Watch Our Nixon

Our Nixon is a 2013 documentary film directed by Penny Lane that chronicles the lives and presidencies of Richard Nixon, H.R. Haldeman, and John Ehrlichman through the use of home movies, news footage, and audio recordings made by the men themselves. The film acts as a time capsule of sorts, taking viewers on a journey through the tumultuous decades of the 1960s and 1970s, from the height of Nixon's power and popularity to his eventual downfall.

The film is divided into four parts, each narrated by one of the three central figures. Haldeman, Nixon's chief of staff, opens the film with an overview of the early days of the Nixon administration, from the Vietnam War to the Watergate break-in. Ehrlichman, Nixon's domestic policy chief, provides insight into Nixon's political and social agenda, such as his war on drugs and his stance on civil rights. Nixon himself appears throughout the film in various forms, from early campaign footage to his infamous resignation speech.

One of the most striking aspects of Our Nixon is the footage used in the film. Much of it comes from the home movies and personal recordings of Nixon, Haldeman, and Ehrlichman, many of which were seized by the FBI during the Watergate investigation. The footage ranges from the mundane (Nixon wandering around the White House) to the revelatory (Nixon and Haldeman discussing the Watergate cover-up). The personal recordings bring a level of intimacy to the film that is rare in documentaries, providing a glimpse into the personal lives and relationships of the three men.

Throughout the film, the viewer is reminded of the changing political and social landscape of the 1960s and 1970s. The Civil Rights movement, the Vietnam War, and the counterculture are all major themes in the film, and the role of Nixon's presidency in shaping them is examined in depth. The film also delves into Nixon's relationship with the media, showcasing the president's paranoia and distrust of the press.

But despite its focus on one of the most notoriously corrupt presidencies in American history, Our Nixon is not a polemic. The film is more interested in understanding the men behind the scandal than in pointing fingers. It is a nuanced and complex portrait of three individuals caught up in a web of power and politics, struggling to balance their personal beliefs with the demands of the office they held.

Throughout the film, the viewer is struck by the humanity of the three men at its center. Haldeman, Ehrlichman, and even Nixon himself are shown to be more than just caricatures of power-hungry politicians. They are husbands, fathers, and friends, grappling with the pressures of their positions while still trying to maintain some semblance of a personal life. The film also illuminates the dynamics of their relationships with each other, from the close bond between Nixon and Haldeman to the contentious rivalry between Haldeman and Ehrlichman.

Despite its focus on the Nixon administration, Our Nixon feels oddly timeless. The themes of political corruption, media bias, and personal ambition are just as relevant today as they were in the 1970s. The film uses the lens of history to examine the present, encouraging viewers to think critically about the state of American politics and the role of the presidency.

In conclusion, Penny Lane's Our Nixon is a fascinating and insightful documentary that offers a unique glimpse into one of the most controversial presidencies in American history. It is a deeply human portrait of three men who shaped the political and social landscape of their time, exploring the complexities of their personal lives and the nuances of their relationships with each other. The film is a rich tapestry of history, politics, and personal narrative that is sure to captivate viewers, whether they lived through the Nixon era or are experiencing it for the first time.

Our Nixon is a 2013 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 72.