Well, it’s just been a few days since the passing of Ronald Reagan. I imagine over the next few weeks we are going to be bombarded by books, TV specials and DVDs about our 40th president. There is one in particular I’d like to recommend though if I you don’t mind, and that is the 2-disc DVD set, “Ronald Reagan: The Great Communicator.” It is as complete a set as I could imagine of information covering his two terms in office. I can’t make any claim to have a lot of political savvy or knowledge, but I love history. Give me any documentary about any subject and I’ll watch it. This set has no less than 7.5 hours of archival footage ranging from his time in office, from his speeches, summits and public appearances. All are arranged within four separate sections, with an incredibly long list of particular speeches set up as viewable bonus features.

The first disc includes “The Reagan Presidency”, which at about an hour and a half, gives quite a detailed overview of his two terms (1981 - 1989), while “The Military and the Soviet Union” is as it sounds. It runs just a little over an hour, but focuses more on the challenges we as a nation faced and how Reagan approached them with dignity and the strength of his convictions. The final section of the first disc is called “Reagan on Government and the American Dream.” This was an especially good piece as it gives us quite a bit of insight on Reagan’s view of the government and how it should be run.

The second disc has a section entitled simply, “The Man.” It is here that we get glimpses of Reagan’s humanity and humor. This section runs just over an hour as well. But for those who are really into specific events, the best part of this set comes in the form of 28 separate speeches and addresses that define the man as well as the period.

What is sad about a DVD release like this is that there will be those who are petty enough to distinguish the difference between the political parties and dismiss the opportunity to get an education. There are also those who choose to focus on some of Reagan’s stumbling points as opposed to his strengths, and again lose out on the chance learn something. What they forget that every President is human, with all the human characteristics we all have. If you’ve never made a mistake, then by gum, you can take that stand.

Even if your political views don’t jibe with that of Ronald Reagan, don’t let that stop you. I can use myself as an example, I readily admit to being no fan of our current administration or its leader, however if given the opportunity years from now to look over the legacy left behind, good or bad, I’ll certainly jump on it. Its history… bring it on.

By the way, if you think this set was just rushed into production, put your fears at ease. Most of the materials here were put together for a VHS release back around 1999. Plans were set in motion to release this set a while back, with the original release date having been June 29th. But in response to recent events I can’t blame MPI for moving the date up a couple of weeks. I cannot recommend this disc highly enough. Its comprehensive, informative, and boy it brings back memories.

Disc 1:
The Reagan Presidency (1981 - 1989)
The Military and the Soviet Union
Reagan on Government and The American Dream

Disc 2:
The Man
Legacy of a Leader:
General Electric Theatre
A Time for Choosing
Presidential Candidates Announcement
Victory
American Hostages Released
Christmas Address
Crusade for Freedom
News Photographers Dinner 1983
US Forces Land in Granada
D-Day Memorial Speech
40th Anniversary of Normandy Invasion
Republican National Convention 1984
White House Correspondents Dinner 1985
Speech at Bergen Belsen
Reception for the McLaughlin Group
The Challenger Accident
Challenger Speech
White House Correspondents Dinner 1986
White House Correspondents Dinner 1987
Reception for Editorial Cartoonists and Photographers 1987
INS Arms Reduction Treaty
State of the Union 1988
White House Correspondents Dinner 1988
White House News Photographers Dinner 1988
The Gipper
Republican National Convention 1988
Farewell Address
Last State of the Union and Exit

Specifications: Full Screen
Studio: MPI Home Video
Release Date: 6/15/2004
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give Ronald Reagan:The Great Communicator a B.