Frost/Nixon: The Original Watergate Interviews
This program, culled from the over 28 hours of interview footage between Sir David Frost and U.S. President Richard M. Nixon, was originally broadcast in May of 1977. Never before, nor since, has a U.S. President been so candid on camera. Even more intriguing is the fact that Nixon agreed to appear on camera with no pre-interview preparation or screening of questions.
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- Cast:
- David Frost , Richard Nixon
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Reviews
if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.
While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.
The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful
This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows
I bought this on DVD knowing exactly what I was in for; a wild and crazy 93 minute inside into the world of the dynamic Frost/Nixon duo. There's intrigue and camaraderie throughout and the plot is THICK. You'll laugh, cry and be completely astonished. I am completely screaming. Everything is on point, the camera work, the sound (even though it was filmed super close to an airport it still sounds good.) Sometimes it is difficult to understand what Nixon is saying, but if you follow the subtitles closely you'll get most of it. I recommend this movie to everyone I meet, it has everything you would ever want in a solid drama flick.
David Frost Interviews Richard Nixon a.k.a.The Nixon Interviews were a series of interviews of former United States President Richard Nixon conducted by British journalist David Frost. They were recorded and broadcast on television in four programs in 1977.After his resignation in 1974, Nixon spent more than two years away from public life. In 1977, he granted Frost an exclusive series of interviews. Nixon was already publishing his memoirs at the time; however, his publicist Irving "Swifty" Lazar believed that by using television Nixon could reach a mass audience. In addition, Nixon was going through a temporary cash flow problem with his lawyers, and needed to find a quick source of income. This is probably one of the most brilliant interviews conducted ever to a former President of the United States.It presents to us the real and true Richard Nixon.David Frost was also spectacular as the interview as he was able to obtain answers to question in a forthright manner.And of course,who could forget the classic Nixon quote when Frost asked the former President about the legality of the president's actions,"Well, when the president does it, that means that it is not illegal." Absolutely,classic!!!!
ksf-2 in a comment states we don't get to hear Mr. Nixon say 'if the President does it...it's not illegal' I beg to differ. My comment regards the David Frost Interviews Richard Nixon two DVD set...the re-release of the interviews originally done in 1977 which is the set ksf-2 left comment upon. He states it was an entertaining hour and a half. The interviews feature two sections on the first DVD and three sections on the second. My word, this presentation runs at least 6 hours and it is all fascinating as it regards real events which are admittedly now historical. Besides discussing Watergate. Mr. Nixon whole Presidency is examined by Mr. Frost...the actual point to hear Mr. Nixon say 'if the President does it...it's not illegal can be heard starting at the 35th minute on the first section 'War At Home and Abroad' of the second DVD. Plain as day. Absorbing.
minor spoilers ** i purchased the "liberation entertainment" re-release DVD... Excellently done, it's probably fitting that a non-U.S. journalist did the interviews. Viewers will want to remember the title on THIS release is "Frost/Nixon The Original Watergate Interviews"... ie it's JUST that one section. i was a little disappointed that we do NOT get to see and hear Nixon actually say "Well, when the president does it... that means that it is not illegal." Can you believe that he actually THOUGHT that, much less SAY it out loud ?? hmmm, sounds like another recent administration...I was about 10 when this was on television, so i was really hoping to watch him say that line, which he actually said in the "huston plan" section of the interviews. (ref Frost Nixon, Behind the Scenes of the Nixon Interviews, by Frost, 2007, paperback, pg 266) Even Frost thought that quote was important enough to put on the front cover of the book. The DVD DOES include an interesting monologue by Frost where he describes the details and difficulties of setting up the interview. A very entertaining hour and a half. You can almost see the cogs and wheels spinning as he jousts with David Frost. It's amazing that he ever agreed to do the interviews.