In 1960, documentarian Robert Drew approached two presidential candidates, Hubert Humphrey and John F. Kennedy, seeking permission to film them on the campaign trail. He proposed making a movie with minimal narration, relying instead on candid footage of the candidates as they interacted with voters. He argued that the documentary would be a record of history. Both candidates agreed to have Drew and his team film them during the final days before the primary election in Wisconsin. The result was the groundbreaking film Primary (1960, directed by Robert Drew).

In this lesson, students screen two video interviews about John F. Kennedy. The first features Robert Drew explaining his approach to covering Kennedy during the 1960 Wisconsin primary. The second is with historian Richard Reeves, who discusses how Kennedy changed the imagery associated with the office of the President.

Lesson Plan
Film Reader
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