Reagan (2024) Movie Script

1
He said to his wife what do you mean
change the baby I'm a ballplayer that's
not my line of work and she turned around
with her hands on her hips and she
communicated she said look Buster you lay
the diaper out like a dime you put second
base on home plate put the baby's bottom
on the pitcher's mound hook up first and
third slide home underneath
and if it starts to rain the
game ain't When you get
called, you start all over again.
So I'm going to communicate.
Now, I know that we can't make things right
overnight, but we will make them right.
Our destiny is not our fate.
It is our choice.
You and your forebears helped build this
nation.
Now help us rebuild it.
Thank you very much.
Ride's on the move.
All clear.
Went great, sir.
Boy, a trip down memory lane.
Haven't seen him in decades, Roy,
with the AFL-CIO.
He said the two of you fought with a guy
in Hollywood named Sorrel.
Sorrel.
Herb Sorrel.
Yes, he was working for the Soviets trying
to infiltrate Hollywood through the unions.
Roy and I used to call him Sor as hell
after that.
What's next?
What's next on the agenda?
My mother used to say,
everything in life happens
for a reason, even the
most disheartening setbacks.
And in the end, everything,
even seemingly random
twists of fate, is all a
part of the divine plan.
Details are very sketchy at this moment.
We don't know precisely what happened.
We don't know the sequence.
First of all, the president is safe.
Justice, pardon me, please.
Bob Berkowitz.
Hello, Bob.
I'll wait for somebody in the back room to
come up here and tell us we had been
reporting to you that the president was
not injured.
The White House has
confirmed now, just in the last few
minutes, that President
Reagan has indeed been shot.
He is in communication.
Larry, can we... Is there any evidence
the assassin was working for the Soviets?
Larry... I can't say, Leslie.
...we have got confirmed...
...we have got confirmed... ...that President
Reagan seized power by force in Russia.
...anyone standing in the way of
revolution will be removed.
...Ion cotton has descended across the
continent.
The seeds of totalitarian regimes are
nurtured by misery and war.
They spread and go on the evil side of
poverty and strife.
They reach their full growth when the hope
of a better life has died.
We must keep that hope alive.
The world witnessed a new level of
destruction in the first atomic bomb.
This show of atomic force is only a
warning of things to come.
The Soviet Union has, by violence and
intimidation, thwarted the rights of
Poland, Ukraine, and Czechoslovakia, holding
millions in a prison, unable to escape.
The world is focused today on Berlin,
where East and West face off.
The Soviet regime looks to close its
border in East Germany.
Against those fleeing the totalitarian
crackdown.
Castro's takeover of Cuba
secures the Soviets a base
for nuclear aggression
aimed at the United States.
Now it is time for this nation to take a
clearly leading role in space achievement,
which in many ways may hold the key to our
future on Earth.
You still worried they are listening?
They stopped listening to me a long time
ago.
Not me.
I'm sending him to see you.
This is no longer a fight for old men.
Perhaps not, but he
is our youngest cabinet
member, being groomed
to be the next president.
He has little experience, but some of us
believe he can be the next leader.
However, he will need to learn from our
mistakes.
You mean my mistakes?
Try to look at this as an opportunity to
make things right.
Does anyone else know he's coming to see
me?
Let's hope not.
Hello.
Hello.
I'm here to see Viktor Petrovich.
Please come in.
Thank you.
Thank you for seeing me, comrade.
Comrade?
We don't use that term much any longer.
Offered in respect.
For you in a time that deserves equal
respect.
Oh.
Special.
So...
what brings the rising star of Mother
Russia to visit with an old spy?
To ask just one question of you.
Why?
If I'm about to regain our rightful place
in this world, I must know why we failed
30 years ago.
Why we gave up without even a fight.
Why did we allow ourselves to become a
mere shadow of our once great nation?
Wiser men than I.
I will really answer that.
Not to my satisfaction.
What makes you think I am more capable?
Because of who you are, comrade.
What you did.
And you were there.
Yes, I was there.
I was there.
My official title was analyst at the
Committee for State Security, our beloved KGB.
But I was psychologist, profiling those
who could become threats to our nation,
sometimes decades away.
Some say I was responsible for the fall of
the Soviet Union.
I stress this.
It leads to stagnation.
Yes.
What is it?
Comrade.
The actor.
He will win.
I've been warning about this man for many
years.
The pedophile.
Comrade Secretary, I have prepared dozens
of...
these documents.
Yes.
I appreciate that.
Comrade Petrovich.
But go prepare another.
Of course.
Yes, I was there.
When I began as analyst, we had one goal.
Spreading communism to every corner of the
globe.
Some countries we invaded with military
force, but we had special plans for the USA.
We sought to break them down from within,
strategically infiltrating their society.
Even their movie industry.
My assignment was to track
and influence their key players and
to merge their labor unions
into one which we could control.
...but it's the wrong question you ask.
History is never about when, where,
why, how.
It always comes down to who.
You ready?
Yes, sir, I'm ready.
All right.
Ronald Reagan, come give us that Hollywood
smile.
And I just happened to have been assigned
to the Crusader.
That is what we mockingly called him.
It became my obsession to understand what
was beneath the facade.
And I learned to never leave a detail
behind as unimportant.
Because it is all important.
After we get married, how many sons are we
going to have?
Well, how many do you want?
Well, it would be nice to have a full
team.
What's your favorite sport?
That's the trouble.
Football.
What's your favorite sport?
Nice work Ronald Reagan.
That felt pretty natural.
...really?
...what part?
Sometimes you just want to move into those
baby blues.
20 years later 20
years later 20 years later 20 years later
Just hold me in a jar and be better off
than you are, or would you rather be a
mule?
But we're more than actors.
We're symbols.
Leaders.
Yes.
We should be speaking to the important
issues of the day.
Oh, Eddie, give it a rest.
Will you leave that to the writers?
You're still new here, Reagan.
Trust me, the studios control every word I
write.
And God help me if I don't write or you
don't read what they tell us to.
They're paying the bills, Dalton.
They should have some say.
We're doing pretty well, aren't we?
I think so.
You don't get it, Holden.
All we are is a mouthpiece
to a system, to a
society, a society that
ignores the working man.
Trust me, it won't last.
Well, what do you mean by that,
Dalton?
Exactly what it says.
Honey, come on.
Let's go dance.
Just a second, honey.
No, no, really.
Explain it to me.
I'd like to know.
Well, let's just say this
whole American dream
thing doesn't exactly
apply to everyone equally.
And some of us aren't sitting still for
it.
We're doing something about it.
Doing what?
Dalton, maybe we should talk about this
some other time.
At some point, you're going to need to
pick a side.
Well, not tonight.
Tonight, the only thing I'm going to pick
is my dance partner.
And I'm dancing with my beautiful wife.
If you'll excuse me, fellas.
And we'll be back.
It did not initially appear to be a great
concern for us.
He was too busy enjoying his honeymoon.
Not to mention the Hollywood glitz and
glamour.
To understand what made this man unique,
I needed to understand the boy.
He grew up in a small town in the middle
of America.
His father had a nickname for him.
They called him Dutch.
He had experience speaking to crowds at an
early age.
As his mother, Nellie, pushed him to read
poetry and Bible verses at their church.
If my people, which are called by my name,
shall humble themselves and pray,
seek my face and turn from their wicked
ways, then I will hear from heaven,
forgive their sin, and heal their land.
Are we God's people?
Well, anybody can be God's people.
So long as they choose him.
How did you memorize those verses so fast?
I don't know.
I just read it and remembered.
It's a gift, Dutch.
You have to look for those talents,
because God has a purpose for your life.
It's something only you can do.
Ha ha ha.
Unfortunately...
your dear husband Seamus drowned to death
in the vat at the Guinness Flurry.
Oh, me poor Seamus.
Please tell me he went quick.
No, said the old priest.
The old bugger got up three times a piece.
His father, Jack, was the charismatic
storyteller.
And Dutch idolized him for that.
But he saw that talent drown in the bottom
of a bottle.
Jack!
Jack, come on.
Come on, Jack.
...not forced our children to be moving
yet again.
Why does Jack drink so much whiskey?
It makes him forget.
Forget what?
All he wanted to be.
All he knows he never will be.
Does God have a plan for his life?
