|
Frost Nixon
|
| 00:00:46 |
They'd better not push me on him, |
| 00:00:47 |
or I'll just kick them in the teeth on it. |
| 00:00:49 |
Well, I think, if they... |
| 00:00:54 |
Internal Revenue people that are kicking |
| 00:00:56 |
Billy Graham around is Rosenberg. |
| 00:00:59 |
He is to be out. |
| 00:01:01 |
I don't give a goddamn what the story is. |
| 00:01:03 |
He went on television. |
| 00:01:07 |
I have not. |
| 00:01:09 |
we're going after the Chandlers, |
| 00:01:10 |
every one individually, |
| 00:01:12 |
their income taxes are starting this week. |
| 00:01:15 |
Every one of those sons of bitches. |
| 00:01:20 |
Well, this is something that we can... |
| 00:01:21 |
really hang Teddy or... |
| 00:01:22 |
Yeah. |
| 00:01:24 |
Or the Kennedy clan with. |
| 00:01:25 |
I'm gonna want to put that |
| 00:01:27 |
And we're gonna want to run with it. |
| 00:01:32 |
A controversial day in politics. |
| 00:01:34 |
A man arrested trying to bug the offices... |
| 00:01:36 |
of the Democratic National Committee... |
| 00:01:38 |
in Washington... |
| 00:01:39 |
turns out to be an employee... |
| 00:01:40 |
of President Richard Nixon's re-election... |
| 00:01:42 |
campaign committee. |
| 00:01:43 |
He is one of five persons surprised... |
| 00:01:45 |
and arrested yesterday... |
| 00:01:47 |
inside the headquarters of the Democratic |
| 00:01:49 |
National Committee... |
| 00:01:49 |
in Washington. |
| 00:01:51 |
And guess what else he is. |
| 00:01:52 |
A consultant of President Richard Nixon's... |
| 00:01:54 |
re-election campaign committee. |
| 00:01:56 |
The trial started today |
| 00:01:58 |
for the five burglars caught breaking into... |
| 00:02:00 |
the Democratic National |
| 00:02:03 |
Stand by for camera. |
| 00:02:04 |
John Dean, |
| 00:02:06 |
testified today... |
| 00:02:07 |
that President Nixon knew about... |
| 00:02:09 |
the Watergate cover-up. |
| 00:02:11 |
At one point in the conversation. |
| 00:02:12 |
I recall the President telling me... |
| 00:02:14 |
to keep a good list of the press people... |
| 00:02:16 |
giving us trouble... |
| 00:02:17 |
because we will make life |
| 00:02:19 |
after the election. |
| 00:02:20 |
Dean read through a 245-page statement... |
| 00:02:23 |
characterizing a president |
| 00:02:26 |
over war protesters |
| 00:02:29 |
and outlining a range of offenses, |
| 00:02:31 |
including wiretapping of newsmen, |
| 00:02:33 |
a Charles Colson plan to firebomb... |
| 00:02:35 |
and burglarize the Brookings Institution, |
| 00:02:37 |
and spying on Senator Kennedy... |
| 00:02:39 |
and other Democrats. |
| 00:02:40 |
The misuse of power is the very... |
| 00:02:42 |
essence of tyranny. |
| 00:02:43 |
And consider, if you will, |
| 00:02:46 |
the frightening implications of that... |
| 00:02:48 |
for a free society. |
| 00:02:50 |
The President |
| 00:02:52 |
of three of his closest aides. |
| 00:02:54 |
Out is H.R. Haldeman, |
| 00:02:56 |
Also quitting under fire is John Ehrlichman. |
| 00:02:59 |
Ehrlichman was a key political advisor. |
| 00:03:01 |
Good morning. |
| 00:03:03 |
has just ruled on the tapes controversy, |
| 00:03:04 |
and here is Carl Stern, |
| 00:03:07 |
It is a unanimous |
| 00:03:09 |
Justice Rehnquist |
| 00:03:12 |
ordering the President |
| 00:03:15 |
to turn over the tapes. |
| 00:03:18 |
It's an eight-to-zero unanimous opinion. |
| 00:03:20 |
A White House aide told NBC News today... |
| 00:03:22 |
that impeachment of the President... |
| 00:03:23 |
by the full House of Representatives... |
| 00:03:27 |
now is a virtual certainty. |
| 00:03:29 |
These are, |
| 00:03:31 |
the last hours of the 37th presidency... |
| 00:03:34 |
of the United States. |
| 00:03:39 |
This is indeed an historic day, |
| 00:03:41 |
the only time a president has ever... |
| 00:03:43 |
resigned from office... |
| 00:03:45 |
in our nearly 200 years of history. |
| 00:03:48 |
You see the White House |
| 00:03:51 |
in just a few moments now. |
| 00:03:52 |
President Nixon will be appearing... |
| 00:03:54 |
before the people, |
| 00:03:55 |
perhaps for the last time as President... |
| 00:03:58 |
of the United States. |
| 00:04:00 |
15 seconds, Mr. President. |
| 00:04:08 |
Okay, that's five, |
| 00:04:16 |
Good evening. |
| 00:04:19 |
I have spoken to you from this office... |
| 00:04:22 |
where so many decisions |
| 00:04:25 |
that have shaped the history of our nation. |
| 00:04:27 |
I remember exactly where I was. |
| 00:04:31 |
My father called. |
| 00:04:33 |
called and he said, |
| 00:04:34 |
'Turn on the TV right now. |
| 00:04:37 |
I was at home with friends, |
| 00:04:40 |
television at home. |
| 00:04:41 |
We stayed up and, |
| 00:04:43 |
I'd been glued to... |
| 00:04:44 |
the Select and Judiciary |
| 00:04:46 |
night after night. |
| 00:04:47 |
And then finally, |
| 00:04:49 |
Therefore, I shall resign |
| 00:04:53 |
at noon tomorrow. |
| 00:04:55 |
But instead of the satisfaction |
| 00:04:57 |
I imagined I'd feel. |
| 00:04:58 |
I just got angrier and angrier, |
| 00:05:00 |
because there was no admission of guilt. |
| 00:05:03 |
There was no apology. |
| 00:05:04 |
Little did I know... |
| 00:05:06 |
that I would one day be part of the team... |
| 00:05:08 |
that would try and elicit that apology. |
| 00:05:11 |
To leave office before |
| 00:05:14 |
is abhorrent to every instinct in my body. |
| 00:05:17 |
I have never been a quitter. |
| 00:05:19 |
And that that team would be led... |
| 00:05:21 |
by the most unlikely of white knights, |
| 00:05:25 |
a man with no political convictions... |
| 00:05:26 |
whatsoever, |
| 00:05:27 |
a man who, as far as I know, |
| 00:05:31 |
once in his life. |
| 00:05:32 |
But he was a man who had |
| 00:05:36 |
over the rest of us. |
| 00:05:37 |
He understood television. |
| 00:05:46 |
And now, the host of Frost Over Australia. |
| 00:05:51 |
Mr. David Frost. |
| 00:05:55 |
Thank you, thank you. |
| 00:06:00 |
Hello. Good evening. |
| 00:06:01 |
And with the eyes of the world |
| 00:06:04 |
here in Australia, |
| 00:06:07 |
a meat factory in Brisbane... |
| 00:06:10 |
and stolen a ton of pork sausages. |
| 00:06:14 |
The Queensland police |
| 00:06:17 |
in a long, thin getaway car. |
| 00:06:21 |
Now, my first guest tonight... |
| 00:06:23 |
Well, we in the Nixon camp... |
| 00:06:24 |
really didn't know that much |
| 00:06:26 |
other than he was a British talk show host... |
| 00:06:29 |
with something of a playboy reputation. |
| 00:06:31 |
He'd had a talk show here in the US that... |
| 00:06:33 |
had won some awards... |
| 00:06:35 |
but hadn't syndicated well |
| 00:06:38 |
by the network. |
| 00:06:40 |
He ended up taking it down to Australia, |
| 00:06:41 |
which is, I believe, |
| 00:06:44 |
the President resigned. |
| 00:06:45 |
Next week's guest |
| 00:06:48 |
We'll see you then. |
| 00:06:53 |
Great show, David. |
| 00:06:54 |
Come and look at this. |
| 00:06:56 |
Nixon leaving the White House. |
| 00:06:57 |
A dark day for Richard Nixon, |
| 00:07:00 |
to the vast Ellipse south |
| 00:07:01 |
What, this is live? |
| 00:07:03 |
But those were triumphs. |
| 00:07:05 |
What time is it in Washington? |
| 00:07:08 |
9:00 a.m. |
| 00:07:10 |
Why didn't he wait? |
| 00:07:11 |
It's 6:00 in the morning on the West Coast. |
| 00:07:12 |
Half his audience is still asleep. |
| 00:07:16 |
All right, |
| 00:07:18 |
the set broken down. |
| 00:07:19 |
Are witnesses to the saddest day |
| 00:07:23 |
his last moments as President... |
| 00:07:25 |
of the United States, |
| 00:07:27 |
a moment unlike any other in the history... |
| 00:07:30 |
of this country. |
| 00:07:48 |
Richard Nixon, who goes now... |
| 00:07:49 |
from the power of the presidency... |
| 00:07:52 |
to a form of exile in California. |
| 00:07:54 |
Find out the numbers for this, will you? |
| 00:07:57 |
Worldwide. |
| 00:08:10 |
I remember his face. |
| 00:08:14 |
Staring out the window. |
| 00:08:16 |
Down below him, |
| 00:08:19 |
cheered, gloated. |
| 00:08:23 |
Hippies, draft dodgers, |
| 00:08:25 |
the same people who'd spit on me when |
| 00:08:28 |
I got back from Vietnam. |
| 00:08:30 |
They'd gotten rid of Richard Nixon. |
| 00:08:33 |
their bogeyman. |
| 00:08:46 |
So what's so important that it couldn't wait. |
| 00:08:48 |
that it had to be today? |
| 00:08:50 |
I've had an idea, John, |
| 00:08:53 |
for an interview. |
| 00:08:54 |
Fish and chips, please. |
| 00:08:56 |
And in a moment... |
| 00:08:57 |
Well, it's too late now. |
| 00:08:58 |
I've called his people... |
| 00:09:00 |
You? |
| 00:09:01 |
Beans, peas and lamb, please. |
| 00:09:04 |
And made an offer. |
| 00:09:05 |
Now, if the subject were to say yes, |
| 00:09:11 |
well, he's rather a big fish that swims... |
| 00:09:15 |
in not-untricky waters. |
| 00:09:17 |
So it goes without saying |
| 00:09:21 |
and the finest producer I know by my side. |
| 00:09:29 |
So who is it? |
| 00:09:32 |
Richard Nixon. |
| 00:09:34 |
Richard Nixon? |
| 00:09:36 |
Well, come on, |
| 00:09:39 |
Well, how would you expect me to look? |
| 00:09:41 |
I spent yesterday evening watching you... |
| 00:09:43 |
interview the Bee Gees. |
| 00:09:44 |
Weren't they terrific? |
| 00:09:46 |
Come on, John, |
| 00:09:49 |
interviews before. |
| 00:09:51 |
So, okay, so what kind of interview? |
| 00:09:54 |
A full, extensive look-back over his life. |
| 00:09:58 |
his presidency. |
| 00:09:59 |
And? |
| 00:10:01 |
And what? |
| 00:10:02 |
Surely the only thing |
| 00:10:04 |
about Richard Nixon |
| 00:10:06 |
A full, |
| 00:10:07 |
confession. |
| 00:10:08 |
Well, we'll get that, too. |
| 00:10:10 |
From Richard Nixon? |
| 00:10:11 |
Come on, John. |
| 00:10:13 |
Just think of the numbers it would get. |
| 00:10:16 |
Do you know how many people watched... |
| 00:10:18 |
his farewell speech in the White House? |
| 00:10:19 |
Four hundred million. |
| 00:10:23 |
But in the end, |
| 00:10:25 |
And soon after arriving in California. |
| 00:10:26 |
Nixon was rushed to |
| 00:10:30 |
attack of phlebitis. |
| 00:10:44 |
I think it was around this time... |
| 00:10:45 |
that Gerald Ford, |
| 00:10:46 |
who was the new President, |
| 00:10:47 |
and who was desperate |
| 00:10:49 |
on from Watergate, |
| 00:10:49 |
gave Nixon a full, |
| 00:10:52 |
Now therefore, I, |
| 00:10:55 |
President of the United States, |
| 00:10:58 |
have granted, |
| 00:11:01 |
do grant, |
| 00:11:02 |
a full, |
| 00:11:05 |
unto Richard Nixon for all offenses... |
| 00:11:08 |
against the United States. |
| 00:11:10 |
It meant that the man who had committed... |
| 00:11:12 |
the greatest felony... |
| 00:11:12 |
in American political history |
| 00:11:15 |
It was like he slipped out the back door. |
| 00:11:19 |
A public opinion poll indicates... |
| 00:11:21 |
a two-to-one disapproval of the pardoning... |
| 00:11:23 |
of Richard Nixon. |
| 00:11:24 |
One telegram from Virginia said, |
| 00:11:26 |
'Roosevelt had his New Deal, |
| 00:11:27 |
'Truman had his Fair Deal, |
| 00:11:30 |
his crooked deal.' |
| 00:11:31 |
There was no deal, period. |
| 00:11:33 |
I don't think the truth will ever come out. |
| 00:11:35 |
The American people |
| 00:11:37 |
and I don't think it will ever now... |
| 00:11:40 |
be fully known. |
| 00:12:03 |
So how do we want to |
| 00:12:06 |
Well, do we want to lift some quotes... |
| 00:12:08 |
from the 'stand up and |
| 00:12:10 |
in 1970? |
| 00:12:11 |
Sir? |
| 00:12:13 |
using the whole Lincoln Memorial memo. |
| 00:12:14 |
Just include the whole thing. |
| 00:12:16 |
Mr. President, |
| 00:12:18 |
Okay. No, no, stick around. |
| 00:12:21 |
You're gonna get a kick out of this. |
| 00:12:23 |
This is my literary agent from Hollywood. |
| 00:12:26 |
Hygiene obsessive. |
| 00:12:31 |
Mr. President, |
| 00:12:34 |
Nice to see you. |
| 00:12:36 |
These are folks helping me with my book. |
| 00:12:38 |
Diane Sawyer, |
| 00:12:40 |
Irving Lazar. |
| 00:12:41 |
Nice to meet you. |
| 00:12:43 |
Pleasure. |
| 00:12:49 |
Okay, that's it. |
| 00:12:51 |
So how you feeling, sir? |
| 00:12:53 |
I'm better, thank you. |
| 00:12:56 |
well enough to golf, |
| 00:12:58 |
thank God. |
| 00:13:02 |
Imagine, six weeks out of office... |
| 00:13:05 |
as President of the United States, |
| 00:13:07 |
and they'd have me putting |
| 00:13:10 |
Never retire, Mr. Lazar. |
| 00:13:13 |
To me, the unhappiest |
| 00:13:17 |
