A look at Military Basic Training, Officer Candidate School, and or Advanced Training.

This is a look at going though Basic Training, Officer Candidate School, and or Advanced Training.

Annapolis (2006)
Jake Huard a boy from a poor family is accepted to the US Naval Academy. He is near the bottom of the class with grades and discipline but manages to improve and finish his first year. 

An Officer and a Gentleman (1982)
Zack Mayo has been accepted into the US Navy Aviation Officer Candidate School. Zack is cocky and looks out for himself first. As he goes through the training, he clashes with a Gunnery Sergeant; falls for a local girl and becomes an officer and a gentleman. 

Biloxi Blues (1988)
Set during the final years of WWII A group of young recruits is sent for boot camp training in Biloxi Mississippi based on the play Biloxi Blues by Neil Simon. 

The Boys in Company C (1978)
Set in 1967 five young men become friends as they begin marine boot camp together and are sent to fight in The Vietnam War.  

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Steve Rodgers a reject from the US Military participates in a super soldier experiment. By doing this he becomes Captain America and fights against the Red Skull and his organization during WWII. 

C.P.O. Sharkley (1976-1978)
Chief Petty Officer Otto Sharkley is a career Navy man stationed in at a training base in San Diego, CA. At the base he labors to train a company of recruits into professional sailors.

Full Metal Jacket (1987)
Inspired by the novel The Short Timers by Gustav Hasford [First Published in 1979] The film James T Davis aka Joker going through Marine basic training at Paris Island South Carolina under Drill Instructor Gunnery Sergeant Hartman. After training the story continues with Private Joker (Davis) becomes a military journalist and sees various action in Vietnam.

Glory (1989)
Based on the true story of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw and the Massachusetts one of the first black company of soldiers in the US Army. Colonel Shaw trains a group of black volunteers from civilians to professional soldiers in their first battle during the US Civil War. 

The Guardian (2006) 
Fictional story about the US Coast Guard: Search and Rescue training. Experienced sailor Ben Randall is tasked with training class of rescue swimmers including Jack Fisher a young hot shot rookie into a professional Sailor and rescue swimmers.

Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
Based on the true story of Medal of Honor recipient Desmond T Doss an army medic. It shows the challenges he faced for keeping his vow to never using a weapon, going through basic training and how he pulled at least 75 men to safety in one of the bloodiest battlefields in WWII. 

Heartbreak Ridge (1986)
Set in 1983 Gunnery Sergeant Thomas Highway in the US Marine Corp is assigned to Cherry Point North Carolina to train a reconnaissance platoon. Once there finds the platoon not fighting ready, as well as clashing with a Major Powers who sees him as old fashioned. Things change when the US goes to war with Grenada. 

In The Army Now (1994)
Two best friends enlist in the US Army Reserves for some extra money and the one weekend a month two weeks a year commitment. They two of them complete boot camp and then their MOS training and are ready to go back to regular life only to be called to active service in a foreign country. 

Legionnaire (1998) 
Set in 1925 Alain Lefevre a professional boxer gets in to trouble with the mob and joins the French Foreign Legion as a way to escape. He goes through training, bonds with his fellow Legionnaires and is sent to Morocco. While he is going through this the mob learns of his whereabouts, they send men to kill him. So, he has to face danger from within and without. 

Mulan (1998) (2020)
Inspired by the Chinese myth when the Emperor of China calls conscripts an army that would require her father or another male from the family. Mulan disguises herself as a boy and fills the Emperor’s requirement. Goes to boot camp and helps defeat the Hun invaders. 

The Navy Way (1944) 
A group of recruits and how they to go through the US Navy BootCamp. 

Our Girl (2013-2020)
In the first season Molly Dawes joins the British Army as a medic. She goes through training and sees action overseas in Afghanistan. The later season focus on a different medic different medic and her tours, missions and adventures in different parts of the world. 

Private Benjerman (1980)
After, Judy Benjerman's husband dies, she hears a recruitment pitch from an army recruiter and decides to enlist. She faces struggles through boot camp and has a promising career ahead of her until while serving overseas she gets romantically involved with a communist. 

Private Valentine: Blonde and Dangerous (2008)
Megan Valentine is a movie star that is limited in her roles and is having trouble with her career. She ends up enlisting in the US Army. She gets through basic and creates new opportunities for her career.

Renaissance Man (1994)
Businessman Bill Rago is in need of money takes a job as a teacher for the US Army. His assignment is to teach under achieving recruits pass basic and become soldiers.