Oh, Dutch, of course he does.
Unfortunately, Jack has other plans.
For now.
Hey.
Open this.
It's from me and Reverend Cleaver.
They call it...
Dime Store Novel.
About a boy with a drink for a father.
The boy finds God.
And he is elected to the American
Congress.
Well, you have to be 12.
And you go through membership and
confirmation class.
I know that, sir.
But it has to be now.
I read the book.
And I want to be like that man.
Ronald Wilson Reagan,
I baptize you in the name
of the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Spirit.
And I will faithfullyTV... ...
Dutch reads this book.
This book was a road map for him of the
world where good triumphs over evil.
This book.
Here, look.
Russian copy.
But to find what I was really looking for,
I had to go back to Reagan, the lifeguard.
Help!
Although he would later claim to have saved
77 lives over those somersaults, Help!
there was a question
as to whether... Hold on.
Hold on.
I got you.
I got you.
...those were all legitimate.
You okay?
Yeah.
Yeah.
Hang on.
He also learned that performing his duty
would not always result in praise.
What the hell are you doing?
I was fine.
Trying to make me look like a fool?
I'm sorry.
36!
32!
Hey!
Good practice, gentlemen.
Bring it all in.
At his university...
Guys, I got tough news.
...he was bringing people together and
solving problems.
Hey, Coach!
Coach!
How come Sal and Palmer aren't traveling
with us?
They're colored.
I can see that.
Thanks, Coach.
Hotel wouldn't take them.
Come on in, boys.
Welcome to Hotel Reagan.
There's a room upstairs for you boys.
I hope you don't mind sharing with Dutch.
His brother says he snores.
That there is the Reagan training table.
Thank you, sir.
Come on in.
I knew he'd come through, Jack.
It's 8 p.m.
I'm Dutch Reagan.
Hear now the news.
The new German chancellor, Adolf Hitler,
declares that his intentions in rebuilding
Germany are peaceful and will comply with
all international agreements.
And it was radio.
Yeah, sure they are.
I came to show his skills.
But I finally traced his disdain
for communism... It's hell on earth.
People are frightened, hungry,
divided.
...back to when a dissident of our country
visited his church.
The state runs and controls everything to
the smallest detail.
Your speech, your actions, even your
thoughts.
You know what they took away from us first
thing?
God.
A church like this.
You know what they took away from us first
thing?
You will not find it in the Soviet Union.
They closed down most of them.
And the clergy?
Many are dead or disappeared.
Americans should know more about the
communism because it's coming here.
Freedom is only one generation away from
extinction.
And just like that, the seed was planted.
And remember, Remember, loose lips sink
ships.
This is Ronald Reagan.
So until next time, so long, and God bless
America.
Cut!
That's a wrap on Reagan today.
Excuse me?
Oh, Mr. Warner.
That's a wrap, everyone.
Am I in trouble, boss?
Let's have a walk.
Congratulations.
Vice President of Screen Actors Guild.
Hey, I'm impressed.
You know you stepped into a hornet's nest,
don't you?
How's that?
There's about to be another war right here
in Hollywood.
The commies on one side, the mob on the
other.
And you're caught right in the middle,
son.
Okay, Jack.
Hey, let's get one thing straight,
okay?
I'm not gonna do any union busting for you
just because I'm on your payroll.
It's a conflict of interest for me.
It's not about busting up the unions.
But it's this new group, this, uh... Yeah,
the conference for the studio unions.
Herb Sorrell, he's a commie.
Yeah.
They're not just talking strike.
They're talking about taking over all the
unions.
Well, if it's a turf war, just let them
work it out.
That's all.
They're not gonna work it out.
They're gonna fight it out.
And that's where you come in.
The actors are the biggest union.
If they go to Sorrell, I'm telling you
right now, the commies win.
That ain't happening here.
Well, look, I don't feel comfortable
getting into the middle of something.
Do you think you're gonna be a leading man
forever?
You need to face the facts, son.
This war took the best years of your life.
You got what?
Five years of smiling for the camera until
they put you out to pasture.
Thanks for the pep talk, Jack.
Or...
do you make a difference?
A real difference.
The movies are a platform that we as actors
are proud and privileged to be a part of.
We are the face and the lifeblood of
American movies.
And so we must be vigilant and make
ourselves aware of others that may seek to
use our platform, to use us for their own
purposes.
Of all the boys I've known and I've known
some Until I first met you, I was lonesome
And then you came in sight, dear,
my heart grew light And this old world
seemed new to me You're really swell,
I have to admit You're really swell,
I have to admit You're really swell,
I have to admit Was it something I said?
I'm just curious.
Are you an actor or a politician?
Jane, not here.
Not now.
Please.
If you put as much work
into your career as you do
making your speeches,
you'd have an Oscar by now.
Jane, this is SAG.
This is our union.
And being vice president of Screen Actors
Guild is like a gift from God.
I really feel like I can do something that
matters here.
Is there anything worse than an actor with
a cause?
Kill your career if you must, Ronnie,
but spare me your damn speeches.
You are an actor.
That is your job.
Not politics.
...
... ...
...
...
...
...
... ...
... ...
...
...
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
... ... That's what we all want.
That's what we're all going for.
You want to shut it all down.
What is it that you really want?
One union and united.
Look, you don't want to go to war with us,
Reagan.
But what nobody knew was that Reagan was
an FBI informant.
He's codenamed T-10.
And he was exposing a growing influence in
Hollywood.
Mr. Warner, can you provide the name of
the leader of the organization?
Attempting to infiltrate your studio?
His name is Sorrell.
Herb Sorrell.
We're not joining you, Herb.
Put it down.
It's OK.
You don't get it, do you?
We own this town.
You don't own me.
You don't own them.
You want to take a vote right now,
go ahead.
Let's put it to a vote.
See what happens.
See what happens.
Mr. Hayden, in your opinion, why weren't
the communists' efforts successful?
There was just one problem.
They ran into the
board of directors of the
Screen Actors Guild, in
particular, Ronald Reagan.
It was a one-man battalion against this
thing.
Let's go to work.
As a citizen, I would not
like to see any political
party outlawed on the
basis of its ideology.
Democracy is strong enough to stand up for
itself against the inroads of any
ideology, no matter how much we may
disagree with it.
Because I still believe, Mr. Chairman,
that democracy can handle it.
He had shut us down.
He was clever in his
message that it was OK to
be communist, but not
while being paid by us.
And cut.
That's lunch, everybody.
OK.
You were great, too.
Can I buy you one?
Sure, I have time.
Let's grab a bite.
I need that.
While his wife's career
was skyrocketing, he was
reduced to sidelines, and
their marriage deteriorated.
And to break more his
damaged heart, their third
child, Christine, died the
very day she was born.
How's my son?
I lost a child.
Marriage, a career, how do you think your
boy is?
You know, Nellie, I think I kind of missed
the boat on that whole purpose thing.
Maybe I'm just Jack all over again.
No, Dutch, you're not your father.
Just remember to listen to that small,
soft voice.
The one that you can't
hear, unless you're
alone, and quiet, and
he has your full attention.
Remember whose you are, and whom you
serve.
Yes, Sandy?
Can you give an actress five minutes?
Of course.
Miss Davis?
Hello.
I'm Nancy Davis.
Hello, Nancy Davis, I'm Ron Reagan.
Yes, I know.
How about a cup of coffee?
Oh, sure.
Have a seat.
I'm afraid I've been a pest to your
secretary.
But I persist when it's important.
Cream, sugar?
Oh, well, sure, black.
Oh.
Well, how can I help you, Nancy Davis?
Well, I'm listed as a signer on a letter
of support for two communist sympathizers,
but I never signed any such letter.
There's another Nancy Davis.
Oh, I see.
Well, the easiest thing to do is just
change your name.
It happens all the time in Hollywood.
Oh, no.
No, I cannot do that, no.
My name is very important to me.
It's my family.
Oh, of course.
Yeah, family's important.
Yes.
Very important.
So, uh, I guess there's
only one thing left to do, and
that is to launch an exhaustive
and detailed investigation.
Well, of course, I've retained an
attorney.
Oh, there won't be any need for that.
We can knock this out over dinner.
Excuse me?
Yes, uh, we can discuss it then,
but I can't be late.
I, uh, yes, I have a early studio call
tomorrow morning.