are retired. |
| 00:13:18 |
No purpose. |
| 00:13:20 |
What makes life mean |
| 00:13:23 |
A goal. A battle. A struggle. |
| 00:13:26 |
Well, even if you don't win it. |
| 00:13:28 |
When my doctor declared me unfit... |
| 00:13:31 |
to give testimony in the Watergate trial, |
| 00:13:33 |
everybody thought I'd be relieved. |
| 00:13:35 |
Well, they were wrong. |
| 00:13:37 |
That was the lowest I got. |
| 00:13:38 |
Well, if it's a challenge |
| 00:13:42 |
you might enjoy. |
| 00:13:43 |
How to spend $2 million, |
| 00:13:47 |
It's what I got for your memoirs. |
| 00:13:49 |
Well, thank you. |
| 00:13:50 |
Eh... |
| 00:13:52 |
It might be a little short of what I wanted, |
| 00:13:53 |
but let me assure you, |
| 00:13:56 |
than they wanted. |
| 00:13:57 |
That book is important to me. |
| 00:13:59 |
It's probably the only |
| 00:14:02 |
to put the record straight... |
| 00:14:03 |
and remind people the Nixon years... |
| 00:14:06 |
weren't all bad. |
| 00:14:08 |
You know, if you're trying |
| 00:14:12 |
I'd at least talk to him. |
| 00:14:13 |
Who? |
| 00:14:15 |
David Frost. |
| 00:14:19 |
Why would I want to talk to David Frost? |
| 00:14:22 |
Well, a while back, |
| 00:14:24 |
for an interview. |
| 00:14:25 |
No. |
| 00:14:26 |
Well, we didn't get back to him. |
| 00:14:28 |
Frankly, we didn't find him appropriate. |
| 00:14:30 |
Well, I thought that we were... |
| 00:14:32 |
doing one with CBS. |
| 00:14:33 |
We are. I just figured doing it with Frost... |
| 00:14:35 |
would be a whole lot easier than doing it... |
| 00:14:36 |
with Mike Wallace. |
| 00:14:37 |
It would, but it would have a lot less. |
| 00:14:40 |
you know, credibility. |
| 00:14:41 |
True, true. Could probably get more money. |
| 00:14:48 |
Really? |
| 00:14:50 |
We'll always have 350 on the table... |
| 00:14:52 |
from CBS. |
| 00:14:53 |
But if I could get Frost to pay more... |
| 00:14:56 |
and secure better terms, |
| 00:14:57 |
it might be a shame to pass. |
| 00:15:00 |
It'd be interesting to know |
| 00:15:04 |
We tied him to railway tracks. |
| 00:15:06 |
and he escaped. |
| 00:15:07 |
We buried him alive, |
| 00:15:10 |
Today we're lowering |
| 00:15:13 |
into the water... |
| 00:15:14 |
to see if he can miraculously... |
| 00:15:17 |
cheat death once more. |
| 00:15:18 |
Good evening, |
| 00:15:20 |
Great Escapes. |
| 00:15:21 |
My name is David Frost. |
| 00:15:25 |
Okay, that is a cut. |
| 00:15:27 |
Thank you. |
| 00:15:28 |
In any deal, you need to |
| 00:15:31 |
breaking point. |
| 00:15:32 |
To assess that, |
| 00:15:34 |
late at night or at the weekend. |
| 00:15:37 |
If they take the call, |
| 00:15:40 |
And from that moment on, |
| 00:15:44 |
the upper hand. |
| 00:15:55 |
Hello? |
| 00:15:56 |
Mr. Frost? Irving Lazar. |
| 00:15:59 |
Who? |
| 00:16:00 |
Swifty Lazar. |
| 00:16:02 |
President Nixon. |
| 00:16:04 |
What time is it? |
| 00:16:05 |
Bad time? |
| 00:16:06 |
No. Not at all. |
| 00:16:12 |
I'm calling with regard to |
| 00:16:16 |
and to say, |
| 00:16:19 |
my client is not necessarily |
| 00:16:23 |
Really? |
| 00:16:27 |
For God's sake. |
| 00:16:29 |
I got $500,000. |
| 00:16:31 |
Is that good? |
| 00:16:32 |
Mr. President, it's a half a |
| 00:16:37 |
It's unprecedented. |
| 00:16:38 |
Yeah? Well, what's the catch? |
| 00:16:41 |
With Frost? None. |
| 00:16:44 |
This guy'll be so grateful |
| 00:16:47 |
he'll pitch puffballs all night... |
| 00:16:49 |
and pay a half a million |
| 00:16:55 |
Well, you think you could get 550? |
| 00:16:59 |
I got 6. |
| 00:17:02 |
David, how could you have done that? |
| 00:17:04 |
$600,000. That's a fortune. |
| 00:17:06 |
200 on signature? |
| 00:17:07 |
Don't worry about the money. |
| 00:17:08 |
My God. |
| 00:17:10 |
he belongs in jail. |
| 00:17:11 |
You're making him a rich man. |
| 00:17:12 |
Plus, by outbidding them, |
| 00:17:14 |
of the networks. |
| 00:17:16 |
They're already sounding off |
| 00:17:19 |
And if the networks are against you, |
| 00:17:20 |
syndication's always going to be a struggle. |
| 00:17:22 |
No syndication, |
| 00:17:23 |
No advance sales, |
| 00:17:25 |
No commercials, no revenue. |
| 00:17:26 |
And here's the bigger question, why do it? |
| 00:17:29 |
You don't need it. |
| 00:17:30 |
Your career's in great shape. |
| 00:17:31 |
This will just spread you |
| 00:17:33 |
jeopardize the other shows. |
| 00:17:35 |
Isn't it true that Channel Nine in Australia... |
| 00:17:37 |
want you to do another season... |
| 00:17:37 |
of your talk show for them? |
| 00:17:38 |
Yes. |
| 00:17:39 |
Yes, but that would be |
| 00:17:42 |
This would be... |
| 00:17:44 |
You wouldn't understand, John. |
| 00:17:46 |
You were never part of the show... |
| 00:17:48 |
in New York, |
| 00:17:49 |
but it's indescribable. |
| 00:17:51 |
Success in America is unlike success... |
| 00:17:55 |
anywhere else. |
| 00:17:57 |
And the emptiness when it's gone. |
| 00:18:01 |
And the sickening thought that it may... |
| 00:18:05 |
never come back. |
| 00:18:07 |
You know, there's a |
| 00:18:09 |
called Sardi's. |
| 00:18:10 |
Ordinary mortals can't get a table. |
| 00:18:12 |
John, the place was my canteen. |
| 00:18:13 |
You know, I'd be happier... |
| 00:18:14 |
if I heard some kind of vision... |
| 00:18:16 |
that you had for this interview. |
| 00:18:17 |
Excuse me, Mr. Frost. |
| 00:18:18 |
I'd heard you were going to be here. |
| 00:18:19 |
Would you mind? |
| 00:18:21 |
But I don't. |
| 00:18:22 |
a man doing it... |
| 00:18:23 |
because it would create headlines... |
| 00:18:24 |
or give him a place at the top table. |
| 00:18:27 |
And that is what makes me nervous. |
| 00:18:28 |
And you do nervous so beautifully, John. |
| 00:18:31 |
'Hello, good evening and welcome.' |
| 00:18:37 |
I don't actually say that. |
| 00:18:39 |
Hello, Mr. Frost. |
| 00:18:47 |
Champagne? |
| 00:18:49 |
No, thank you. |
| 00:18:51 |
Another glass, sir? |
| 00:19:11 |
You don't like champagne? |
| 00:19:15 |
Not on airplanes. |
| 00:19:16 |
Yes, it dehydrates one terribly. |
| 00:19:19 |
The trick is to have a glass of water... |
| 00:19:21 |
on the go, too. |
| 00:19:22 |
Like the Viennese serve coffee. |
| 00:19:25 |
Well, I've never been to Vienna. |
| 00:19:27 |
Oh. Well, you'd like it. |
| 00:19:30 |
It's like Paris without the French. |
| 00:19:36 |
What's your name? |
| 00:19:37 |
Caroline. |
| 00:19:39 |
David. |
| 00:19:40 |
Yes, I know. David Frost. |
| 00:19:43 |
'Hello and good evening and welcome.' |
| 00:19:51 |
You know, I heard an interview with you... |
| 00:19:53 |
recently on the radio. |
| 00:19:55 |
You were giving it from the back... |
| 00:19:56 |
of your Rolls-Royce. |
| 00:19:57 |
Bentley. |
| 00:19:58 |
On the phone. |
| 00:19:59 |
They said that you were a person... |
| 00:20:01 |
who defined the age we live in. |
| 00:20:04 |
Really? |
| 00:20:06 |
You and Vidal Sassoon. |
| 00:20:09 |
But what made you exceptional, they said, |
| 00:20:12 |
was that you were a person |
| 00:20:16 |
without possessing any discernible quality. |
| 00:20:20 |
How kind. |
| 00:20:21 |
And that you fly around a great deal. |
| 00:20:24 |
Well, that's true. |
| 00:20:28 |
Why? |
| 00:20:29 |
I like to keep busy. |
| 00:20:31 |
Why? |
| 00:20:32 |
I find it more interesting... |
| 00:20:34 |
than keeping still. |
| 00:20:36 |
You know, |
| 00:20:39 |
Do I? |
| 00:20:40 |
Has anyone told you that before? |
| 00:20:43 |
No. |
| 00:20:44 |
Are you a sad person? |
| 00:20:50 |
Let's talk about you a little bit. |
| 00:20:52 |
Of course, you feel more |
| 00:20:55 |
How right you are. |
| 00:20:57 |
This is your captain speaking. |
| 00:20:59 |
You may have noticed we've begun... |
| 00:21:00 |
our final descent into Los Angeles. |
| 00:21:03 |
If you could please return to your seats... |
| 00:21:05 |
and fasten your seat belts, |
| 00:21:06 |
we'll be landing very shortly. Thank you. |
| 00:21:09 |
So how about you? |
| 00:21:11 |
To meet Richard Nixon. |
| 00:21:13 |
Really? |
| 00:21:16 |
You know, they say he has |
| 00:21:19 |
but the sexiest voice. |
| 00:21:21 |
Where is he now? |
| 00:21:23 |
In some dark underground cave |
| 00:21:27 |
Actually, no. |
| 00:21:30 |
in California. |
| 00:21:31 |
Really? Richard Nixon in a beachside villa? |
| 00:21:34 |
How incongruous. |
| 00:21:36 |
You can come if you'd like. |
| 00:21:38 |
To meet Nixon? |
| 00:21:40 |
Why not? |
| 00:21:44 |
Are you sure? |
| 00:21:48 |
You know, I would love that. |
| 00:21:50 |
Cabin crew, |
| 00:21:52 |
Well, I'll get my office to call you... |
| 00:21:54 |
first thing in the morning... |
| 00:21:55 |
and send a car with a phone. |
| 00:21:57 |
Oh. |
| 00:22:01 |
He did, too. Money no object. |
| 00:22:04 |
Everything glittered and was golden. |
| 00:22:08 |
Well, on the outside. |
| 00:22:10 |
Of course, what I didn't know |
| 00:22:13 |
he'd gone to all the major networks... |
| 00:22:15 |
to try and get interest in the interviews. |
| 00:22:18 |
I'm sorry, David, |
| 00:22:21 |
of not paying for a news interview. |
| 00:22:23 |
Look, we love your work as an entertainer. |
| 00:22:26 |
That Guinness show? |
| 00:22:28 |
Love it. You're a funny guy. |
| 00:22:29 |
But an interview like this? |
| 00:22:31 |
You're asking us to pay |
| 00:22:34 |
to interview an American president... |
| 00:22:37 |
with absolutely no editorial |
| 00:22:41 |
Well, you can't say |
| 00:22:43 |
I know you're very busy. |
| 00:22:44 |
I'm not gonna keep you from it. |
| 00:22:47 |
Thank you for coming in. |
| 00:22:49 |
I'm gonna have to get back to you. |
| 00:22:51 |
Okay, thank you so much for your time. |
| 00:22:54 |
David, good luck. |
| 00:22:55 |
He never let on to anyone at the time, |
| 00:22:57 |
not even me. |
| 00:22:58 |
that would have meant... |
| 00:22:59 |
Thanks. |
| 00:23:00 |
...admitting failure, |
| 00:23:35 |
There you are. |
| 00:23:37 |
See, you don't have to do a thing yourself. |
| 00:23:59 |
Well. |
| 00:24:01 |
You found it okay. |
| 00:24:02 |
Yes, thank you. |
| 00:24:03 |
Pleasure to meet you, |
| 00:24:04 |
And you, sir. |
| 00:24:06 |
May I present Caroline Cushing? |
| 00:24:07 |
Miss Cushing. |
| 00:24:08 |
Hello. |
| 00:24:10 |
very beautiful. |
| 00:24:10 |
Really. Very romantic. |
| 00:24:12 |
Well, thank you. |
| 00:24:13 |
And my producer, John Birt. |
| 00:24:15 |
Nice to meet you. |
| 00:24:16 |
This is Mr. Lazar, |
| 00:24:20 |
Now, Miss Cushing, |
| 00:24:22 |
to take a tour, |
| 00:24:22 |
you know, |
| 00:24:24 |
after your long journey? |
| 00:24:25 |
Yes, please. |
| 00:24:28 |
Come on in. |
| 00:24:30 |
Now, this is where Brezhnev |
| 00:24:35 |
Yeah. Brezhnev was there, |
| 00:24:38 |
Dobrynin there. |
| 00:24:40 |
We talked for nine hours straight. |
| 00:24:44 |
After the meeting, |
| 00:24:48 |
I remember that we had |
| 00:24:52 |
Dark blue, |
| 00:24:56 |
Well, we got inside for the photographers, |
| 00:24:58 |
when the next thing you know, |
| 00:25:03 |
Now, the first rule of political life is... |
| 00:25:07 |
you never let a president |
| 00:25:11 |
of a car, ever. |
| 00:25:12 |
I mean, we're not used to doing anything... |
| 00:25:14 |
for ourselves, |
| 00:25:16 |
And the Chairman, Jesus, |
| 00:25:19 |
my guess is the last thing he drove was... |
| 00:25:22 |
a tractor on some Ukrainian potato farm. |
| 00:25:27 |
He crashed into curbs. |
| 00:25:29 |
He went over speed bumps. |
| 00:25:30 |
He went twice around my whole estate. |
| 00:25:33 |
Finally, we ended up at |
| 00:25:37 |
on the coast, |
| 00:25:38 |
out there overlooking the sea. |
| 00:25:41 |
He turns off the gas, |
| 00:25:45 |
about his favorite subject, |
| 00:25:49 |
He said, 'Mr. President, |
| 00:25:52 |
'have tragedy in their early lives.' |
| 00:25:55 |
Well, I told him that I lost two brothers... |
| 00:25:58 |
to tuberculosis. |
| 00:26:00 |
And he watched his father |
| 00:26:03 |
he caught in the steelworks. |
| 00:26:06 |
He was a sad man and a noble adversary. |
| 00:26:11 |
I wouldn't want to be a Russian leader. |
| 00:26:14 |
They never know when they're being taped. |
| 00:26:21 |
Okay, I guess that's it then, huh? |
| 00:26:23 |
Until March. |
| 00:26:25 |
Well, thank you, |
| 00:26:27 |
You know, |
| 00:26:29 |
I've never been challenged to a duel before. |
| 00:26:33 |
I guess that's what this is. |
| 00:26:34 |
Yeah, well, not really. |
| 00:26:37 |