Starship Troopers (1997)
Inspired by the novel Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein [First Published in 1959] Set in the 23^rd Century this is a Propaganda film about wealthy Johnny Rico as he joins the military for a girl goes through boot-camp to be a Mobil Infantryman and works his way up the ranks enlisted to officer as he fights in or is linked to the most important events and battles during the Earth Arachnid War. 

Strips (1981)
Two out of shape friends with bad jobs and no girlfriends decide to enlist in the US Army. They are laced in a platoon of other less than ideal recruits. When their Drill Sergeant is incapacitated, the guys pull together graduate and are sent on an overseas mission. Where they get involved in an international incident, they become heroes. 

There's Something About a Solider (1943)
Five soldiers from different backgrounds go to Camp Davis, North Carolina for Officers Candidates School compete with each other for command slots and for the local girls.

Tigerland (2000)
Set in 1971 a group of recruits is sent to Fort Polk, Louisiana for Advanced Infantry training before going to Vietnam. 

Ten Gentlemen From West Point (1942)
Set in the early 19^th Century Congress is debating on closing the academy; they decide to have it a one-year trail. When war breaks out the Cadets prove themselves and their worth. 

Top Gun (1986)
US Navy Lieutenant Pete "Maverick" Mitchell is a daredevil Ace Fighter pilot that gets a place in the Top Gun School. There he works to be the best of the best, out do his father, and overcome personal tragedy after his best friend dies in an accident. 

Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Set 30 years after the events of the first film Pete "Maverick" Mitchell is now a Captain. When he is assigned to train a group of the pilots that the US Navy and Top Gun have to offer on what may be a suicide mission into enemy territory. As he does this, he faces mistakes and demons from his past to get his students back home.  

Yomigaeru Sora - Rescue Wings (2006) 
An anime series of the search and rescue wing of the Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) Through the eyes of a young helicopter pilot new to the unit. 

The American Dream

A Look at The American Dream 

Recently I was looking for films about the American Dream and I could find almost nothing. So, I created this list based on the films of what I did find, the films that I use or have used to make and measure my version of The American Dream combining them with descriptions friends, family, and other people writings. 

First, I must state that The American Dream is different to different people, but my interpretation is it is usually about having a certain level of success and comfortable lifestyle with the end goal of freedom, having a family, ownership of a house, land, car with success in a career.

I started this list at the end of WWII because I feel like things got really good for America and the American people and the core idea of the modern American Dream came to be. 

What is here is a sampling of storylines of people living or trying to achieve The American Dream in different decades. 

The 1940’s and 1950’s 

This period of time was about the end of WWII, returning to normal life and home ownership. 

The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
Based on the book Glory For Me by MacKinlay Kantor [First Published in 1945] Three men of different social economic backgrounds are returning to their hometown of Boone City from WWII become friends as they face the challenges of returning to post war life and American society.

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
George Bailey has dreamed of traveling the world and doing important things however he has had to choose between doing what he wants and or being responsible and helping family, friends, and community. He gives up what he desires. When he is close to committing suicide, an angel shows him what the world would be like without him.  

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948)
Based on the novel Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House by Eric Hodgins [First Published in 1946] The Blandings family wanting more room to buy a house and some land out in Connecticut. Upon learning that the house is unlivable the Blandings tear it down and build a custom house. Unforeseen setbacks add expense and delayed move in dates.

My Blue Heaven (1950)
A married song and dance team is unable to have children become determined to adopt a child. While going through the process adopting and raising the child thy try to change their act from stage and radio to Television.

Leave It To Beaver (1957-1963) 
The Cleaver Family is an all-American Family of four living in the suburbs. The parents Ward and June try to raise their boys Wally and Bever to be good productive members of society. When Bever or Wally get into trouble Ward and June help them resolve the problem and teach the boy's a moral lesson. 

The Last Angry Man (1959)
Based on the novel The Last Angry Man by Gerald Green [First Published in 1956]. Woodrow Trashed is a Television producer tasked with making a docuseries about ordinary people. He selects Dr. Samuel Abelman a decided GP that serves a poor area of Brooklyn, New York and dreams of owning his own single-family home.

1960's 

With the help of Television, the 1960's American Dream revolved around the nuclear family, home and car ownership and having a certain lifestyle with material goods. 

A Raisin In The Sun (1961/2008)
Based on the play A Raisin In The Sun by Lorraine Hansberry [First Published in 1959] A Black family struggling to make a living get an unexpected windfall in the shape of an insurance check. The members of the family disagree on how to use the money to better their lives until outside prejudices unite the family in a common dream.

