In the summer of 1968 television news changed forever. Dead last in the ratings, ABC hired two towering public intellectuals to debate each other during the Democratic and Republican national conventions. William F. Buckley Jr. was a leading light of the new conservative movement. Gore Vidal was a leftist novelist and polemicist. Live and unscripted, they kept viewers riveted. Ratings for ABC News skyrocketed, and a new era in public discourse was born.
Best of Enemies
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Description
In the summer of 1968 television news changed forever. Dead last in the ratings, ABC hired two towering public intellectuals to debate each other during the Democratic and Republican national conventions. William F. Buckley Jr. was a leading light of the new conservative movement. A Democrat and cousin to Jackie Onassis, Gore Vidal was a leftist novelist and polemicist. Armed with deep-seated distrust and enmity, Vidal and Buckley believed each other’s political ideologies were dangerous for America. Like rounds in a heavyweight battle, they pummeled out policy and personal insult-their explosive exchanges devolving into vitriolic name-calling. Live and unscripted, they kept viewers riveted. Ratings for ABC News skyrocketed, and a new era in public discourse was born.
Cast and crew
-
Robert Gordon
Director, Writer -
Morgan Neville
Director, Writer -
Gore Vidal
Self - Debater -
William F. Buckley
Self - Debater -
Dick Cavett
Self - Talk Show Host -
Noam Chomsky
Self -
Todd Gitlin
Self - Media Studies, Columbia University -
Brooke Gladstone
Self - Host, NPR's On the Media -
Richard Wald
Self - Former President, NBC News -
William Sheehan
Self - Former President, ABC News -
Frank Rich
Self - Writer, New York Magazine -
Sam Tanenhaus
Self - Biographer, William F. Buckley Jr. -
Patricia Buckley
Self - Buckley's Wife -
Lee Edwards
Self - Historian, The Heritage Foundation -
Reid Buckley
Self - Buckley's Brother -
Linda Bridges
Self - Buckley's Personal Assistant -
Fred Kaplan
Self - Author, Gore Vidal: A Biography -
Matt Tyrnauer
Self - Vidal's Editor & Friend -
Sam Donaldson
Self - Correspondent, ABC News -
Howard K. Smith
Self - Anchor, ABC News -
George Merlis
Self - ABC Publicist -
Christopher Hitchens
Self - Political Essayist -
Norman Mailer
Self - Author -
Godfrey Cambridge
Self - Comedian -
Muhammad Ali
Self - Boxer -
Tom Graves
Writer
Additional information
Directors
Robert GordonMorgan Neville
Directors
Morgan Neville
Studio
Magnolia PicturesStudio
Subtitles
English (CC)Subtitles
Genres
DocumentaryForeign/Independent
Genres
Foreign/Independent
Writers
Robert GordonTom Graves
Morgan Neville
Writers
Tom Graves
Morgan Neville
Size
5.23 GB (1080p HD)2.47 GB (720p HD)
1.86 GB (SD)
Size
2.47 GB (720p HD)
1.86 GB (SD)
Additional terms
Terms of transactionWindows | Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 or later |
---|---|
Xbox | Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox One S, Xbox One X |
Mobile | Windows Phone 8, Windows Phone 8.1, Windows 10 or later |