The Roosevelts: An Intimate History by Geoffrey C. Ward

I first watched Ken Burns Civil War documentary many years ago, but his perspective and style prompted me to watch more in later years. Numerous viewings of the Civil War documentary haven’t diminished its appeal and interest to watch again. This is true of The Roosevelts as well. I’ve already watched it a few times and know I will watch it more again. The story captures the personal and private lives of the people involved, their relations to one another and their impact on the function of government in the twentieth century. Each figure faces hardship and tragedy, but rises above it to dedicate themselves to the care and welfare of the people as a nation. Such self sacrifice is rare among the wealthy and affluent, which makes them stand out above all others. I found myself thinking about about this series constantly while watching it and couldn’t help but admire the men who did so much for their country. It was after watching “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea” that I started to think about the two men who created so many areas for others to enjoy. I wanted to learn more about them after learning about their efforts to create national parks and preserve lands that would otherwise be exploited and ruined by greed. I viewed The National Parks a few times and the theme music still haunts me; it is string work that captures the essence of spirit in the episodes will always remind me of these shows. After seeing The Roosevelts a few times it left me wanting more, which is a tribute to Ken Burns initiative and thoroughness in creating these series. It seems that once you start watching one series, another one isn’t far behind. It is documentaries like these that can interest most people and the stories that inspire many. I own a number of these documentaries now, deeming them some of the most important ones I have.

There have been so many documentaries on the three Roosevelts – Theodore, Franklin, and Eleanor – that when Ken Burns’ documentary was announced I wondered what more could be said. Well, there’s plenty to see in this sprawling 14 hour work, including many previously unseen photographs and moving pictures. A thread of tragedy runs through the saga.

After a brief recounting of the first Roosevelts in America (Nicholas Roosevelt, the last common ancestor to the three “great” Roosevelts, died in 1742) the story picks up in 1858 with the birth of young Theodore. Teddy, of the Oyster Bay Roosevelts, was an asthmatic, sickly boy who willed himself into vigorous action – both physical and mental. He also was susceptible to depression, and tried to conquer despair by outrunning it. But negative feelings catch up with one, and there was a streak of rage that ran through the man, sometimes resulting in explosions of temper – as when he shot a dog that barked at him. In the course of one day when Theodore was 25, his daughter Alice was born, and his wife and mother both died. Theodore left the daughter in the care of his sister and fled to the west to conquer his grief. When “rancher Ted” returned it was a quick rise up the political ladder until he became President after William McKinley was assassinated. As President, TR was at his best when he was able to channel his zeal into constructive action, like reforming the food industry, busting trusts, and preserving America’s natural heritage. But in many ways he was, to coin a phrase, a “bully”- who thought nothing of invading other nations, and betraying William Howard Taft (who did more the continue his predecessor’s policies than he’s given credit for).

Franklin, of the Hyde Park Roosevelts, born when Theodore was 23, was a lonely boy: tutored at home, with only a small circle of friends who were all from the same social class as he. Young Franklin spent most of his childhood in the presence of adults, always wanting to please and never annoy them (particularly his father, whose health had been fragile from the time he suffered a heart attack when Franklin was eight). FDR grew up in his distant cousin’s shadow. He admired and emulated TR to the point where, when he learned he needed glasses, he ordered “pince-nez” spectacles, and he was fond of using TR’s patented terms “bully” and “dee-lighted” – and then there was his decision to marry Theodore’s favorite niece, Eleanor. He emulated TR’s rise up the political ladder, where he struck many as capable but superficial.

If there was ever a member of the Roosevelt clan who was shaped by personal tragedy, it was Eleanor. She was born in 1884 – the same year as Theodore’s daughter Alice. Eleanor’s mother was a cold woman who died prematurely, her father (Teddy’s brother) was a severe alcoholic and unstable even when sober. By the time Eleanor was ten, both her parents and one of her brothers had died. She never knew parental love. It wasn’t until she went to a finishing school in England that she gained a sense of self-confidence and a conscience to help other people – to be loved by being useful. It was her depth that attracted Franklin to her – beyond her famous uncle.

Franklin and Eleanor’s complex marriage is discussed without being dissected. Franklin’s relationship with Lucy Mercer is examined from a psychological, rather than a salacious point of view. After Eleanor learned of Franklin’s affair with Lucy, they led increasingly separate lives in a partnership that was more than merely political, yet less than a conventional marriage. Eleanor’s lesbian friends are mentioned, but it is left to the viewer to decide if Eleanor ever returned their affections. Eleanor doesn’t seem to have felt threatened by Missy LeHand’s increasing role in Franklin’s life, and Franklin was friendly with Eleanor’s companions, both male and female. The marriage was largely Laissez-faire relationship, but when the going got rough, as when Franklin was diagnosed with polio, the inner strength of their bond was proved.

Various members of the Oyster Bay and Hyde Park branches of the Roosevelt family pop-up from time to time – in particular FDR’s mother Sara, and Theodore’s daughter Alice. It’s ironic that Theodore’s family became so bitterly resentful of Franklin and Eleanor. Franklin essentially carried out much of Theodore’s 1912 Bull Moose platform, and I wonder if the Oyster Bay branch’s opposition to Franklin was based more on a clash of egos than philosophy – or perhaps they never grasped that FDR and TR basically stood for the same things: a social safety net, shared prosperity, and the projection of American power. (Indeed, one wonders what Theodore would have thought of Alice’s 1940 remark that she’d “rather vote for Hitler than vote for Franklin”.) Chronologically, the story ends in 1962 with the death of Eleanor Roosevelt, who had become known as “First Lady of the World” and the conscience of the Democratic party.

What really astonished me in this documentary is the large amount of previously unseen (by me, anyway) footage. I had no idea there was film of the assassination attempt against FDR – but here it is. There are also a few frames of FDR throwing his arms around his son’s and another person’s shoulders as they lowered him to his wheelchair at the 4th inaugural – and the home movies that are included as a bonus feature. Almost 70 years after his death, and there are still new discoveries.

I had a mixed reaction to the voiceovers provided by Paul Giamatti (Theodore), Edward Herrmann (Franklin) and Meryl Streep (Eleanor). Giamatti’s voiceover for TR sounds the same as his John Adams portrayal and doesn’t sound anything like Teddy’s voice, for which recordings exist. On the other hand, if Teddy’s squeaky voice had been accurately recreated, it would probably have been unintentionally funny. Peter Coyote’s measured narration won’t be to everyone’s taste.

For all the depth of the production, there were items that were missing. No mention of the Newport Scandal, which almost sank FDR’s career. Nor any mention of FDR’s uneasy relationship with Joseph Kennedy, who helped FDR secure the 1932 Democratic nomination, but later blamed “that crippled sonuvabitch” for the death of his oldest son during the war. Little mention is made of what became of various Roosevelt family members, including Alice Roosevelt Longworth and Franklin and Eleanor’s children, after Eleanor’s death.

The DVD contains a number of special features, including deleted scenes, a making of feature, and a segment with Geoffrey Ward discussing Daisy Suckley – whose diaries and correspondence were discovered in the 1990s and shed new light on FDR. The Roosevelts may be 14 hours long, but is mandatory viewing for those interested in learning more about one of America’s most influential families.

I saw this series on Public Television. It was magnificent. So much so that I bought the DVD’s
for a member of our family for their birthday. I am amazed at how many people I know saw it
and felt the same way.