The Jetsons (1962-1963)
Cartoon about an average nuclear family living in the future with lots of modern futuristic convinces and misadventures. 

How To Successes In Business Without Really Trying (1967/1975)
Inspired by the book How To Successes In Business Without Really Trying: The Dastards Guide To Fame and Fortune by Shepherd Mead [First Published in 1952].  J. Pierpont Finch is a window washer that finds a book called How To Successes In Business Without Really Trying and uses it to guide him from the mail room to an executive position in a matter of weeks. 

The Sweet Ride (1968)
Based on the novel The Sweet Ride by William Murray [First Published in 1968]. An older tennis Pro, a surfer, and a musician have a bohemian lifestyle in a house in Malibu, California.  When they become involved with a mysterious woman their lives become complained with by a biker gang, and a movie producer.

Mad Men (2007-2015)
Starting in 1960 the series is about the professional and personal lives of the people working at a smaller ad agency on Madison Avenue New York City. The show mainly focuses on Don Draper a genius with a troubled past and a need to have The American Dream. 

1970's  

In the 1970's I believe The American Dream shifted to living the life, you want even if it does not fit an ideal image, saving the small-town America and upward mobility. 

The Brady Bunch (1969-1974)
Two widowers each with three children and one live-in housekeeper marry creating a large family. The family lives in a suburban area and they have various adventures.

The Boatniks (1970)
Ensign Tom Garland of the US Coast Guard has been assigned to station in southern California that constantly rescues wealthy civilian pleasure sailors. There is also a side story about three jewel thieves trying to recover some stolen jewels that were lose near the naval station.    

The Landlord (1970)
Based on the novel The Landlord by Kristin Hunter [First Published in 1966] Elgar Enders is from a wealthy family. He plans to participate in the fad of buying a rundown building and remaking it into an upscale luxury home. The building he buys is in Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York. First, he has to evict the people living there, however once he gets involved with the tenets his plans change. 

Cold Turkey (1971)
A cigarette company has come up with a publicity stunt $25 million to any town that can give up smoking and tobacco for 30 days. Reverend Clayton Brooks and the 4,000 residents of the dying town of Eagle Rock, Iowa take on that challenge to save their dying town. 

The Adventures of the Wilderness Family (1975)
The Robinson are family living in Los Angles but decide to leave their urban life for the rural outdoors hundreds of miles from another living person. The family faces many dangers from the wildlife, the elements, but by pulling together if they survive it all. 

The Jeffersons (1975-1985)
The newly wealthy Jeffersons move on up to a luxury apartment on the upper east side enjoy the good life and sometimes clash with their neighbors. 

That 70’s Show (1998-2006)
Set in Point Place, Wisconsin during the 1970’s Eric Forman and his friends grow up and have life experiences as the decade progresses. 

1980's

In the 1980's to me it seems like an updated ideal image based on the 1950's and 1960's version of The American Dream along with career success and building wealth quickly came to define The American Dream.  

Family Ties (1982-1989)
Steve and Elyse Keaton are liberal ex-hippies in Regan Era America in a traditional suburban family situation with children that do not share their values. This is especially true of their oldest son Alex P. Keaton a passionate conservative republican. 

The Cosby Show (1984-1992)
The home life of the successful Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable, lawyer Clair Huxtable and their four children.  

Risky Business (1983)
Joel Goodson is a rich kid living in the Chicago North Shore area following his parents plans to do well in school and attend Princeton University. One weekend his parents need to go out of town and Joel starts a series of misadventures that result in his parent's belongings being damaged or stolen including his father's Porsche 928. To fix his problems he needs money fast so with the help of his friends and Lana a prostitute he has fallen in love with. He makes his house into a pop-up brothel. This is also the night the Princeton recruiter shows up for an interview. 

Quicksilver (1986)
Jack Casey is a stockbroker that makes a costly mistake and becomes a bike messenger for Quicksilver Speed Delivery. When his friend Hector needs money to open his own food cart business but cannot obtain a loan Jack is convinced to go back to trading where he is more successful than they imagined. Jack also takes on a dangerous drug dealer and finds love with a coworker. 

Baby Boom (1987)
A successful businesswoman inherits a baby from a distant relative. To give her new family a better life she buys a house sight unseen Vermont. It is of course a fixer upper. Once there she fixes up the house, starts a successful business, and finds love. 

The Secret of My Success (1987)
Brantly Foster is an ambitious new grad that is excited about business and is looking for a big break. He gets a job in the mail room of a big company in New York. Seeing how poorly the company is run and finding an opportunity to make himself an executive at the company, he creates an alter ego, Carlton Whitfield. He is very successful and improves the company’s operations. This gets him noticed by the CEO, how long until he is discovered?

