

Franklin Delano Roosevelt is one of the most revered and influential Americans of this century. The subject of hundreds of books and countless plays, films, and television programs, he has become an icon for an entire generation. Until this definitive 4-hour documentary based on two books by senior creative consultant and FDR biographer Geoffrey Ward, the personal motivations and physical and emotional trails that marked his life remained elusive. By interviewing dozens of those who knew FDR or had chronicled his career, by uncovering rare and previously unseen footage of his public appearances and private life, and by weaving them together in a taut and compelling narrative beautifully read by David McCullough, writer/producer David Grubin presents the most complete account to date for Mr. Roosevelt. For this achievement, a Peabody Award was presented to David Grubin Productions and The American Experience for FDR.
Directed by David Grubin, Cameo George
User score
7 votes
Released
October 12, 1994
4h 30m
English

David McCullough
Narrator

Franklin D. Roosevelt
Self (archive footage)

Eleanor Roosevelt
Self (archive footage)

James Roosevelt
Self (archive footage)

Geoffrey C. Ward
Self — Biographer
Curtis Roosevelt
Self — Grandson

Doris Kearns Goodwin
Self — Biographer

Blanche Wiesen Cook
Self — Eleanor Roosevelt Biographer
Bronson Chanler
Self — Hudson Valley Neighbor
Edna Gurewitsch
Self — Roosevelt Family Friend
Eleanor Roosevelt Seagraves
Self — Granddaughter
Grenville Clark
Self (archive footage)

James M. Cox
Self (archive footage)
Hugh Gallagher
Self — Biographer
Elmer Loftin
Self — Warm Springs Resident
Robert Fulton Copeland
Self — Warm Springs Resident
H. Stuart Raper
Self — Medical Director, Warm Springs Foundation
Janice Howe Raper
Self — Physical Therapist
Ben C. Fowler
Self — Warm Springs Resident
Alice Converse
Self — Physical Therapist