post #5: In-class write

The film Frost/Nixon that I watched and researched had shared some common themes with both 12 Years a Slave and Glory. The movie was based off the on a primary source, the televised interviews of Richard Nixon by David Frost, and used many historic materials for the characters portrayed in the film and the dialogue that was used. Like 12 Years a Slave, the director chose to focus on the reenactment of the interviews from a behind the scenes perspective and the research done to prepare for it. Using characters of James Reston Jr., Bob Zelnick and Caroline Cushing as the researchers who prepared Frost for the interviews and Jack Brennan, Frank Gannon, and Diane Sawyer as the people who prepared Nixon was important because it showed that the director wanted to bring the actual experiences of a historical individual to life.

The film can be seen as both historical accurate and inaccurate in some places. Frost/Nixon accurately included characters that were actually there and participated in the watergate interviews. It also accurately showed the personality of Richard Nixon, from his cold demeanor around his wife to the way he sweat on his upper lip when he became nervous. It accurately showed the audience the intensive grueling nature of Reston and Zelnick while researching the watergate scandal before the interviews, which has the idea overcoming hardships in common with Glory. That theme is also found when Frost seems to be struggling with his first two interviews, but after Reston discovers new information and they work together, he is able to get a confession out of Nixon. It was historically accurate to make the financial and broadcasting struggles that Frost had to deal with so pressing in the film because in an interview, Caroline Cushing remembers that was a major issue during this time. The birthday party scene was also described as very accurate to the reality of how the night happened. It was also true that Nixon said, "Well, when the president does it that means its not illegal" like in an interview scene, which shows his corrupt understanding of the law and was smartly added into the content of the movie by the filmmaker.

 Inaccuracies in the film often occurred due to the filmmakers adding in scenes for dramatic effect on the audience. One of which was the late-night phone call Nixon made to Frost, in which he was drunk and threatened him, but also gave David a clue as to how to get him to confess. This did not happen and Frost was never given any help from the President especially since, according to Jack Brennan, Nixon did not drink. Another historical inaccuracy was the timing of the scenes. While the interviews all occurred in correct chronological order, they were strategically shortened to alot for the short movie time. This was shown in the interview scene in which Nixon "confesses" and apologizes for the watergate crimes. In the broadcast, it seemed quick and easy to get Nixon to admit to the scandal and took about 7 minutes, whereas in reality it took 2 slow and grueling days of interrogations to get the confession. A smaller-scale historical inaccuracy took place among the relationship between Caroline Cushing and David Frost. The film showed them meeting on a plane ride to America, which was the initial trip Frost took to meet Nixon and gain television support for the interviews. This did not happen. While Caroline was with him on this trip, they had been dating for 5 years prior and did not meet on the flight. Though it is true that Nixon apologized for the crimes he committed to the American people, the one major question that remains over the interviews is whether or not he meant it.