Of course it is. |
| 00:26:41 |
And I like that. |
| 00:26:44 |
No holds barred, eh? |
| 00:26:52 |
Mr. Frost, there's still |
| 00:26:57 |
Of course. |
| 00:27:00 |
I do beg your pardon. |
| 00:27:13 |
Right. $200,000. |
| 00:27:18 |
I do hope that isn't coming |
| 00:27:21 |
Well, believe me, |
| 00:27:24 |
were that deep. |
| 00:27:25 |
Made out in the name of? |
| 00:27:27 |
Irving Paul Lazar. |
| 00:27:28 |
Richard M. Nixon. |
| 00:27:39 |
Here you go. |
| 00:27:42 |
Okay, smile. |
| 00:27:45 |
There. Now you can put that |
| 00:27:48 |
and all your liberal friends |
| 00:27:52 |
Well, actually, |
| 00:27:54 |
at the moment. |
| 00:27:56 |
Really? |
| 00:27:57 |
Yes. Goodbye, Mr. President. |
| 00:28:00 |
Hey. Take my advice. |
| 00:28:03 |
You should marry that woman. |
| 00:28:05 |
Yes. Lovely, isn't she? |
| 00:28:08 |
More important than that, |
| 00:28:11 |
They pay no taxes there. |
| 00:28:15 |
Bye-bye. |
| 00:28:25 |
I bet you it did. |
| 00:28:27 |
What? |
| 00:28:28 |
Come out of his own pocket. |
| 00:28:29 |
You know, he couldn't look me in the eye. |
| 00:28:32 |
Well, I hear the networks... |
| 00:28:33 |
aren't biting. |
| 00:28:33 |
Without the networks, |
| 00:28:35 |
don't want to know. |
| 00:28:36 |
So if you ask me, |
| 00:28:37 |
this whole thing may never happen. |
| 00:28:38 |
Really? So that meeting we just |
| 00:28:43 |
Correct. |
| 00:28:45 |
Had I known that, |
| 00:28:48 |
him a cup of tea. |
| 00:28:49 |
Say, did you notice his shoes? |
| 00:28:52 |
No. |
| 00:28:53 |
Italian. No laces. |
| 00:28:57 |
My people tried to get me |
| 00:29:00 |
I think a man's shoes |
| 00:29:02 |
You do? |
| 00:29:03 |
Yeah. Personally, |
| 00:29:07 |
shoes very effeminate. |
| 00:29:09 |
Yes, quite right. |
| 00:29:13 |
I'm sorry, |
| 00:29:15 |
Try to look at it from our point of view. |
| 00:29:17 |
Why would an American network |
| 00:29:20 |
and someone who's already |
| 00:29:23 |
incidentally? |
| 00:29:23 |
I see. Well, I'm sorry you feel this way. |
| 00:29:25 |
Obviously, |
| 00:29:28 |
a terrible mistake. |
| 00:29:30 |
NBC. |
| 00:29:33 |
Well, that's the networks out. |
| 00:29:36 |
all of them. |
| 00:29:39 |
Well, that's the end of that, then. |
| 00:29:46 |
I'm sorry, David. |
| 00:29:49 |
Not so fast. |
| 00:29:52 |
Where's your adventurer's spirit? |
| 00:29:54 |
The idea is we pay for the program... |
| 00:29:56 |
and syndicate it ourselves, completely... |
| 00:30:00 |
bypassing the networks. |
| 00:30:02 |
Just imagine it, |
| 00:30:03 |
network for the night. |
| 00:30:04 |
Hey, Bob. |
| 00:30:06 |
Hey, come on in. |
| 00:30:08 |
No, never been done before. |
| 00:30:10 |
Historic stuff. |
| 00:30:15 |
Just think about it, okay? |
| 00:30:19 |
Yeah? |
| 00:30:20 |
David, I'd like you to meet Jim Reston... |
| 00:30:22 |
and Bob Zelnick, |
| 00:30:23 |
our two prospective corner men. |
| 00:30:25 |
Delighted to meet you. |
| 00:30:26 |
Come on in. |
| 00:30:28 |
Bob's been Washington correspondent... |
| 00:30:29 |
for Public Radio for the past 10 years. |
| 00:30:31 |
Moving to ABC in the new year. |
| 00:30:33 |
The general feeling, David, |
| 00:30:34 |
is that I have been |
| 00:30:37 |
looks on radio. |
| 00:30:39 |
Jim here teaches at the University... |
| 00:30:40 |
of North Carolina... |
| 00:30:41 |
and is writing a book about the criminal... |
| 00:30:44 |
dishonesty, corruption, |
| 00:30:45 |
paranoia and abuses of |
| 00:30:48 |
Second on the subject. |
| 00:30:49 |
Fourth. |
| 00:30:50 |
Well, delighted to have you both aboard. |
| 00:30:53 |
Actually, before I sign on, |
| 00:30:55 |
what you were hoping to achieve... |
| 00:30:57 |
with this interview. |
| 00:30:58 |
What I want to achieve? |
| 00:31:01 |
Yeah. |
| 00:31:02 |
Jim, well, |
| 00:31:06 |
That's close to 30 hours... |
| 00:31:08 |
with the most compelling |
| 00:31:10 |
of our times. |
| 00:31:12 |
Isn't that enough? |
| 00:31:16 |
Well, not for me. |
| 00:31:18 |
Look, I'd be giving up a year of my life. |
| 00:31:20 |
I'm leaving my family... |
| 00:31:22 |
to work on a subject matter... |
| 00:31:23 |
that means more... |
| 00:31:24 |
than you can probably imagine, |
| 00:31:26 |
and the idea of doing all that... |
| 00:31:27 |
without achieving what |
| 00:31:31 |
would be unthinkable to me. |
| 00:31:33 |
No, all right. |
| 00:31:35 |
Well, what is it that you want to achieve? |
| 00:31:43 |
I'd like to give Richard Nixon... |
| 00:31:45 |
the trial he never had. |
| 00:31:46 |
Of course, |
| 00:31:48 |
difficult questions. |
| 00:31:49 |
Difficult questions. |
| 00:31:52 |
The man lost 21,000 Americans... |
| 00:31:54 |
and a million Indo-Chinese |
| 00:31:57 |
He only escaped jail |
| 00:32:00 |
Yes, but equally, |
| 00:32:02 |
in some knee-jerk way, |
| 00:32:03 |
you know, assuming he's a terrible guy, |
| 00:32:07 |
wouldn't that only create |
| 00:32:09 |
than anything else? |
| 00:32:10 |
You know... |
| 00:32:14 |
Right now, |
| 00:32:16 |
to feel anything close to sympathy... |
| 00:32:18 |
for Richard Nixon. |
| 00:32:19 |
He devalued the presidency, |
| 00:32:22 |
and he left the country |
| 00:32:26 |
The American people need a conviction. |
| 00:32:29 |
pure and simple. |
| 00:32:30 |
The integrity of our political system, |
| 00:32:33 |
of democracy as an idea, |
| 00:32:39 |
And if in years to come, |
| 00:32:41 |
and say it was in this interview... |
| 00:32:43 |
that Richard Nixon exonerated himself, |
| 00:32:44 |
that would be the worst crime of all. |
| 00:32:56 |
Did you know that Mike Wallace is doing... |
| 00:33:00 |
a piece on this? |
| 00:33:01 |
And that in the bars around |
| 00:33:04 |
this entire project is a joke? |
| 00:33:06 |
Come on. |
| 00:33:09 |
Thanks for that, Jim. |
| 00:33:12 |
Could you give us a couple of minutes? |
| 00:33:21 |
You're unbelievable. |
| 00:33:23 |
You know, Jim, |
| 00:33:25 |
on a limb for you. |
| 00:33:25 |
I mean, some of us actually want this job. |
| 00:33:27 |
I want it, too, |
| 00:33:29 |
Well, how do you know they're not... |
| 00:33:30 |
gonna do it right? |
| 00:33:30 |
Little Lord Fauntleroy in there? |
| 00:33:32 |
Sympathy for Richard Nixon? |
| 00:33:33 |
What the... |
| 00:33:35 |
How do you know that? |
| 00:33:38 |
Is Mike Wallace doing a piece on this? |
| 00:33:43 |
Apparently. |
| 00:33:44 |
Why didn't you tell me? |
| 00:33:46 |
It isn't relevant. |
| 00:33:49 |
What's the angle? |
| 00:33:53 |
'good with actresses, |
| 00:33:56 |
stonewalling presidents.' |
| 00:33:57 |
That's the general idea, yeah. |
| 00:33:59 |
Right. |
| 00:34:02 |
It's hard not to feel a little insulted by that. |
| 00:34:06 |
Well, Bob's obviously a pro. |
| 00:34:09 |
What are we gonna do about Reston? |
| 00:34:10 |
Well, the man's an idiot. |
| 00:34:11 |
Send him home. |
| 00:34:14 |
Well, I think he should stay. |
| 00:34:16 |
Why? |
| 00:34:16 |
I liked his passion. |
| 00:34:20 |
He will drive us all bloody mad. |
| 00:34:22 |
Well, maybe, but sometimes |
| 00:34:25 |
is a good thing, I'm told. |
| 00:34:29 |
He stays. |
| 00:34:40 |
I took my seat next to Mrs. Mao... |
| 00:34:43 |
at the banquet table. |
| 00:34:45 |
Now, one of the challenges |
| 00:34:51 |
is the endless round of cocktail parties. |
| 00:34:54 |
social engagements, banquets. |
| 00:34:58 |
And people who know me would tell you... |
| 00:35:00 |
that small talk is not one of |
| 00:35:05 |
Particularly not in Mandarin. |
| 00:35:11 |
So Mrs. Mao and I, |
| 00:35:15 |
stared at one another. |
| 00:35:17 |
And then across the table, |
| 00:35:20 |
Chairman Mao himself, well, |
| 00:35:23 |
they stared at one another, too. |
| 00:35:25 |
And then further down, |
| 00:35:28 |
and their foreign minister, well, |
| 00:35:31 |
you're getting the picture now. |
| 00:35:39 |
I can't stand it, Jack. |
| 00:35:42 |
Reducing the presidency to a series... |
| 00:35:46 |
of banal anecdotes. |
| 00:35:48 |
I feel like a circus animal... |
| 00:35:50 |
doing tricks. |
| 00:35:51 |
And I thought I made it clear. |
| 00:35:52 |
I didn't want to take any questions... |
| 00:35:55 |
on Watergate, damn it. |
| 00:35:58 |
Soon as it came to question time, |
| 00:36:01 |
all those sons of bitches |
| 00:36:05 |
is Watergate. |
| 00:36:06 |
It's as if all my other achievements... |
| 00:36:08 |
have ceased to exist. |
| 00:36:10 |
Well, sir, you're gonna get a chance... |
| 00:36:12 |
to talk about them sooner than you think. |
| 00:36:13 |
Yeah? How? |
| 00:36:15 |
Frost got there. |
| 00:36:18 |
What? |
| 00:36:20 |
I understand most of it's borrowed, |
| 00:36:21 |
that his friends have bailed him out. |
| 00:36:23 |
But the point is, |
| 00:36:25 |
at the end of March. |
| 00:36:25 |
Really? Now, that's terrific. |
| 00:36:28 |
How much time is devoted to Watergate? |
| 00:36:30 |
25%. Just one of four 90-minute shows. |
| 00:36:33 |
What are the other three divided into? |
| 00:36:35 |
Domestic Affairs, |
| 00:36:37 |
and Nixon the Man. |
| 00:36:38 |
'Nixon the Man'? |
| 00:36:39 |
As opposed to what? |
| 00:36:42 |
Well, I imagine it's some kind of... |
| 00:36:44 |
biographical piece. |
| 00:36:46 |
I can see it now. |
| 00:36:49 |
the brothers that died. |
| 00:36:51 |
Spare me. |
| 00:36:53 |
Still, now, the fact it's come together, now. |
| 00:36:56 |
that's a good thing, no? |
| 00:36:58 |
Mr. President, it's fantastic. |
| 00:37:01 |
Frost is just not in |
| 00:37:04 |
You're gonna be able to dictate terms. |
| 00:37:06 |
rebuild your reputation. |
| 00:37:07 |
If this went well, |
| 00:37:11 |
revised their opinion, |
| 00:37:12 |
you could move back East |
| 00:37:15 |
than we expected. |
| 00:37:16 |
You think? |
| 00:37:19 |
It would be so good to go back to where... |
| 00:37:24 |
the action is. |
| 00:37:25 |
You know? |
| 00:37:27 |
The hunger in my belly is still there, Jack. |
| 00:37:33 |
I guess it all boils down to Watergate, huh? |
| 00:37:36 |
Well, that's nothing to worry about, sir. |
| 00:37:39 |
It's not as if there's gonna be... |
| 00:37:41 |
any revelations. |
| 00:37:42 |
That stuff's been combed over |
| 00:37:44 |
No one has pinned anything on you. |
| 00:37:47 |
Yeah, still, |
| 00:37:49 |
since I spoke about it on the record. |
| 00:37:51 |
I'm gonna start doing my homework. |
| 00:37:53 |
Hey, you know what would |
| 00:37:55 |
thing to find out? |
| 00:37:56 |
What his strategy is. |
| 00:37:57 |
Now, where's he staying? |
| 00:37:58 |
I believe The Beverly Hilton. |
| 00:38:00 |
The Beverly Hilton, you say. |
| 00:38:01 |
Well, I got the numbers someplace... |
| 00:38:04 |
of some fellows that we could send in. |
| 00:38:06 |
Cubans with CIA training. |
| 00:38:17 |
Jesus, Jack, it was a joke. |
| 00:38:21 |
Yes, sir. |
| 00:38:26 |
A week later, we said goodbye |
| 00:38:28 |
we hopped on a plane, |
| 00:38:30 |
The Beverly Hilton. |
| 00:38:31 |
And that's where we started to dig into... |
| 00:38:33 |
our research... |
| 00:38:33 |
and prepare for the interviews. |
| 00:38:37 |
Yeah, as it happens, we took... |
| 00:38:38 |
the whole question |
| 00:38:42 |
And from day one, we kept all |
| 00:38:50 |
Who was the guy that Mike interviewed? |
| 00:38:52 |
Was that Haldeman? |
| 00:38:53 |
Haldeman. |
| 00:38:55 |
I always get the Germans mixed up. |
| 00:38:57 |
I'm a little confused by that. |
| 00:39:00 |
What is Haldeman's official... |
| 00:39:02 |
Hello, darling. |
| 00:39:03 |
As for the work over |
| 00:39:06 |
into three sections. |
| 00:39:06 |
Birt took Vietnam, |
| 00:39:09 |
and Domestic Policy, |
| 00:39:10 |
and I got Watergate |
| 00:39:13 |
And David, |
| 00:39:15 |
saw much of David. |
| 00:39:16 |
All right, so what about the Huston Plan? |
| 00:39:18 |
You can see the seeds of dirty tricks. |
| 00:39:20 |
Essentially, |
| 00:39:22 |
legalize dirty tricks. |
| 00:39:23 |
That's why you gotta get David to put it... |
| 00:39:25 |
in the question. |
| 00:39:25 |
Wiretapping students. |
| 00:39:27 |
NIXON ON TAPE: But they've |
| 00:39:28 |
Opening people's mail. |
| 00:39:30 |
What about wiretapping? |
| 00:39:31 |
How many people has he wiretapped? |
| 00:39:32 |
This guy wiretapped 17 people. |
| 00:39:34 |
Seventeen? |
| 00:39:35 |
Including his own brother. |
| 00:39:36 |
But you know what? |
| 00:39:38 |
about his brother, |
| 00:39:38 |
'cause frankly, |
| 00:39:40 |
was my brother. |
| 00:39:41 |
