Customer Reviews

Frost/Nixon: Complete Interviews (Two-Disc Special Edition)

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

If you thought you saw it all with the Watergate interview that has been available on DVD for awhile, think again! The revelations in the Vietnam section of the Complete Frost/Nixon Interviews are even more shocking and candid. Watch as Nixon explains to Frost that when a President orders something illegal, say a break in, it isn't illegal. The China/USSR Interview is fascinating as well, and surprisingly funny, as Nixon delivers some Chinese jokes and actually kids Frost about "forgetting the microphones are on in the Oval Office." The Final Days and the Last Round Up are historic, too. Every President should sit down with someone like Frost after leaving office to leave us these in depth, thought provoking insights.

The recent success of the play "Frost/Nixon" on Broadway, with its Tony-winning performance by Frank Langella, has revived interest in its dramatic source: the exclusive interviews that a talk-show host then widely regarded as a lightweight scored with the former President of the United States, three years after his exit from office under a cloud of political scandal.

David Frost's interviews with ex-President of the United States Richard M. Nixon caused great excitement at the time of their first airing in 1977. This DVD makes available the most interesting of the segments, in which Frost confronts Nixon about his involvement in the Watergate scandal which had forced his resignation from the Presidency. Alternately ingratiating and truculent, Nixon vehemently denies that he committed any illegal act, even in the face of Frost's verbatim readings from the transcripts of the White House tapes that certainly suggest that the President condoned obstruction of justice, and payments of hush money to the perpetrators of the break-in to the Democratic Party's national headquarters.

Though the haggling over legalistic issues and exact meaning of words and phrases gets a bit tiresome early on, the later payoff is more than ample compensation, as Frost draws wrenching accounts from Nixon about firing his trusted aides, Haldeman and Ehrlichman, and, in the climactic last portion, elicits from the former President the admission that he "let the American people down." Seen in the light of the continued hubris of the present administration in the face of what to many are much greater transgressions, Nixon's contrition, veiled as it is, is extraordinary. This DVD brings back a fascinating chapter in American history. Framing interviews with Sir David Frost, reminiscing about the circumstances under which the interviews were arranged and executed, are a worthy bonus.

OK...it's my own fault for not reading the description but I really thought I would have the chance to see considerably more footage of the interview. don't get me wrong, this is exceptional work. As someone not old enough to view the PBS special in it's original form, I really wanted to see more than 88 minutes.

If you are interested in the facts from the horse's mouth, this is for you.
The original interviews went for over 28 hours, this DVD lasts only 2, but it does cover the most interesting aspects of Watergate and how Nixon was able to justify everything in his own mind.
I was not disappointed, but would have liked a longer cut of the original 28 hours.

I was really looking forward to watching all of the interviews. I watched much of them while a college student and really want to see the entire set (especially with 32 years of hindsight). Watergate is actually such a small (albeit critical) part of Nixon's presidency, and the part that is clearly remembered the most. But his 5.5 years in office were an extraordinary piece of US history. When he took office, the Vietnam "Conflict" started by JFK and LBJ was at it's height as was the US economy. When Nixon resigned, the US was out of Vietnam and the economy was a wreck (for unrelated reasons). In between were the opening in China, the conversion of the South from the Democratic to the Republican party, the rise to military dominance of the Soviet Union, Kent State, and so much more.

I can only hope that the producers of this slice of the interviews go ahead and release the entire set on DVD. No one but David Frost and such a complex persona like Nixon could have yielded so many hours of engaging interviews. A movie about the interviews is up for the Academy Award for Best Picture. But if you really want to appreciate what the interviews were all about, you need to watch the interviews (not an abridged, Hollywood recreation).

I'm not buying it till someone fixes the description.

Either it is complete, or it is not. 28 hours of footage works out to more than 400 minutes, which is only about 6.5 hours. And 1,680 minutes of interviews is a hell of a lot more than 88 minutes which is what is advertised here AND on the 1-disc edition. So is this just what was televised? An edit of that?

Obviously this is MORE complete, but I don't think it is COMPLETE, and I know it has a horrible product description, at the very least, mistakenly attached to two different DVD packages.

