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'Nixon' by Oliver Stone


John Wilson

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I have searched the forums and if my search was accurate (no results) I can't believe that there is no topic on this former President? In this case, the film starring Anthony Hopkins.

Stone's epic film about the controversial President, from his poor childhood with strict, God-fearing and hardworking parents through to his election and doomed term/s was shot with style and substance, the acting by a multi-star cast, was impeccable. It was also quite moving, oddly.

But there are, for me, several curious scenes.

In one scene, Nixon whistfully stares out of the Whitehouse at night whilst talking to an aide, stating that "four bodies" got him into the Whitehouse? Which four? I thought his two brothers, JFK and RFK?

If not, then whom?

The day before JFK is shot, Nixon is depicted meeting several sinister and very right-wing oilmen (played by Larry Hagman et al), and also in the scene is at least one Cuban. They are persuading him to run against kennedy, but he tells them that he could never win against JFK until they hint heavily they hint will 'not run' in 64.

Was Nixon meeting these men out of some business deal?

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  • 3 months later...

I think Nixon is a brilliant film. Oliver Stone called it his Godfather 2 (JFK being his Godfather). I think he is right. Both films are epic in scope.

In answer to your questions, as I understand it...

In one scene, Nixon whistfully stares out of the Whitehouse at night whilst talking to an aide, stating that "four bodies" got him into the Whitehouse? Which four? I thought his two brothers, JFK and RFK?

If not, then whom?

- Yes, the four bodies would be his two brothers, JFK and RFK.

The day before JFK is shot, Nixon is depicted meeting several sinister and very right-wing oilmen (played by Larry Hagman et al), and also in the scene is at least one Cuban. They are persuading him to run against kennedy, but he tells them that he could never win against JFK until they hint heavily they hint will 'not run' in 64.

Was Nixon meeting these men out of some business deal?

Nixon was a Wall Street lawyer during his "down time" from public service. The scene with the businessmen in Texas has Nixon meeting with them regarding his representation of them as a lawyer. That is why he was down there.

Otto

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  • 7 months later...

I often wonder if film writers and directors get many death threats when working on projects like JFK or Nixon?

Coppola was rumoured to have been contacted by the Mafia whilst filming 'The Godfather', and I wondered about such emotive and Politically sensitive films like the above?

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