Nixon (film)

Nixon is a 1995 American biographical film directed by Oliver Stone for Hollywood Pictures and Cinergi Pictures that tells the story of the political and personal life of former US President Richard Nixon, played by Anthony Hopkins. The film portrays Nixon as a complex and, in many respects, an admirable person, though deeply flawed. Unlike Stone's earlier film JFK, Nixon begins with a disclaimer that the film is "an attempt to understand the truth [...] based on numerous public sources and on an incomplete historical record".

Richard Nixon

• You know, Al, men in your profession...you give 'em a pistol and you leave the room...I don't have a pistol.

• Buddy, before you join the jubilation at my being beaten again, you should remember: people vote not out of love, but fear. They don't teach that at Sunday School or the Whittier Community Playhouse!

• [to a portrait of John F. Kennedy] People look at you and they see who they want to be. They look at me and they see what they are.

• This is about me. Why can't you understand that, you of all people? It's not the war -- it's Nixon! They want to destroy Nixon! And if I expose myself even the slightest bit they'll tear my insides out. Do you want that? Do you want to see that, Buddy? It's not pretty.

Pat Nixon

• It took me a long time to fall in love with you, Dick. But it doesn't make you happy. You want them to love you. They never will, Dick. No matter how many elections you win.

• Dick, sometimes I understand why they hate you.

J. Edgar Hoover

• Why do you think Kissinger is taping your calls? For history. His word against yours — and right now he's got the records.

Dialogue

Pat Nixon: This isn't political, Dick. This is our life.

Richard Nixon: Everything's political, for Christ's sake! I'm political! You're political!

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Richard Nixon: You're looking happy, Rocky.

Nelson Rockefeller: Happy, Happy! [gestures to his wife] Dick Nixon, you remember him.

Happy Rockefeller: Nice to see you again.

Richard Nixon: Well, you're obviously making him happy.

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Richard Nixon: Nobody's gonna beat Kennedy in '64. Not with all the money in the world.

Cuban Man: Suppose Kennedy don't run in '64.

Richard Nixon: Not a chance.

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Richard Nixon: We let you down, didn't we? Your people.

Manolo: That was Mr. Kennedy.

Richard Nixon: You don't think he was a hero?

Manolo: He was a politician.

Richard Nixon: Did you cry when he died?

Manolo: Yes.

Richard Nixon: Why?

Manolo: He made me see the stars.

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Richard Nixon: I understand the system. I believe I can control it. Maybe not control it totally, but...tame it to make it do some good.

Young Woman: It sounds like you're talking about a wild animal.

Richard Nixon: Maybe I am.

External links

• Nixon quotes at the Internet Movie Database