I'd wiretap him, too. |
| 00:39:45 |
But wait, okay, so we |
| 00:39:48 |
We have wiretapping, |
| 00:39:50 |
foster prostitution. |
| 00:39:52 |
And that's Liddy, right? |
| 00:39:53 |
Delivery courtesy of Nate 'n Al's... |
| 00:39:55 |
finest deli selection. |
| 00:39:57 |
We're going to need napkins. |
| 00:40:00 |
How do we frame a question |
| 00:40:02 |
about the illicit bombing of Cambodia? |
| 00:40:03 |
I think you should say, |
| 00:40:04 |
'How far do you take executive privilege... |
| 00:40:05 |
'before it becomes |
| 00:40:07 |
I think you frame the question to him... |
| 00:40:09 |
as a Quaker. |
| 00:40:10 |
'How do you feel as |
| 00:40:14 |
an entire people?' |
| 00:40:17 |
Come on. Are they really |
| 00:40:19 |
Are they going to give us the money? |
| 00:40:21 |
How serious are they? |
| 00:40:23 |
You have to set up that |
| 00:40:26 |
personality. |
| 00:40:26 |
There's a reason they call him Tricky Dick. |
| 00:40:28 |
Because I had written about |
| 00:40:32 |
I got to play him in our rehearsals. |
| 00:40:34 |
You know, |
| 00:40:35 |
throw me a question, |
| 00:40:36 |
and I would try and anticipate |
| 00:40:39 |
Okay, |
| 00:40:41 |
Ours is not the first administration... |
| 00:40:43 |
to use taping systems. |
| 00:40:44 |
Lyndon Johnson's White House used them. |
| 00:40:46 |
So did Kennedy's. |
| 00:40:46 |
Huston Plan. |
| 00:40:48 |
abuses of power. |
| 00:40:49 |
Let me tell you, |
| 00:40:52 |
were up to far worse. |
| 00:40:53 |
And just for fun, |
| 00:40:55 |
friend Jack Kennedy. |
| 00:40:57 |
That man, he screwed |
| 00:41:00 |
fixed elections and took us into Vietnam. |
| 00:41:02 |
And the American people, |
| 00:41:05 |
Whereas I, |
| 00:41:08 |
worked around the clock in their service. |
| 00:41:11 |
and they hated me. |
| 00:41:12 |
Look. Look. Now I'm sweating. |
| 00:41:16 |
Damn it. Damn it. |
| 00:41:19 |
And Kennedy's so goddamn handsome... |
| 00:41:21 |
and blue-eyed. |
| 00:41:22 |
And women all over him. |
| 00:41:23 |
He screwed anything |
| 00:41:26 |
Had a go at Checkers once. |
| 00:41:27 |
The poor little bitch was never the same. |
| 00:41:31 |
Gentlemen, finally a friend |
| 00:41:35 |
Jack Anderson in The Washington Post, |
| 00:41:38 |
'When Richard Nixon faces |
| 00:41:41 |
'for his first interview since he abandoned... |
| 00:41:43 |
the White House, |
| 00:41:43 |
'he'll be cross-examined as if he were on... |
| 00:41:46 |
the witness stand. |
| 00:41:47 |
'Frost has hired three crack investigators... |
| 00:41:50 |
'to help him with the research. |
| 00:41:52 |
'Clearly the famous TV interviewer... |
| 00:41:54 |
will pull no punches.' |
| 00:41:55 |
'Crack investigators'? |
| 00:41:57 |
Can I be Crack One? |
| 00:41:58 |
Can I be Deep Crack? |
| 00:42:01 |
David, can I talk to you for a sec? |
| 00:42:03 |
After researching my last book. |
| 00:42:05 |
I was pretty certain Colson... |
| 00:42:06 |
You know, Charles Colson? |
| 00:42:09 |
Colson, right. |
| 00:42:10 |
meeting with Nixon |
| 00:42:11 |
Sometime before June 23, |
| 00:42:12 |
but I never knew the exact date, |
| 00:42:14 |
so I couldn't find the transcript. |
| 00:42:16 |
But if you gave me a week back in the |
| 00:42:17 |
Federal Courthouse library... |
| 00:42:18 |
A week? Goodness, Jim, |
| 00:42:21 |
for that long. |
| 00:42:22 |
I think this is really good stuff, Dave. |
| 00:42:23 |
Would there be something |
| 00:42:25 |
You know, if we're gonna nail Nixon... |
| 00:42:27 |
in these interviews, |
| 00:42:28 |
we're gonna have to ambush him. |
| 00:42:29 |
We're gonna have to take him by surprise. |
| 00:42:31 |
Don't worry, Jim. |
| 00:42:33 |
Hang on a second. |
| 00:42:35 |
He sounds a little emotional. |
| 00:42:37 |
I'll take it in here. |
| 00:42:39 |
He'll be right with you. Yeah. |
| 00:42:44 |
Jack. |
| 00:42:45 |
Yes, Jack. |
| 00:42:47 |
Our lawyers want us to agree |
| 00:42:50 |
Well, I believe it's a large hotel... |
| 00:42:52 |
and office complex in Washington, Jack. |
| 00:42:54 |
You know what I'm talking about. |
| 00:42:55 |
For the interviews. |
| 00:42:57 |
We want to propose that Watergate... |
| 00:42:59 |
be an umbrella term |
| 00:43:04 |
Hold on a minute. |
| 00:43:09 |
So all the other domestic charges... |
| 00:43:12 |
against him, |
| 00:43:13 |
the Plumbers Union, |
| 00:43:15 |
you're saying all that goes into Watergate? |
| 00:43:19 |
Correct. |
| 00:43:20 |
That is absurd and a clear breach... |
| 00:43:23 |
of the terms of our agreement. |
| 00:43:25 |
Okay. How would you define Watergate? |
| 00:43:28 |
Well, that it covers just that. |
| 00:43:29 |
The Watergate break-in of June 17th... |
| 00:43:31 |
and the subsequent |
| 00:43:34 |
Fine. In which case, |
| 00:43:35 |
Fine. In which case, |
| 00:43:39 |
for something in excess of $20 million... |
| 00:43:41 |
in damages and loss of earnings. |
| 00:43:43 |
The terms of the contract clearly stipulate... |
| 00:43:46 |
that Watergate take up |
| 00:43:50 |
Yes, but nowhere does it say |
| 00:43:53 |
he gets to drone on and sound presidential. |
| 00:43:57 |
'Drone on'? Jesus Christ. |
| 00:44:01 |
You remember who you're... |
| 00:44:03 |
talking about here. |
| 00:44:04 |
You know as well as I do |
| 00:44:07 |
in office was right, |
| 00:44:08 |
and 30% may have been wrong, |
| 00:44:11 |
at the time. |
| 00:44:12 |
Yes, but that still leaves 10%... |
| 00:44:14 |
where he was doing |
| 00:44:18 |
You goddamn media people. |
| 00:44:22 |
Well, I can guarantee you |
| 00:44:26 |
I will ruin you if it takes the rest of my life. |
| 00:44:31 |
Prick. |
| 00:44:52 |
Look at you. Gorgeous. |
| 00:44:56 |
Good night, sweet princes. |
| 00:44:57 |
Cheerio. |
| 00:44:59 |
See you in the morning. |
| 00:45:04 |
Why the monkey suit? |
| 00:45:06 |
David has a film premiere |
| 00:45:08 |
What? The night before we start taping? |
| 00:45:11 |
What's the movie? |
| 00:45:14 |
It's The Slipper and the Rose. |
| 00:45:18 |
The Cinderella movie? |
| 00:45:19 |
Yeah. David's the executive producer. |
| 00:45:22 |
You don't think it might be |
| 00:45:24 |
to be rested and focused |
| 00:45:26 |
Don't worry. |
| 00:45:28 |
David is a performer of the highest caliber. |
| 00:45:30 |
He's been in these pressure situations... |
| 00:45:32 |
many times before. |
| 00:45:33 |
Come the hour, |
| 00:45:42 |
What did he say? |
| 00:45:43 |
Yeah. |
| 00:45:45 |
Yeah, he said 'performer.' |
| 00:45:47 |
Not 'journalist' or 'interviewer'? |
| 00:45:48 |
No. He said 'performer.' |
| 00:45:51 |
Out of curiosity, |
| 00:45:54 |
moment? Psychically? |
| 00:45:57 |
I am imagining the dust, |
| 00:46:02 |
the agony and the |
| 00:46:06 |
of the wilderness I am about to... |
| 00:46:08 |
be dispatched to... |
| 00:46:09 |
by my Washington political colleagues. |
| 00:46:23 |
So any opportunity you get, |
| 00:46:25 |
go right to Mao, |
| 00:46:26 |
go right to Khrushchev. |
| 00:46:27 |
Just go right. |
| 00:46:28 |
You could do all day on foreign policy, sir. |
| 00:46:30 |
I disagree that the Mao |
| 00:46:32 |
Excuse me, sir. |
| 00:46:33 |
you should see. |
| 00:46:33 |
People love that story. |
| 00:46:34 |
Why don't we save it for the book? |
| 00:46:36 |
Yeah, right, come on. |
| 00:46:40 |
David. |
| 00:46:41 |
David, some people in the media |
| 00:46:44 |
that you're not the right man for the job, |
| 00:46:45 |
that you'll be too soft on the President. |
| 00:46:47 |
What will you do if he stonewalls you? |
| 00:46:49 |
Well, I shall say so again and again. |
| 00:46:51 |
But I should say right now |
| 00:46:53 |
his approach to be to stonewall. |
| 00:46:56 |
I'm hoping that it'll be that of... |
| 00:46:59 |
a cascade of candor. |
| 00:47:00 |
'A cascade of candor'? |
| 00:47:02 |
From Richard Nixon? |
| 00:47:04 |
You think that's what you'll get? |
| 00:47:06 |
No, I just thought it was a phrase... |
| 00:47:08 |
that might appeal to you. |
| 00:47:09 |
So what about the money? |
| 00:47:11 |
That's a strange fellow. |
| 00:47:12 |
Started life as a comic, |
| 00:47:14 |
Is that so? |
| 00:47:16 |
Almost married Diahann Carroll. |
| 00:47:18 |
Who? |
| 00:47:19 |
The singer. |
| 00:47:22 |
Isn't she black? |
| 00:47:25 |
Yes, sir. |
| 00:47:27 |
Right here in the Frost file, |
| 00:47:29 |
which we put together... |
| 00:47:30 |
as part of our general preparations. |
| 00:47:33 |
Okay. Let's get back to work. |
| 00:47:36 |
That's fact, |
| 00:47:39 |
So now it's about The Slipper and the Rose. |
| 00:47:40 |
It's a cracker of a movie. |
| 00:47:42 |
I hope you'll all come and see it, and... |
| 00:47:51 |
I shouldn't have ordered that coffee. |
| 00:47:53 |
Just don't drink any more. |
| 00:48:01 |
Good luck. |
| 00:48:05 |
I'll be thinking of you. |
| 00:48:11 |
Dick. Wait. |
| 00:48:29 |
For the record, I'm gonna |
| 00:48:31 |
'Why didn't you burn the tapes?' |
| 00:48:33 |
No. |
| 00:48:34 |
Please, God, no. You can't. |
| 00:48:37 |
David, you can't do that. |
| 00:48:40 |
It would get us into Watergate way ahead... |
| 00:48:42 |
of the agreed time. |
| 00:48:43 |
What is the point of |
| 00:48:46 |
specific times to deal |
| 00:48:48 |
if you're just going to ignore it... |
| 00:48:49 |
right off the bat? |
| 00:48:50 |
'Cause it's war, isn't it? |
| 00:48:51 |
I like it. It's ballsy. |
| 00:48:52 |
Strategically, |
| 00:48:54 |
It's insanely risky. |
| 00:48:56 |
He could walk right off the set, |
| 00:48:57 |
and there's nothing we could do about it. |
| 00:48:59 |
Worse, he could sue you. |
| 00:49:01 |
We were sadly unable to do the taping... |
| 00:49:03 |
at Casa Pacifica... |
| 00:49:03 |
because of the Coast Guard |
| 00:49:06 |
so we ended up at the rather more... |
| 00:49:08 |
modest Smith house, |
| 00:49:09 |
which was owned by a local Republican... |
| 00:49:12 |
businessman. |
| 00:49:13 |
Right here. |
| 00:49:14 |
Mr. Frost, look over here. |
| 00:49:15 |
Over here, sir. |
| 00:49:17 |
Here we go. |
| 00:49:18 |
A few questions, please. |
| 00:49:19 |
Right here, Mr. Frost. |
| 00:49:20 |
David. |
| 00:49:28 |
Well, hello there. |
| 00:49:34 |
Excuse me, fellas. |
| 00:49:51 |
Nixon, there's blood on your hands. |
| 00:49:54 |
Liar. |
| 00:50:04 |
Here comes the President. |
| 00:50:07 |
Mr. President. |
| 00:50:08 |
Mr. President. |
| 00:50:11 |
How are you feeling, Mr. President? |
| 00:50:15 |
The Smith family requested |
| 00:50:17 |
be put back in place. |
| 00:50:17 |
They talked to you about that, too? |
| 00:50:19 |
They're bugging everybody. |
| 00:50:26 |
You know, I've written |
| 00:50:28 |
but this is the first time I've actually seen... |
| 00:50:30 |
him in the flesh. |
| 00:50:31 |
He's taller than I imagined, |
| 00:50:34 |
The least he could do is look ravaged. |
| 00:50:39 |
You gonna shake his hand? |
| 00:50:40 |
Am I gonna shake... |
| 00:50:41 |
Are you kidding me? |
| 00:50:42 |
After everything that prick's done... |
| 00:50:44 |
to this country? |
| 00:50:44 |
I'm not gonna shake his hand. |
| 00:50:46 |
Gentlemen. |
| 00:50:47 |
May I present Bob Zelnick, |
| 00:50:51 |
How do you do? |
| 00:50:53 |
Pleasure, Mr. President. |
| 00:50:54 |
And Jim Reston, |
| 00:50:57 |
Pleasure to meet you, |
| 00:51:03 |
Mr. President. |
| 00:51:04 |
Excuse me, sir? |
| 00:51:07 |
you right here. |
| 00:51:11 |
Wow. That was devastating, withering. |
| 00:51:15 |
I mean, I don't think he's |
| 00:51:16 |
Yeah, fuck off. |
| 00:51:19 |
I got you guys set up back here. |
| 00:51:22 |
Now this is your green room. |
| 00:51:26 |
And the President will be |
| 00:51:29 |
Craft services is that way. |
| 00:51:39 |
Keep it about that temperature, okay? |
| 00:51:41 |
Mr. President? |
| 00:51:42 |
Yeah. |
| 00:51:43 |
Before we start, |
| 00:51:44 |
how delighted we all are |
| 00:51:47 |
Well, thank you. |
| 00:51:49 |
She's much better now. |
| 00:51:51 |
She's just getting round to the business... |
| 00:51:55 |
of replying to all the cards. |
| 00:51:57 |
And from our point of view, well. |
| 00:51:59 |
I'd just like to say how pleased we are... |
| 00:52:02 |
that you got this all together. |
| 00:52:04 |
Thank you. |
| 00:52:05 |
As I understand it, |
| 00:52:08 |
Well... |
| 00:52:09 |
How much has it cost? |
| 00:52:11 |
You mind me asking? |
| 00:52:15 |
Come on, |
| 00:52:17 |
Very well. Two million. |
| 00:52:20 |
Two million? Jeez. I didn't realize |
