THE HUNTING OF
THE PRESIDENT
Year: 2004
USA: Regent Releasing
Cast: Morgan Freeman (narrator), Bill Clinton, Senator Dale Bumpers, Sidney Blumenthal, Andrew Cooper, Everett Ham, Cliff Jackson, Larry Case, Larry Nichols, Max Brantley, Gene Lyons, Gennifer Flowers, William Rempel, Betsy Wright, Paul Begala, Larry Patterson, Roger Perry, Danny Ferguson, David Brock, Paula Jones, Mike Gauldin, Susan Carpenter McMillan, Gil Davis, Joe Cammerata, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Jeffrey Toobin, The Elves, Jerry Falwell, Robert Bennett, Richard Mellon-Scaife, Parker Dozhier, David Hale, Robert Fiske, Janet Reno, Jim McDougal, Susan McDougal, Claudia Riley, Jim Guy Tucker, Sheffield Nelson, Ken Starr and the OIC, Bobby McDaniel, Dan Moldea, Vince Foster, Richard Ben-Veniste, Jonathan Alter, James Carville, Bob Woodward, Carl Bernstein, Howard Kurtz, Joe Conason, John Camp, Theodore Olson, Barbara Olson
Directors: Nickolas Perry, Harry Thomason
Country: USA
USA: 89 mins
USA Release Date: 18 June 2004 (Limited Release)
Synopsis
There can be no doubt that we live in one of the most tumultuous political climates of the nation's history: a climate in which politicians can be toppled on a whim, election results disputed in the country's highest courts, and government unceremoniously recalled. It's enough to leave even the most cynical voter asking how did this happen?
Harry Thomason and Nick Perry's probing and provocative documentary, based on the best-selling book by Gene Lyons and Joe Conason, offers a glimpse at the origin of these partisan vendettas and explores the myths and truths behind the nearly 10-year campaign to systematically destroy the political legacy of the Clintons.
Using previously unreleased materials, interviews, and shocking revelations from both sides, THE HUNTING OF THE PRESIDENT focuses on the smear campaign against Clinton from his days in Arkansas leading up to and including his impeachment trial.
An Oxford University and Yale Law School graduate, Clinton entered a life of public service after a meeting with President John Kennedy in the White House Rose Garden. Elected Arkansas Attorney General in 1976 and Governor in 1978, Clinton served in this office for the majority of his political career until he won the Presidential race in 1992.
His rise to the White House from such humble beginnings created a feeling of ill will amongst certain groups, and rumours of illegal dealings and indiscretions soon became rife. With Clinton being in such an influential position, the Independent Council of America started an investigation into his past and present business and personal dealings. Right wing political supporters became obsessed with pursuing information with regards to Clintons personal relationships, looking for a sex scandal that could put a mark against his name. The Independent Council's goal was to destroy President Clinton's term in office at any cost, resulting in the imprisonment of Susan McDougal for refusing to testify against the President when pressed to give a false testimony.
The perfect opportunity for his critics arose in 1998 when the story of the Monica Lewinsky scandal emerged and the President's trustworthy, family image was destroyed. His indiscretion with the young White House intern forged the grounds for the eventual impeachment trial and tarnished his reputation, some hoped, beyond repair.
Providing a unique insight into the President's battle against all odds to keep his office, THE HUNTING OF THE PRESIDENT is a politically intelligent and stimulating documentary that is simply unmissable. With an additional exclusive feature of President Clinton speaking after the US screening, this is a potent and thought-provoking story.
DVD EXTRAS
UK Certificate: 15
Feature Running Time: 85.49 minutes
Language: English
Subtitles: English SDH
Special Feature:
Inside Peek: President Clinton speaks after the US premiere screening (41 minutes)
