Frost/Nixon (2008)

A dramatic retelling of the post-Watergate television interviews between British talk-show host David Frost and former president Richard Nixon.

Director:

Ron Howard

Writers:

Peter Morgan (screenplay), Peter Morgan (play)

Stars:

Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Kevin Bacon

Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 22 wins & 72 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Frank Langella	...	Richard Nixon
Michael Sheen	...	David Frost
Sam Rockwell	...	James Reston, Jr.
Kevin Bacon	...	Jack Brennan
Matthew Macfadyen	...	John Birt
Oliver Platt	...	Bob Zelnick
Rebecca Hall	...	Caroline Cushing
Toby Jones	...	Swifty Lazar
Andy Milder	...	Frank Gannon
Kate Jennings Grant	...	Diane Sawyer
Gabriel Jarret	...	Ken Khachigian
Jim Meskimen	...	Ray Price
Patty McCormack	...	Pat Nixon
Geoffrey Blake	...	Interview Director
Clint Howard	...	Lloyd Davis

Storyline

Writer Peter Morgan's legendary battle between Richard Nixon, the disgraced president with a legacy to save, and David Frost, a jet-setting television personality with a name to make, in the story of the historic encounter that changed both their lives. For three years after being forced from office, Nixon remained silent. But in summer 1977, the steely, cunning former commander-in-chief agreed to sit for one all-inclusive interview to confront the questions of his time in office and the Watergate scandal that ended his presidency. Nixon surprised everyone in selecting Frost as his televised confessor, intending to easily outfox the breezy British showman and secure a place in the hearts and minds of Americans (as well as a $600,000 fee). Likewise, Frost's team harbored doubts about their boss' ability to hold his own. But as cameras rolled, a charged battle of wits resulted.

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Plot Keywords:

interview | watergate | scandal | u.s. president | political drama | 

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Taglines:

400 million people were waiting for the truth.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Universal [United States]

Country:

UK France USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 January 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Duel Frost/Nixon

Filming Locations:

Palos Verdes Estates, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$180,708, 7 December 2008, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$18,593,156, 22 March 2009

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment, Working Title Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Broadway production of "Frost/Nixon" by Peter Morgan opened at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theater in New York City on April 22, 2007, ran for 137 performances and was nominated for the 2007 Tony Award for Best Play.

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Goofs

After the third interview with Nixon, on March 28 1977, Frost mentions that it is his birthday. Frost's birthday is April 7.

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Quotes

Richard Nixon: [Frost is signing a cheque] I hope that isn't coming out of your own pocket.
David Frost: [Gives a quick smile] I wish my pockets were that deep.

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Crazy Credits

Michael Sheen and Frank Langella are credited simultaneously before the title. Sheen's name is on a lower level, but further to the left; while Langella's is higher up, but pushed to the right. Therefore, depending on whether you read the card top-to-bottom or left-to-right, either actor can be seen as being credited first.

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Connections

Featured in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #19.63 (2011)

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Soundtracks

I Feel Love
Written by Donna Summer, Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte
Performed by Donna Summer
Courtesy of The Island Def Jam Music Group
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

An excellent portrayal of a controversial president.

Frost/Nixon is one of the best film of the year, and certainly a strong contender for best picture. Langella's marvelous performance as the bedazzled Richard Nixon and Michael Sheen's terrific portrayal of the rigorous David Frost combined with Ron Howard's magnificent direction make the movie a memorable one. Not only that but the supporting cast- including Sam Rockwell, Kevin Bacon, Matthew MacFayden and Olvier Platt- was also phenomenal. Frost/Nixon is an epic, an epic that involves not guns and human sacrifices but words and tense emotions. It's also a historically significant film, for all who crave to know what really happened and whether or not Nixon didn't "obstruct any laws." In short Frost/Nixon is an amazing film filled with sharp dialogues, amazing performances and tense and provocative sentiments as well as an explosive yet subtle ending.

10/10 Go see it!