Wall Street (1987)
Bud Fox is a stockbroker that wants to be a top trader and work with his hero Gordon Gekko. After a lot of work Bud gets a meeting with Gordon where he performs a small act of insider trading. Impressed with this Gordon mentors Bud and teaches him how to manipulate the stock market and insider trading. Getting everything, he wants until his family and community are at risk of being hurt and must choose between his mentor or his family. 

Working Girl (1988)
Tess Mcgill is a secretary going to business school at night and is trying to advance her career. When her boss is injured during a ski trip she poses as her boss and teams up with an investment banker to prove she has what it takes. It goes well until her boss returns. 

The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Based on the memoir The Pursuit of Happyness by Chris Gardner [First Published in 2006]. Set in San Francisco in the early 1980’s Chris Gardner invested heavily in bone density scanners however they did not pan out as well as he hoped putting a strain on his marriage. When he loses his car, house and wife he takes a chance on an internship with a stockbroker firm. He works hard and in time he changes his life and becomes successful.   

1990's 

In the 90's The American Dream became less conservative but still influenced by past decades while adding leaving the suburbs and living in spacious apartments in large metro areas.   

Mr. Destiny (1990)
Larry Burrows blew a game winning hit in a baseball game in his teens resulting in living in a middle-class life. He is obsessed with what could have been. On his 35^th birthday he offered the life he would have had if he had not missed the ball to the live the life that could have been. While he has the things, he wanted out of life the person he became and the price he paid for that life is not what he thought it would be. 

Home Improvement (1991 – 1999)
A sitcom about a home improvement host, his family, friends and neighbors living in a nice suburb of Detroit, Michigan. The show's humor often revolves around tools, cars, home projects, family issues and a rivalry with Bob Vila of This Old House.

For Love or Money (1993)
Doug Ireland is a Concierge at a luxury hotel in Matthan that has a goal, a plan and a dream of building his own luxury hotel on Roosevelt Island in New York. Putting all of his money to this project when he finds investor Christian Hanover shows interest in the project Doug is willing to take on the unofficial job of managing Christian's mistress Andy Hart. In doing this Doug falls in love with her and may lose his project to save the girl from a businessman that uses everybody. 

Friends (1994-2004)
The personal and professional lives of six friends in their 20's while they live in New York City and try to achieve their dreams. 

King of the Hill (1997-2010)
Hank Hill assistant manager and propane salesman in Arlan, Texas lives his American Dream as best he can while dealing with a society that is changing and the wild antics of his friends and family. 

Sex and the City (1998-2004)
Inspired by the book Sex and The City by Candace Bushnell [First Published in 1996]. Four close female friends in their 30's living in New York City gather and talk about their professional, personal, sex lives as they navigate womanhood in the 90's.  

2000's 

Tech start-ups, social networks internet fame became The American Dream for a lot while economic factors made not losing what you built and having steady employment were factors in this decade. 

Pirates of Silicon Valley (1999)
Based on the book Fire In The Valley by Paul Freiburg and Michael Swaine [First Published in 1984]. This is the history of Steve Jobs and Bill Gates and how they made the computers, programs and technology that changed modern society. 

Fun With Dick and Jane (2005)
Remake of Fun with Dick and Jane (1977) Dick and Jane Harper are a well-off family living in an affluent suburb. After Dick gets a promotion to VP of his company Jane quits her job to be a housewife. Suddenly Dick's company goes out of business and the family becomes bankrupt. The couple become criminals to regain their lifestyle. When they see their former friends and coworkers struggling, they go after the CEO of Dick's company to restore the pensions and benefits that had been embezzled by the top executives.   

iCarley (2007-2012)
Carley Shaw along with her friends Sam Puckett, and Freddie Benson create their own web show earning them fame and fortune. 

The Social Network (2010)
Based on The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook, A Tale of Sex, Money, Genius, and Betrayal by Ben Mezrick [First Published in 2009]. In 2003 Mark Zuckerberg creates the site Facemash during a bought of anger after the site is taken down. Mark is sought after by people wanting to create social networks. However, Mark Zuckerberg creates his own network with his friend Eduardo Saverin thefacebook.com.  As it grows in popularity Mark Zuckerberg becomes a billionaire while changing and expanding the network into Facebook.com. 

2010 - 2023

2010 to today (2023 when I wrote this) I feel like having Freedom, being debt free (student loans being a big part of this), being able to provide for one’s family, achieving life events/growing up, understanding how and why America and society changed so suddenly is The American Dream. 