Oh, well, I'll have to check my date book.
Excuse me.
Excuse me.
Yes?
Yes.
Um, well, oh.
Well, I think I can manage it,
but I have an early call, too.
Well, then it's a date.
Yes.
Yeah?
Okay.
Thank you.
Pleasure.
Goodbye for now.
Okay, Bob, thanks.
I'm going to take care of that in the
morning.
You can count on me.
Find a mountain to climb and see.
Well, it looks like we've shut the place
down.
Huh, yes, we did hear.
Thank you, Joseph.
Uh, Ms. Davis.
Yes?
I'm going to get on
this first thing in the
morning, and I'll make
all the calls myself.
Your name will be off that list.
Oh, just like that?
Just like that.
So, um, when, when you're not
acting or being SAG president,
what, what do you like to do
with your time, Mr. Reagan?
Well, I, I like the outdoors.
Mm-hmm.
I, I play golf.
Mm-hmm.
And I, I love riding horses.
Oh.
Yes.
Do you ride?
Sure, I do.
You do?
Mm-hmm.
Wow, there's nothing like a relationship
with a horse, is there?
Mm-hmm, they're beautiful animals.
Yeah.
Mm-hmm.
Oh!
Oh!
Oh!
How do I slow down?
We'll just... Oh!
You're doing fine.
You're doing fine.
Okay.
Oh!
Oh!
You look good on the horse.
Oh, thank you.
I have a confession to make.
Oh, what's that?
I don't ride horses.
Really?
You could have fooled me.
Oh.
Well, it's beautiful up here.
Come on over here.
Yes, it is.
It's like we're a million miles from L.A.
Yes, you know, I did my first location
shoot here, in fact.
Really?
Yes.
I jumped on the back of that horse,
looked around at all this, and said,
well, I'm in heaven.
Oh, yeah, it's heaven.
You know, uh, I have a confession to make
of my own, Nancy.
Mm.
Uh, I'm what you call damaged goods.
Now, I'm divorced, I got kids,
I haven't had a decent role in years,
and I'm just about broke.
How's that for a come on?
We're all damaged goods, Ronnie.
What's next for you?
I mean... ...what?
What do you want out of this life?
I don't know.
I used to have big ambitions, dreams.
Now I... I don't know.
I just want to do something good in this
world.
Make a difference.
I think you've done that.
I'd like to make a difference,
too.
But I have figured something out,
Ronnie.
What's that?
It's really hard to make a difference in
this life...
...when you have to do it alone.
If I don't see her Each day I miss her
Gee, what a thrill Each time I kiss her
Believe me, I've got a case Mm.
...on Nancy ...with a laughin' face
...she takes the winter
...and makes it summer
...summer could take some
Are you sure you want to go?
You know, this is not exactly Academy
Award stuff.
Well, you know we don't like to be apart.
And I love to watch my husband work.
I know.
I mean, work's work.
Bye, Patty.
This town Is a make-you town For a
break you turn And bring you down Mr.
Reagan, your
agent's on the line.
Look, Lou.
If I go out there, my career, it's...
...it's dead.
Lou, listen to me.
I'm not going out there.
It is Pabst Blue Ribbon time.
What do you have?
I'll have a Pabst Blue Ribbon.
I'll take a Pabst Bonzo.
Oh, yeah.
Looks like it's bedtime for Bonzo,
folks.
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.
And now, the Pabst Blue Ribbon dancers.
...
Ladies, do you happen to have an extra
smoke for a clown?
Hm?
Thanks.
No problem.
This season, I'm sitting all my friends'
Chesterfields.
Meanwhile, his career as a
movie star... ...continued to fade.
Wow, I could have had a V8.
Oh, Ronnie.
That's a super smooth shave.
That's because I use Gillette.
Soothe your skin with canthophenic
antiseptic powder.
The movies are at home, honey.
They're the perfect snack.
Icy, the coldest drink in town,
at a sweet low price.
Come on, Coleman's.
Light my fire.
...
He continued to focus on his role as the
president of Screen Actors Guild.
Well, he did quite well, actually.
But the movie opportunities started to
evaporate.
Yes, he was a B-movie star.
This is well known.
But what does this have to do with losing
our motherland?
Communism is not the motherland.
They're the motherland.
Turgenev, Lev Tolstoy, Chekhov...
...that's the motherland.
The motherland...
...is here.
Motherland...
...is here.
...is here.
...is here.
...is here.
...is here.
...is here.
...is here.
...is here.
...is here.
...is here.
...is here.
...is here.
...is here.
...is here.
...is here.
...is here.
...is here.
...is here.
...is here.
...is here.
...is here.
In his career, the world was passing him
by.
The United States and Soviet Union now
face off in a new Cold War.
Nuclear retaliation looms.
The purpose of these bases
can be none other than to provide
a nuclear strike capability
against the Western Hemisphere.
President Kennedy's blockade stops the
advance of nuclear weapons into Cuba.
Movements across Germany that stopped as
the East Germans built a wall overnight,
separating not only the country,
but neighbors and family.
He became host of TV show for an appliance
company.
He toured across the country meeting
factory workers and giving speeches.
He was like a politician with no party.
So he decided to set his sights on
something else.
Us.
He devoured books about communism,
espionage, our takeover of Eastern Europe.
And the construction of the Berlin Wall.
You know, our bed's a lot more
comfortable.
Well, unless you prefer Whitaker Chambers
to me.
Well, you know that's not true.
Come to bed, honey.
It's late.
You know, all they have are missiles and
oil.
If we get them to spend money they don't
have, they can't support themselves.
The Soviets.
The Soviets.
We've been going about this all wrong.
We don't have to match them missile for
missile.
All we have to do is just keep up the
pressure.
We have deeper pockets than they do.
And here I thought I married an actor.
Well, you can always talk to Dick Nixon,
President Kennedy, or any of your
political friends.
But why is it that my husband seems to
know what's gonna happen before they do?
Well, I was a lifeguard at a public
swimming hole on a river.
And I studied that river.
And I learned how to read the currents.
Not just the ones on the surface.
But also the ones that were deep
underneath the water.
Flowing way under.
And I got good at it.
I knew people were in trouble before they
did.
Moon, thank you for bringing your brother
up here on such short notice.
It wasn't easy.
He's not a fan of flying.
Well, we'll remedy that.
Thank you for coming, Mr. Reagan.
Thanks for having me, Mr. Tuttle.
Now, we understand that you jumped the
aisle and switched parties.
Well, my brother and I both, we came of
age under FDR.
Our dad, Jack, he was a huge fan.
And we were proud to be New Deal
Democrats.
So why did you leave him?
I didn't.
They left me.
Well, how do you feel about campaigning
for Goldwater?
He's gonna get shellacked in November.
No way he takes the White House.
Mr. Tuttle's right.
He can't beat LBJ.
I'm curious, Ron.
What would you say is the issue of our
time?
No question about it.
Communism and the Soviet Union.
Domestic issues is what I'm more curious
about.
What's more domestic than survival,
Mr. Tuttle?
Communism is the natural enemy of freedom.
It won't stop attacking us from the
outside or the inside.
And it's spreading around the world while
we wring our hands trying to negotiate.
What did I tell you guys?
He's not just a pretty face.
Why don't you put your money where your
mouth is, Ron?
Get in the game.
Support Goldwater and then run for office.
Well, he'd win state senator in a
landslide.
State senator.
How's that sound?
Well...
I played a senator once.
But I never played a governor.
Seventeen years after I
had begun following him,
he made his debut on
American political stage.
Well, I'd like to suggest to you,
there is no doubt.
There's no such thing as left or right.
There's only up or down.
I believe that the issues confronting us
cross party lines.
Now, one side of this campaign has been
telling us that the issues of this
election are the maintenance of peace and
prosperity.
The line has been used.
We've never had it so good.
Somewhere, a perversion has taken place.
Should Moses have told the children of
Israel to live in slavery under the Pharaohs?
Should Christ have refused the cross?
Should the patriots have
thrown down their guns
and refused to fire the
shot heard round the world?
You and I have the courage to say to our
enemies, there is a price we will not pay.
A point beyond which they must not
advance.
We'll preserve for our children this,
the last best hope of man on earth.
Or we'll sentence them to take the last
step into a thousand years of darkness.
