The current presidential race isn’t the only reason politics is red-hot right now. HBO’s “John Adams,” which premieres Sunday is determined to prove that the nation’s second president was more than just a chubby guy who looked narly in a powdered wig - and it almost succeeds (a full review runs in Sunday’s papers). It’s not the first time a prez has made for a great TV protagonist. A number of good TV films have told various stories about our commander in chief. Here are five that stick out in my mind. All are available on DVD. Let me know what I overlooked:

“The Missiles of October” (1974):  How can a movie that takes place in a couple of offices make for a thriller? It helps when it’s about the US being on the brink of a nuclear war with Russia. William Devane plays John F. Kennedy while Martin Sheen gets some White House experience as Bobby.

“Eleanor and Franklin” (1976): Blockbuster miniseries with Jane Alexander and Edward Herrmann in the title roles. It drags on a bit - as 1970s miniseries tended to do - but the Roosevelts never seemed to live a dull day in their lives.

“The Crossing” (2000): Jeff Daniels is neither dumb nor dumber in the role of George Washington. He’s not prez yet in this story, but his executive decision to cross the Delaware and try to take back Trenton may have the biggest call of his life. His relationship with Alexander Hamilton (Steven McCarthy) is particularly telling and rich in drama.

“Ike: Countdown to D Day” (2004): Vastly underrated flick starring a slightly underrated Tom Selleck. Here, ol’ Magnum plays DDE when he’s running the Allied forces in World War II. Much better than Robert Duvall’s turn as Ike in bloated miniseries.

“Warm Springs” (2005): FDR makes the list again, but this movie is about his battle with polio. Kenneth Branagh is superb as the grumpy Franklin with Cynthia Nixon, as Eleanor, proving she can do more than talk about sex in her city.

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