A Towering Task: The Story of the Peace Corps

Play trailer

2:27

A Towering Task: The Story of the Peace Corps

2019

1h 47m

Documentary

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

6 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Filmmaker Alana DeJoseph examines the rich history of the Peace Corps and the challenges that lie ahead in the 21st century.

Devika Girish

New York Times

05/21/2020

"A Towering Task" unfolds like a dull, chronological slide show of archival images, basic graphics and seemingly infinite talking heads.

Go to Full Review

Lynnette Nicholas

Common Sense Media

06/04/2020

3/5

Informative documentary promotes global activism.

Go to Full Review

Ross Anthony

Hollywood Report Card

06/04/2020

A-

Have a look. Maybe you'll be inspired to volunteer somewhere in the world ... even if it's just in your neighborhood.

Go to Full Review

Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality & Practice

05/27/2020

5/5

An enlightening and inspiring 60-year history of the Peace Corps.

Go to Full Review

Harvey S. Karten

Shockya.com

05/17/2020

B+

A wide array of archival films indicates that JFK's Peace Corps is still alive, even flourishing.

Go to Full Review

Raquel Stecher

Quelle Movies

05/02/2020

a soup to nuts exploration of the history of this government sponsored volunteer program from 1961 to present day.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

06/27/2020

Wonderful history of the Peace Corps, truthfully told with stunning footage and interviews with several Presidents. A feel good movie that we need at this time.

See more

05/24/2020

I'd agree with what writer Paul Theroux wrote about the film. (He served in the Peace Corps and was kicked out — so he brings a depth of understanding and appreciation, as well as the critical distance of a first-rate storyteller): "‘A Towering Task' puts a human face on the Peace Corps – and makes sense of its history of idealism, improvisation, politics, and at times its failings. It is the most coherent and satisfying documentary I know, of the Peace Corps, and I can't imagine a better one. For its truth and its scope, its arc is complete – from the germ of an idea to help the world, spoken late at night by JFK on his presidential campaign, to its execution later, an Act signed into law and carried out – thousands of young women and men leaving for remote places, to teach, to advise, to inspire – and to be inspired themselves by their work."

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Alana DeJoseph

Director

Annette Bening

Narrator

Shana Kelly

Writer

Alana DeJoseph

Producer

Vanessa Carr

Cinematographer

Brook Aitken

Cinematographer

The New Corporation: The Unfortunately Necessary Sequel

77%

81%

The New Corporation: The Unfortunately Necessary Sequel

Watchlist

Intent to Destroy

92%

93%

Intent to Destroy

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Intent to Destroy

Black Boys

86%

72%

Black Boys

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Black Boys

All In: The Fight for Democracy

100%

67%

All In: The Fight for Democracy

Watchlist

TRAILER

for All In: The Fight for Democracy

This Changes Everything

56%

46%

This Changes Everything

Watchlist

TRAILER

for This Changes Everything

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

A Towering Task: The Story of the Peace Corps: Trailer 1

2:27

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Filmmaker Alana DeJoseph examines the rich history of the Peace Corps and the challenges that lie ahead in the 21st century.

Director: Alana DeJoseph
Producer: Alana DeJoseph
Screenwriter: Shana Kelly
Production Co: In the Cause of Peace
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 47m
Sound Mix: DTS

Most Popular at Home Now