Killing Reagan (film)

Killing Reagan is a 2016 American television drama film directed by Rod Lurie and written by Eric Simonson. It is based on the 2015 book of the same name by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard. The film stars Tim Matheson, Cynthia Nixon, Joe Chrest, Joel Murray, Kyle S. More, and Michael H. Cole. The film premiered on October 16, 2016, on the National Geographic Channel.[1]

Killing Reagan
Television release poster
Based onKilling Reagan
by Bill O'Reilly
Martin Dugard
Screenplay byEric Simonson
Directed byRod Lurie
StarringTim Matheson
Cynthia Nixon
Joe Chrest
Joel Murray
Kyle S. More
Michael H. Cole
ComposerDavid Buckley
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducerDiane L. Sabatini
EditorChristal Khatib
Running time100 minutes
Production companyScott Free Productions
Release
Original network20th Television
National Geographic Channel
Original release
  • October 16, 2016 (2016-10-16)

Plot

The film opens at a Jimmy Carter re-election campaign rally in Nashville, Tennessee.

William Casey is serving as Reagan's campaign manager in 1980.

Reagan's would-be assassin, John Hinckley, is seen purchasing a Röhm gun. On October 28, 1980, Reagan and Carter debate in Cleveland, Ohio. Later, Hinckley hears about the assassination of John Lennon and develops a fascination with Mark David Chapman.

After Ronald Reagan recovers from the assassination attempt, Nancy Reagan hires the astrologer Joan Quigley.

Cast

Production

On September 22, 2015, the National Geographic Channel and Scott Free Productions acquired rights to the book Killing Reagan.[2] On May 6, 2016, Tim Matheson and Cynthia Nixon joined the cast to play Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan.[3]

Reception

Killing Reagan has a 63% rating on the Rotten Tomatoes review aggregator.[4]

The Hollywood Reporter said the film was the best of the "Killing" adaptations to date, but said the film "doesn’t exactly know where to begin and runs out of energy in the aftermath of Reagan’s recovery from a killing that didn’t occur."[5] A review in People magazine said that Mathieson "captures the essence of the Reagan persona" but that "Cynthia Nixon’s Nancy is rather pointedly lacking in depth."[6]

Accolades

Killing Reagan received three Critics' Choice Television Award nominations for its seventh annual awards.[7]

YearAssociationCategoryNominee(s)Result
2017 Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Actor in a Movie or Limited Series Tim Matheson Nominated
Best Actress in a Movie or Limited Series Cynthia Nixon Nominated
Best Movie or Limited Series Killing Reagan Nominated

References
  1. Hipes, Patrick (2016-08-02). "'Killing Reagan' Gets October Premiere Date On Nat Geo". Deadline. Retrieved 2016-10-13.
  2. Whitney Friedlander (2015-09-22). "Bill O'Reily's 'Killing Reagan' to Be National Geographic Movie". Variety. Retrieved 2016-10-13.
  3. Lisa de Moraes (2016-05-06). "Tim Matheson, Cynthia Nixon Cast As Ronald & Nancy Reagan In 'Killing Reagan'". Deadline. Retrieved 2016-10-13.
  4. "Killing Reagan". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  5. Fienberg, Daniel (2016-10-16). "'Killing Reagan': TV Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  6. Gliatto, Tom (2016-10-16). "Killing Reagan Review: Tim Matheson, Cynthia Nixon Star in a True-Life TV Movie". Peoplemag. Retrieved 2022-11-30.
  7. "Critics' Choice Television Awards: HBO Leads 22 Nominations". Indie Wire. November 14, 2016. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
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