When great forces are
on the move in the world,
we learn that we are
spirits, not animals.
There's something going on in time and
space.
Beyond time and space.
Which, whether we like it or not,
spells duty.
You and I have a rendezvous with destiny.
Mr. Goldwater lost decisively.
But the Crusader had arrived.
And he was putting us on notice that he
was not afraid to take us on.
Hello.
Oh, hi, it's you.
Well, yes.
What are you doing here?
Did I win something?
No.
We're canvassing the
neighborhood and I'm
running for governor
and I would like your vote.
Of course.
Of course.
Now I'm embarrassed.
I've forgotten your name.
Do his initials help, R.R.?
Eddie!
Roy Rogers is here!
And he's running for governor.
He was on the U.
S.
stage now.
But my colleagues still refuse to take him
seriously.
After all, they said, what could state
governor do to us?
The police are overburdened.
There's just too many of them.
Where are these kids' parents?
Well, they're not all students.
Most of the agitators.
They don't even know what they're
protesting.
They're just doing it to do it.
And they're getting outside help.
They've issued a new set of demands.
Of course they have.
They want you to present them to them
personally.
Now, the National Guard is on standby.
They can be on site within an hour.
That's going federal.
There are ramifications for that.
Communities, schools, especially the
press.
They want to talk.
Let's go talk.
Governor Reagan, make love not war!
From the looks of him, he can't do either
right now.
Bill's going to meet us inside.
Let's lead the way.
We want to hear you speak openly about
this to the state of California.
Well, what do you think I'm doing here?
If you would come out against the police
escalation, they might listen.
When did you ever stand up?
Stand up in front of your students and beg
them not to do this.
They told you that they
were going to destroy the
university if you sought to go
ahead with this construction.
But they offered to negotiate!
Negotiate what?
All this happened, professor, the very
first time that some of you who are old
enough to know better let students think
that they had the right to choose which
laws they were going to obey as long as it
was done in the name of social protest.
I've had enough.
I'm calling in the National Guard.
The protesters pushed him hard.
But he pushed them harder.
He was a controversial governor,
but limited in what he could accomplish,
at least as far as the things he cared
most about, like us.
He enraged many sympathetic to our cause,
but he also inspired many fanatics who
would go to great lengths to get a glimpse
of their hero.
Han, who's this?
A young man.
Why are you in my yard?
Hey, Mrs. Gov. I'm Dana.
I'm the head writer for Youth for Reagan,
and they're shutting us down.
I just want five minutes with the Gov. Oh,
for heaven's sake.
I'll be respectful.
Scouts honor.
I won't swear or throw anything,
and I don't burn buildings.
No, the problem is that the governor is on
a very tight schedule, and he won't give
you five minutes.
He'll give you an hour.
Sweet!
No, it's not sweet.
You need to go home.
Please, just call the office, and I'll
make sure you get an appointment, okay?
Honey, is everything all right?
Hey, Gov!
These young people spent the night in our
yard.
I just want to talk.
Five minutes.
You look tired.
How about a cup of coffee?
Hell yeah, dude!
Thank you.
I'm sorry.
I mean, governor.
So the politician says, well, what did I
do to deserve this?
St. Peter said, well, we
didn't know what to do with you
because you're the first
politician we've had up here.
Nelly had been gone for a
decade, but the crusader managed
to find others who shared
her fundamentalist beliefs.
And one evening, our surveillance picked
up one of the strangest exchanges I ever
heard, involving a pop star, a preacher,
and a prophecy.
If you continue to walk
uprightly before me,
you will dwell at 1600
Pennsylvania Avenue.
Amen.
Well, that was something.
All right, well, we should probably head
out.
Yes, yes.
Thank you, governor.
Thank you for coming.
Yes.
You can't possibly believe this.
It doesn't matter if I believe it.
Did he believe it?
Who knows?
Well, Bill, there she is.
688 acres in all.
That sounds about enough.
How much are they asking?
Too much for an honest politician.
Well, there's nothing like stomping around
in your own piece of dirt, working sweat,
thinking about your next move.
Next move?
No.
Well, detente, unfortunately, won't last.
The Soviets, they're here to stay.
There's nothing a retired governor can do
about the Soviets.
Well, you got a point.
Not much.
But a president, now he can do a thing or
two.
So multiply that by a
billion, double that, and
that's only the surface
of how deep it really is.
It being my love for you.
I really love you mucher than that.
I-T-W-W-W.
In the whole wide world.
Awesome.
Reminds me of one of your old movies.
I should have a parasol and a menschula.
Well, Nancy Pants, I can row back and get
you one.
Bill thinks I should run for president.
Bill thinks so, does he?
What?
You think I'm too old?
Oh, you look 20 years younger than you
are.
And your mind is sharp as a tack.
Well, you know I can't do this without
your support.
You'll always have my support.
I know I can't just let you chop wood for
the rest of your life.
Why not?
I've actually been thinking about what
that preacher said by the before.
You thought he was a kook.
I still do.
But maybe he was on to something.
You just may need to save us.
Good evening.
Tonight's showdown might be the most
thrilling convention we've ever seen.
It's a true toss-up between
the incumbent president
and a serious challenger
from within his own party.
Dick thinks that if he
can talk to Drew... What?
Dick thinks that if he can talk to Drew,
Pennsylvania might go our way.
Okay, I heard James Baker had Pennsylvania
locked for four.
He said they're in play.
We lost Oregon.
Do you have enough...
Oregon, it's gone.
Come on.
All right, Ohio, Indiana, Florida,
or Pennsylvania.
They have to break our way.
How about you?
I think you need to change that hat.
Here you go.
Oh, that's gonna look good.
I'll get rid of it.
Okay, we may need to rethink that
strategy.
Indiana, Florida, Pennsylvania.
I'll get Schweiker to connect with Drew
about Pennsylvania.
I'll circle back to Ohio.
Okay, I will take Florida.
And Mike, why don't you go talk with Rich
in Maryland about Indiana, okay?
Hey, hey, we gotta win one for the Gipper.
Huh?
Come on!
One, two, three!
Ready, ready, go!
For the next president
of the United States,
California casts all 167 for
Governor Ronald Reagan!
Thank you, California.
The commonwealth of Pennsylvania casts 93
votes for Harold Horn!
The State of West Virginia
proudly presents its vote on
behalf of our parties'
candidates for the presidency.
There is no defeat more bitter than a
political defeat.
Especially if you think it is your last
chance.
And right now I predict that the American
people are going to say that night,
Jerry, you've done a good job.
Keep right on doing it.
Ford stole it, sir.
He was handing out ambassadorships and
rides on Air Force One like candy to babies.
Backstage politics.
What I really wanted,
Mike, was to be the guy
who finally got to say
nyet to the Soviets.
Guess it wasn't God's will.
Democrats and Republicans presented a
united front against us for 30 years.
But we sensed an opportunity with the
election of Jimmy Carter.
Then, in 1979, my worst fears began to
take shape.
It is a crisis of confidence.
Yes, Jimmy, it's a crisis of confidence,
all right.
Are you listening to this?
We can see this crisis.
We are the greatest country in the world
and we have just forgotten it.
...in the loss of a unity...
Like I didn't see this coming.
...the erosion of our confidence...
It's okay to say it, Ronnie.
...is threatening to destroy the social...
Okay, I'll say it.
I want to run again.
What do you think about that?
If I can do it all again.
The public scrutiny, the attacks on your
character, all the lies.
But mainly, I want you to be happy.
Well, you already made me the happiest man
in the world.
I've had to share you my whole life.
But that's what I signed up for.
And who I fell in love with.
It's not over for you, Ronnie.
You know what you have to do.
And this time... ...win it.
No, Mr. President.
We don't have double-digit inflation
because the people are living too well.
We have double-digit inflation because
government is living too well.
Our first priority must always be world
peace.
The use of force is the most important
thing.
The use of force is always the last
resort.
These are the kind of
elements of a national
health insurance important
to the American people.
Governor Reagan, again, typically is
against such a proposal.
There you go again.
Next Tuesday, you will all go to the polls
and make a decision.
And when you make that decision, I
think it would be well to ask yourself.
..
...are you better off than you were four
years ago?
Is it easier to buy things in the
store... ...than it was four years ago?
