The Reagan Era: Six Films, 1971-1990

The Reagan Era: Six Films, 1971-1990

Arthur Eckstein
Monday, Sep. 16, 2024, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM (PT)
Repeats every Monday until Monday, Oct. 21, 2024
Price: $165.00
35 slots available
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"Film strip with grainy photo of Reagan on left and title on right"

Ronald Reagan, elected governor of California twice (1966 and 1970) and then President twice (1980 and 1984), was a dominant politcal figure at a time when people needed to believe that the simpler past not only endured but prevailed. In this course, we will examine six films of the Reagan counter-revolution against the 1960s. We'll start with "Dirty Harry" (1971: law and order); then "The Right Stuff" (1983: patriotism); "Red Dawn" (1984: Communist invasion!); "Ghostbusters" (1984: a comedy, but pro-capitalist and anti-government); "Wall Street" (1987: anti-capitalist); and then "The Hunt for Red October" (1990: American triumphalism in the Cold War). All these films are well-made and entertaining. But they are also revealing of the society that created them. They exist as collective cultural fantasies.

Faculty Bio

Arthur M. Eckstein is a professor emeritus of history at the University of Maryland. His scholarship includes imperialism in the ancient and modern worlds. He is the author of many books, including The Searchers: Essays and Reflections on John Ford's Classic Western and Bad Moon Rising: How the Weather Underground Beat the FBI and Lost the Revolution.

This is a Livestreamed + Recorded Course

  • Classes will stream live on the scheduled day and time
  • Classes will also be video recorded
  • Please note: Films should be viewed in advance. An optional reading list will be provided. Course sessions will consist of a 40-minute lecture on the background of each film, then a five minute break, and then a 45 minute period for discussion.
  • You must be a current OLLI @Berkeley member to register. Learn about membership, including our fee assistance program

Schedule Highlights

  • Course starts on Monday, Sept. 16, and ends on Monday, Oct. 21
  • Classes meet for 6 weeks, 1.5 hours per session (10:30–noon)
  • Videos will post on Fridays in Member Dashboards
  • All course materials, including videos, will remain available to view and enjoy through Dec. 31

Member Praise for Art Eckstein

"Professor Eckstein's deep knowledge and passion for film was inspiring and gave me new insights."

"Great instructor! He was knowledgeable about history, politics, and psychology. He placed movies in context and provided personal experience in a very useful and entertaining way." 

Faculty Q&A