| 00:52:27 |
But tell me something. |
| 00:52:29 |
You raised it all now? |
| 00:52:34 |
Not quite. |
| 00:52:37 |
Everyone's been kind and deferred fees. |
| 00:52:40 |
Well, not quite everyone. |
| 00:52:44 |
David, I'm gonna go in with you on camera. |
| 00:52:45 |
Excuse me. |
| 00:52:47 |
I want to put a handkerchief here. |
| 00:52:49 |
if I may. |
| 00:52:49 |
Is that out of shot? |
| 00:52:51 |
That's fine, Mr. President. |
| 00:52:53 |
Contractually, |
| 00:52:55 |
an agreement that after each question |
| 00:52:59 |
I might dab my upper lip |
| 00:53:01 |
Which you won't show, |
| 00:53:03 |
when you cut it together. |
| 00:53:04 |
You're probably aware of my history... |
| 00:53:07 |
with perspiration. |
| 00:53:08 |
If you're referring to your TV debate... |
| 00:53:10 |
with Jack Kennedy in 1960. |
| 00:53:11 |
They say that moisture on my upper lip... |
| 00:53:14 |
cost me the presidency. |
| 00:53:16 |
People who heard it on the radio. |
| 00:53:18 |
well, they thought I'd won. |
| 00:53:20 |
But television and the close-up, |
| 00:53:23 |
they create their own sets of meanings. |
| 00:53:25 |
So now they insist I bring a handkerchief... |
| 00:53:29 |
and that I have my eyebrows trimmed. |
| 00:53:31 |
Sixty seconds, everyone. |
| 00:53:34 |
You trim yours? |
| 00:53:36 |
No, of course not. |
| 00:53:38 |
Yeah, you're light-skinned. |
| 00:53:40 |
You got blue eyes. You've got no |
| 00:53:44 |
No, not that I'm aware. |
| 00:53:46 |
You were obviously born to be on the tube. |
| 00:53:50 |
Stand by to roll tape in 30 seconds. |
| 00:53:53 |
Settling. |
| 00:54:00 |
Those shoes. |
| 00:54:04 |
They're Italian, aren't they? |
| 00:54:06 |
My shoes? I believe so. |
| 00:54:08 |
Yeah, that's interesting. |
| 00:54:15 |
You don't find them too effeminate? |
| 00:54:20 |
No. |
| 00:54:21 |
Well, I guess somebody in your field... |
| 00:54:23 |
can get away with them, you know. |
| 00:54:25 |
Manolo, just check my collar, will you? |
| 00:54:27 |
David, |
| 00:54:31 |
in four, three, two. |
| 00:54:37 |
Mr. President. Now, |
| 00:54:40 |
covering a lot of subjects... |
| 00:54:42 |
in a great deal of detail over the course... |
| 00:54:44 |
of these interviews, |
| 00:54:45 |
but I'd like to begin completely... |
| 00:54:48 |
out of context... |
| 00:54:49 |
by asking you one question, |
| 00:54:51 |
more than any other, |
| 00:54:54 |
and people all over |
| 00:54:59 |
Why didn't you burn the tapes? |
| 00:55:04 |
Son of a bitch. |
| 00:55:09 |
Well, Mr. Frost, |
| 00:55:12 |
by your question... |
| 00:55:15 |
since we have an agreement, |
| 00:55:19 |
I believe, |
| 00:55:20 |
that we would cover Watergate |
| 00:55:33 |
But if your viewers really do have... |
| 00:55:36 |
a major concern, |
| 00:55:38 |
then perhaps I should |
| 00:55:43 |
What probably very few people realize... |
| 00:55:46 |
is that the taping system |
| 00:55:49 |
was set up by my predecessor. |
| 00:55:51 |
President Johnson, |
| 00:55:52 |
partly to avoid the necessity of having... |
| 00:55:54 |
a secretary in every meeting, |
| 00:55:56 |
and partly to ensure there was... |
| 00:55:59 |
a record kept of every verbal agreement, |
| 00:56:01 |
no matter how off the cuff or casual. |
| 00:56:05 |
Now, initially, on coming |
| 00:56:08 |
I insisted on dismantling the system. |
| 00:56:11 |
I hadn't liked the idea at all. |
| 00:56:12 |
but the former President. |
| 00:56:14 |
President Johnson, |
| 00:56:16 |
how crazy it would be |
| 00:56:20 |
which he felt was the best way... |
| 00:56:21 |
Well, in boxing, you know, |
| 00:56:24 |
and you see it in the challenger's face. |
| 00:56:26 |
It's that moment that he feels... |
| 00:56:28 |
the impact from the champ's first jab. |
| 00:56:31 |
It's kind of a sickening moment, |
| 00:56:33 |
when he realizes that... |
| 00:56:35 |
all those months of pep talks and the hype, |
| 00:56:38 |
the psyching yourself up, |
| 00:56:41 |
You could see it in Frost's face. |
| 00:56:43 |
If he didn't know the caliber of the man... |
| 00:56:45 |
that he was up against |
| 00:56:48 |
he certainly knew it halfway through... |
| 00:56:49 |
the President's first answer. |
| 00:56:50 |
You see, |
| 00:56:53 |
almost always of the confidential variety, |
| 00:56:57 |
now the tapes have been made public, |
| 00:56:59 |
people are unlikely ever |
| 00:57:02 |
speaking in confidence at the White House. |
| 00:57:04 |
They're less likely to offer that advice. |
| 00:57:07 |
So in the end, |
| 00:57:08 |
it's the whole political system and, |
| 00:57:10 |
by implication, it's the country that suffers. |
| 00:57:13 |
So much for our 'ballsy' opening. |
| 00:57:18 |
So when did you actually decide... |
| 00:57:22 |
At what moment did you know |
| 00:57:25 |
That's good. That's good. |
| 00:57:28 |
I remember exactly. |
| 00:57:32 |
After it was clear the Southern Democrats... |
| 00:57:35 |
that were still against impeachment had... |
| 00:57:36 |
had the screws put on them |
| 00:57:40 |
That night I said to Al Haig, 'Well, that's it. |
| 00:57:44 |
There goes the presidency.' |
| 00:57:47 |
And, of course, |
| 00:57:49 |
he tried to talk me out of it. |
| 00:57:51 |
And Vice President Ford, |
| 00:57:53 |
he had the most to gain personally... |
| 00:57:56 |
from my stepping down, |
| 00:57:57 |
he was still absolutely convinced that... |
| 00:57:59 |
we were gonna win the impeachment vote, |
| 00:58:01 |
and comfortably. |
| 00:58:03 |
We have to move this along. |
| 00:58:04 |
This is desperate, John. |
| 00:58:06 |
Twenty-three minutes on one question? |
| 00:58:08 |
Okay, let's take a break. |
| 00:58:09 |
Let's change the tapes. |
| 00:58:11 |
Stop tape. |
| 00:58:13 |
I'm sorry, gentlemen. |
| 00:58:15 |
We have to take a break. |
| 00:58:16 |
Oh. Okay, how's that? |
| 00:58:19 |
It's fantastic. |
| 00:58:21 |
Good. Good. Thank you. |
| 00:58:24 |
Excuse me. One moment, sir. |
| 00:58:25 |
Yeah, sure. |
| 00:58:27 |
What are you doing, David? |
| 00:58:29 |
stop him rambling. |
| 00:58:30 |
It's all right. |
| 00:58:31 |
introductory exchanges. |
| 00:58:32 |
But this session only lasts two hours. |
| 00:58:33 |
Nearly half of it's gone, |
| 00:58:35 |
valuable material, okay? |
| 00:58:36 |
The moment that he made |
| 00:58:38 |
we should be scoring points with that stuff. |
| 00:58:40 |
Want me to switch to Vietnam? |
| 00:58:41 |
No. No. |
| 00:58:42 |
get something... |
| 00:58:43 |
out of that resignation night. |
| 00:58:44 |
All right? |
| 00:58:44 |
That was Nixon at his lowest point. |
| 00:58:46 |
a total wreck. On his knees? |
| 00:58:48 |
Praying with Kissinger? |
| 00:58:50 |
him with that stuff. |
| 00:58:51 |
Listen, was that okay? |
| 00:58:52 |
Perfect, sir. |
| 00:58:53 |
It didn't sound too arrogant or self-serving? |
| 00:58:56 |
Not at all. |
| 00:58:58 |
even-handed, statesmanlike. |
| 00:59:00 |
Good. |
| 00:59:01 |
Now continue exactly the same way. |
| 00:59:02 |
Long answers. |
| 00:59:04 |
Don't let him in. |
| 00:59:05 |
Okay, got you. |
| 00:59:10 |
Set. And roll. |
| 00:59:17 |
We're coming back on camera three... |
| 00:59:20 |
in four, three, two and... |
| 00:59:24 |
Reading the account of |
| 00:59:27 |
final days, |
| 00:59:28 |
it seems your most |
| 00:59:31 |
in that heart-to-heart you had... |
| 00:59:33 |
with Henry Kissinger. |
| 00:59:34 |
Was that perhaps |
| 00:59:37 |
of your career? |
| 00:59:38 |
Good, good. |
| 00:59:41 |
I would say it was about as emotional... |
| 00:59:44 |
a moment as I've ever had. |
| 00:59:48 |
Except, well, |
| 00:59:49 |
it's hard to say... |
| 00:59:50 |
what is the most emotional moment, |
| 00:59:52 |
because each is different. |
| 00:59:56 |
I remember the day Eisenhower died. |
| 00:59:59 |
For God's sake. |
| 01:00:00 |
And the day I walked my eldest daughter |
| 01:00:03 |
Tricia down the aisle. |
| 01:00:04 |
And the day during |
| 01:00:07 |
when Julie, |
| 01:00:09 |
she came into my office, |
| 01:00:11 |
she threw her arms around me, |
| 01:00:14 |
She cried, you know? |
| 01:00:15 |
And she so seldom cries. |
| 01:00:19 |
She said, 'Daddy, you're |
| 01:00:21 |
'Daddy, you're the finest man I know'? |
| 01:00:23 |
'And whatever you do, |
| 01:00:28 |
'You just gotta go through the fire. |
| 01:00:31 |
you know, a little longer.' |
| 01:00:35 |
This is beautiful. |
| 01:00:37 |
So Kissinger and I were |
| 01:00:40 |
and together we began to reminisce... |
| 01:00:43 |
about some of the great decisions that... |
| 01:00:45 |
we'd participated in. |
| 01:00:47 |
There was China, |
| 01:00:50 |
the peace settlement in Vietnam. |
| 01:00:53 |
Now, let me tell you something that |
| 01:00:55 |
I never told anybody. |
| 01:00:57 |
Whenever I have had a really tough... |
| 01:01:00 |
decision to make... |
| 01:01:01 |
Now, we were in the Lincoln Sitting Room... |
| 01:01:04 |
at that time. |
| 01:01:04 |
I have come into this room |
| 01:01:09 |
'Now, Henry, |
| 01:01:12 |
You're a Jew. |
| 01:01:13 |
'Neither of us is particularly orthodox, |
| 01:01:15 |
'but I'd like to think that each of us... |
| 01:01:17 |
in our own way... |
| 01:01:18 |
'has a deep religious sensitivity. |
| 01:01:21 |
'So if you don't mind, |
| 01:01:25 |
of silent prayer?' |
| 01:01:26 |
So we knelt down. |
| 01:01:29 |
of that table where |
| 01:01:31 |
Lincoln signed the Emancipation |
| 01:01:34 |
Proclamation. |
| 01:01:35 |
And then after a few moments, |
| 01:01:38 |
and Henry says... |
| 01:01:38 |
Is there... I'm sorry. |
| 01:01:40 |
Is there a problem? |
| 01:01:41 |
That's time. |
| 01:01:43 |
We're over two hours. |
| 01:01:45 |
Really? So soon? |
| 01:01:48 |
Well, Mr. President, |
| 01:01:51 |
Gee, now, that's a pity. |
| 01:01:53 |
You know, |
| 01:01:55 |
to enjoy that. |
| 01:02:00 |
That was terrific, |
| 01:02:02 |
We're getting some great material. |
| 01:02:03 |
You know, |
| 01:02:05 |
because I was expecting |
| 01:02:08 |
And we prepared for that, |
| 01:02:11 |
Yes, so did I. |
| 01:02:12 |
I guess we just got caught up. |
| 01:02:14 |
you know, reminiscing. |
| 01:02:16 |
Indeed. |
| 01:02:17 |
So, day after tomorrow, |
| 01:02:19 |
Yes, indeed. |
| 01:02:20 |
I look forward to it. |
| 01:02:29 |
There's no need to say anything. |
| 01:02:38 |
Mr. President. |
| 01:02:43 |
Mr. President. |
| 01:02:45 |
Mr. President, please. |
| 01:02:47 |
What are you gonna tell him? |
| 01:02:48 |
I'm gonna tell him he's gotta get involved. |
| 01:02:50 |
He's gotta be able to shut him up. |
| 01:02:52 |
Shh. |
| 01:02:52 |
David, we have some |
| 01:02:54 |
our approach that I think... |
| 01:02:55 |
Don't worry, Bob. |
| 01:02:56 |
We can use some of the Kissinger stuff. |
| 01:02:58 |
Yeah, but we need to discuss it sooner... |
| 01:02:59 |
rather than later... |
| 01:02:59 |
Look, |
| 01:03:01 |
But I wonder, |
| 01:03:02 |
the post-mortem for now? |
| 01:03:04 |
I don't mean to minimize it. |
| 01:03:05 |
get back to LA... |
| 01:03:06 |
to meet some people from Weed Eater. |
| 01:03:07 |
Thanks, everyone. |
| 01:03:09 |
Marv, Lloyd, great day. |
| 01:03:11 |
I'll see you soon. |
| 01:03:17 |
What the hell is Weed Eater? |
| 01:03:20 |
It's a horticultural mechanism. |
| 01:03:22 |
One of our sponsors. |
| 01:03:23 |
What happened to Xerox? |
| 01:03:25 |
What about General Motors... |
| 01:03:27 |
or IBM? |
| 01:03:27 |
I gather that not all of |
| 01:03:29 |
came through. |
| 01:03:30 |
We do have Alpo. |
| 01:03:33 |
Dog food? |
| 01:03:34 |
Wait, John. |
| 01:03:37 |
So we're close, right? |
| 01:03:39 |
That's probably a question |
| 01:03:40 |
Are we close, John? |
| 01:03:45 |
I believe we're at 30%. |
| 01:03:48 |
To go? Or 30% sold? |
| 01:03:49 |
Again, that's probably |
| 01:03:53 |
Sold, 30% sold. |
| 01:03:55 |
Jesus... |
| 01:03:57 |
I thought we were practically... |
| 01:03:58 |
fully financed. |
| 01:03:59 |
We were. But the financing |
| 01:04:01 |
on advertising sales, |
| 01:04:02 |
and no one predicted that they'd fall apart... |
| 01:04:03 |
like this. |
| 01:04:04 |
Well, why have they fallen apart? |
| 01:04:05 |
Based on what? |
| 01:04:06 |
Credibility of the project. |
| 01:04:08 |
sales based on? |
| 01:04:09 |
Listen, |
| 01:04:11 |
But could I ask you |
| 01:04:13 |
over the next couple of days, |
| 01:04:14 |
bearing in mind the |
| 01:04:16 |
that he's under? |
| 01:04:17 |
