film shows history is repeating itself

Rating: 8/10 (5 October 2006)

just viewed the film tonight at our local film society in the village hall (w.coast of Scotland) - applause afterwards. Remark about 'threatening habeas corpus' especially got a laugh, considering that this week, Bush and co. have begun to dismantle habeas corpus in a big way. Also laughs at Murrow's interview of Liberace, who says he's still looking for a 'mate' and notes that Princess Margaret's looking for a 'good man too'. The acting's great - Hollenbach (Ray Wise) esp. fine, managing to convey that sense of 'this can't be really happening, it is, then I'll need to check out permanently' in his lined, handsome face. The use of original footage was fantastic but maybe overlong? I wonder if there might be a nostalgia problem here - any news on how this film made an impact on people younger than 40-odd? My dad was in TV advertising in the 50s and 60s - the film brought childhood memories of the actual studios, all the studio windows, the smoke, the screens in the lobby with labels underneath: New York, Los Angeles! it may have been long ago, but the issues now have come back, with a mainstream media system so much more sophisticated in its condemnation of those who dare to contradict it. At least there's the Internet so dissenting voices have a space - for now...