The Best Man (1964) ( Gore Vidal's The Best Man )

The Best Man (1964) (DVD) (*)

$22.99

Original Title: Gore Vidal's The Best Man
Screened, competed or awarded at:
Golden Globes
Oscar Academy Awards
Other Film Festival Awards

Language Selections:
English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )
Italian ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )
Italian ( Subtitles )

Product Origin/Format:
Italy ( PAL/Region 0 )

Running Time:
98 min

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen (1.66:1)

Special Features:
Interactive Menu
Photo Gallery
Scene Access
Trailer(s)

Movie filmed in 1964 and produced in:
United States ( USA, Canada )

Directed By:
Franklin J. Schaffner

Written By:
Gore Vidal

Actors:
Henry Fonda ..... William Russell
Cliff Robertson ..... Joe Cantwell
Edie Adams ..... Mabel Cantwell
Margaret Leighton ..... Alice Russell
Shelley Berman ..... Sheldon Bascomb
Lee Tracy ..... President Art Hockstader
Ann Sothern ..... Sue Ellen Gamadge
Gene Raymond ..... Don Cantwell
Kevin McCarthy ..... Dick Jensen
Mahalia Jackson ..... Herself
Howard K. Smith ..... Himself
John Henry Faulk ..... Gov. T.T. Claypoole
Richard Arlen ..... Sen. Oscar Anderson
Penny Singleton ..... Mrs. Claypoole (scenes deleted)
George Kirgo ..... Speechwriter

Synopsis:

It's convention time and front runner Secretary of State William Russell (Henry Fonda) finds himself pitted against Senator Joe Cantwell (Cliff Robertson).Russell is a man of conviction and hopes to elevate politics beyond the personal attack. Cantwell is a political street fighter who practices a 'means justifies the ends' strategy, willing to crush any opponent.For ex-president Hockstader it's Russell's inability to act that's his flaw. Russell, a man of conscience, sees too many sides to issues, he is paralyzed by analysis. Hockstader, a practical man, is ready to endorse Cantwell.In the end both candidates make discoveries about themselves, one accepts his weakness, one is defeated by his strengths and in the end The Best Man wins.Watch this film and see how little has changed in the 40 years since its production. Especially note the 'role' of women!

Intellectual William Russell and down-to-earth Joe Cantwell are front runners for a party nomination that will almost certainly mean the Presidency. Cantwell is prepared to use anything to achieve his goal while Russell sees himself as a man of principle - though his philandering means he is relieved his wife is prepared to appear alongside him. Both men crucially need the support of the ailing President, and as the stakes become higher each team has to decide how dirty they are prepared to get.

At the National Convention two candidates are locked in a battle for presidential nomination. On one side is Will Russell (Henry Fonda), seen as, the intellectual. On the other is, Man of the people, Joe Cantwell. Both men are evenly matched to take on the leadership and the difference may be who is willing to stoop the lowest in a campaign in danger of degenerating into dirty tricks and mud slinging.

This product was added to our catalog on Sunday 03 March, 2019.