Last Man Standing (2011-2021)
Mike Baxter is co-owner of an outdoor sporting and fishing stores bases out of Colardo. He travels the world, owns classic cars and lives with his wife and three daughters and a grandson in a large house in the suburbs. The less-than-ideal parts of his life come from his daughter's romantic choices, parenting, that society is less conservative and his neighbors.  

The House (2017)
When the Johansen's daughter is about to go to college when they learn that the full scholarship, they were counting on has been canceled they team up with a neighbor to run an illegal casino to pay for their daughter to go to college. 

Santa Clarita Diet (2017-2019)
Sheila and Joel Hammond are a married couple that work as real estate agents while raising their daughter in Santa Clarita, California. When Sheila becomes a zombie, the family pulls together to find a cure and keep their life they built for themselves. 

At Home In Mitford (2019) 
Based on the novel At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon [First Published in 1994]. Writer and artist Cynthia Coppersmith goes to Mitford to find inspiration and to do something with a house she inherited. While nest door neighbor Reverend Tim Kavanaugh has a large puppy that has decided to live with him taking in a boy whose family is deployed. The two of them find friendship and romance in this perfect small town. 

Picture A Perfect Christmas (2019)
Based on A Family Under The Christmas Tree by Terri Reed [First Published in 2016]. Professional Photographer Sophie Griffith goes to see her grandmother over Christmas. Not having much to do she helps as the nanny to the next-door neighbor Davis who is the guardian of his nephew. They celebrate Christmas, fall in love, and create a family in a beautiful town. 

Emily The Criminal (2022)
Emily has a lot of student loan debt and difficulties with obtaining gainful employment. She gets involved in credit card scams making good money getting out of debt. She gets deeper in the Los Angles criminal underworld. 

Vengeance (2022)
Ben Manalowitz is a New York writer that wants to expand his career to include podcasting. His pitches are about explaining what America is today. When he gets a call about the death of an ex-hookup he goes to West Texas and sells a podcast idea on the mystery of her death and explaining the current red, blue divide. As he investigates, he loses his preconceived ideas about culture, life and Texas. 

US Presidents that have a non documentary biographical film, or miniseries

US Presidents that have a non-documentary biographical film and or mini-series. 

At this time there is a total of 69 movies, and miniseries. From that 21 out of the 45 men that have held the office of President of the United States have a non-documentary film.

All of these films are biographical but not a documentary. In other words, no docudramas, or fiction such as Lincoln fighting vampires and zombies [Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012), Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies (2012)], FDR battling werewolves [FDR: American Badass (2012) or Trump Vs The Illuminati (2020)] 

At the time of writing this The President with the most movies etc... is John F Kennedy with 12, second is Franklin Delano Roosevelt with 9 and Abraham Lincoln in third place with 9 The other 15 Presidents have 1 to 6 movies. The remaining 30 have 0. 

George Washington 1789-1797

The Crossing (2000) 
Based on the book The Crossing by Howard Fast [First Published in 1971] Washington’s crossing of the Delaware and attacking the Hessian forces at Trenton. 

George Washington II: The Forging of a Nation (1986) 
Based on the biography Washington: The Indispensable Man by James Thomas Flexner [First Published in1974]. This picks up after part one and is about his time as the first President of the United States of America. 

George Washington (1984) 
Based on the Biography Washington: The Indispensable Man by James Thomas Flexner [First Published in1974]. General George Washington and what he did during The Revolutionary War.

John Adams 1797-1801

John Adams (2008) 
Based on the biography John Adams by David McCullough [First Published in 2001]. The story of the second US President starting with the Boston Massacre and following him through the revolution, his time as a US Ambassador, Vice President, and as the second President Of the United States of America.

The Adams Chronicles (1976)
PBS miniseries about several generations of the Adams Family. The miniseries is inspired by/based on The Adams Chronicles: Four Generations of Greatness by Jack Shepherd [First Published in 1975]. 

Thomas Jefferson 1801-1809

Sally Hemings: An American Scandal (2000) 

Miniseries about Jefferson’s romantic relationship with his mistress and slave Sally Hemings. 

Jefferson in Paris (1995)

Set in France during the years of 1784-1789. The film is about Jefferson’s years as the US Ambassador to France before the French Revolution. 

James Madison 1809-1817

Magnificent Doll (1946) 

James Madison and Aaron Burr compete to win the heart of future First Lady Dolly Madison. 

