Most Helpful Customer Reviews
73 of 85 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
History that will or should never be forgotten, February 1, 2000
This review is from: Point of Order [VHS] (VHS Tape)
This film, along with "Hollywood On Trial" is among the very best records of what the great American playwright Lillian Hellman called "Scoundrel Time." It shows us not only the face of one demagogue, but of the times which made him. Our nation is fortunate that Joe Welch was there to confront the Junior Senator and that TV was live and showed the face of unrestrained power in the Congress. One piece is missing, and should be known. I heard Joe Welch's aide interviewed several years ago about the "big moment" when Welch confronted McCarthy. The background was that the Junior Senator's people had met with Welch's people before the hearings. Welch knew of the "doings" with Roy Cohen and G. David Schine and McCarthy knew about the young lawyer. They had agreed, it is said, that if Welch stayed away from the Cohen/gay issue, McCarthy would leave the young lawyer out of it. McCarthy, feeling powerful, is said to have gone back on the agreement and brought up the young lawyer. The "pixie" exchange is the tip of that iceberg. Should be seen by all Americans who value freedom and admire honesty.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
45 of 54 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must-see, August 16, 1999
This review is from: Point of Order [VHS] (VHS Tape)
There are kids growing up who know nothing about McCarthy andMcCarthyism. This film is right there as McCarthy tries to ruin livesand his methods are shown on national tv (in the first televised hearings) for what they are. Among other things, it makes one wish we had someone of the ability and integrity of Joseph Welch to handle some of the recent hearings that have left the public so disenchanted.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
true documentary showing the danger of fear, November 16, 2005
I lived through the army - McCarthy hearings as a child: we watched them on tv every day. My parents, who were conservative Republicans, were appalled at what they saw. This video contains excerpts of the hearings as we saw them. The whole country was able to view what was happening--doctored evidence, bullying, intimidation, and a reckless attack on anyone who had the temerity to disagree with him. People were convicted--in Congressional hearings rather than on trial by jury--by association, by hearsay and by innuendo. While there certainly were some Communist spies and sympathizers, many people whose careers were distroyed were in fact innocent. For the first time, we could all see this as it was happening (This was the first time such hearings were broadcast). There was no "liberal slant" in those broadcasts: McCarthy convicted himself by his own actions. My parents, who were no liberals, became convinced by what they saw that McCarthy himself was a true danger to this country.
This documentary is well worth watching. The danger McCarthy posed was real: democracy's defenders sometimes, out of fear, risk distroying the very thing they seek to protect.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