Is there more or less unemployment in the
country?
Is America as respected throughout the
world?
Do you feel as safe?
Are we as strong as we were four years
ago?
If your answers are yes...
...then I think it is obvious who you will
vote for.
But if you don't agree...
...then may I suggest...
...another choice.
And will, to the best of my ability...
...preserve, protect, and defend...
...preserve, protect, and defend...
...the Constitution of the United States.
...the Constitution of the United States.
So help you God.
So help me God.
Congratulations, sir.
We will again be the exemplar of
freedom...
...and the beacon of hope for those who do
not now have freedom.
As for the enemies of freedom...
...they will be reminded...
...that peace is the highest
aspiration... ...of the American people.
We will negotiate for it...
...sacrifice for it...
...but we will not surrender
for it... ...now or ever.
James Baker.
Whips our butt in 76 working for Ford...
...and now he's Chief of Staff.
That's why he's Chief of Staff.
Ed, someone who agrees with you 80% of the
time...
...is an 80% friend, not a 20% enemy.
Excuse me.
Mr. Speaker.
Mr. President.
Congratulations.
Welcome to the bigs.
Now you enjoy tonight...
...because tomorrow we go to work.
Well, I've been well briefed on you,
Tip.
I've been told I better get a pretty good
head start.
That's very Irish of you.
You plan on going ten rounds every day.
That's how we do things here.
All right.
Just remember, every day has a 6 p.m.
What do you mean by that, sir?
Well, after six, we're not political
enemies.
We're just two Irishmen having a beer.
Deal.
Ladies and gentlemen...
...the First Lady and President...
...of the United States of America.
What did you do to me?
Everyone's here for you.
Excited for a new tomorrow.
Oh.
They're just watching me dance with the
prettiest girl in the world.
You know, I thought about this moment a
lot.
And after 76...
...well, I just didn't think it would
happen.
I knew.
I always knew.
I always knew.
Ladies and gentlemen... ...the
President of the United States.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Everybody, just be seated.
Good morning, everyone.
Good morning.
Now, the father can't find his little
optimistic son... ...so he calls out to him...
...and the little boy pops out of that
huge pile of manure... ...says, yes, Dad.
The father says, what are you doing in
there?
And the little boy says, well,
with all this manure...
...I know there's got to be a pony in
there somewhere.
Anyway, that was my father's favorite
joke.
And ladies and gentlemen, we have a pony
ourselves.
And it's the American people.
And we're going to do everything for them
that we can.
We just have to dig them out.
He wasn't present for one half hour...
...before Iran released the American
hostages...
...they had been holding for a year and a
half.
It was morning in America...
...as his supporters would say.
But in just a few days...
...that morning nearly disappears...
...as quickly as it had come.
You and your forebearers...
...built our nation...
...now help us rebuild it.
Thank you very much.
No, I like it brighter.
Oh, and the yellow.
You know, Ronnie loves yellow.
...at that hotel.
What?
It's all right, ma'am.
Your husband wasn't hit.
Get me there.
Ma'am, I can't do that.
Get me there now or I'm walking.
A little hard to breathe.
Right here under his arm.
He told me he wasn't hit.
He was.
Well, where was he hit?
I don't know.
They're looking for the bullet.
What?
And Jim Brady was shot in the head.
Miss Reagan, I'm sorry.
No one's permitted back there.
You don't want to see him in
this... He has to know I'm here.
Yeah, okay.
Yes.
Excuse me.
Excuse me.
He's given him another three and fifty
seats.
He's lost a third of his blood already.
Okay.
Get him prepped.
Where?
Where's Nancy?
Ronnie...
I... I forgot to duck.
Try not to talk.
You're going to be okay.
Mm-hmm.
You're gonna be okay.
Mrs. Reagan.
Good evening, Mr. President.
Please tell me you're Republicans.
Today, Mr. President, we are all
Republicans.
I brought you jelly beans.
I knew you'd want them when you woke up.
I had to believe you were waking up.
I don't do so good without you.
I should have been there.
I always walk on your left side.
No, no.
No.
Then it might have been you.
He'll do anything to get that damn tax
cut.
I left specifically for you.
No specific orders.
No Democrats within a hundred yards.
You'll have to grin and bear it.
How you doing, pal?
Well...
I don't recommend getting shot.
No.
You know, Tip, I think there's...
I think there is a reason for all this.
There's a big job left to be done.
And whatever time I have left,
it belongs to him.
Yeah.
Yeah, though I walk through
the valley of the shadow
of death, I shall fear no
evil, for thou art with me.
Surely, goodness and mercy will follow me
all the days of my life.
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
You know, you may have been an actor if it
wasn't for that mug of yours.
Well, there were too many leading men.
It should have killed him.
And it almost did.
Most people don't know how close it came.
Did we do it?
No.
We didn't do it.
Which isn't to say that some version of a
similar plan didn't exist in a drawer
somewhere, as it certainly does to this
day.
You're who?
I'm Dana.
I start work today.
Yeah, right.
Is this Knopfziger's idea of a joke?
I suggest you leave before the Secret
Service get here.
The Secret Service let me in.
You're Mike Dever, right?
A speechwriter.
For the President of the United States.
Zana, you're finally here.
Just flew in, sir.
I don't even have a place to stay yet.
Did not spend the night on the lawn,
Mr. President.
So, you know this gentleman?
Yes, we go way back.
Soviet grain report.
Nice nap.
Well, Dana, I want you to hurry up and settle
in because we have a lot of work to do.
We wear suits here.
Right on, Mike.
Would you maybe have an extra I could
borrow before payday?
Let me know!
First quarter numbers are below
expectations.
Unemployment hasn't budged.
I think we should re-examine some of
the revenue enhancers on the table, sir.
Revenue enhancers?
Is that what you're calling tax increases
these days in Washington?
I told the American people that I would
lower taxes.
So if that's what you
really think, then what
the hell are you doing
in my administration?
Mr. President, we simply have to balance
this budget.
You know, I learned a thing or two about
economics.
I majored in economics at Eureka College.
Now it wasn't your Ivy League college.
But there I learned about Ibn Khaldun.
He was a ruler in Egypt.
And he had a philosophy
that really hit home
when I was in the 94%
tax bracket in Hollywood.
And that is, when taxes are low,
people have more money.
And when people have more money,
they buy more things.
Now these things have to
be made by other people
who have to hire more
people to help them do that.
And as for taxes, well, the good Lord only
asked for 10%.
Why should Uncle Sam ask for more?
Mr. President, the air traffic controllers
are threatening a strike.
Well, can they do that?
No, sir.
Legally.
Central Public Service, they have all
signed a no-strike contract.
A contract is a contract.
That's the way I learned it.
They forfeited their jobs.
If he was willing to risk
chaos in his own country,
we could only imagine
what he might do to us.
The Soviets are conducting full exercises
right out in the open.
The German border
is quiet, but it looks like
they're moving some
brand new SS-20s by rail.
That's confirmed.
They're 20 miles east of Berlin.
Each railcar contains a ballistic missile
with a nuclear warhead.
John, how many nuclear missiles do they
have?
35,000.
Officially.
And us?
25 and change, sir.
So roughly 60,000 nuclear warheads pointed
at each other.
Each one can take out a city.
That's about the size of it, Mr.
President.
So while we have been, over the past 10
years, reducing our military, they've been
building up their arsenal
and thumbing their noses
at us, violating every treaty
that we have with them.
Then what have we done about it except
take a picture of it?
Well, after you fire
off the first thousand or
so, there's no one around
to keep score, is there?
It's insane.
One little mistake, somebody has too much
vodka, none of this matters.
Thousands were gathered
in St. Peter's Square at
the Vatican today, cheering
the arrival of the Pope.
But soon gunshots turned
the celebration into horror
as the Pope collapsed
on the arms of his aides.
He's in surgery.
The official story is that he was grazed,
but it's worse than that.
They gave him his last rights.
What do we know?
John Paul's from Poland under Soviet
control.
Polish people want self-rule and
democracy.
Solidarity movement is taking over the
nation.
The Pope is with them.
Basically giving Moscow the middle finger
because he can.
Visits the homeland is basically the
second coming.
The writing's on the wall.
This comes from Moscow via Bulgaria,
Mr. President.
This is KGB all the way.