James Monroe 1817-1825

John Quincy Adams 1825-1829

Amistad (1997)

Mende captives on a Spanish ship revolt and try to return home.  Only to be recaptured in US waters. This leads to a trial on wither they are slaves or free. Former President John Q Adams helps defend the captives in the court of law.

The Adams Chronicles (1976)
PBS miniseries about several generations of the Adams Family. The miniseries is inspired by/based on The Adams Chronicles: Four Generations of Greatness by Jack Shepherd [First Published in 1975]. 

Andrew Jackson 1829-1837

The Presidents Lady (1953) 

Based on the book The Presidents Lady by Irving Stone [First Published in 1951]. The pre-presidential life of Andrew Jackson and his relationship with his future wife with Rachael Donaldson.

Martin Van Buren 1837-1841

William Henry Harrison 1841-1841

John Tyler 1841-1845

James K Polk 1845-1849

Zachary Taylor 1849-1850

Millard Fillmore 1850-1853

Franklin Pierce 1853-1857

James Buchanan 1857-1861

Abraham Lincoln 1861-1865

Lincoln (2012) 

Based on the book Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abrham Lincoln by Doris Kerns Goodwin [First Published in 2005].  Near the end of the US Civil War President Lincoln fights to add an amendment to the Constitution to ban slavery. 

Gore Vidal’s: Lincoln (1988) 
Based on the novel, Lincoln by Gore Vidal [First Published in 1984]. This Miniseries is about Abraham Lincoln’s Presidency from the beginning to the end of his life and presidency. 

Lincoln (1974) 

Miniseries on the life of President Abraham Lincoln 

Abe Lincoln in Illinois A.K.A.  Spirit of the People (1940) 

Based on the 1938 stage play Abe Lincoln in Illinois by Robert E. Sherwood [First Published in 1938].  The Life of Abraham Lincoln before he became President.

Young Mr. Lincoln (1939) 
This is the story of the 10 years in which Abraham Lincoln worked as a Lawyer. 

Abraham Lincoln (1930)

 An early biopic of Lincolns life and times. 

The Dramatic Life of Abraham Lincoln (1924) 

The life, the Presidency and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln at Ford’s Theater in Washington D.C.

Andrew Johnson 1865-1869

Tennessee Johnson (1942)

 After President Lincoln is killed Vice President Andrew Jackson becomes President. The film covers the life of Johnson from his escape from indentured servitude thru his impeachment. 

Ulysses S Grant 1869-1877 

Rutherford B Hayes 1877-1881

James A Garfield 1881-1881

Death By Lightning (2025)

Based on the book Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard [First Published in 2011]. This limited series focuses on James S Garfield's nomination to become the 20th US President to his assassination in office within a few weeks of taking the oath of office. 

Chester A Arthur 1881-1885

Grover Cleveland 1885-1889  

Benjamin Harris 1889-1893

Grover Cleveland 1893-1897

William McKinley 1897-1901

Theodore Roosevelt 1901-1909

Elkhorn (2024)

February 14, 1884 A young Theodore Roosevelt faces the loss of both his wife Alice Hathaway Lee Roosevelt and mother Mittie Roosevelt. These events causes to take a break from New York politics Theodore Roosevelt heads west to The Dokata Territory. There he establishes The Elkhorn Ranch.  

The Rough Riders (1997)

The military unit created by Theodore Roosevelt and their exploits in Cuba during the Spanish-American War (April 21,1898 - August 13, 1898). 

Rough Riders (1927) 
Silent film about Theodore Roosevelt creating a volunteer unit named The Rough Riders to fight in the Spanish-American War and their various adventures. 

William Howard Taft 1909-1913

Woodrow Wilson 1913-1921

Wilson (1944) 
The political career of Woodrow Wilson which starts with his final year as the Dean of Princeton University and the start of his political career with his run for Governor of New Jersey.  With the film proceeding to his last years in the White House as the 28th President of the United States of America. 

Warren G Harding 1921-1923

Calvin College 1923-1929

Herbert Hoover 1929-1933

Franklin D Roosevelt 1933-1945

Atlantic Crossing (2021) 
Miniseries about the wartime relationship between President Roosevelt and The Norwegian Crown Princess Martha Sofia Lovisa Dagmar Thyra. 

Hyde Park on Hudson (2012) 
President FDR hosting Great Britain’s Royal Family during their 1939 visit to the US and specifically The Hyde Park retreat in New York. 

Warm Springs (2005) 

After Franklin D Roosevelt contracts Polio, he searches for a cure. This is his story about that search. 

World War II: When Lions Roared (1994) 
TV Movie on the subject of the Tehran Conference between President Frankin Delano Roosevelt, Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Dictator Joseph Stalin. 

