Best of Enemies

In select theaters
July 31^st 2015

Opening at Bethesda Row August 7^th 2015

Opening at area theaters August 7^th 2015

Opening Sandy Springs/Tara August 14^th 2015

Opening at area theaters August 14^th 2015

Opening at Plaza Frontenac August 21^st 2015

87 minutes

English

Official website

In the summer of 1968, television news changed forever. Dead last in the ratings, ABC hired two towering public intellectuals to debate each other during the Democratic and Republican national conventions. William F. Buckley, Jr. was a leading light of the new conservative movement. A Democrat and cousin to Jackie Onassis, Gore Vidal was a leftist novelist and polemicist. Armed with deep-seated distrust and enmity, Vidal and Buckley believed each other’s political ideologies were dangerous for America. Like rounds in a heavyweight battle, they pummeled out policy and personal insult—cementing their opposing political positions. Their explosive exchanges devolved into vitriolic name-calling. It was unlike anything TV had ever broadcast, and all the more shocking because it was live and unscripted. Viewers were riveted. ABC News' ratings skyrocketed. And a new era in public discourse was born.

starring...

William F. Buckley, Jr.

Gore Vidal

Kelsey Grammer

John Lithgow

Co-Director/Producer

Morgan Neville

Co-Director/Producer

Robert Gordon

Julie Goldman

Producer

Associate Producer

CarynCapotosto, Eileen Meyer

Editor

Aaron Wickenden, Eileen Meyer

Composer

Jonathan Kirkscey

94% on the CINEMETER

BOS

91% - Apr 12, 2015

Excellent (several times)
Boston Member

Though provoking.
Boston Member

Very interesting film
Boston Member

Great speaker (not me)
Boston Member

MIL

95% - Apr 12, 2015

Interesting theory of relevance today.
Milwaukee Member

Fascinating review of look back to our journalistic and political not so great future. I don't remember this part of our history but was well done and interesting.
Milwaukee Member

Very interesting--shows the built of ultra conservatism.
Milwaukee Member

Gripping! Starts strong and pulls you right in.
Milwaukee Member

Compelling documentary--Loved it!
Milwaukee Member

Milwaukee Member

ATL

91% - Apr 12, 2015

Loved, loved, lived it--great documentary. Thank you; this is why I come to movie club.
Atlanta Member

Solid documentary and obviously the extremes of Buckley and Vidal and their intellectual girth and oversized egos make for sharp watching. It gets personal and we all like a good catfight between two smarty pants.
Atlanta Member

I love the message of how ridiculous our current political divisiveness is can be framed in an almost half-century old context.
Atlanta Member

A fascinating and enlightening glimpse into the beginning of the vitriolic chasm that exists today between left and right.
Atlanta Member

I had heard of both Buckley and Vidal, but I had never seen the debates. This film appeared honest and fair, yet full of humor.
Atlanta Member

Excellent documentary, will recommend to my children and their friends who weren't around in those T.V. days.
Atlanta Member

Wish we still had 2 like these.
Atlanta Member

So timely in today's world with Fox, etc. Where the polarization makes any compromise or dialogue impossible. Centrism, it seems to me, is a a necessity that has vanished in today's political climate.
Atlanta Member

96% - Mar 29, 2015

I enjoyed watching this movie about who can be the smuggest white guy I've ever seen.
Greater New Haven Member

Great explanation of how we've come to have the wasteland of news coverage we enjoy today.
Greater New Haven Member

Interesting: no debates, no substance - children throwing rocks.
Greater New Haven Member

A wonderful reconnect with two great minds!
Greater New Haven Member

Best film of this season by far!
Greater New Haven Member

Shows how the medium actually created a lack of message.
Greater New Haven Member

Entertaining and depressing.
Greater New Haven Member

BOCA

97% - Mar 22, 2015

Excellent documentary that makes for exciting story with good pacing and construction and it makes you think!
Boca Raton Member

The best documentary I can recall!
Boca Raton Member

The best of the season! You should have saved it for the last show to ensure we would all sign up for next year!
Boca Raton Member

Brings back memories of intellectual discourse which is sadly missed.
Boca Raton Member

Totally relevant to today's USA and excellent piece of tv history which has influenced media coverage and politics today.
Boca Raton Member

A piece of history and enlightening!
Boca Raton Member

An eye opener and what a battle!
Boca Raton Member

Although I lived through it, I don't remember it. The crux of it and all future commentary debate is that it wasn't a debate--they were too busy attacking other personally for one's beliefs rather than debating issues.
Boca Raton Member

Young adults should see it to gain a better understanding of politics and media coverage.
Boca Raton Member

Magnolia Pictures