Well, that doesn't make sense,
Bill.
They're either going to
create a martyr or they're
going to unleash the Catholic
Church against themselves.
They're scared.
The Pope lived.
And now the Crusader
and the Pope share the
bond of having survived
an assassin's bullet.
And his new ally just happened to have a
billion followers.
Get out of Poland.
Get out of Afghanistan.
Throw away ten years of treaties and
eliminate all nuclear missiles.
As they say in America, Brezhnev's mind
was blown.
He scribbles a personal note to me.
A yellow paper.
The President of the United States.
Now we know who shot him.
He's on State Department.
Yeah?
Thank you.
And now, enter his new Secretary of State,
George Shultz.
The Tiger Man.
The who?
He had a tattoo of a tiger on his ass.
How do you know that?
KGB.
We'll just get this little ceremony over
with.
This is what I used to quit smoking back
in the 60s.
Oh, I knew it.
I knew it.
What?
Well, you can tell a lot about a man's
character by if he chooses just one color
or if he grabs a handful.
I see.
What does it say about my character?
It says that you're
focused, you're determined,
and that you're not
easily distracted.
You're gonna do great here.
Okay, then.
America has hired us to do two things.
Let them be prosperous again and keep them
safe.
Peace through strength.
May I speak freely?
I expect it.
Clarity is power.
I believe you are clear in these
objectives.
Now the rest of the world needs to be.
As long as those objectives are your
objectives.
They are, Mr. Clark, which
isn't to say that I won't push
back or voice opinions if I
see conflict in those objectives.
I don't see why I chose you.
Peace through strength is just a bit
opaque.
I need you to articulate a message about
the Soviets that I can take to the world.
Well, that's simple.
We win, they lose.
And you can quote me.
Well, that's a clear message.
Is that the boy that's been threatening
you?
Every day.
He'll be there tomorrow, too.
That's what bullies do until you stand up
to them.
It's time for you to settle this Dutch.
Go on.
It's a little soft.
We'll get it there, sir.
Dana, a word?
Well, I see you still have one foot in
California.
I am about to start the biggest war of
this century.
Maybe of all time.
And I'm not gonna fire a single shot.
I'm gonna fight it with words.
And they have to count every single one of
them.
So say what you mean, mean what you say.
I need the guy who camped out in my yard.
You understand?
And let us pray.
For the salvation of those who live in
that totalitarian darkness.
Let us pray that they will discover the
joy of knowing God.
And let us be aware that while their
unelected leaders preach the supremacy of
the state, declare its omnipotence over
individual man, and predict its eventual
domination of all the
peoples of the earth,
they are the focus of
evil in the modern world.
It was C.S.
Lewis in his magnificent screw tape
letters wrote, the greatest evil is not
done in those sordid dens of
crime that Dickens loved to paint,
nor is it done in the concentration
camps and labor camps.
In them, we see its final result.
But it is conceived and ordered clear,
carpeted, warmed, and well-lighted offices
by quiet men with white collars and cut
fingernails who do not need to raise their
voices, but speak in soothing tones of
brotherhood and peace.
Beware the temptation to
ignore the facts of history
and the aggressive
impulses of an evil empire.
Yes.
I think the President's words were a
little irresponsible.
The last thing we need to do is heat this
Cold War up.
What is wrong with these people?
I mean, who's the president?
What side are they on anyway?
Oh, honey, you can't pay any attention to
that.
But I have to.
Most of the country is paying attention to
them.
Well, if you think that got their undies
in a wad, you just wait.
We have prevented nuclear war for more
than three decades.
Recently, however, it has
become clear we cannot rely
solely on offensive
retaliation to maintain peace.
I call upon the scientific community,
those who gave us nuclear weapons,
to turn their great talents now to the
cause of mankind and world peace.
To build this defensive
missile shield,
rendering these weapons
impotent and obsolete.
If we take these measures... He got the
idea from a movie he starred in in 1940.
And with his economy booming, he now had
the money to spend.
But it didn't exist.
Small detail.
Small detail?
Let's just say he was characteristically
optimistic.
So he was lying.
Here, eat something.
Viktor Petrovich, it didn't exist.
It was science fiction.
But the missiles...
Missiles did.
Doesn't matter.
The Crusader was making his move.
And we knew it.
And then something happened.
Like what?
Korean Airlines.
You are in Soviet airspace.
Move out, now.
Command, there is no response.
Appears to be commercial flight.
Shoot it down.
Are you sure?
I see flashing indicators.
Shoot it down.
Copy that.
A civilian airline?
CIA spy plane.
They were warned.
Repeat that.
It was a commercial flight.
269 people are dead, Anatoly.
Including one of our congressmen.
George.
You crossed the line.
Tensions between the Cold War adversaries
continue to escalate.
President Reagan called it an act of
barbarism.
President Reagan called it an act of
barbarism.
NATO forces remain on alert across Europe.
NATO forces remain on alert across Europe.
Many are concerned at home and abroad that
these actions bring the United States and
the Soviet Union a step closer to a direct
military conflict.
And three weeks later, our radar systems
detected the unthinkable.
Triggering a terrifying response of
action.
We have confirmation on this.
That's 18 million American lives.
They think we're launching, sir.
Prepare for DEFCON 1.
I need confirmation.
Mr. President, if this is real,
we won't have time for confirmation.
We need a decision.
They're aborting, sir.
They're standing down.
Looks like a flock of geese triggered a
positive radar hit.
The Cold War was in full swing.
The crusader knew he
had to keep the pressure on
us, but making sure there
were no more mistakes.
But before he could resume his crusade
against us, he would have to face his voters.
And let's just say not everyone thought he
was the right choice.
Goody two-shoes.
I must have dreamed a thousand dreams See
the fire's still light See the fire's
still light They're burning into the night
There's too many men
Too many people Making too
many problems And not
much left to go around And
this is the world We live in
A place where you'll be Mr. Mondale's poll
numbers have been steadily rising.
Concerns have been
raised as the President has
stumbled, appearing
tired in the last debate.
President Reagan is
the only person in office
who could very well end
up a one -term President.
So how do you adjust for inflation between
the six and twelve percent projections?
Well, you know that with the adding of
four million
three million new jobs and the rate of
unemployment being...
Okay.
Stop.
Stop.
I need a break.
Well, Mr. President, we really feel that
we just need to do this all over again.
No, I've had enough, Ed.
Say, Mr. President, I forgot.
What's your favorite movie?
The Sound of Music.
What do you say you and Mrs. Reagan get
together and watch it tonight?
Relax.
Calm your mind.
You'll be back in the saddle tomorrow and
we'll be ready to go.
That's a great idea.
Well, when God closes a door, he opens a
window, doesn't he?
Gentlemen, instead of cramming his head
with useless numbers, why don't you let
Ronnie be Ronnie?
Okay?
Uh-huh.
Martha?
Yes, Father?
You tell me.
Richard told you, Father.
We were berry picking.
I forgot you were berry picking.
Yeah!
We were berry picking.
We picked thousands of them.
Thousands of them.
What kind of berries?
Blueberries, sir.
Blueberries?
Yes, sir.
It's too early for blueberries.
They were strawberries.
Mr. Truitt, your question to Mrs. Reagan
is for President Reagan.
Mr. President, I want to raise an issue
that I think has been lurking out there
for two or three weeks and cast it
specifically in national security terms.
You already are the oldest president in
history and some of your staff say that
you were tired after your most recent
encounter with Mr. Mondale.
I recall yet that President
Kennedy had to go for days on
end with very little sleep
during the Cuba Missile Crisis.
Is there any doubt in
your mind that you would
be able to function in
such circumstances?
Not at all, Mr. Truitt.
And I want you to know that also I will
not make age an issue in this campaign.
I will not, for political purposes, exploit
my opponent's youth and inexperience.
And with that one thrust of wit,
he turned the tide.
Good to be there.
You wanted to see me, sir?
No, we'll figure it out.
What's up, John?
There's a rumor around here that you're a
horse guy.
Yeah, I rode for Boston PD.
I've been riding my whole life,
really.
Why?
We've been having some issues at the
Western White House out in California.
What kind of issues?
Nobody can ride.
A ride isn't going to say anything,
but it's pretty embarrassing when one of
ours has to walk his horse when he wants
to run.
You mean gallop?
