Documentaries on Biography

Ben Spock, Baby Doctor

The life, times and pediatric pioneering of one of the 20th century's most important and influential figures, a genuine American folk hero.

"One of the most influential people
of this (the 20th) century."
—Life Magazine

"Excellent..."
—Boston Globe
"Amiable, engaging..."
—New York Times

"A man of peace and a man of children, and there is not much difference between them. If you care for children, you are going to be concerned for peace."
—The Rev. William Sloan Coffin

Father Roy: Inside the School of Assassins

The struggle to find and reveal the truth about the U.S. Army School of the Americas (SOA). Susan Sarandon, narrator.

"This powerful film presents one person's efforts to change American foreign policy... recommended for all video collections."
—Library Journal

"One of the outstanding documentaries of 1997."
—Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

"Inspiring."
—Grand Rapids Press
"Persuasive."
—Boston Globe
"Chilling."
—Dallas Morning News
"Fascinating...intriguing."
—The Evangelist

"An inspiring tool for education and action."
—Report on Guatemala

"Advertised as The Mind Changer" it was telecast 300 times across the nation in the closing three weeks of the 1968 presidential race. Lawrence O'Brien, Democratic Party Chair, described it as the "most important" element in the campaign that pushed Hubert H. Humphrey up in the polls, resulting in the narrow election outcome.

"...A wonderful timepiece of the last campaign ever involving a New Deal Democrat...Even after all these decades, you can watch this fascinating film and see how it 'pushes buttons' for the housewife demographic, the anti-war liberals and the working class vote. It is worth study by advertsing and political science students...5 out of 5 stars."
—Daniel C. Dennis, author, "Invincible Summer" 2011

The Last Atomic Bomb

Nuclear proliferation of today is seen through the life of a Nagasaki survivor and college students dedicated to making sure the truth about the last atomic bomb deliberately used on human beings will never be forgotten

"It's impossible to remain detached...Deeply affecting..."
—New York Times

"***(3 stars) A worthwhile effort to understand an event that should never be repeated. Recommended."
—Video Librarian

"****(4 stars) Impossible not to be moved"
—Time Out Magazine
"Shedding light on the dark corners of history... fascinating...alarming...the simple, earnest truth."
—The Villager

"Indelible images...effectively explains the domestic and economic calculations that factored heavily in the decision to drop the bomb."
—Prof. William Hartung, New School University, author "And Weapons for All"
"Powerful"
—TV Guide Movie Reviews
"Must see...important"
—The Campus, CCNY
"Of great documentary significance and moral beauty — an essential gift to every generation of our nuclear age.""
—Joanna Macy, author, activist
"Bracing, potent explorations of hot-button issues"
—All Movie Reviews

"An affecting portrait of the human costs of war."
—Frida Berrigan, Arms Trade Resource Center
"Deeply impressed...beautifully made...even more germane than usual...thought-provoking and inspiring."
—Don Kelley, Voices of the Heartland
"A lesson in humanity."
—Felicity Hill, Australia Medical Assoc. for the Prevention of War
"The definitive story"
— Planet in Focus
"***(3 stars) Powerful"
—AM New York

"Informative, compelling"
—Asia Reporter
"Persuasive"
—New York Sun
"Harrowing"
—Orlando Weekly
"Haunting"
—Asia Documentary Reviews
"Passionate"
—Film and History Journal
"Quite touching"
—New York Magazine
"Urgent"
—The Oregonian
"Powerful"
—Register Guard, Eugene

Leaving Home

One step from slavery, the coming of age of a teenage girl in rural India.

Linus Pauling, Crusading Scientist

New Scientist, the British magazine, ranks Linus Pauling among the 20 most influential scientists in history, in company with Darwin, Einstein, Galileo and Newton. Pauling is the only person to have ever received two unshared Nobel Prizes, for chemistry and peace.

"Effectively conveys Pauling's continuing enthusiastic enjoyment of scientific adventure...warmly recommended."
—Journal of College Science Teaching

"Moving and effective... exhilarating and inspiring. Superb use of a great variety of film techniques to create a smooth, continuously interesting and stimulating film that provides powerful insights."
—Educational Film Library Association

"Excellent, interesting, impressive."
—San Francisco Chronicle

"Substantial, fascinating, enjoyable."
—New York Times

"Rare and valuable portrait of a rare and valuable human being."
—Seattle Times

"Pauling has been a larger-than-life figure his whole career for his ground-breaking work in explaining chemical bonds and his humanitarian concerns. But equally important has been his unwavering enthusiasm for scientific research over the decades...a phenomenal scientist who inspires generations of chemists. -Harry B. Gray, Beckman Institute Director California Institute of Technology"

The Ultimate Wish

Abolition of all nuclear weapons—the ultimate wish made by Presidents Reagan and Obama–-and by Sakue Shimohira, age ten and hiding in a shelter when the bomb dropped over Nagasaki. She survived and has dedicated her life to making sure what happened to her will never again happen to anyone else. A different,shorter and updated (57 min) version of "The Last Atomic Bomb."

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