Best of Enemies

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Elizabeth F @ElizabethFaraone Jul 27, 2026 Don’t waste your time watching this poorly made documentary but DO watch the debates between the two men. The commentary is shallow and corrupt, the clips shown create a narrative that is inaccurate and the truth is that Buckley was a horrible debater who was constantly making an a** of himself. He should have stuck to playing music at home and he should have refrained from TV appearances and engaging in politics. Gore Vidal was ethical, a genius and was unflusterable. It’s too bad there aren’t many like him on the planet. See more Leaburn O @RT35452347 May 11, 2026 A masterful reminiscence of the seminal political and more acidly personal debate/dispute between Vidal and Buckley during the vitriolic 1968 party conventions. These were the forerunners of political debate shows of today but what struck me less than the haughty intellectualism. Was the petty animosity and skin deep political ideologising. Two very weird characters engraved their shallow natures on camera and the bitterness both characterised and destroyed them. A sad recollection of events but brilliantly put together. Watched on Amazon Prime. See more Eric B @EricB10 Apr 19, 2026 Not sure why I didn't give this a 5-Star Rating. Perhaps it's because this did not have a happy ending. Rather, this was the story of the beginning of the end in American politics, which can only lead to the end of America, which looms before us now. This is must-see television for the young, who should watch, not like a football game, rooting for the guy they most identify with, but in it's totality. How did both these men contribute to the demise of civility in the pursuit of national solutions, and turn supremely important discussions into a popcorn munching spectator sport? These two men were both literary giants, whose work endures. The filmmakers deserve vigorous applause for telling the sad tale of this country, in decline the last 60 years, through a series of debates on the 3rd rated network, between two men few of us can relate to but who embodied the two Americas we clearly see now, now at civil war. Vidal won the debates, but history may show Buckley was the true winner. See more David H @DavidQHarris Oct 14, 2023 A very interesting look at two larger-than-life characters. I have to say that I really dislike WF Buckley, though. What an obnoxious prick. Vidal is just as arrogant, sure, but at least he's not constantly making jokes about smashing people's faces in. See more John B @RT17595747 Jun 10, 2023 Not terribly exciting, but it was an interesting look at these two combatants in their time and how they handled verbal discussions on political situations in the late 60's and early 70's with the Nixon Administration plus Regan See more Jun 29, 2021 Watch Judas and Jesus go at it. Which talking head is which? Dunno. But, they are madly in love with each other's politics, and their passion for each other's work is clear here. It gets squirmy watching them debate instead of bone. See more Read all reviews

Best of Enemies

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