Watch Scandalous: The Untold Story Of The National Enquirer

Scandalous: The Untold Story Of The National Enquirer is a 2019 documentary film that chronicles the history of the infamous American tabloid National Enquirer. The film takes a deep dive into the rise of the publication, examining its tactics, ethics, and influence on American culture. The movie is directed by Mark Landsman, and features interviews with former staff members and industry insiders, as well as journalists who covered the National Enquirer throughout its history. The film is narrated by journalist and author Ken Auletta.

The National Enquirer was founded in 1926, but it wasn't until the 1950s under the leadership of Generoso Pope Jr. that the tabloid began to gain national attention. The film explores the ways in which Pope transformed the publication from a New York City gossip rag into a national phenomenon, with its focus on sensationalist stories about celebrities, politicians, and even the supernatural.

The documentary goes on to explore the Enquirer's influence on American politics, including its role in exposing the extramarital affairs of presidential candidate Gary Hart in 1987. The film also details the paper's role in promoting conspiracy theories and sensationalizing tragedies, such as its coverage of JonBenét Ramsey's murder in 1996.

Throughout the movie, the filmmakers question the ethics of the National Enquirer's journalism, highlighting the many instances in which the paper crossed the line into outright lying and manipulation. While the Enquirer's editors and reporters are quick to defend their work as legitimate journalism, many others in the industry see it as little more than exploitation.

The film also examines the Enquirer's relationship with President Donald Trump, who was friendly with the publication in the years leading up to his election. The Enquirer famously published a story alleging that Ted Cruz's father had been involved in the assassination of John F. Kennedy, and then went on to vigorously support Trump's presidential campaign.

The movie features interviews with several former Enquirer editors and reporters, including Malcolm Balfour, who served as senior editor of the publication from 1981 to 1989. Balfour offers a behind-the-scenes look at the tabloid's reporting methods, including its reliance on confidential sources and its willingness to pay for information.

The documentary also features journalist Carl Bernstein, who gained fame for his reporting on the Watergate scandal that brought down President Richard Nixon. Bernstein offers his perspective on the Enquirer's role in American culture, suggesting that the tabloid's influence has been detrimental to the country's political discourse.

Overall, Scandalous: The Untold Story Of The National Enquirer is a fascinating and thought-provoking documentary that sheds new light on one of the most notorious publications in American history. The film raises important questions about the ethics of journalism and the impact of sensationalism on American culture. Whether you are a fan of the National Enquirer or one of its many critics, this documentary is sure to leave you with a deeper understanding of this iconic American institution.

Scandalous: The Untold Story Of The National Enquirer is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 60.