Washington: Behind Closed Doors

Though just a teenager when I saw this mini-series, I still remember how gripping the drama was. Considering how soon after Watergate it was made, Jason Robarts gave a surprisingly nuanced performance as the president brought down by corruption and dirty tricks. He was bad, but the master criminal was the Haldeman/Ehrlichman character played by Robert Vaughn, whose power increases the more he manages to isolate the president. I felt a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach when the president's long-time secretary is pushed aside and Vaughn stands in the doorway, icily refusing her access. His Emmy for this performance was well deserved. The spreading corruption in the White House is fascinating, with stronger characters struggling to break free and weaker ones sinking into panicky treachery. A masterful political drama, and one that should be on video.

I watched this series when it first came out nearly half a century ago and decided to watch it again after seeing it was on Youtube. "Washington: Behind Closed Doors" is based on a novel written by former Nixon aide John Ehrlichman about a fictional version of that Administration. Although all the names are changed and there are some differences with the events as they unfolded during the real Nixon Administration, anyone familiar with that era wouldn't have too much trouble associating the characters with their real-world counterparts. The authoritarian instincts of the President Richard Monckton (played by Jason Robards) are especially pertinent given current events.

Interestingly, either because it was considered a work of fiction or it had a limited budget, the series makes no attempt to replicate the background of the real early Nixon years. The scenery, the fashions, the cars, and the music in the series are very much those of 1977, the year of the series release.

Another commenter asked why there was a second series, as this one omits events from the last couple years of Nixon's tenure. Apparently, a second season was planned, but according to an interview with lead actor Robert Vaughn some years later, the audience was sufficiently large to justify a second series.

I watched this mini series when it was first aired on UK TV and I'm amazed it's never been released either on video or latterly on DVD. Robert Vaughn is superb in his role as a sinister 'background' character to the downward spiralling president.

Jason Robards, in one of his better acted roles, is also very believable as the president who is initially tarnished, then eventually dethroned by corruption.

I think the time has come for another generation to enjoy this excellent production - I can't imagine why it's never even been aired again by any of the major TV companies.

So therefore - please somebody - get it out on DVD!!!

This is the Nixon Whitehouse with the expletives deleted, but somehow manages to be just as menacing and obscene, thanks to the acting of Jason Robarts and Robert Vaughn and other excellent actors. But Nicholas Pyor (Hank Ferris) as the weak, ambitious, amoral, eternally scared director of communications is a masterful piece of acting. He is alternately scared, full of hubris and fragile self-confidence, willing to do anything to please his bosses,then self-doubting. He deserved an Oscar. It is indeed a comic performance and a comedy of manners as another reviewer rightly pointed out. One blemish is that the women all seem hopelessly weak and fickle. Sally Whalen breaks her own rule about not getting involved with a married man and then lives to regret it. The girl with the strangely intense blue eyes (whose name I forget) falls hopelessly for the philandering Roger Castle and seems unable for far too long to see him for what he is. Again, Hank Ferris's inept attempts emulate Castle are wonderfully realized. The real Nixon was somewhat more complex than the TV drama manages to portray. For example, the scene where President Monkton goes out the talk to the Vietnam War protesters is portrayed as a scheme got up by the Pryor character as a cynical ploy, whereas in reality it was Nixon's own idea, it took place at night when he was unable to sleep and obviously, within his own rather severe limitations, sincere. Perhaps it was thought that to portray that would obscure the main theme of the drama. Truth often does. Not much to put against the tens of thousands of deaths in Vietnam and Cambodia, but he was not quite as one-sided as the fictional version. And at last the series is available on DVD, via Amazon.com.

in 1977 the events in this mini series was indelible in the minds of the whole country.. ie; watergate...i saw such realism in the story as though i was in the oval office, experiencing every step from beginning of story to end. realism of choice of actors nd setting..one and one only drawback..never released on video rental or purchase...would love to see it again or have a copy of it.