Nixon by Nixon: In His Own Words

Peter Kunhardt's HBO documentary serves up a quasi-autobiographical collage of archival material on the life and checkered presidency of Richard Nixon, composed largely of Nixon's own words—mostly taken from the Oval Office tapes recorded between 1971 and 1973 but also including observations that Nixon later offered in his interviews with David Frost, all supplemented by contemporary news footage and explanatory title cards that provide chronological references and historical context. The portrait that emerges is hardly new, but still damning: while the public Nixon could appear authoritative and impressive, his private conversations revealed that he was deeply prejudiced, incredibly coarse, and determined to use every underhanded method against his perceived political enemies. Nixon's patent dishonesty—saying one thing to reporters and the exact opposite to his aides—is often evident here, as is his contempt for the niceties of the law in the raw exercise of power. Nixon by Nixon doesn't ignore his achievements—including his rise from humble beginnings, opening the door to China, and an array of progressive domestic accomplishments—but it emphasizes the duplicity of both his Vietnam policy (clearly shown in his reaction to the release of the Pentagon Papers) and his deep involvement in the Watergate scandal that ultimately forced his resignation. Those familiar with Nixon's career won't find any historical revelations here, but by bringing so much evidence together in a compact, smartly edited package—with audio excerpts helpfully supplemented by typed transcriptions—Kunhardt unmistakably shows the darkness of Nixon's personality and its corrupting effect on the presidency. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)