Product Details

• Format: Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Mpi Home Video
• VHS Release Date: August 31, 1994
• Run Time: 60 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6301480368
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #269,505 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential for all Nixon and Kennedy fans, January 13, 2006

By 

Vince Palamara "SECRET SERVICE/JFK/STEELERS/M... (South Park/Bethel Park, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Great Debates: John F. Kennedy Vs Richard Nixon [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is a great video to contrast the styles of Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy. There is some real drama and tension to these debates, despite the passing of years and improved technology, not to mention color tv, since those days. JFK just exudes confidence and charisma, and is on his game, even when he slightly stumbles at the beginning of the first debate by speaking without being at the podium first! For his part, Nixon is a sweating, nervous wreck, albeit one armed with lots of facts and pseudo-facts at his disposal---no wonder many who HEARD the debates on radio gave it to Tricky Dick, while those WATCHING it on tv gave it to JFK! That is not to say that Kennedy didn't have his share of facts, too...just that his appeal was far stronger in the visual medium.
In fact, what one is also struck by is how reverential these two seemed to be, at least on camera---there were times both could have went for the jugular but chose not to (although there were times when both had their moments in this regard---the "missile gap", Cuba, and Kruschev in the kitchen). Essential viewing.
Vince Palamara

5 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Slice of History, August 3, 2000

By 

BeatleBangs1964 (United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Great Debates: John F. Kennedy Vs Richard Nixon [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I absolutely loved reading the words of these two political competitors. Both men were extremely intelligent and articulate. The then Senator John Kennedy clearly demonstrates how well grounded he was in questions and issues of the day. In his speeches, his rapier wit made the issues all the more relevant and readily understood by the general public at large. It is to the credit of the candiates to remain focused on issues instead of mudslinging. This gentlemens' campaign certainly remains a landmark in clean politics. (Remember this was before Watergate, folks). A good read for anyone interested in this period of history.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential for all Nixon and Kennedy fans, January 17, 2006

By 

Vince "music/ Secret Service/Steelers fanatic" (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Great Debates: John F. Kennedy Vs Richard Nixon [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is essential viewing for all JFK and nion fans. This is also a real study in contrasts---the charismatic, handsome, well-spoken JFK with the hagard, dark, stumbling and strange Nixon. Despite the passage of years, technological shortcomings, and knowing who wins (!), there is still alot of drama to the debates (and some good questions from the reporters, esp. to Nixon. I esp. liked Sander Vanocur's comment that Ike said that it would take a couple weeks to think of one major policy item Nixon had a hand in!)
vince palamara