Nixon (1995)

VHS COVER/SIDE

MPAA Certificate Number: 34303

Length of film:  192 Minutes  (Directors Cut: 212 Minutes)

Rated: R   

Genre: History, Drama, Biography

Director: Oliver Stone

Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Joan Allen, Powers Boothe, Ed Harris, Bob Hoskins, E.G. Marshall, Paul Sorvino, James Woods.

IMDB Rank: 7.1/10

Part 1 Time:  83 Minutes  (Directors Cut: 83 Minutes)

Part 2 Time:  109 Minutes (Directors Cut: 129 Minutes)

Where does the first part end? Richard Nixon (Anthony Hopkins) wins the 1968 Republican National Convention.  

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “We can have a full American Revolution!” Richard Nixon addresses the crowd. Cheers are heard in the background.

First line of dialogue on the second part: “It would be a disaster. There is a lot of sympathy for Cambodia” Advisor speaks to Richard Nixon and members of the executive office.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? None, Richard Nixon has won the Republican National Convention and will be running a second time to become President of the United States. He succeeds but continues to be overwhelmed by how he is perceived by the public and by past scandals.

Which part is better? Part one at times can be choppy as it jumps back and forth from Nixon’s childhood, to his first Presidential campaign in 1960, which he ultimately loses to John F. Kennedy. In part two, the pacing of the film changes to a linear timeframe progressing through President Nixon’s terms as President 1969-1974. Due to the content and pacing, part two is overwhelming better and could by itself be its own film with minor edits. If short on time be sure to watch part two.

Academy Awards: Best Leading Actor (Nominated- Anthony Hopkins), Best Leading Actress (Nominated-Joan Allen), Best Writing-Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen (Nominated),Best Music- Original Score (Nominated).