Yeah, whatever.
But, uh, do you want to head up that
detail when we travel?
So I'd be riding horses with, uh,
with the President?
Giddy up.
Okay.
Unlike other Presidents, the Crusader was
in no rush to meet with us.
This created a problem.
Here's the latest.
How can I talk to them if they keep dying
on me?
We are starving for energy, Ron,
and we've got to get it somewhere and we
can't afford what we've been paying.
But buying it from the Soviet
Union, you know that that
money is going directly
into a missile pointed at you.
Mr. President, give me an alternative.
The Saudis have agreed to increase oil
production as long as we buy it from them,
not the Russians.
And if we can get our friends to go along
with us.
And you can sell this at home to your
Texans.
It will drop oil to under $10 a barrel.
Oh, I'll take a political hit for it.
That's for sure.
And Texans love to make money.
Yes, they do.
We all do.
But they love their freedom even more.
First the evil empire, now this.
You're certainly not looking to make
friends.
No, I'm not.
But perhaps you should.
I met the new man, Gorbachev.
He is a very different kind of Russian.
And I told him you were a very,
very different kind of an American.
Good evening.
President Reagan is in Geneva tonight
ready for the Gorbachev summit.
The Baron is honored to have you stay at
his home for this occasion.
Thank you.
Please let him know how much we appreciate
it.
The goldfish.
It seems that the Baron's son is very
attached to it.
It needs to be fed twice every day.
Well, I will do it personally.
There are a few things I can do myself,
you know.
I've arrived.
Oh, then.
Yes.
Here we go.
Oh, no.
Coat off.
It's below freezing out there.
The whole world is watching this meeting,
George.
He needs to look his best and that
overcoat is not working.
The Americans are in charge of policy,
but even the leader of the free world has
a boss, and she's in charge of
presentation.
Before the summit had begun, we found
ourselves already at a disadvantage,
as the President looked better than the
General Secretary.
What's wrong with him?
He's a great person.
DR. Thank you, sir.
Let me state it the outside.
You should have no illusions that you can
bankrupt us.
Hmm?
The Crusader took it all in stride.
We can latch you on land...
Hearing it for what it was...
...and air.
...and space.
Thank you very much.
As I see it, we don't mistrust each other
because we're armed.
We're armed because we mistrust each
other.
But I think that we both agree on the most
important thing.
A nuclear war can never be won and must
never be fought.
He's definitely ambiguous.
It's perfectly clear there's nothing
ambiguous about it.
You come out ahead as you usually do.
Violation after violation of assault one
and two.
Violation!
This is nothing more than a militarizing
space.
I saw a gentle smile.
It never left his face.
He was disarming.
But still he was the zealot that called us
into battle.
An evil empire.
And we could not let our guard down.
You know, I used
to do a little acting a
couple of hundred years
ago back in Hollywood.
Let me show you how we used to handle this
sort of thing.
Take two.
Hello, Mikhail.
My name's Ram.
How would you like to go for a little
walk?
What they say about you is the president.
He picks your pocket and makes you feel
good about it.
Well, I've had much worse said about me
before.
Way worse.
As have I.
Hazard of our job.
I want to let you know that we seek the
same thing, Mikhail.
Do we, Ram?
We are not here because we need to be.
We desire peace just as you do.
But your proposal is not so simple.
Oh, actually, it is very simple.
It's just not easy.
But I believe that you and I, we can do
it.
In fact, we must.
The world demands it, and after all,
isn't that who we work for?
The people and the man upstairs.
Ah.
The man upstairs.
My grandmother was a Christian woman.
Go to church every day.
And afterwards say, Mikhail, I went to
church today.
I prayed for the atheist.
I prayed for you.
Well, I think that your grandmother and my
mother could have been very good friends.
So you're the Tiger Man?
Excuse me?
Tiger Man?
I like American baseball very much.
Well, yeah?
Who's your favorite team?
New York Yankees.
And you?
Well, St. Louis Cardinals.
Game seven, World Series.
Very sorry.
But what series?
Well, next time you're in the States,
I'll make sure you get to a game.
No, no, no, no, no.
Let him talk.
You go in there, you're fired.
Tiger Man.
My proposal is this.
That you and I, by the
time that I leave office,
can reduce the amount
of money that we make.
Of course, our missile counts by half.
I'm not a patient man either.
I do not intend to leave office before
they are gone.
Completely.
Honey, look what I've done.
Oh, dear.
Maybe we can find another one.
Uh, Mr. President, we go live in five
minutes.
Oh, I think we should find another one.
Oh, no.
Every kid knows his goldfish.
I'm gonna write him a note.
We need to go now.
I mean, the entire world is waiting.
The world can wait.
I'm going to write him a note.
It's my Ronnie.
We're gonna have to wait.
Nothing was really agreed to yet beyond
agreeing to meet again.
But the Soviet Union and USA were talking
to one another instead of at one another.
That's a good fact.
Reagan's allies against us included the
Pope, Thatcher, the Iron Lady,
and leaders of West Germany and Japan,
Kohl and Nakasone.
We stand firmly behind you.
When you speak with Secretary Gorbachev,
you are speaking for us in free word.
Well, we understand
that you are surrounded by
communists, and we
appreciate you standing with us.
Be careful.
Remember, communists have no problem with
lying to achieve their goals.
They are testing you to see if you will
stand firm.
Don't worry.
I dealt with these guys back in Hollywood.
I even have the scars on my back to prove
it.
And I promise you, we're not going to
lose.
In other news, President Reagan has landed
in Reykjavik, Iceland, to continue
discussions with Soviet Premier Gorbachev
over nuclear disarmament.
50% across-the-board reduction.
All weapons groups.
Tactical, INF, ICBM.
In exchange, suspension of your strategic
defense initiative.
Star Wars, some refer to it.
Counterproposal.
We share all SDI technology.
We develop it together.
We'll even pay for it.
And we eliminate all ballistic missiles in
ten years.
Together.
You refuse to share oil drilling
technology and you offer this?
SDI is a completely defensive system.
This is the line, Mr. President.
If you walk away, you will have missed the
chance of going down in history as the
president who paved the way for nuclear
disarmament.
How will you explain this to your free
people?
Mr. President, I'm offering you the
biggest win of your presidency.
Just drop SDI.
And yet...
Let's go, George.
You would lose the whole deal over this
one thing.
This is a fair offer.
As was mine.
I don't know what more I could have done.
You could have said yes.
After he walked away from the negotiating
table, we were in a very dark place.
We knew it was over.
Unless something extraordinary happened.
We've intercepted two more shipments of
Soviet RPGs and AK-47s coming out of Cuba,
headed for Nicaragua.
The freedom fighters are holed up in the
mountains.
It's David and Goliath, but they're making
a go of it.
Well, I like these guys.
They remind me of Washington and the
Continental Army.
What do they need?
What do they always need?
Band-Aids, guns, and money.
Well, give them what they want.
Mr. President, we won't have the Congress
with us on this one.
...but
the fruits will help you, God.
I do.
Please, appreciate it.
The American Congress had said no to
giving money to his friends in Nicaragua.
And the Crusaders had hostages in the
Middle East and needed to free them.
But it was American policy never to
negotiate with terrorists.
But somewhere, a plan was hatched.
Reagan's Iran-Contra situation comes down
to this.
What did the president know, and when did
he know it?
And if you people of the press want any
more answers, you ask President Reagan.
Five decades of his struggle
against us, and it came
down to whether he could
survive a domestic scandal.
In spite of the wildly speculative and
false reports, we do not negotiate with
terrorists, and we did not trade arms for
hostages.
These accusations are potentially
impeachable offenses.
And if true, some observers believe his
presidency could be hanging in the balance.
For WNews 4 at the White House,
I'm Carl Long.
Ronnie, you have to do something.
Have you seen it?
Yes, I've seen it.
Are you listening to these people?
They want nothing more than to see you
burn.
You know, they may smile and call you Mr.
President, but they hate you.
They hate what you say, what you believe
and who you are.
Honey, I just can't accept that.
No, no, you never could.
You're the optimist.
You're the one who wants to see the good
in people.
But it's my job to see through them and
protect you.
That's why we're such a good team.
Honey, you know Washington.
You know the way it works.
It's politics, that's all.
Ronnie, they're talking impeachment.
