Taking On The Kennedys

If you want to understand American politics, watch this film." - Chicago Tribune

A thrillingly provocative, modern-day David vs. Goliath battle set in the amphitheater of American politics, P.O.V. presents TAKING ON THE KENNEDYS, a sharply witty and brilliantly concise peek into the “brutal circus” of contemporary political warfare.

In 1994, practicing physician Kevin Vigilante, a Rhode Island Republican who has never held office, challenged Democratic favorite son Patrick Kennedy for a U.S. House seat representing the fifth most Democratic District in the nation – and nearly won. With a record long on public service but short on political experience, Vigilante found himself front and center in a controversial game of distorted television imagery and sound-byte rhetoric, where even an idealistic candidate is forced to sling a little mud in order to stay in the race.

With unrestricted access to the candidates as they plot strategies, court voters, attend fundraisers, debate and vie for media attention, filmmaker Joshua Seftel presents a hard-hitting deconstruction of political campaigns and powerful dynasties, featuring appearances by Caroline Kennedy, Senator Ted Kennedy, John F. Kennedy Jr., and other powerhouse political figures.

DVD Features

Filmmaker Commentary; Short Film: The Real Russell; The Making of Taking on the Kennedys: An Interview with Pat and Lee Seftel; Original Television Campaign Commercials; Filmmaker Interview; Trailer; Filmmaker Biography; Interactive Menus; Scene Selection

"If you want to understand American politics, watch this film."
- Chicago Tribune

©1996 Joshua Seftel. Art and Design ©2004 New Video Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Marketed and distributed in the U.S. by New Video.

Posted in Docurama, History/Politics, Social Issues | Tagged america, congress, election, kennedys, politics