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"The Brink of War" stars Jeff Daniels and Jared Harris on Reagan and Gorbachev's fateful meeting

From CBS News · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Interview Sources not specified Context piece
  • Jeff Daniels and Jared Harris star as Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev in the film "The Brink of War."
  • The movie depicts the high-stakes 1986 Reykjavik Summit, a critical moment in U.S.-Soviet relations.
  • Both actors shared their experiences portraying the two leaders during a period of intense geopolitical tension.

Jeff Daniels and Jared Harris step into the shoes of iconic Cold War leaders Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev in the new film "The Brink of War." The movie focuses on the pivotal 1986 Reykjavik Summit, a meeting that brought the U.S. and Soviet Union to the precipice of historic nuclear disarmament agreements, yet ultimately ended in stalemate.

Daniels, known for his Emmy-winning role in "The Newsroom," portrays President Reagan, while Harris, acclaimed for his work in "Chernobyl," embodies Soviet leader Gorbachev. The film delves into the complex dynamics and intense negotiations between these two figures who held the world's fate in their hands during a period of significant global tension.

Both actors spoke about the challenges and rewards of embodying such monumental historical figures. They navigated the immense pressure of portraying leaders at a critical juncture in international relations, where a single misstep could have had catastrophic consequences. Their performances aim to capture the personal stakes and the broader geopolitical landscape of that fateful meeting in Iceland.

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Originally published by CBS News. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.