Film opens showing a still photograph of Ronald Reagan and Nancy Davis when they appeared together in the 1957 film, "Hellcats of the Navy." Although they were married since 1952, She was billed as Nancy Davis in the film. View of the newly wed Reagans cutting their wedding cake in 1952. Best Man, William Holden and his wife, Ardis Ankerson (stage name Brenda Marshall) share the moment with them. Closeup of Reagan and his new wife. Still photograph of Ronald Reagan appearing in the television series, "Death Valley Days." Next he is seen in a chair on the set of the TV series,"General Electric Theater," which he hosted from 1953 until 1962. He also toured General Electric plants to talk about the benefits of the free enterprise system. He is seen seated sharing a meal and posing with women employees of General Electric. Film shifts in time to the year 1932, when Reagan was first eligible to vote. Camera focuses on men's feet and they shuffle on a line at a soup kitchen. Views of men receiving food and drink. President Franklin D. Roosevelt is seen, seated in an open car chatting with people surrounding it. Roosevelt sits in the midst of men playing guitars and banjos. On inauguration day, March 4, 1933, he and his Vice President Henry Wallace are seen in the back of an open car. First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, sits just ahead of them. President Harry Truman being sworn in by Chief Justice of the United States Fred Vinson, January 20, 1949, for a second term as President. Views of the Republican National Convention in 1952 when the party chose Dwight D. Eisenhower as its candidate for President. He and his wife Mamie, at the podium together. Ronald Reagan addressing a large group. Supporters walking with Republican Presidential candidate, Richard Nixon, whom Reagan favored over Democrat John F. Kennedy in the 1960 national election. In 1962 Reagan officially became a Republican Party member, supported Barry Goldwater and their candidate for President at the Republican National Convention of 1964. Views of Goldwater at the convention and stepping from an airplane during his campaign. Still photo of Goldwater next to Reagan, and then of Reagan defending Goldwater in a nation-wide address. View of Reagan and wife Nancy, and son, Ronald, walking together across field at their ranch in California. They are surrounded by Republican Party leaders who ask him to run for Governor. He and Nancy laughing about it. Billboard advertising Reagan for Governor, and views of him on the campaign trail. Views of Governor Edmond Brown surrounded by his supporters during the campaign. Reagan speaking during the campaign, and then seen with Nancy when he won the gubernatorial election.
The victims of a hurricane are interviewed by media persons in the United States. The hurricane arrives. A tropical storm with cyclonic winds. The victims of the hurricane disaster. Damaged houses and wreckage. The victims of the hurricane are interviewed on streets.
Iraqi forces bomb Abadan and Khorramshahr during the Iraqi invasion of Iran. Black smoke from oil storage facility after Iraqi bombardment. The Shatt al-Arab river in the city of Khorramshahr. Empty street during Iraqi invasion, explosions can be heard. A man, holding a radio, runs out of a building. (Iran-Iraq War period.)
Injured children confined in hospital wards during Iraq invasion of Iran in Iran-Iraq War. A young boy with scarred face lies on a hospital cot. A boy, with bandaged head, breathing through a nasal catheter. A young patient, face obscured by bandages, with an IV tubing. Doctors and nurse attend to patient injuries in hospital ward.
Iraqi soldiers move into Southern Iran during the Iraqi invasion of Iran. Iraqi tanks roll past civilians on bridge over the Shatt al-Arab river. A ship in the Shatt al-Arab river. Sign in English and Arabic says, “Welcome to Iran”. A desert dirt road in Iran. Iraqi military vehicles parked in a garage. Smiling Iraqi soldiers posing together, raising their hands with the “V” sign. (Iran-Iraq War period.)
Iraqi military vehicles with soldiers moving into Iran during the Iraqi invasion of Iran (Iran-Iraq War). Iraqi soldiers raise rifles while on board a truck pulling artillery. Iraqi infantry pose with BMP-1 tracked carriers in Iran. Chinese-made Type 59 tanks of the Iraqi Army in Iran. A mural portrait of Ayatollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Iraqi soldiers walk past other murals of Ayatollah Khomeini near a house, one covered with an "X" Iraqi soldiers apply a poster of Saddam Hussein on a tank before posing and smiling for the camera.