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.
A documentary about the legendary series of nationally televised debates in 1968 between two great public intellectuals, the liberal Gore Vidal and the conservative William F. Buckley Jr. Intended as commentary on the issues of their day, these vitriolic and explosive encounters came to define the modern era of public discourse in the media, marking the big bang moment of our contemporary media landscape when spectacle trumped content and argument replaced substance. Best of Enemies delves into the entangled biographies of these two great thinkers, and luxuriates in the language and the theater of their debates, begging the question, "What has television done to the way we discuss politics in our democracy today?"
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Riveting DocumentaryThis 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..Score: 5/5
The Tipping Point of Network NewsExtremely enjoyable, intelligent and fascinating film! Should not be missed..Score: 5/5
Best doc of the year!Loved this doc - highly entertaining, funny and even poignant at times. Don't miss it!.Score: 5/5
The great divide...Poignant to our present day... a real documentary..Score: 5/5
Best of EnemiesSuch a smart, amazing documentary. I was riveted.Score: 5/5
Best of EnemiesPlay, rewind, play... So good!.Score: 5/5
Fantastic filmExcellent 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..Score: 5/5
The Triumph of Commentary Over SubstanceTwo 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..Score: 5/5
A MADCAP INTELLECTUAL ROMP. Lively and fascinating.If you like witty repartee among intellectuals, it’s hard to see how you could have more fun than watching this movie. Highly entertaining..Score: 5/5
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