Nixon: An Oliver Stone Film

I only like this book because it is clear about the kind of thing which everybody thinks is typical, but most people would think that only fools can object to this much truth and get away with it. To be specific, on pages 371-391 is a Transcript of Conversation in which Nixon and Haldeman talked on May 5, 1971, more than a year before the Watergate break-in, but from a "Watergate Special Prosecution Force File Segment." It might be a conversation about Colson and "a guy that nobody, none of us knows except Dwight." (p. 379). "Thug type guy." (p. 379). "This is the kinda guy can get out and tear things up." (p. 379). "Just ask them to dig up those, their eight thugs." (p. 380). "They, they've got guys who'll go in and knock their heads off." (p. 380). "Murderers. Guys that really, you know, that's what they really do." (p. 380). "And, uh, hope they really hurt 'em. You know, I mean go in with some real--and smash some noses." (p. 380). "They'll just get, the country'll just get a belly full of these people." (p. 381). "There's no, there's no, uh, semblance of respectability." (p. 381). "How the hell do you expect the poor God damned policemen--" (p. 382)? Parts of the transcript were sanitized, RESTRICTED-"D", and the way administration records are likely to be withhelf from public view forever after now, people might as well figure that whatever the government is up to must be in the RESTRICTED-"D" category.

"Nixon" was, I think, the best film of 1995 (it was certainly more important and fascinating than "Braveheart")and here is a great book that gives you a good glimpse not only into it's production, but into the documents, the testomonies and brilliant artistry that make the film what it is. It starts off with an interesting interview with the great cinema genius Oliver Stone in which discusses the film's genesis (how interesting that he passed on a film about Noriega for this movie). And then come the fascinating, interesting and great essays by important Nixon-era, Watergate figures like John Dean, E.Howard Hunt and one Cuban CIA operative. The co-writers of the screenplay also contribute great essays that explore Nixon and a history of political assassinations and black ops within the American government and its overseas operations. The screenplay itself is brilliant, mingling intrigue with drama and political issues, not to mention thrilling history. Stone, as in "JFK," makes a fascinating study of politics and power with this movie. He also makes a point about how our government conducts operations which involve assassination, secret underdealings etc. just as much as any South American or Central American country. "Nixon: An Oliver Stone Film" is a must for film buffs, political film analysts and fans of Oliver Stone (me).

Oliver Stone is known for making intense, controversial movies, based on historical events. I don't know how much of this story of Nixon is true, but what is written is a very dramatic and interesting story of the goings-on in the White House. If you enjoy the film Nixon, check out this book. You will not be disappointed.