'Cause at the moment, |
| 01:04:19 |
for all this himself. |
| 01:04:20 |
So he's in it for a lot more than... |
| 01:04:23 |
just his reputation. |
| 01:04:24 |
And we're not? |
| 01:04:33 |
You seemed very confident last time. |
| 01:04:36 |
I don't understand. |
| 01:04:38 |
change of heart? |
| 01:04:39 |
All right, |
| 01:04:41 |
It's Richard Nixon. |
| 01:04:42 |
These interviews will do mid-30s... |
| 01:04:44 |
audience share, minimum. |
| 01:04:46 |
Jimmy. Yes. |
| 01:04:50 |
the proverbial bad penny. |
| 01:04:53 |
Look, I hate to do this to a friend, |
| 01:04:54 |
and I know you're already in |
| 01:04:58 |
but I need you to dig a little deeper. |
| 01:05:03 |
I'm right up against it now. |
| 01:05:08 |
So, I had a chance to review... |
| 01:05:10 |
yesterday's tapes. |
| 01:05:12 |
And? |
| 01:05:13 |
Honestly? |
| 01:05:17 |
Go on. Beat me, John. |
| 01:05:19 |
Look. No, I'm serious. |
| 01:05:22 |
You have got to make it |
| 01:05:25 |
You can start by sitting forward. |
| 01:05:26 |
You've gotta attack more. |
| 01:05:28 |
If he starts tailing off, bang, |
| 01:05:29 |
jump in with another question. |
| 01:05:31 |
Don't trade generalizations. |
| 01:05:33 |
Be specific. |
| 01:05:34 |
And above all, don't let |
| 01:05:36 |
23-minute homilies. |
| 01:05:37 |
Right. |
| 01:05:38 |
before the tape starts running. |
| 01:05:40 |
He was toying with you yesterday. |
| 01:05:41 |
All that shit about Ben-Hur |
| 01:05:43 |
the money. |
| 01:05:43 |
Those are mind games. |
| 01:05:47 |
Never forget, |
| 01:05:50 |
with a major operator. |
| 01:05:52 |
Got it. |
| 01:06:01 |
Ah. |
| 01:06:03 |
The Grand Inquisitor. |
| 01:06:06 |
No, just your friendly |
| 01:06:13 |
It's okay. |
| 01:06:16 |
This is why I got all these |
| 01:06:19 |
There's nothing to worry about. |
| 01:06:20 |
As a president, you get |
| 01:06:24 |
Ed, we gotta get in here and |
| 01:06:32 |
Focus, sir. |
| 01:06:37 |
Okay, we are back. |
| 01:06:39 |
on my count. |
| 01:06:41 |
Okay, stand by to roll tape. |
| 01:06:43 |
30 seconds. |
| 01:06:44 |
Settling. |
| 01:06:46 |
You have a pleasant evening last night? |
| 01:06:47 |
Yes, thank you. |
| 01:06:57 |
Did you do any fornicating? |
| 01:07:00 |
David, we're starting |
| 01:07:04 |
Three, two and... |
| 01:07:11 |
Mr. President, you came |
| 01:07:14 |
but no sooner did you |
| 01:07:16 |
than US involvement in Vietnam |
| 01:07:21 |
with calamitous consequences. |
| 01:07:22 |
Did you feel that you'd betrayed |
| 01:07:26 |
Well, Vietnam was not my war. |
| 01:07:30 |
It was my inheritance. |
| 01:07:31 |
And it looked to me... |
| 01:07:33 |
...as if the reason for our being there... |
| 01:07:36 |
had perhaps not been adequately |
| 01:07:42 |
It seemed to me they hadn't realized... |
| 01:07:44 |
how important a test this |
| 01:07:50 |
The whole world was watching to see... |
| 01:07:52 |
if we have the character to see it through. |
| 01:07:55 |
Now, look, I could have bugged out. |
| 01:07:58 |
I could have blamed it on my predecessors. |
| 01:08:00 |
I could have pulled the |
| 01:08:03 |
and very possibly, |
| 01:08:05 |
some Scandinavian peace prize |
| 01:08:09 |
But I believed in the cause. |
| 01:08:10 |
And sometimes, you know, what you |
| 01:08:16 |
You might even say that I was the |
| 01:08:21 |
Yeah, tell that to the paraplegics. |
| 01:08:23 |
Come on, David, |
| 01:08:25 |
And Cambodia? An invasion which |
| 01:08:28 |
All the CIA and Pentagon intelligence... |
| 01:08:30 |
suggested it would fail. |
| 01:08:31 |
So why did you do it? |
| 01:08:32 |
Well, first of all, |
| 01:08:34 |
as a result of our incursion into Cambodia, |
| 01:08:38 |
we picked up 22,000 rifles, |
| 01:08:40 |
15 million rounds of ammunition. |
| 01:08:43 |
150,000 rockets, mortars. |
| 01:08:45 |
That's all belonging |
| 01:08:47 |
which would only otherwise |
| 01:08:50 |
right onto American soldiers. |
| 01:08:52 |
But one of the principal justifications... |
| 01:08:54 |
you gave for the incursion... |
| 01:08:56 |
was the supposed existence of... |
| 01:08:57 |
the 'headquarters of |
| 01:09:00 |
operation in South Vietnam,' |
| 01:09:02 |
a sort of 'bamboo |
| 01:09:05 |
not to exist at all. |
| 01:09:06 |
No, no. Wait a minute there. No, I was... |
| 01:09:07 |
And by sending... |
| 01:09:08 |
And by sending B-52s |
| 01:09:11 |
wiping out whole civilian areas, |
| 01:09:14 |
you end up radicalizing |
| 01:09:17 |
uniting them in anti-American sentiment... |
| 01:09:20 |
and creating a monster |
| 01:09:22 |
that would lead to civil war... |
| 01:09:24 |
All right. |
| 01:09:25 |
Yes, good, good, good. |
| 01:09:27 |
Okay, run VT. |
| 01:09:28 |
Roll tape. |
| 01:10:26 |
Well, sir, |
| 01:10:27 |
some pretty stirring images there. |
| 01:10:29 |
Look, it was never US policy to kill civilians. |
| 01:10:33 |
That's the enemy's way. |
| 01:10:35 |
Well, I'm not suggesting... |
| 01:10:36 |
And if you're asking the question... |
| 01:10:37 |
do I regret the casualties |
| 01:10:40 |
yeah, sure, of course I do. |
| 01:10:42 |
Let me tell you something. |
| 01:10:44 |
Well, all right, sir, |
| 01:10:45 |
with someone who... |
| 01:10:46 |
But whenever I have had my doubts. |
| 01:10:48 |
I remembered the construction worker... |
| 01:10:49 |
in Philadelphia, |
| 01:10:50 |
because he came up to me... |
| 01:10:51 |
and he said, 'Sir, |
| 01:10:54 |
of that Cambodia thing. |
| 01:10:55 |
'If you'd gone in earlier, |
| 01:10:57 |
'you might have captured the gun... |
| 01:10:59 |
'that killed my boy three months ago.' |
| 01:11:01 |
So you're asking me, |
| 01:11:02 |
going into Cambodia? |
| 01:11:04 |
No. I don't. |
| 01:11:06 |
I wish I'd gone in sooner and harder. |
| 01:11:09 |
Got him. |
| 01:11:17 |
It was horrifying. |
| 01:11:20 |
And he was so confident. |
| 01:11:25 |
What are you gonna say about Watergate? |
| 01:11:27 |
Sorry, boys, |
| 01:11:30 |
you know? |
| 01:11:37 |
Better? |
| 01:11:42 |
It was. |
| 01:11:50 |
What's next? |
| 01:11:52 |
Foreign policy. |
| 01:11:56 |
Great. Russia, China, |
| 01:12:01 |
Yeah, so? |
| 01:12:03 |
So if he beats him up like that on Vietnam, |
| 01:12:05 |
imagine what he's gonna do |
| 01:12:10 |
It ain't gonna be pretty. |
| 01:12:13 |
The answer was grow by six inches. |
| 01:12:16 |
It was agony to watch. |
| 01:12:19 |
Now, that's when Khrushchev called me. |
| 01:12:21 |
begging me to intervene. |
| 01:12:22 |
You see, he and Mao didn't get along, |
| 01:12:24 |
and Khrushchev knew that the Chairman... |
| 01:12:27 |
would talk to me, |
| 01:12:29 |
You see, I was the only one |
| 01:12:32 |
personally, man-to-man. |
| 01:12:34 |
When David tried to lay a finger on him. |
| 01:12:36 |
Nixon made mincemeat out of him. |
| 01:12:40 |
What 'revolution,' David? |
| 01:12:42 |
You just let Richard Nixon claim... |
| 01:12:43 |
the country was in a state of revolution? |
| 01:12:46 |
What, with protestors |
| 01:12:48 |
police officers? |
| 01:12:49 |
That's not how I remember it. |
| 01:12:50 |
What I remember is people protesting... |
| 01:12:52 |
peacefully and legitimately... |
| 01:12:53 |
against the Vietnam War. |
| 01:12:55 |
That's what I remember. |
| 01:12:56 |
By the end, wiretapping |
| 01:12:58 |
into journalists' homes... |
| 01:12:59 |
was beginning to sound |
| 01:13:01 |
Well, I'm sorry you feel this way, |
| 01:13:03 |
but I simply cannot share your view. |
| 01:13:05 |
About what exactly? |
| 01:13:06 |
About any of it, frankly. |
| 01:13:07 |
I thought today was a huge improvement. |
| 01:13:10 |
Are you nuts? |
| 01:13:11 |
Let me tell you how bad things were today. |
| 01:13:13 |
After the taping finished, |
| 01:13:16 |
of the crew say... |
| 01:13:16 |
they never voted for him |
| 01:13:19 |
but if he ran for office again today. |
| 01:13:21 |
he'd get their support. |
| 01:13:22 |
You're making him look presidential. |
| 01:13:24 |
for Christ's sake. |
| 01:13:25 |
And forget about the trivia, David. |
| 01:13:28 |
Who cares whether Nixon |
| 01:13:30 |
to Europe... |
| 01:13:31 |
when he traveled? |
| 01:13:33 |
Well, it's irrelevant. |
| 01:13:34 |
And it's just the sort of banal anecdote... |
| 01:13:37 |
that would distract a talk... |
| 01:13:39 |
A what? |
| 01:13:44 |
Go on. No, say it. |
| 01:13:46 |
What, you were gonna |
| 01:13:49 |
Yeah. Yeah, I was. |
| 01:14:00 |
All right, look, |
| 01:14:02 |
to answer your points. |
| 01:14:04 |
Frankly, I don't share any of your sense of... |
| 01:14:08 |
pessimism or alarm. |
| 01:14:10 |
And this ridiculous self-flagellation, |
| 01:14:13 |
in my view, |
| 01:14:17 |
No. |
| 01:14:20 |
And threatening to derail |
| 01:14:26 |
Look. If there is anyone here who thinks... |
| 01:14:29 |
we're gonna fail, |
| 01:14:32 |
they better leave now, |
| 01:14:35 |
or it'll infect everyone else. |
| 01:14:44 |
No one? |
| 01:14:49 |
Right. |
| 01:14:52 |
Good. |
| 01:14:55 |
Now, I suggest instead of |
| 01:14:58 |
for the next five days, |
| 01:14:59 |
we all go our separate ways... |
| 01:15:02 |
over Easter. |
| 01:15:04 |
But before we go. |
| 01:15:06 |
would like you... |
| 01:15:06 |
to join us for a little celebratory dinner... |
| 01:15:09 |
at Patrick Terrail's new place. |
| 01:15:12 |
Celebrate? |
| 01:15:15 |
The fact that we're all gonna be working... |
| 01:15:16 |
at Burger King? |
| 01:15:17 |
What are we celebrating? |
| 01:15:25 |
I'd like to celebrate my birthday... |
| 01:15:28 |
with a few friends. |
| 01:15:42 |
Look, is that Neil Diamond? |
| 01:15:43 |
Frost and Nixon, |
| 01:15:45 |
And is that Sammy Cahn? |
| 01:15:47 |
Go together like Prancer and Vixen |
| 01:15:48 |
David, |
| 01:15:49 |
Soaring through the airwaves |
| 01:15:51 |
Jesus, that's Hugh Hefner. |
| 01:15:53 |
Oh, my God. |
| 01:15:54 |
Hoping for several hefty paydays |
| 01:15:56 |
Yeah, I think it is. |
| 01:15:57 |
That's gotta be Bunnies. |
| 01:15:59 |
Those are Bunnies? |
| 01:16:00 |
Frost and Nixon, |
| 01:16:02 |
Go together like Mason and Dixon |
| 01:16:03 |
David, just putting it |
| 01:16:05 |
extraordinary accomplishment. |
| 01:16:07 |
Frost lines up with Dicky... |
| 01:16:08 |
No one else could have done that. |
| 01:16:09 |
And these interviews |
| 01:16:11 |
for future generations... |
| 01:16:12 |
of academics and political historians. |
| 01:16:15 |
That bad? |
| 01:16:16 |
He saved it |
| 01:16:18 |
He wrote a book Now here's the hook |
| 01:16:21 |
David. |
| 01:16:22 |
Patrick. |
| 01:16:23 |
He's not a crook He's paid by David |
| 01:17:09 |
My, what a festive atmosphere. |
| 01:17:11 |
Please, don't get up. |
| 01:17:13 |
I take it from this that the interviews... |
| 01:17:16 |
have gone well? |
| 01:17:17 |
Better than that, ma'am. |
| 01:17:19 |
The President's sitting on an 11-0 lead. |
| 01:17:21 |
Really? Well. |
| 01:17:23 |
Well, that is most gratifying. |
| 01:17:29 |
I'm so glad it's all gone according to plan. |
| 01:17:48 |
I see. |
| 01:17:51 |
Is there nothing we can do? |
| 01:17:55 |
Really? |
| 01:17:58 |
Right. Well, thanks for letting me know. |
| 01:18:08 |
It's true. |
| 01:18:10 |
the Australian show. |
| 01:18:11 |
Oh, no, David. |
| 01:18:14 |
They felt that I needed |
| 01:18:20 |
Now my producer's worried |
| 01:18:24 |
will follow. |
| 01:18:26 |
I'm in this for everything I've got, |
| 01:18:27 |
and there's still no guarantee it'll ever... |
| 01:18:31 |
see the light of day. |
| 01:18:33 |
What have I done? |
| 01:18:36 |
Why didn't anyone stop me? |
| 01:18:38 |
They should have physically stopped me. |
| 01:18:40 |
No, no, no. Shh. |
| 01:18:49 |
Look, we don't have to go out tonight. |
| 01:18:52 |
Why don't we stay in? |
| 01:18:55 |
Hmm? |
| 01:19:00 |
I'll go down to Trader Vic's |
| 01:19:05 |
Steak or fish? |
| 01:19:08 |
David? |
| 01:19:14 |
Don't worry. I'll call from the restaurant. |
| 01:20:02 |
I'll have a cheeseburger. |
| 01:20:06 |
Mmm. That sounds good. |
| 01:20:11 |
but Dr. Lundgren made me give them up. |
| 01:20:14 |
He switched me to cottage cheese... |
| 01:20:16 |
and pineapple instead. |
| 01:20:18 |
He calls them my Hawaiian burgers, |
| 01:20:21 |
but they don't taste like burgers at all. |
| 01:20:23 |
They taste like Styrofoam. |
| 01:20:29 |
I hope I'm not disturbing. |
| 01:20:32 |
No. |
| 01:20:33 |
It's a Friday night. |
| 01:20:35 |
You've probably got somebody there... |
