ReMastered: Nixon e o Homem de Preto

Like many Cash admirers,today I chiefly listen to his final masterpieces ,produced by Rubin (the "American " series, eight works , all deeply moving and poignant.)

This doc is absorbing ,because, before the famous concert in the White House, it shows both sides of a country torn apart between the conservatives and the angry youth who took to the streets and was mistreated (some were killed) by the police .It's difficult to pinpoint Cash's attitude in these days : a patriot to the core , who supported any president's politics but who had a rebellious mind too : his concerts in jail and his fight for the Indians leave not doubt about it (as his "Apache tears "album testifies) . And to this list of honors, one can add another one: he refused to sing the mediocre reactionary " Okie from Muskogee" -which Phil Ochs ironically performed in his last concert in Carnegie Hall -and wrote a song I had never heard before ("What is truth?" ) : it took a lot of nerve and bravery to sing such words which was not really those people in their Sunday's best 's cup of tea. This song should be considered a Cash classic.

Cash ,like of most of the great artists ,was a man of contradictions ; aren't we a bit like him?

Interesting documentary about Johnny cash and president Nixon. The doc is short but very noncommittal on subject matter. Ranges from following Johnny cash and his political activism and his journey growing up, but also takes time to cover Nixon's presidency and the Vietnam war. Tries to establish a timeline on cash's performance at the White House and the state of the nation and how Cash impacts the social climate.

Not a bad way to spend an hour, but felt it could have done better to establish a clearer intention.

Cash is okay in all sequences, but the gossip around, always ready to explain the "good" side of politics. Ironically, the Nixon adviser is the most decent, and the "biographer" is the most disgusting. After all the Cash family was poor, but he will feel the need to explain how they had no hope without FDR giving them government handouts.

It's a one hour Documentary on NETFLIX. So what? It's the story of what, to me, was an under reported event at a time when, in my lifetime, America had never been so divided.

For a number of years, the Country had been at War in Viet Nam but, unlike World War Two and Korea, was rapidly becoming divided between the Pro-War and Anti-War Factions. This resulted in often violent demonstrations around America.

Meanwhile, there were further Demonstrations associated with The Civil Rights Movement that, often as well, involved division and violence.

Today, when I hear that 'America has never been so divided,' I'm puzzled.

So...what does this have to do with 'Tricky Dick and The Man in Black'? To me...after seeing it. Everything.

It's 1970. Johnny Cash is one of the most popular artists in America and Richard Nixon is in the White House. In order to shore up Southern votes Nixon invites Johnny Cash to perform at the White House. Cash seems a safe bet for Nixon as he seems to support the government and its policies. Nixon even goes so far as to make requests for two particular songs. Will Cash bend to the President's demands?

A documentary that's more interesting for its background information than the coverage of the central topic. The history of Johnny Cash, in particular his political and social stances is well done. How his poor, battling agricultural upbringing and his tragedies and tribulations shaped his life are also well explored.

Ditto how President Nixon's past and his current political struggles inform his actions are also well explored.

However, the main event - Cash performing at the White House - ultimately feels quite low-key. There's a degree of rebelliousness and individuality about Johnny Cash's actions but nothing extreme. It all feels a bit click-baity in the end.