"America: A Call to Greatness" is a patriotic documentary starring Charlton Heston, Mickey Rooney, Deborah Winters, Peter Graves, Rita Moreno and Gene Autry. The 1994 two-hour broadcast featured 14 large-scale musical numbers along with notable celebrities of the time. Included were well-known American heroes, U.S. Senators & Congressmen, Pastoral figures of the time and 3 former U.S. Presidents. The production, written and directed by Warren Chaney, was filmed at Disney MGM/Studios and on location in all 50 states. In moving images, commentary and music, the program presents the thinking behind and the nature of the founding of the United States.

Originally screened on national cable, the production followed with a decade of private screenings throughout the nation. Musically, it features such recording artists as Point of Grace, Lionel Harris, 4-Him, Lee Greenwood, Babbie Mason and the incomparable Imperials. Gene Autry makes his final screen appearance introducing a new rendition of America, his first recording since 1965.

The film is well directed and extremely well written. All performances are first rate and one who misses a viewing has missed an important contribution to the nation's founding history. ( )