Watch ReMastered: Tricky Dick & The Man in Black

ReMastered: Tricky Dick & The Man in Black is a 2018 documentary movie that provides an in-depth insight into the relationship between Richard Nixon, the 37th President of the United States, and Johnny Cash, the iconic American musician. The movie explores the unlikely association between the two individuals and enlightens the viewer about the extent of their interaction and its impact on their personal and professional lives.

The movie unfolds the story of the collaboration between the two intriguing figures, with a blend of commentary, archival footage, interviews and original music. The archivist material includes photos, videos, and audio recordings, impeccably drawing a line between Cash's songs and Nixon's effusive personality.

The documentary starts by highlighting the obscure sides of Nixon's personality and how he used popular music to position himself politically. In the initial part of the movie, the viewers are presented with the story of Nixon's campaign to become the President of the United States of America in 1968, which witnessed him using celebrity endorsements to reach out to the masses.

Johnny Cash played a significant role in the campaign by writing a heartwarming song for Nixon 'The Ballad of Richard Nixon.' The song went on to become a campaign anthem, a symbol of the connection between the two men who could not be more different. Cash, the quintessential country music star, and Nixon, a complex and reserved political figure.

The documentary skillfully explores the political context during their association, which consisted of a turbulent 1970s decade marked by social, political, and economic turmoil. The documentary merges interviews with the people that were close to the two men and analyses some of the most significant events of that era, including the War on Drugs, the Cold War, and The Watergate Scandal.

The narrative of the movie is supported by interviews with individuals that were close to Cash and Nixon, such as Aram Bakshian, a speechwriter and assistant to Nixon. These interviews provide an insider's perspective on the relationship between Nixon and Cash, mainly when Nixon invited Cash to perform in the White House.

The documentary provides an almost nostalgic feeling when depicting the personal lives of the two men. It shows the famous picture of Cash flipping his famous one-finger salute outside Nixon's limousine, but also showcases rare footage of Nixon enjoying Cash's songs with his family.

The movie does not shy away from attempting to decode the possible motivations behind the association between the two individuals. On the one hand, Nixon used Cash's popularity to try to detach himself from the negative image regarding the Vietnam War, while on the other hand, Cash recognized a potential opportunity to bring down the wall between the country music fans and the politically conservative voters who typically worshiped Nixon.

The documentary also highlights the dichotomy between the personality of the two men. Cash is depicted as a cultural icon and a rebel figure, whereas Nixon was portrayed as a solitary individual and an enigmatic figure. It offers a glimpse into how their personal background, upbringing, and values shaped them as leaders.

The movie provides a captivating and educational exploration into an unlikely association that was surprisingly harmonious, though ultimately weighed more heavily on Johnny Cash's career, sadly. It is a powerful documentary that offers an honest, thought-provoking and truthful depiction of the complex relationship between two iconic figures, and the political and social context that brought them together.

ReMastered: Tricky Dick & The Man in Black is a 2018 documentary with a runtime of 58 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.