President Reagan’s Meetings with Gorbachev
President Ronald Reagan held five meetings with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev during the late 1980s. Their first encounter took place in Geneva, Switzerland, in November 1985, marking the start of their diplomatic relationship. It was the second meeting, held in Reykjavik, Iceland, where the two leaders began to establish trust.
“The reason I wanted to do it truly was because I feel these days we’re so adept at yelling instead of talking,” stated Michael Gunn, director of “The Brink of War.” “What struck me about the story, which Secretary Schultz shared with me, was these were two individuals who had every reason to be adversaries, yet they sat together in a room to strive for a better world.”
“The Brink of War,” featuring Jeff Daniels as Reagan, focuses on the 1986 Reykjavik summit where Reagan and Gorbachev discussed nuclear arms. Jared Harris portrays Gorbachev, while J.K. Simmons plays Secretary of State George Schultz, who provided Gunn with valuable insights for the film.
Gunn shared, “We spent extensive time together. Schultz allowed me access to the declassified transcripts that shaped the script. He remains a hero to me. The film is dedicated to his public service.”
The film depicts Reagan’s aspirations for peace alongside setbacks. A key scene illustrates Reagan’s uncertainty about trusting Gorbachev during negotiations, while Schultz assures him that talks are far from over.
“This pivotal moment where they realized in private they could trust each other paved the way for the first arms reduction agreement in history,” Gunn remarked. Though no initial agreement was reached in Iceland, the summit led to subsequent meetings and treaties, including the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), which mandated the elimination of a nuclear weapons class.
The Reykjavik discussions reflected a potential for real reductions in strategic and intermediate-range weapons, marking an historic moment, stated President Reagan post-meeting. He recalled being told years back that radical arms reduction was unfeasible, yet now it was on the table for both nations.
“Reagan and Gorbachev’s readiness to continue dialog is a lesson for leaders facing disputes today.”
Gunn emphasizes the importance of ongoing dialog amidst conflicts. He hopes audiences leave “The Brink of War” inspired by the possibility of peace through genuine engagement with committed partners.
The film debuts in theaters on August 14.
Bret Baier, anchor and executive editor of the Special Report with Bret Baier, serves as chief political anchor and co-anchor of FOX News Channel’s election coverage. Baier hosts “The Bret Baier Podcast,” encompassing Common Ground and The All-Star Panel. Joining FNC in 1998 at the Atlanta bureau, he is now based in Washington, D.C., recently acknowledged as “America’s most influential news anchor.”