Our Nixon

Our Nixon is a thought-provoking and intriguing 2013 documentary that delves into the tumultuous period of American history surrounding the presidency of Richard Nixon. The film manages to offer a remarkably insightful and nuanced glimpse into the Nixon administration and the people who moved within its orbit.

In a novel approach, the film is primarily built around never-before-seen Super 8 home movies filmed by the president's closest aides – namely White House Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman, domestic affairs adviser John Ehrlichman, and special assistant Dwight Chapin. Over the course of their careers, these three men captured over 500 reels of film that constituted countless hours of both public and private moments. Their footage provides an unusual and intimate perspective of Nixon, showing him in candid moments of relaxation, in behind-the-scenes political discussions, and in moments of joy and stress.

Directed by Penny Lane, Our Nixon uses this colorfully intimate footage to craft a multilayered historical account. The documentary begins with Nixon's inauguration as the 37th President of the United States in January 1969 and carries through to his departure in the face of impeachment in August 1974. The Super 8 films are supplemented by other historical material from the era, including interviews, news reports, and Nixon's famous White House tapes.

The documentary skillfully meshes private home movies, public speeches, and key historical events to weave a complex portrayal of Nixon, his colleagues, and their era. The viewer gets unique insight into their work, witnessing the discussions and negotiations in a nation burdened by war, social unrest, and political scandal. One prominent feature in the documentary is the Watergate scandal and its buildup, stop short of revealing how it ultimately concluded – a choice deliberately made to engender curiosity, dialogue, and further research.

While the movie primarily centers on Nixon, it's worth mentioning that Haldeman, Chapin, and Ehrlichman also stand as captivating figures in their own right. As the people closest to Nixon during his presidency, their dedication, loyalty, and eventual downfall mirror the trajectory of the administration they served, granting viewers an intimate look at how they experienced these tumultuous events.

Another noteworthy aspect of Our Nixon is the in-depth examination of Nixon's views on government, press, patriotism, and other topics pertinent to his presidency through various excerpts from the infamous White House tapes. The audiotapes' addition, questionable due to their secretive nature, provides an increased ambiguous atmosphere to the documentary, delivering a punch that many other films of the same genre lack.

Our Nixon brims with irony and juxtapositions that are bound to invite further contemplation. Throughout the film, you see Nixon, once a man occupying the most powerful office in the world, diminish before your eyes. The awe-inspiring ceremonies and fanfare give way to images of a scandal-ridden White House. Meanwhile, the private, candid moments captured by Haldeman and his cohorts reveal the warmth and camaraderie that is seldom associated with Nixon.

Our Nixon is not merely a historical documentary; it's a film about how we perceive history, leadership, and ourselves. The movie prompts viewers to question the narratives they've been told, reassess the characters they thought they knew, and, in many ways, consider the implications for today's political climate.

While this fascinating documentary does add a layer of complexity to Nixon's image, it does not intend to exonerate him or vilify him further. Instead, the documentary paints a stunningly human portrait of Nixon and his aides, capturing the gravity of their actions and their far-reaching effects on the American populace.

In essence, Our Nixon is a journey into the past that carries a remarkable relevance for today. It is an extraordinary feat of documentary filmmaking that serves both as an engaging historical account and a thought-provoking exploration of power, loyalty, and the public face of politics.