 

FDR That Man in the White House (1982) 

Based on the one man play That Man In The White House by Frank Kingdom [First Published in 1944]. 

F.D.R.: The Last Year (1980)
Based on the book FDR's Last Year by Jim Bishiop [First Published in 1974] Biopic of FDR's last year of life April 1944-1945. 

Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years (1977) 

Based on the Biography Eleanor & Franklin by Joseph P. Lash [First Published in 1971]. Part 2 picks up after part 1 and is about their 12 years in the White House as President and First Lady.  

Eleanor & Franklin: The Early Years (1976) 

Based on the Biography Eleanor & Franklin by Joseph P. Lash [First Published in 1971]. Part 1 of a Miniseries on the pre–White House life of Eleanor & Franklin Roosevelt. 

Sunrise at Campobello (1960) 

Based on the stage play Sunrise At Campobello by Dore Schary [First Published in 1958]. After contracting Polio at Campobello, South Carolina, Franklin D Roosevelt looks to find a cure and seeks to reenter politics. 

Harry S Truman 1945-1953

Truman (1995) 

Based on the biography Truman by Davis McCullough [First Published in 1992] This Biopic of President Truman starting with his life before entering politics to the end of his presidency from HBO.

Harry S Truman: Plain Speaking (1976) 

Based on the book Plain Speaking: A Oral Biography of Harry S Truman by Merle Miller [First Published in 1974]. A TV movie about the life of President Truman. 

Collision Course: Truman VS MacArthur (1976) 

President Truman and General MacArthur disagree on how the war in Korea is to be fought and won. The disagreement escalated resulting in Truman relieving MacArthur from command.  

Give ‘em Hell Harry! (1975) 

One man play Give ‘em Hell Harry!: Reminiscences by Samuel Gallu [First Published in 1975]. 

Dwight D Eisenhower 1953-1961

Pressure (2026)

Based on the stage play Pressure by David Haig [First Published in 2014]. In the 72 hours before D-Day General Dwight D. Eisenhower and Meteorologist, Captain James Stagg account for the forecasts for the planned invasion. 

Ike: Countdown to D-day (2004) 

This is a TV movie about General Eisenhower and the 90 days lading to D-Day June 6, 1944. 

Ike: The War Years (1980) 
An Edited shorter edited version of the 1979 miniseries. 
An account of General Dwight D. Eisenhower and his many accomplishments during WWII

Ike: The War Years (1979) 
An account of General Dwight D. Eisenhower and his many accomplishments during WWII. 

John F Kennedy 1961-1963 

Parkland (2013) 
Based on the book Four Days in November: The Assassination of President John F Kennedy by Vincent Bugliosi [First Published in 2007]. The events that happened at the Parkland hospital on Friday November 22, 1963, the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated and the following days and beginning of the investigation into his death. 

The Kennedy's (2011) 
Miniseries about a few generations of the Kennedy family, and their triumphs and tragedies beginning with Joe Kennedy and ending with Robert Kennedy’s death in 1968. The miniseries is followed by the miniseries The Kennedy’s After Camelot (2017) which is about Ted Kennedy, Jackie Kennedy and her children. 

Thirteen Days (2000) 

Based on the book The Kennedy Tapes: Inside The White House During the Cuban Missile Crisis by Erenst R May [First Published in 1997].  A dramatic depiction of the Kennedy administration’s handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis.  

JFK Reckless Youth (1993) 

Based on the biography JFK: Reckless Youth by Nigel Hamilton [First Published in 1992]. Miniseries on John F Kennedy from childhood to his life as a three term Congressman for Massachusetts.

JFK (1991)

Based on the books On The Trail of Assassins by Jim Garrison [First Published in 1988] and Crossfire: The Plot That Killed Kennedy by Jim Marrs [First Published in 1989]. Louisiana district attorney Jim Garrison examines the assassination of JFK and the events that followed. 

The Kennedy's of Massachusetts (1990)

Based on the book The Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys: An American Saga by Doris Kearns Goodwin [First Published in 1987]. Miniseries on 55 years of the Kennedy clan starting with Joe Kennedy graduating from Harvard University in 1912. 

Hoover Vs The Kennedy’s: The Second Civil War (1987) 

Miniseries on the feud between FBI Director J Edgar Hoover and the Kennedy Family. Starting at the 1960 Democratic Convention and ending with the death of Robert Kennedy in 1968. 

Prince Jack (1984) 

President John F Kennedy making decisions about Civil Rights issues during his Presidency. 