The last non-telegenic President has more closeups than Paul Newman in Hud.
This is a treat for Nixonphiles and for historians. And for those who really want to get into mix extra deep, there's plently here to impress: Nixon, the President, the man who was such an easy target for comics, for writers, for artists, speaks man to man and eyeball to eyebll to David Frost, who at times, has to go back over his notes with nervous hands.
I learned more about Watergate, Chile, Haldemann, Ehrlichmann, and the rest, right here, than in all the History made simple books I've scanned.
Particularly affecting is Nixon's sincerity as he expresses disappointment and depair over the lack of understanding and appreciation of his efforts to bring Peace in Vietnam and elsewhere; yes, his "Vietnamization" plan did work - but the bombing continued...and we invaded Cambodia, and this eventually brought war to that country!
On that point Frost will not back down, also on the 18.5 minute tape gap: as it occurred at the very beginning (as I recall) of the "cover-up" era, it's very hard to believe that some serious orchestrations weren't contained there.
I was troubled by his apparent taking and giving too much power: seems that he and Kissinger executed plans without full participation of his staff and Congress. (Not my area of expertise). Also troubling was his over-sympathy for John Mitchell - a big admission by Nixon, with regard to that working relationship, is contained here - statements strong enough to make a movie bigger than Ron Howard's!
Another tricky (sorry...) area is where Nixon says that a President in a time of War can do extraordinary things domestically and outside the country; yet another is his saying that a cover-up is not corrupt if the person/official acts in a non-corrupt way.
In the end, he acknowledges the fact that he acted in an non-*Presidential* way, and whether or not his actions were impeachable, he did wrong to the Country...and to himself.

I lived through the Nixon administrations and Watergate and as a young man worked for McGovern and rooted for the demise of Richard M Nixon. Funny, but the more I learn about this troubled man the more I actually respect him. Maybe its just that with time the some of the transgressions he was involved with often seem overblown in comparison to his achievements or maybe compared to more recent political graft and corruption we are dealing with on both sides of the aisle they seem small in comparison, but that said he did steal our virginity...which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Not being able to even question authority ..something we may be re-visiting is never a good thing in my humble opinion.

The bottom line is I enjoy hearing from the people themselves when it comes to history , whether it is musical icons discussing their careers or songwriting , soldiers discussing their time in WW2 (the brilliant BBC World at War is still the most compelling collection due to all the participant interviewees in my opinion) or politicians/Presidents.

Its fascinating viewing to say the least and a fabulous companion watch to Ron Howards' brilliant "Frost/Nixon" film.

I also highly recommend the Frost DVD with George H W Bush discussing his life, again because President Bush (1) does the talking its far more interesting than the talking head pbs programs.

If you are curious , I recommend this DVD set and because it has far more footage than the single disc which primarily features the Watergate interview I feel its the better value....however I was recently informed by a friend who has the single disc set and I viewed it to confirm it has FOOTAGE not on the 2 disc set of a current day David Frost discussing the interviews and detailing his last visit with President Nixon....so completists could stand to (gasp) own both to get all available from this epic event.

Four years after President Nixon's resignation, Sir David Frost interviewed him about his term in office. The original interview was five hours, aired over five nights. Although the Amazon.Com product description doesn't state it as so, this DVD is only highlights of the interview, focusing exclusively on the Watergate scandal.

The interview makes for compelling television. Sir David Frost's questions hit hard, President Nixon did not have the right to edit the interview, nor did he know the questions in advance.

As such, emotions are raw, as President Nixon attempts to answer the questions as honestly as he is able. He quibbles with the legal language a bit, in the same way that President Clinton "did not have sex with that woman". But, otherwise, he tries to be understood and give his perspective.

At times, President Nixon's eyes nervously shift from side to side when asked difficult questions. At other times, he looks down from the camera, as his eyes fill with tears. President Nixon may not confess guilt, but there is a peek deep into his mind and heart.

Because of my disappointment that the full interview is not available on DVD, it loses a star in my rating. What can I tell you? I'm harsh. But to not have the full interview available is frustrating. By showing only selections, viewers' perspectives are slanted by the choice of footage, rather than seeing the full interview and arriving at their own conclusion. Admittedly, five hours may be too long for some, but it should be offered as an alternative to only the highlights.

As an aside, the interview alone is insufficient to give a history of the Watergate scandal. Without some background, it may also be a bit difficult to follow and, at least, not as compelling.

However, since this is the best we got, it's worth a viewing to better understand President Nixon and for a study of the human character in those honest moments captured during the interview.

Thirty years on and Frost's interview of Nixon is even more compelling.

It is as if every shot and every word had been scripted and directed. Nixon seems ill prepared for the depth of research and preparation evident in Frost questioning. This is drama at its best and its real. And Frost despite the affected, feined and sometimes breathy interview style actually pulls it off like no other.

What is it about Nixon's reflections on Watergate that now resonates so much with the style and nature of the political leadership that lead the shamefully described "coalition of the willing"? Still they are blinded by power, still they are without integrity, still truth doesnt matter.

For political nutters, this is a must have DVD. It will sit alongside my autographed copy of Nixon's memoirs. I still wonder whether the signature is genuine. Doesnt that say it all.