfur Island," was strategically important as an air base for fighter escorts supporting long-range bombing missions against mainland Japan. The U.S. Marines, by their individual and collective courage, won a strategic victory, and the Japanese suffered a fatal setback in trying to stave off loss. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide

V for Victory: Women at War details women's essential contributions to the national war effort during World War II. Original newsreel stories illustrate the period's most momentous events and highlight the era's prominent personalities. World War II changed life forever for the American woman, who now began to fill traditional male roles and earn new independence. From the home front and factories to the battle fields, the film examines women's sacrifices as well as their demonstrations of competency at this critical turning point in our country's history. ~ Sally Barber, All Movie Guide