| 01:20:38 |
whom you're entertaining. |
| 01:20:41 |
No. |
| 01:20:42 |
Well, then what are you doing? |
| 01:20:45 |
A handsome young fellow, |
| 01:20:47 |
an eligible young bachelor |
| 01:20:54 |
If you must know, |
| 01:20:57 |
for our final session. |
| 01:21:00 |
The all-important final session. |
| 01:21:03 |
Yes. |
| 01:21:06 |
'Cause I guess the way you handle |
| 01:21:07 |
Watergate's gonna determine... |
| 01:21:09 |
whether these interviews |
| 01:21:15 |
Should I be nervous? |
| 01:21:18 |
Well, I'm gonna give it my best shot. |
| 01:21:23 |
Quite right. |
| 01:21:26 |
No holds barred. |
| 01:21:28 |
You know, it's strange. |
| 01:21:31 |
Now, we have sat in chairs |
| 01:21:35 |
talking for hours, |
| 01:21:38 |
and yet I've hardly gotten to know you. |
| 01:21:42 |
One of my people, |
| 01:21:46 |
for this interview, |
| 01:21:49 |
And I'm sorry to say that I just got around... |
| 01:21:53 |
to reading it tonight. |
| 01:21:56 |
There's some interesting stuff... |
| 01:21:58 |
in there. |
| 01:21:59 |
Your Methodist background, |
| 01:22:02 |
and then you're off to a grand university... |
| 01:22:06 |
full of richer, posher types. |
| 01:22:08 |
What was it? Oxford? |
| 01:22:12 |
Cambridge. |
| 01:22:15 |
Did the snobs there look down on you, too? |
| 01:22:20 |
Of course they did. |
| 01:22:23 |
isn't it, Mr. Frost? |
| 01:22:25 |
No matter how high we get, |
| 01:22:32 |
I really don't know |
| 01:22:34 |
Yes, you do. |
| 01:22:36 |
Now, come on. |
| 01:22:40 |
or column inches are written about you... |
| 01:22:43 |
or how high the elected office is for me. |
| 01:22:47 |
it's still not enough. |
| 01:22:49 |
We still feel like the little man, |
| 01:22:51 |
the loser they told us |
| 01:22:57 |
The smart-asses at college, |
| 01:23:02 |
the people whose respect we really wanted. |
| 01:23:06 |
really craved. |
| 01:23:07 |
And isn't that why we work so hard now, |
| 01:23:11 |
why we fight for every inch, |
| 01:23:13 |
scrambling our way up |
| 01:23:17 |
If we're honest for a minute, |
| 01:23:21 |
just for a moment, |
| 01:23:22 |
if we allow ourselves |
| 01:23:27 |
place we call our soul, |
| 01:23:29 |
isn't that why we're here now? |
| 01:23:33 |
The two of us? |
| 01:23:34 |
Looking for a way back into the sun, |
| 01:23:38 |
into the limelight, |
| 01:23:43 |
Because we could feel it slipping away. |
| 01:23:46 |
We were headed, |
| 01:23:49 |
A place the snobs always told us... |
| 01:23:52 |
that we'd end up. |
| 01:23:54 |
Face in the dust. |
| 01:23:55 |
Humiliated all the more for having tried... |
| 01:23:58 |
so pitifully hard. |
| 01:23:59 |
Well, to hell with that. |
| 01:24:02 |
We're not gonna let that happen. |
| 01:24:04 |
either of us. |
| 01:24:04 |
We're gonna show those bums. |
| 01:24:06 |
We're gonna make them choke |
| 01:24:10 |
our continued headlines, |
| 01:24:13 |
and power and glory. |
| 01:24:15 |
We are gonna make |
| 01:24:31 |
Am I right? |
| 01:24:33 |
You are. |
| 01:24:38 |
Yes. |
| 01:24:42 |
And I shall be your fiercest adversary. |
| 01:24:48 |
I shall come at you with everything I got, |
| 01:24:53 |
because the limelight |
| 01:25:01 |
And for the other, |
| 01:25:07 |
with nothing and no one for company... |
| 01:25:14 |
but those voices ringing in our head. |
| 01:25:33 |
You can probably tell I've had a drink. |
| 01:25:40 |
It's not too many. |
| 01:25:43 |
But you believe me, |
| 01:25:49 |
when the time comes, |
| 01:25:54 |
and ready for battle. |
| 01:26:00 |
Good night, Mr. Frost. |
| 01:26:04 |
Good night. |
| 01:26:07 |
Mr. President. |
| 01:26:26 |
So with or without cheese? |
| 01:26:30 |
David? |
| 01:26:31 |
I've got to work. |
| 01:26:35 |
Well, |
| 01:26:39 |
Jesus, is that Liddy? |
| 01:26:42 |
He must be a little nuts. |
| 01:26:43 |
Yeah, he is. |
| 01:26:45 |
I mean, he just isn't well screwed on, is he? |
| 01:26:47 |
Isn't that the problem? |
| 01:26:49 |
Yeah, screw the Cabinet |
| 01:26:52 |
But no more sucking around. |
| 01:26:56 |
There is one thing that I want done, |
| 01:26:58 |
and I don't want any argument about it. |
| 01:27:01 |
I want you to direct the most trusted... |
| 01:27:03 |
person you have... |
| 01:27:04 |
in the Immigration Service... |
| 01:27:05 |
that they are to look over all the activities... |
| 01:27:08 |
at the Los Angeles Times. |
| 01:27:10 |
AII, underlined. |
| 01:27:12 |
their teams in to see... |
| 01:27:13 |
whether they are violating |
| 01:27:16 |
Is that clear? |
| 01:27:21 |
You open that scab, there's a |
| 01:27:24 |
we just feel that |
| 01:27:27 |
to have this thing go any further. |
| 01:27:36 |
Hello? |
| 01:27:37 |
Jim, it's David. |
| 01:27:40 |
Hey. What time is it? |
| 01:27:42 |
How much longer are you gonna be... |
| 01:27:44 |
in D.C. For? |
| 01:27:45 |
Tuesday. Till Tuesday. |
| 01:27:46 |
Great. Well, |
| 01:27:48 |
you mentioned... |
| 01:27:48 |
going to the Federal Courthouse library? |
| 01:27:51 |
Honey, can you check on him, please? |
| 01:27:54 |
Yes, for the Colson stuff? |
| 01:27:55 |
Well, I've been doing a little light reading... |
| 01:27:59 |
this end, |
| 01:28:00 |
and you remember that hunch you had... |
| 01:28:02 |
about the meeting... |
| 01:28:02 |
between Nixon and Colson? |
| 01:28:04 |
Uh-huh. What are you thinking? |
| 01:28:35 |
Hey. |
| 01:28:36 |
Good morning. |
| 01:28:38 |
And? |
| 01:28:50 |
Excuse me, sir. |
| 01:29:09 |
It's 8:30. |
| 01:29:11 |
No. No Frost, no Reston. |
| 01:29:24 |
Morning. |
| 01:29:26 |
Come on, let's go. |
| 01:29:30 |
What's that about? |
| 01:29:40 |
First time he's late. |
| 01:29:55 |
Mr. President. |
| 01:30:13 |
Morning. |
| 01:30:53 |
Mr. President. |
| 01:30:55 |
Mr. Frost. |
| 01:31:11 |
Thirty seconds to tape roll. |
| 01:31:16 |
Thirty seconds. |
| 01:31:30 |
Well, if today's session is |
| 01:31:35 |
it should be explosive. |
| 01:31:37 |
What phone call? |
| 01:31:40 |
The phone call to my hotel room. |
| 01:31:45 |
David, starting on camera three |
| 01:31:57 |
Now, looking back on your final year... |
| 01:32:00 |
in office, |
| 01:32:00 |
do you feel you ever obstructed justice... |
| 01:32:03 |
or were part of a conspiracy to cover up... |
| 01:32:05 |
or obstruct justice? |
| 01:32:06 |
No. |
| 01:32:08 |
And I'm interested that you used the term... |
| 01:32:11 |
'obstruction of justice.' |
| 01:32:13 |
Now, you perhaps have |
| 01:32:15 |
with regard to the obstruction... |
| 01:32:17 |
of justice. |
| 01:32:17 |
As it happens, I have. |
| 01:32:20 |
You have, you say? |
| 01:32:24 |
doesn't just require an act. |
| 01:32:27 |
It requires a specific corrupt motive. |
| 01:32:30 |
And in this case, |
| 01:32:33 |
a corrupt motive. |
| 01:32:34 |
What I was doing was in the interests... |
| 01:32:36 |
of political containment. |
| 01:32:37 |
Be that as it may, |
| 01:32:40 |
of your actions would have been... |
| 01:32:41 |
that two of the convicted burglars... |
| 01:32:43 |
would have escaped criminal prosecution. |
| 01:32:45 |
Now, how can that not be a cover-up or... |
| 01:32:47 |
obstruction of justice? |
| 01:32:48 |
Well, I think the record shows. |
| 01:32:50 |
Mr. Frost, |
| 01:32:50 |
that far from obstructing justice. |
| 01:32:54 |
I was actively facilitating it. |
| 01:32:56 |
When Pat Gray of the FBI telephoned me. |
| 01:32:59 |
this was July 6. |
| 01:33:01 |
I said, |
| 01:33:03 |
with your investigation.' |
| 01:33:04 |
That's hardly what you'd call... |
| 01:33:05 |
obstructing justice. |
| 01:33:06 |
Well, that may be, |
| 01:33:09 |
prior to July 6, |
| 01:33:10 |
we now know that you were desperately... |
| 01:33:11 |
trying to contain or block the investigation. |
| 01:33:13 |
No, no. Hang on a minute there. |
| 01:33:14 |
I wasn't... |
| 01:33:14 |
No, no. |
| 01:33:15 |
is obstruction of justice, |
| 01:33:16 |
whether it's for a minute or five minutes, |
| 01:33:18 |
and it's no defense |
| 01:33:20 |
I mean, if I try to rob a bank and fail. |
| 01:33:22 |
that's no defense. |
| 01:33:23 |
I still tried to rob the bank. |
| 01:33:25 |
Will you just wait one minute there. |
| 01:33:27 |
Mr. Frost? |
| 01:33:28 |
There is no evidence |
| 01:33:30 |
Well, the reason there is no evidence... |
| 01:33:32 |
is because 18 and a half minutes... |
| 01:33:33 |
of the conversation with Bob Haldeman... |
| 01:33:35 |
from this June period... |
| 01:33:37 |
have mysteriously been erased. |
| 01:33:38 |
That was an unfortunate... |
| 01:33:40 |
oversight. |
| 01:33:41 |
And Bob Haldeman is a rigorous... |
| 01:33:43 |
and a conscientious note taker. |
| 01:33:45 |
His notes are there for all to see. |
| 01:33:47 |
Well, we found something rather better... |
| 01:33:49 |
than his notes, |
| 01:33:50 |
a conversation with Charles Colson, |
| 01:33:55 |
which I don't think |
| 01:33:59 |
Okay, here we go. |
| 01:34:01 |
It hasn't been published, you say? |
| 01:34:03 |
No, but one of my researchers... |
| 01:34:05 |
found it in Washington... |
| 01:34:07 |
where it's available to |
| 01:34:09 |
the records. |
| 01:34:10 |
Well, I just wondered, |
| 01:34:15 |
More than seen it, |
| 01:34:16 |
You spoke the actual words. |
| 01:34:18 |
Now, you've always claimed |
| 01:34:21 |
the break-in on June 23. |
| 01:34:22 |
Yeah. |
| 01:34:24 |
But this transcript of a tape |
| 01:34:27 |
clearly shows that to be a falsehood. |
| 01:34:30 |
Now, in it you say to Colson, 'This whole... |
| 01:34:34 |
investigation rests... |
| 01:34:37 |
'unless one of the seven begins to talk. |
| 01:34:45 |
'That's the problem.' |
| 01:34:47 |
Well, what do we mean when we say... |
| 01:34:51 |
'one of the seven beginning to talk'? |
| 01:34:53 |
Then moving on to a |
| 01:34:55 |
with John Dean... |
| 01:34:56 |
on March 21, |
| 01:34:58 |
In one transcript alone, |
| 01:35:01 |
I picked out, |
| 01:35:03 |
one, |
| 01:35:04 |
and you could get it in cash. |
| 01:35:06 |
'I know where it could be gotten.' |
| 01:35:08 |
Two, 'Your major guy to |
| 01:35:11 |
is Hunt.' |
| 01:35:12 |
Three, |
| 01:35:14 |
the Hunt situation?' |
| 01:35:15 |
Four, 'Get the million bucks. |
| 01:35:17 |
'It would seem to me |
| 01:35:19 |
Five, 'Don't you agree |
| 01:35:21 |
the Hunt thing going?' |
| 01:35:22 |
Six, 'First you've got the Hunt problem. |
| 01:35:24 |
'That ought to be handled.' |
| 01:35:26 |
can be provided. |
| 01:35:27 |
'Ehrlichman could provide |
| 01:35:29 |
Eight, |
| 01:35:31 |
'but the $120,000 or whatever it is, right?' |
| 01:35:34 |
Nine, 'Christ, |
| 01:35:36 |
we've got.' |
| 01:35:37 |
And I could go on. |
| 01:35:39 |
that someone running a cover-up... |
| 01:35:41 |
couldn't have expressed it |
| 01:35:42 |
could they? |
| 01:35:43 |
Look, let me just stop you now... |
| 01:35:44 |
right there, |
| 01:35:44 |
because you're doing something here... |
| 01:35:47 |
which I am not doing, |
| 01:35:49 |
throughout these entire broadcasts. |
| 01:35:51 |
You're quoting me out of context, |
| 01:35:53 |
out of order. |
| 01:35:56 |
I have participated in all these interviews... |
| 01:35:58 |
without a single note in front of me. |
| 01:36:00 |
Well, it is your life, |
| 01:36:02 |
Now, you've always maintained... |
| 01:36:03 |
that you knew nothing about any of this... |
| 01:36:05 |
until March 21. |
| 01:36:06 |
But in February, |
| 01:36:08 |
came to Washington... |
| 01:36:09 |
to start the raising of $219,000... |
| 01:36:13 |
of hush money to be paid to the burglars. |
| 01:36:15 |
Now, do you seriously |
| 01:36:18 |
that you had no knowledge of that? |
| 01:36:19 |
None. I believed the money was for... |
| 01:36:21 |
humanitarian purposes. |
| 01:36:23 |
To help disadvantaged people... |
| 01:36:24 |
with their defenses. |
| 01:36:25 |
Well, it was being delivered |
| 01:36:28 |
with aliases, |
| 01:36:29 |
and at airports by people with gloves on. |
| 01:36:31 |
That's not normally the way lawyers' fees... |
| 01:36:33 |
are delivered, is it? |
| 01:36:34 |
Look, |
| 01:36:35 |
to this effect before. |
| 01:36:36 |
All that was Haldeman |
| 01:36:39 |
I knew nothing. |
| 01:36:41 |
You made a conclusion there. |
| 01:36:42 |
I stated my view, |
| 01:36:44 |
Let's get on to the rest of it. |
| 01:36:45 |
No, hold on. |
| 01:36:46 |
No, I don't want to talk... |
| 01:36:47 |
If Haldeman and Ehrlichman |
| 01:36:48 |
really responsible, |
| 01:36:49 |
