Watch The Final Days

The Final Days is a historical drama film directed by Richard Pearce and produced by CBS. The movie was released in 1989 and is based on the bestselling book of the same name by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, who broke the Watergate scandal while they were reporters for The Washington Post. The film takes place during the last few months of Richard Nixon's presidency, as he struggles to contain the Watergate scandal and prevent his impeachment. Lane Smith delivers an outstanding performance as the embattled president, showing him as a complex figure who is torn between his love for his country and his determination to protect his legacy.

Throughout the movie, we see Nixon's relationships with his closest advisors, including White House Chief of Staff Alexander Haig (portrayed by Richard Kiley), Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (David Ogden Stiers), and presidential assistant John Ehrlichman (Mitchell Ryan). These characters all try to persuade Nixon to make different choices as the scandal continues to escalate, but ultimately it is Nixon who makes the decisions that will seal his fate.

Smith's portrayal of Nixon is intense and gripping. He captures the president's struggle to balance his role as a national leader with his personal flaws and misdeeds. The performance is nuanced and complex, showing different facets of Nixon's personality at different points throughout the film.

One of the strengths of the movie is its focus on the human side of the Watergate scandal. We see Nixon as a man who is under immense pressure, but is also capable of empathy and compassion. For example, there is a scene where he meets with the mother of a soldier who was killed in Vietnam, and he is genuinely moved by her grief. This scene is a reminder that even the most powerful people in the world have emotions and vulnerabilities.

The Final Days also depicts the hard work of journalists who uncover the Watergate scandal, and the risks they take to get to the truth. The movie highlights how the reporters' dogged determination eventually led to the downfall of the president. Bob Woodward (played by Theodore Bikel) and Carl Bernstein (played by George Coe) are shown as professionals who are committed to investigating the story, despite being up against powerful forces who want to keep the truth hidden.

The film also features some powerful scenes that illustrate the paranoia and tension within the White House during the final days of Nixon's presidency. For example, there is a sequence where Nixon is convinced that there is a spy within his inner circle, and he orders a wiretap on his own office to find out who it is. This scene is a reminder of how the scandal had reached a point where Nixon could no longer trust anyone.

Overall, The Final Days is a well-crafted and gripping drama that gives viewers an insight into the life of the most notorious president in American history. It provides a balanced portrayal of Nixon, showing him as both a tragic figure and a flawed human being. The movie is also a tribute to the journalists who tirelessly worked to uncover the truth, even when it seemed like they were fighting an impossible battle. If you are interested in politics, history, or just great storytelling, The Final Days is definitely worth checking out.

The Final Days is a 1989 history movie with a runtime of 150 hours. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.