What Can America Learn From Its Past? Vietnam. Nixon's Resignation. The 25th Amendment.

What Can America Learn From Its Past? Vietnam. Nixon's Resignation. The 25th Amendment.

Narrated by Jeff Daniels, "Gerald R. Ford: A Test of Character" Highlights the Social and Political Unrest During Ford's Presidency

NEW YORK, May 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- When Gerald R. Ford took office in 1974, the United States was in turmoil, exhibiting parallels with today's political distrust. Now on May 27, at 9 p.m. ET/PT, 40 years after Ford's presidency, the National Geographic Channel will debut "Gerald R. Ford: A Test of Character." The film highlights the country's social and political unrest during his presidency and the character of one man with steadfast ability to build trust on both sides of the aisle, unite a nation, and gain respect from world leaders.

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"It's interesting to compare the current political dissatisfaction to when Dad became President," said Steven Ford. "This film gives a historic view that has never been seen before and a look at the tough decisions he had to make as commander-in-chief to heal our country."

Narrated by Jeff Daniels, the film captures interviews with several of Ford's cabinet members including Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld and Dr. Henry Kissinger. Challenges of the Ford presidency are illuminated by some of America's top political reporters and authors including Tom Brokaw, Bob Woodward, Dan Rather and Bonnie Angelo.

The film sheds light on the importance of character and trust as virtues in the world's most powerful position. It also shares how Ford did not have the traditional background associated with the contemporary presidency. He grew up in the Midwest, earned the rank of Eagle Scout, played college football at the University of Michigan and served in the U.S. Navy.

The documentary will also be available on National Geographic's TV Everywhere platforms starting May 28. TV Everywhere platforms include natgeotv.com, AppleTV, Roku, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Samsung Connected TVs, Android and iOS phones and iOS tablets.

Peter Secchia, former U.S. Ambassador to Italy and personal friend of President Ford, is the film's executive producer.

About the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation fosters increased awareness of the life, career, values and legacy of America's 38th President. It does so through activities designed to promote the high ideals of integrity, honesty, and candor that defined President Ford's extraordinary career of public service. The Foundation promotes the ideals, values, commitment to public service and historical legacy of President Gerald R. Ford and further promotes greater civic engagement and recognition of integrity wherever it exists in the public arena. It supports permanent and changing exhibits designed to promote historical literacy; conferences; educational outreach and other programs, both scholarly and popular, including at the Gerald R. Ford Library and Museum.

About National Geographic Channels

The National Geographic Channels (The Channels) form the television and production arm of National Geographic Partners, a joint venture between 21st Century Fox and the National Geographic Society. As a global leader in premium science, adventure and exploration programming, the Channels include: National Geographic Channel (NGC), Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo People and Nat Geo MUNDO. Additionally, the Channels also run the in-house television production unit, National Geographic Studios. The Channels contribute to the National Geographic Society's commitment to exploration, conservation and education with entertaining, innovative programming from A-level talent around the world, and with profits that help support the society's mission. Globally, NGC is available in more than 440 million homes in 171 countries and 45 languages, and Nat Geo WILD is available in 131 countries and 38 languages. National Geographic Partners is also a leader in social media, with a fan base of 250 million people across all of its social pages. NGC contributes over 55 million social media fans globally on Facebook alone. For more information, visit www.natgeotv.com and www.natgeowild.com.

Media Contacts:

For the Ford Foundation:
Tyler Lecceadone
616-776-3511
Lecceadone@seyferthpr.com

For National Geographic Channel:

Jennifer DeGuzman
212-656-0713
Jennifer.deguzman@natgeo.com



Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160517/368606



SOURCE Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation

Photo:https://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160517/368606
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Photo:https://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160517/368606
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation


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