when you subsequently found out about it, |
| 01:36:52 |
why didn't you call the police... |
| 01:36:53 |
and have them arrested? |
| 01:36:54 |
Isn't that just a cover-up of another kind? |
| 01:36:56 |
Yeah, maybe I should have done that. |
| 01:36:57 |
Maybe I should have. |
| 01:36:58 |
Just called the feds into my office... |
| 01:37:00 |
and said, 'Hey, |
| 01:37:02 |
'Haul them down to the dock, |
| 01:37:03 |
'fingerprint them and then throw them... |
| 01:37:05 |
in the can.' |
| 01:37:05 |
I'm not made that way. |
| 01:37:07 |
These men, |
| 01:37:09 |
I knew their families. |
| 01:37:10 |
I knew them since they were just kids. |
| 01:37:12 |
Yeah, but you know, |
| 01:37:13 |
the pressure on me to let them go. |
| 01:37:15 |
that became overwhelming. |
| 01:37:16 |
So I did it. |
| 01:37:19 |
then I cut off the other, |
| 01:37:22 |
And I have always maintained |
| 01:37:25 |
what we were all doing, |
| 01:37:27 |
Look, |
| 01:37:29 |
you gotta do a lot of things sometimes... |
| 01:37:31 |
that are not always, |
| 01:37:32 |
in the strictest sense of the law, legal, |
| 01:37:34 |
but you do them... |
| 01:37:36 |
because they're in the greater interests... |
| 01:37:37 |
of the nation. |
| 01:37:38 |
Right. Wait, just so I understand correctly, |
| 01:37:40 |
are you really saying |
| 01:37:43 |
the President can decide |
| 01:37:45 |
interests of the nation... |
| 01:37:46 |
and then do something illegal? |
| 01:37:48 |
I'm saying that when the President does it. |
| 01:37:52 |
that means it's not illegal. |
| 01:37:55 |
I'm sorry? |
| 01:37:57 |
That's what I believe. |
| 01:37:59 |
Oh, my God. |
| 01:38:06 |
But I realize no one else... |
| 01:38:09 |
shares that view. |
| 01:38:13 |
So, in that case, |
| 01:38:18 |
to clear the air once and for all, |
| 01:38:21 |
that you were part of a cover-up... |
| 01:38:23 |
and that you did break the law? |
| 01:38:36 |
Oh, my God, we got him. |
| 01:38:39 |
Shit. |
| 01:38:42 |
Okay, let's take a break there. |
| 01:38:43 |
What the fuck is going on? |
| 01:38:45 |
Cut it. Cut it. |
| 01:38:46 |
Excuse me? |
| 01:38:47 |
Shut it down now. |
| 01:38:48 |
That's not my call. You're gonna |
| 01:38:51 |
He's in that truck out there. |
| 01:38:53 |
Listen, we have an issue in here. |
| 01:38:55 |
Jack, what are you doing? |
| 01:38:57 |
Change the tapes. |
| 01:38:58 |
David, can I talk to you |
| 01:38:59 |
What the hell is going on, Jack? |
| 01:39:01 |
He was about to blow and you know it. |
| 01:39:03 |
Fellas, this is a critical moment... |
| 01:39:04 |
in his life. |
| 01:39:05 |
You realize we could sue you for this? |
| 01:39:06 |
You have deliberately sabotaged... |
| 01:39:08 |
the interview, Jack. |
| 01:39:08 |
Look, we're all in this together. |
| 01:39:10 |
I'm sure we can find a solution. |
| 01:39:11 |
A solution? What the hell are you |
| 01:39:14 |
Bob, may I remind you... |
| 01:39:15 |
This is a breach of contract. |
| 01:39:20 |
For heaven's sake, Jim. |
| 01:39:21 |
give him a week off? |
| 01:39:22 |
Give him a year off. |
| 01:39:23 |
Give him a fucking massage. |
| 01:39:25 |
Watch your language, |
| 01:39:42 |
What'd you do? |
| 01:39:47 |
Did you take pity on me? |
| 01:39:52 |
Sir, I just felt that... |
| 01:39:55 |
if you were going to make some kind of... |
| 01:39:58 |
emotional disclosure, |
| 01:39:59 |
that we should just take a moment... |
| 01:40:03 |
to think it through, |
| 01:40:07 |
I just want to impress upon you... |
| 01:40:09 |
how crucially important this moment is... |
| 01:40:13 |
and how many potentially |
| 01:40:17 |
unplanned emotional |
| 01:40:20 |
I know. |
| 01:40:22 |
But to go on and carry on denying it all... |
| 01:40:47 |
I appreciate the gesture. |
| 01:40:55 |
We ought to call it a snafu. |
| 01:41:07 |
Jack, are we on? |
| 01:41:12 |
We're on. |
| 01:41:13 |
of time to cook up... |
| 01:41:13 |
some sort of slippery new bullshit. |
| 01:41:15 |
so stay on your toes. |
| 01:41:16 |
Listen, it's gonna be fine. |
| 01:41:58 |
Thirty seconds, everyone. |
| 01:42:12 |
Ten seconds. |
| 01:42:20 |
David? Four, three, |
| 01:42:27 |
Mr. President, |
| 01:42:28 |
the period March 21 to April 30, |
| 01:42:31 |
and the mistakes you made, and so on, |
| 01:42:34 |
and I was wondering... |
| 01:42:38 |
would you go further than 'mistakes'? |
| 01:42:41 |
The word that seems not enough... |
| 01:42:44 |
for people to understand. |
| 01:42:47 |
Well, what word would you express? |
| 01:42:58 |
My goodness. |
| 01:43:04 |
All right. |
| 01:43:07 |
Since you've asked me, |
| 01:43:09 |
are three things... |
| 01:43:10 |
that people would like to hear you say. |
| 01:43:13 |
One, that there was |
| 01:43:18 |
There was wrongdoing. |
| 01:43:21 |
And, yes, it might have been a crime, too. |
| 01:43:25 |
Secondly, that 'I did abuse the power |
| 01:43:28 |
I had as President.' |
| 01:43:32 |
And thirdly, |
| 01:43:35 |
'through two years of needless agony, |
| 01:43:39 |
'and I apologize for that.' And I know... |
| 01:43:41 |
how difficult it is... |
| 01:43:43 |
for anyone, especially you, |
| 01:43:47 |
but I think the people need to hear it. |
| 01:43:51 |
And I think that unless you say it, |
| 01:43:55 |
you're going to be haunted |
| 01:44:03 |
Well, it's true. |
| 01:44:06 |
horrendous ones, |
| 01:44:10 |
ones that were not worthy of a president, |
| 01:44:16 |
ones that did not meet the standards... |
| 01:44:18 |
of excellence... |
| 01:44:19 |
that I always dreamed of as a young boy. |
| 01:44:22 |
But, if you remember, |
| 01:44:29 |
I was caught up in a five-front war... |
| 01:44:34 |
against a partisan media, |
| 01:44:37 |
a partisan Ervin Committee. |
| 01:44:42 |
But, yes, I will admit there were times |
| 01:44:45 |
I did not fully meet that responsibility... |
| 01:44:49 |
and I was involved in a cover-up. |
| 01:44:52 |
as you call it. |
| 01:44:54 |
And for all those mistakes |
| 01:45:02 |
No one can know what it's like to resign... |
| 01:45:05 |
the presidency. |
| 01:45:08 |
Now, |
| 01:45:10 |
if you want me to get down |
| 01:45:16 |
No. Never. |
| 01:45:21 |
I still insist they were mistakes of the heart. |
| 01:45:23 |
They were not mistakes of the head. |
| 01:45:25 |
But they were my mistakes. |
| 01:45:29 |
I brought myself down. |
| 01:45:34 |
I gave them a sword, |
| 01:45:38 |
and they twisted it with relish. |
| 01:45:43 |
And I guess if I'd been in their place. |
| 01:45:45 |
I'd have done the same thing. |
| 01:45:48 |
And the American people? |
| 01:46:09 |
I let them down. |
| 01:46:13 |
I let down my friends. |
| 01:46:18 |
I let down the country. |
| 01:46:27 |
And worst of all. |
| 01:46:32 |
I let down our system of government. |
| 01:46:37 |
And the dreams of all those young people... |
| 01:46:39 |
that ought to get into government, |
| 01:46:41 |
but now they think, |
| 01:46:45 |
and the rest. |
| 01:46:47 |
Yeah. |
| 01:46:54 |
I let the American people down, |
| 01:47:01 |
and I'm gonna have to |
| 01:47:06 |
for the rest of my life. |
| 01:47:19 |
My political life is over. |
| 01:47:50 |
You know, the first and greatest sin... |
| 01:47:52 |
or deception of television... |
| 01:47:54 |
is that it simplifies, |
| 01:47:58 |
great, complex ideas, |
| 01:48:03 |
Whole careers become reduced |
| 01:48:08 |
At first, I couldn't understand why |
| 01:48:10 |
Bob Zelnick was quite as euphoric... |
| 01:48:13 |
as he was after the interviews, |
| 01:48:18 |
or why John Birt felt moved to strip naked... |
| 01:48:22 |
and rush into the ocean to celebrate. |
| 01:48:25 |
But that was before I really understood... |
| 01:48:29 |
the reductive power of the close-up. |
| 01:48:32 |
Because David had |
| 01:48:36 |
in getting, |
| 01:48:38 |
what no investigative journalist, |
| 01:48:40 |
no state prosecutor, |
| 01:48:43 |
or political enemy had managed to get. |
| 01:48:47 |
Richard Nixon's face, |
| 01:48:49 |
swollen and ravaged by Ioneliness. |
| 01:48:53 |
self-Ioathing and defeat. |
| 01:48:56 |
The rest of the project |
| 01:48:59 |
not only be forgotten, |
| 01:49:00 |
they would totally cease to exist. |
| 01:49:10 |
Who came out on top, |
| 01:49:32 |
Is this what you call a dachshund? |
| 01:49:35 |
Mmm-hmm. |
| 01:49:45 |
Very sweet. |
| 01:50:17 |
The Nixon/Frost interviews |
| 01:50:20 |
I think they attracted the largest audience... |
| 01:50:22 |
for a news program... |
| 01:50:23 |
in the history of American television. |
| 01:50:24 |
David was on the cover of Time magazine... |
| 01:50:26 |
and Newsweek magazine. |
| 01:50:28 |
And even the political press corps, |
| 01:50:29 |
the hard-bitten political press corps, |
| 01:50:30 |
called David up with |
| 01:50:32 |
and congratulation. |
| 01:50:33 |
David, I want to say congratulations. |
| 01:50:36 |
The interviews? |
| 01:50:37 |
No, I didn't watch them. |
| 01:50:43 |
Hey. |
| 01:50:46 |
Hello. |
| 01:50:55 |
I believe David saw the former President... |
| 01:50:57 |
just one more time. |
| 01:50:58 |
Before he left California for London again, |
| 01:51:00 |
he drove down to San Clemente... |
| 01:51:03 |
to say goodbye. |
| 01:51:15 |
Hey, Mr. Frost. |
| 01:51:19 |
Miss Cushing. |
| 01:51:22 |
Please excuse my golf outfit. |
| 01:51:24 |
It's the official uniform of the retired. |
| 01:51:29 |
Are you on your way home? |
| 01:51:30 |
Yes. |
| 01:51:31 |
Into a bright new dawn |
| 01:51:35 |
and challenges, eh? |
| 01:51:37 |
Well, let's hope so. |
| 01:51:38 |
Good for you. |
| 01:51:39 |
I didn't catch the interviews... |
| 01:51:41 |
as they went out, |
| 01:51:42 |
but they tell me that they were... |
| 01:51:44 |
a great success. |
| 01:51:46 |
I gather the journalists |
| 01:51:50 |
about you weren't so kind to me. |
| 01:51:53 |
Yes, I was sorry to see that. |
| 01:51:56 |
There's no condolences necessary. |
| 01:51:59 |
I've grown to expect nothing else... |
| 01:52:00 |
from those sons of whores. |
| 01:52:01 |
Yeah. |
| 01:52:03 |
Jeez, please forgive me, |
| 01:52:07 |
You know, |
| 01:52:09 |
'sons of bitches,' |
| 01:52:10 |
but Manolo here is a lover of dogs, |
| 01:52:13 |
and he hates me to defame animals. |
| 01:52:15 |
Can I get something for somebody? |
| 01:52:17 |
Yes. Would you like |
| 01:52:20 |
Hey, you know, |
| 01:52:21 |
the Shah of Iran sent me. |
| 01:52:23 |
No, thank you. |
| 01:52:24 |
Come on. It'll be no trouble at all. |
| 01:52:25 |
No, really, we must be... |
| 01:52:27 |
Okay, fine, fine. |
| 01:52:33 |
You were a worthy opponent. |
| 01:52:38 |
Goodbye, Mr. President. |
| 01:52:39 |
Bye-bye. |
| 01:52:40 |
Goodbye, Mr. President. |
| 01:52:42 |
Goodbye. |
| 01:52:45 |
Oh, God. |
| 01:52:48 |
I brought you a present, |
| 01:52:54 |
I brought you a pair. |
| 01:52:57 |
Well, jeez. Thank you. |
| 01:53:05 |
I'm touched. Safe trip, now. |
| 01:53:15 |
Oh. Say, David, you think |
| 01:53:19 |
privately, just for a minute? |
| 01:53:32 |
Do you know those parties of yours? |
| 01:53:34 |
The ones that I read about |
| 01:53:37 |
Do you actually enjoy those? |
| 01:53:41 |
Of course. |
| 01:53:43 |
You got no idea how |
| 01:53:48 |
You know? |
| 01:53:51 |
and being liked. |
| 01:53:53 |
Having that facility, |
| 01:53:59 |
I don't have it. |
| 01:54:02 |
It kind of makes you wonder |
| 01:54:05 |
that hinged on being liked. |
| 01:54:09 |
I'm better suited to a life of thought, |
| 01:54:12 |
debate, |
| 01:54:15 |
Maybe we got it wrong. |
| 01:54:17 |
Maybe you should have been a politician... |
| 01:54:19 |
and I the rigorous interviewer. |
| 01:54:21 |
Maybe. |
| 01:54:24 |
David. |
| 01:54:28 |
Did I really call you that night? |
| 01:54:33 |
Yes. |
| 01:54:36 |
Did we discuss anything important? |
| 01:54:44 |
Cheeseburgers. |
| 01:54:48 |
Cheeseburgers? |
| 01:54:55 |
Goodbye, sir. |
| 01:55:06 |
Well, New York, |
| 01:55:09 |
welcomed David back with open arms, |
| 01:55:11 |
as did his friends and investors, |
| 01:55:13 |
who've made a fortune |
| 01:55:16 |
He got back all of his shows. |
| 01:55:17 |
He even got back his table at Sardi's. |
| 01:55:20 |
As for Richard Nixon, |
| 01:55:22 |
well, he certainly never achieved... |
| 01:55:23 |
the rehabilitation he so desperately craved. |
| 01:55:26 |
His most lasting legacy... |
| 01:55:28 |
is that today any political wrongdoing |
| 01:55:31 |
is immediately given the suffix 'gate.' |
