Nixon - Collector's Edition (1995)

Good DVD transfer--but not anamorphic

Another well-crafted masterpiece from Oliver Stone with an incredible performance by Anthony Hopkins in the title role. The 'R' rating is due to some profanity, which is hardly noticeable compared to other 'R' rated films.

The transfer of this film to DVD ("Collector's Edition" release)is quite good, based on my viewing this movie on a 46-inch Samsung high definition LCD TV, played on a Toshiba HD DVD player. The picture is sharp and the colors are perfect. The format is widescreen, but unfortunately it was NOT enhanced for large screen TVs, so it is not anamorphic and you wind up with this (annoying) letterbox, reduced-size image. Hopefully this movie will be one day released in a 16x9 aspect ratio. Other than that, this DVD is well worth its price and "Nixon" is a movie that you will watch again and again. May 2, 2008

Great, If You Like Horror Movies

If you didn't know better, you'd expect Frankenstein to pop up in the first scene, not Anthony Hopkins' caricature of Nixon. The accents are pretty bad: Hopkins is a Scotchman playing a southern Californian. If you don't know your history very well, you'll be fooled and flummoxed by all this nonsense. If you do know history, then it's safe to watch this as pure entertainment, which, as such, isn't half bad. Stone's purely speculative connections about Nixon's youth and his role in the Bay of Pigs are just that, so beware. I had to watch it over three days: it's pretty long. But it's worth the time, as most any Stone film is. Just don't take it too seriously. April 17, 2008

way way too ambitious

While this film starts at a good dramatic clip, Stone tried to include too much in it for it to be a good movie-going experience, in my viewing. Unfortunately, in an attempt to cover as much as he hopes, Stone falls back on apocryphal scenes that are purely fictional: not only do they pack too much into it, but they are so excessively full of message and symbolism that they completely ruin the drama. For example, we see Nixon meeting with shady and mysterious extreme right-wing oil types in Texas, which so far as I know have little or no basis in fact; there, Nixon at turns makes corrupt deals or displays the arrogance of power.

Nixon was a fascinating character and was involved in enough for a long mini-series. What Stone should have done was chosen one of his machinations or crises, to tell a good story. Instead, he covers his entire presidency, showing headlines of extremely complex events such as the bombing of Cambodia, rushes Nixon in to meet the protesting students (a real event), and zooms in on many other specific scenes, most of which never occurred. At least to me, it came off as a mishmash.

Hopkins is very good as is Joan Allen as Pat, but it just doesn't work. I did enjoy many of the scenes, such as his praying with an uneasy Kissinger, I admit. I just wish it were more focused.

Not recommended. April 8, 2008

Profile of Nixon

An excellent, well crafted show which reveals the real Nixon. Actor who played the part was one of the best. It is evenly presented, showing both the good and the evil side Of Richard Nixon. Could be well used in a history class in high schools. March 9, 2008

A Very Biased Film About a Flawed Man (with Two Great Performances!)

Even Oliver Stone admits that his "historical" films are very biased but Nixon is the most biased of them all. Stone shows no balance in this film but implies many things that he could never support including that Nixon was knowledgable of both Kennedy assinations. This is just irresponsible film making.

This extended film contains an extra 20 minutes (original running time 3:11 DVD running time 3:31). Ten minutes are two consecutive scenes where Nixon is driving through protesters and making some remarks and acting rather childish followed by a meeting with the CIA director in which Stone accuses Nixon of a plethera of dirty deeds. The rest are small scenes or estended scenes. All are found on disc two.

Now for the good news. This film contains two great performances. Anthony Hopkins successful gives Nixon humanity in a film that does not want the character to be anything but evil. Joan Allen also shines as Pat Nixon. She is wasted for most of the film but when she is given any kind of scene she dominates it. (My guess most of her work is on the floor because she is so sympathetic). Also technically, the cinematography is superb. The use of film and video almost creates an additional character.

Basically if you a looking for a historical film about this time, this is NOT the film to watch. I would suggest, All the President's Men (a definite 5* film) or Nasty Habits (which will never be on DVD).

If you are looking for a master class in acting by Sir Anthony, this is is a great example (of course Remains of the Day is even better.) (He definitely should of won the Oscar for this film.)

If you want to see a great character actress show how to make a small role into something more than it was intended, Joan Allen shows why she received her first Oscar nomination.

DVD EXTRAS:
Deleted Scenes - 58 minutes of deleted, extended or alternate scenes with Oliver Stone commentary (and in this he admits that he disliked Nixon.) All but three are in the film shown. And about 25 of the 58 minutes is Stone babbling on about why the film was changed.

Featurette - a 5 minute making of film.

Charlie Rose Interview of Oliver Stone - Episode of the PBS show (55 minutes) February 4, 2008

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