No impeachment.
Yes.
They want to destroy you.
They're putting you on trial, removing you
from office.
This isn't about politics anymore.
This is about you.
Everything is at stake.
One more headline, one more star witness,
one more arrest, and they will do it.
I have cooperated with them.
I appointed a special prosecutor.
I've turned over every document I have.
What would you have me do?
I want you to fight.
Or this is all over.
You could always hire someone.
Why, are you looking for work?
I've got a job for you.
Back in Washington.
You're the president.
You could always order me back there.
Are they going to impeach me, Bill?
No, it's moving in that direction,
sir.
Mr. President, you're my friend.
I can only speak to you straight.
Some laws got broken, for sure.
Whether you broke them or somebody else
did.
So now you're clamming up and lawyering
up.
It's the wrong move.
Confuses everybody, even the ones that
love you.
People are thinking that maybe you're
losing it.
Yeah.
I've heard it.
What do you think I should do,
Judge?
What you do best?
Tell them the truth?
A few months ago, I told the American people
that I did not trade arms for hostages.
My heart and my best intentions still tell
me that's true.
But the facts and the evidence tell me it
is not.
Now, what should happen when you make a
mistake is this.
You take your knocks.
You put things in perspective.
You pull your energies together.
You make changes.
And you go forward.
Americans, you do them wrong, you'll pay
for it.
You look them in the eye.
Admit you made a mistake.
They forgive you every time.
He was president.
He had to know.
He was still the lifeguard.
He was going to get his people home.
Yeah.
I am not pleased with you, Ron.
Let's just get that said right up front.
Well, I can't imagine how I've upset you,
Margaret.
Are we going to go over Grenada again?
Well, you're certainly not walking away
from what happened at Reykjavik.
No.
Looks like you're picking a fight.
No.
But I'm not afraid of one.
Perhaps that is why Mitterrand calls you a
dangerous cowboy.
Well, at least I have Margaret.
Margaret Thatcher on my side.
He wants to say it.
He does, but we'll never get it past
Schulz.
I mean, it's the one thing they don't want
him talking about.
My family in Germany is talking about it.
Everybody is talking about it.
He needs to talk about it.
He's going to Camp David.
Then he's back here for a day.
Then he's going to Europe.
We have one shot to have him say this.
It's now or never.
Mr. President, some light reading.
Hello, fellas.
Good day to fly.
No barrel rolls out.
Well, I think that's a first lady
question, actually.
Why would you do this to Gorbachev?
You know how long it's taken us to get to
this.
They're at the table.
They're ready to make a deal.
And you want to embarrass him?
Gorbachev's the first friend we've had
over there in 70 years.
You can't say this.
I'm begging you to listen to me.
You know, I stood by you with STI when it
was ridiculed.
I supported you at the Contras.
I even walked out of Reykjavik with you.
I had an egg on my face.
But this goes too far.
This is worse than evil empire.
You're going to blow up Geneva.
You'll blow up eight years of diplomacy.
You'll be right back where we started from
or worse.
Clarity is power.
You know, a very great man once said that
to me.
What are we here for, George?
But to win.
Behind me stands a wall.
Part of a vast system of barriers that
divide the entire continent of Europe.
A gash of barbed wire, concrete,
dogs and guard towers.
Imposing the will of a totalitarian state.
As long as this gate is closed and this
scar is permitted to stand, there is a
question of freedom for all mankind.
The totalitarian world produces
backwardness because it does such violence
to the spirit, thwarting the human impulse
to create, to enjoy, even to worship.
Here in Berlin, like this city itself,
symbols of love, symbols of worship,
cannot be suppressed.
There is one sign that the Soviets could
make that would unmistakably and
dramatically advance the cause of freedom
and peace.
General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek
peace, if you seek liberalization and
change, come here to this gate.
Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate.
Is he going to say it?
Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.
In the chess game of the Cold War,
it was checkmate.
It was checkmate.
It was checkmate.
It was checkmate.
It was checkmate.
The unimaginable is happening right now in
Berlin.
Shocking developments
overnight as East Germany
announced its citizens can
travel freely to West Germany.
What no one thought could happen is
happening right now.
Within hours, the city erupted in
celebration as East and West Germans took
hammers to the wall that had separated
them for 30 years.
Two years after the wall fell,
the Soviet Union was no more.
I knew he was the one.
He was the one who would bring us down.
Not with missiles or guns or even
politics.
Something much greater.
People will not give their lives for power
or a state or even ideology.
People give their lives for one another.
For the freedom to live those lives as
they want.
As they choose.
And for God.
We took that away.
The Crusader gave it back to them.
And that is the answer to your question.
Thank you, Viktor Petrovich.
Take it.
What's going on there, Mr. President?
This means something to me.
I know what you're saying, John.
But I'm not gonna do it.
Ma'am, I need you to tell him we can't do
this anymore.
I can't.
I can't.
I can't do it.
He got lost yesterday.
Couldn't find him for half an hour.
Horses know when a rider doesn't know what
he's doing, okay?
He's gonna get thrown again.
I can't tell him that he can't ride
anymore.
He loves it too much.
Please.
He loves you more, ma'am.
Mr. President?
What is it, John?
You know, uh...
I don't think we're having as much fun
riding as we used to.
Oh, the agent on, uh...
Well, Mrs. Reagan, she
is... What do you want, John?
Mr. President, I don't...
Well, I don't think we should ride
anymore.
Hello?
Yes, sir, Mr. President.
My fellow Americans, I have recently been
told that I am one of the millions of
Americans who will be afflicted with
Alzheimer's disease.
At the moment, I feel just fine.
I intend to live the remainder of the
years God gives me.
Doing the things I have always done.
Unfortunately, as Alzheimer's
disease progresses,
the family often
bears a heavy burden.
I only wish there was some way I could
spare Nancy from this painful experience.
I will continue to share life's journey
with my beloved Nancy and my family.
I plan to enjoy the great outdoors and stay
in touch with my friends and supporters.
When the time comes, I
am confident that with your
help, she will face it
with faith and courage.
Miner's lady Stranger to blue waters Dark
and dusty Painted on the sky Misty taste
of moonshine Teardrop in my eye Country
roads Country roads Take me home To the
place I belong West Virginia Mountain mama
Take me home Country roads Country roads
Take me home
In closing, let me thank you,
the American people, for giving
me the great honor of allowing
me to serve as your president.
When the Lord calls me home, whenever that
may be, I will leave with the greatest
love for this country of ours and eternal
optimism for its future.
I now begin the journey that will lead me
into the sunset of my life.
I know that for America there will always
be a bright new dawn ahead.
Thank you, my friends.
May God always bless you.
Sincerely, Ronald Reagan.
God bless America.
God bless America.
God bless America.
God bless America.
God bless America.
God bless America.
God bless America.
God bless America.
God bless America.
God bless America.
God bless America.
God bless America.
God bless America.
God bless America.
God bless America.
God bless America.
God bless America.
God bless America.
God bless America.
God bless America.
God bless America.
God bless America.
God bless America.
God bless America.
God bless America.
God bless America.
God bless America.
God bless America.
God bless America.
God bless America.
God bless America.
God bless America.
God bless America.
God bless America.
God bless America.
I can't look at hovels, and I can't stand
fences.
Don't fence me, don't
fence me, don't fence
me.
By faith we see the breaking day.
Hurt and fear melt away.
When tears run dry and mouths are fed.
The weary and broken can finally rest.
Walls will fall, earths will change.
Through it all, love remains.
Love remains.
The
world is stronger than the power of
freedom.
In the heart of man, the
voice is crying out.
When one is changed, we all are bound.
Walls will fall, hearts will change.
Through it all,
even a star on the boulevard.
Can't shine brighter than the dream.
A spark of hope becomes a fire.
A river burning wild and free.
We are here.
Walls will fall, hearts will change.
Through it all, love remains.
Dear Mr. President, Thank you so much for
feeding my fishes.
Especially since you had all those summit
meetings.
The fishes die all the time of old age,
etc.
So it was not at all your fault that one
of them died.
Thank you very much for those two new
fishes.
They are beautiful.
And thank you for the nice letter you left
here for me.
It was really kind of you to write it.
I hope you and Mrs. Reagan have a very
happy Christmas.
Happy New Year!