Kennedy (1983) 

Miniseries about President John F. Kennedy and his years in the White House. 

The Missiles of October (1974) 

Based on the book Thirteen Days: A Memoir of the Cuban Missile Crisis by Robert F Kennedy [First Published in 1968]. TV movie about the Kennedy administration’s handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.  

Executive Action (1973) 

This is a film version of one of the conspiracy theories about the Kennedy assassination. 

PT 109 (1963) 
Based on the book PT 109 John F Kennedy in World War II by Robert John Donovan [First Published in 1961]. During WWII Lieutenant John F Kennedy takes command of a PT boat in the Solomon Islands. During his command the boat is sunk by the Japanese and the survivors make their way to Kasolo Island (also known as Plum Pudding Island and later Kennedy Island) in the Solomon Island Chain where they work on being found and rescued. 

Lyndon B Johnson 1963-1969

LBJ (2016) 

Story of LBJ becoming President after the assignation of John F Kennedy and his term as the US President.

All The Way (2016) 

Based on the book All The Way by Robert Schenkkan [First Published in 2012]. This is an HBO film is about LBJ’s first year as the US President. 

Path to War (2002) 

Johnson and his administration deal with the escalation of the Vietnam War. 

Lyndon Johnson (1987) 

One man play about President LBJ.

LBJ The Early Years (1987) 

TV movie about LBJ’s life during the years of 1934 – 1963. 

Richard Nixon 1969-1974

Elvis & Nixon (2016) 

The true story of the most requested photo in the national archives. One day Elvis decides to meet President Nixon. Elvis goes to the White House and the two have a meeting. 

Frost/Nixon (2008) 

Based on the book Frost/Nixon by Peter Morgan [Fiest Published in 2007]. Three years after Nixon left office, he gave an all-inclusive interview to Davis Frost. This film is a dramatized account of those events. 

Nixon (1995) 

A biopic of Richard Nixon from childhood to his term as the US President. 

Kissinger and Nixon (1995) 

Based on the book Kissinger by Walter Isaacson [First Publishd in 1992] This TV movie is about Nixon and Kissinger working together in the lead up to the Paris Peace Accords in 1973.

 

The Final Days (1989) 

Based on the book The Final Days by Washington Post Reporters Woodward and Bernstein [First Published in 1976]. The film chronicles the final days of President Richard Nixon's administration. 

All The President's Men (1976) 

Washington Post reporters Woodward and Bernstein uncover and report on the Watergate scandals which lead to President Nixon resigning. Based All The President’s Men by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward [First published in 1974].

Gerald Ford 1974-1977

Jimmy Carter 1977-1981

Ronald Reagan 1981-1989

Reagan (2024)

Based on the book The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and The Fall of Communism by Paul Kengor [First Published in 2006]. The story of Ronald Reagan with perspectives of from The Soviet Union on Ronald Regan and why he went into politics and as well as going over his important moments of his life from childhood to college student, Hollywood actor, Governer of California and President of The United States of America. 

The Reagan’s (2003) 

This is a TV movie about Ronald Reagan early life and ending with his last day in office as the US President. 

The Day Reagan Was Shot (2001) 

Based on the true events with John Hinckley shooting President Ronald Reagan and what followed. 

George HW Bush 1989-1993  

Bill Clinton 1993-2001

George W Bush 2001-2009

W. (2008) 

A biographical film of George W Bush just after his finished his eight years in office. 

Barack Obama 2009-2017

Barry (2016) 
The college years of Barack Obama as he attended Occidental College in Los Angeles. 

Southside With You (2016) 

Story based on the first date of Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s in the Southside of Chicago, Illinois.
 

Donald J Trump 2017-2020 

The Apprentice (2024)

The early decades of Trump starting his business empire and working with and learning from lawyer Roy Cohn. 

Trump Unauthorized (2005) 

Based on the book The Trumps: Three Generations That Built An Empire by Gwenda Blair [First Published in 2000]. TV movie about Donald Trump starting with his first ventures in real estate to his life in 2005. About 12 years before he became President of the US.  

Donald Trump is the only President to have a movie made about him and his life before becoming President of the US. 

Joe Biden 2021-2024 

Donald J Trump 2023-2026

The Apprentice (2024)

The early decades of Trump starting his business empire and working with and learning from lawyer Roy Cohn. 

Trump Unauthorized (2005) 

Based on the book The Trumps: Three Generations That Built An Empire by Gwenda Blair [First Published in 2000]. TV movie about Donald Trump starting with his first ventures in real estate to his life in 2005. About 12 years before he became President of the US.