Best of Enemies

Best of Enemies

By Morgan Neville & Robert Gordon

  • Genre: Documentary
  • Release Date: 2015-07-31
  • Advisory Rating: R
  • Runtime: 1h 28min
  • Director: Morgan Neville & Robert Gordon
  • Production Company: Tremolo Productions
  • Production Country: United States of America
  • iTunes Price: USD 9.99
  • iTunes Rent Price: USD 3.99
7.1/10
7.1
From 129 Ratings
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Description

In the summer of 1968 television news changed forever. Dead last in the ratings, ABC hired two towering public intellectuals to debate each other during the Democratic and Republican national conventions. William F. Buckley Jr. was a leading light of the new conservative movement. A Democrat and cousin to Jackie Onassis, Gore Vidal was a leftist novelist and polemicist. Armed with deep-seated distrust and enmity, Vidal and Buckley believed each other’s political ideologies were dangerous for America. Like rounds in a heavyweight battle, they pummeled out policy and personal insult-their explosive exchanges devolving into vitriolic name-calling. Live and unscripted, they kept viewers riveted. Ratings for ABC News skyrocketed, and a new era in public discourse was born.

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Reviews

  • Best of Enemies

    5
    By Cbsykes
    Play, rewind, play... So good!

  • Fantastic film

    5
    By the_fish_
    Excellent film about a a great debate that still goes on. Celebrity, politics, ego, and anger... Really surprised by how entertaining and well paced this film is too.

  • Riveting Documentary

    5
    By 13gonzo
    This Doc was one of the most fascinating documentaries I have seen. I had no idea who these two intellectuals were before watching this. It amazes me that we are still talking about the same issues today which both of these men help shape the foundation for the Republican and Democratic views.I wonder what both of these men would have thought about the chaos that is going on in the world today.

  • The Triumph of Commentary Over Substance

    5
    By grolaw
    Two patricians met to fill the time the network would not devote to coverage of the 1968 Republican and Democratic National Conventions. Both men were widely known and sons of wealth and power. One was to oversee the incredible shift in his party's position of power and the other would accurately predict the outcome of the same. This documentary covers the turning point in U.S. political policy and journalism. Those of us who saw this at the time were given to switching channels between the Chicago convention (and police riot) and the men who attempted to define the moment. The substance of these discussions has changed little in the ensuing years. The nation has changed greatly in the 47 years since this series of discussions and we were not without notice of the intention to effect those changes. Whichever political policy you support (or, oppose) this is a must-watch program for all. The core of substantive journalism is destroyed by the entertainment value of the "debate" between two men who had far more in common with each other than either did with the electorate.

  • The Tipping Point of Network News

    5
    By matty03
    Extremely enjoyable, intelligent and fascinating film! Should not be missed.

  • Best of Enemies

    5
    By crogers73
    Such a smart, amazing documentary. I was riveted

  • Best doc of the year!

    5
    By missdinalane
    Loved this doc - highly entertaining, funny and even poignant at times. Don't miss it!

  • A MADCAP INTELLECTUAL ROMP. Lively and fascinating.

    5
    By Cebucity
    If you like witty repartee among intellectuals, it’s hard to see how you could have more fun than watching this movie. Highly entertaining.

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