Mike Wallace Is Here

Avi Belkin 's documentary, "Mike Wallace Is Here" (2019) gives background making history of the investigative journalist, Mike Walkace. It follows in no real order, countless archival footage of interviews with celebrities, artists, poltical figures and even a thirty-something Donald Trump!

As a documentary, there is any real breakthrough, but having behind the scene, shows off a candid Wallace is a treat. It tries to present a timeline from his early days from radio to pioneering TV shows like"Night Beat" and "The Mike Wallace Show" to CBS's "Sixty Minutes" fame.

Wallace aa the subject himself has donemany interviews giving moments of inversion. For example, he responded in one of his interviews: "there's nothing to reflect upon" as asked when is it time to retire from TV. Also when asked in another interview, about what is feels about US and media of today. He stated "its getting worse" due to today's heavy saturation of media news figures, produces a sense of mistrust: who's telling the "truth"?

This 1h and 30min features aside from Mike Wallace, interviewees from Johnny Carson, Mickey Cohen, Bette Davis to Oprah Winfrey! One's of its higlights is when this documentary focuses on the infamous law suit threat from a major tobacco corporation, ironic considering that Wallace, in his early days promoted cigarette products!

By far this was one of 2019's best doc's as it showcased and highlighted the 50 years of investigative reporting from legendary newsman Mike Wallace. The film begins with Wallace's humble upbringing and how radio influenced him. And how he broke into the business he started with advertising and doing commercials which lead to the Mike Wallace interview hour. Yet in a tragedy when his son died it caused Mike to take a leap to network news as at "CBS" it's where his found his gem and bread and butter special that was being a reporter on the news magazine hour "60 minutes". Wallace known for his direct and tough questions lead the way combined with the programs hard hitting investigative look at issues and many 20th century leaders. This would become a broadcast staple despite controversy and law suits from companies, still Mike was a leader as the evolution of broadcast TV began with him! Never before scene footage and the interviews are revealing and eye opening as many well known people were featured and it highlights Wallace's bout with depression. Overall well done doc of the investigative legend which was a killer strong self portrait.

The 2019 documentary Mike Wallace is Here, directed by Avi Belkin, is a sharp and compelling portrait of one of broadcast journalism's most influential and uncompromising figures. Through a skillful blend of archival footage and cleverly selected interviews, the film constructs a narrative that feels both intimate and expansive. It is edited with precision and rhythm, never straying into melodrama or sensationalism, instead allowing Wallace's own words and presence to guide the story. The absence of a traditional narrator gives the documentary a refreshing sense of authenticity, inviting the audience to draw their own conclusions from the material presented.

What stands out most is the film's even-handed tone. Rather than glorifying Wallace or vilifying his methods, Mike Wallace is Here offers a balanced view of a man who was at once relentless, self-critical, and at times emotionally vulnerable. Belkin avoids over-contextualizing or moralizing, allowing Wallace's many televised confrontations - with everyone from Vladimir Putin to Barbra Streisand - to speak for themselves. The result is a portrait that feels honest, highlighting both Wallace's brilliance and the toll his career may have taken on his personal life.

Overall, the documentary is impressively constructed and consistently engaging. It doesn't rely on flashy effects or dramatizations, but instead trusts the power of its subject and the historical record. For anyone interested in journalism, media ethics, or the art of the interview, Mike Wallace is Here is a thoughtful, well-made film that offers a rare behind-the-scenes view of a man who spent his life in the spotlight - asking the questions no one else dared to.

The New Documentary Film " Mike Wallace Is Here" is pretty good. Deep look back at his work with CBS and intimate background about his personal Life. If you are old enough to have watched 60 Minutes for multiple years ? Really cool archived footage of his work over a 50 year career on TV and Radio. His Interviews were Ground breaking but may have fueled the current glut of News shows some of which are very Controversial and Shady. Great job on the research for Film

Mike Wallace's career peak coincided with my lifetime. So this look at his life and his work, and the context of the times, was breathtaking for me in many ways. I learned new details of his backstory, and followed the arc of his work, with great interest and new perspective.

I wonder, though, if people younger than I am will recognize and understand the influence and sway that the 60 Minutes stories held for all of us back in the day. In these days of fractured and siloed media strategies, I worry that will be lost on new viewers.

There were a number of instances where the protagonists of the stories were not identified, and even I was searching my memory files for some of their names. But I know they were key figures in their times. Others, though, will be obvious, for sure.

That said, I think the news media ecosystem that we follow with this story is crucial to understanding where we are today. The infotainment pablum combined with cautious corporate legal teams we have now makes you yearn for the hard-driving precursors that Wallace represented.

I came out of this film thinking hard about the past and the future. Definitely worth a watch.