New Film Explores Ronald Reagan’s Advocacy for Religious Freedom

The historical drama "The Brink of War," produced by Angel Studios, depicts the 1986 Reykjavik Summit between U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev. Directed by Michael Russell Gunn, the film focuses on the two-day meeting in Iceland, where the leaders negotiated nuclear disarmament, human rights, and the Strategic Defense Initiative. The movie features Jeff Daniels as Reagan and Jared Harris as Gorbachev.

A central theme of the film is Reagan’s commitment to religious liberty as a fundamental human right. The narrative highlights the president’s efforts to address the Soviet Union’s restrictions on religious expression and his advocacy for Soviet refuseniks, including Jewish citizens seeking to emigrate. According to Daniels, the film portrays Reagan as seeking to understand the Soviet perspective through dialogue rather than mere confrontation. Director Michael Russell Gunn noted that the film aims to present both sides of the ideological divide, illustrating how Reagan’s personal convictions influenced his diplomatic approach during the final years of the Cold War.