Frost/Nixon

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A dramatic retelling of the post-Watergate television interviews between British talk-show host David Frost and former president Richard Nixon.

Director: Ron Howard

Frank Langella ... Richard Nixon

Michael Sheen ... David Frost

Sam Rockwell ... James Reston, Jr.

Kevin Bacon ... Jack Brennan

Nominated for 3 Tony Awards

The story explores the question of how Frost, a famous British talk-show host with a playboy reputation, elicited the apology that the rest of the world was waiting to hear from a disgraced president. The play shows the determination, conviction and cunning of two men as they square off in one of the most monumental political interviews of all time.

In a revival of "A Man for All Seasons" at the American Airlines Theater, Frank Langella played Sir Thomas More, a role that brought the late Paul Scofield a 1962 Tony Award and a 1966 Oscar. That's a statistic Langella might soon be able to similarly claim if his performance in the film version of "Frost/Nixon" lives up to its pre-Oscar buzz. Langella won the Tony for best actor for the 2007 legit version of "F/X."

Lushly produced, this is the first big-budget adaptation of Bram Stoker's immortal tale. But high production values is not what sets this movie apart from other versions of Stoker's story. This movie treats the venerable bloodsucker as some sort of romantic, Gothic hero. In this film, Dracula is still a soulless fiend, but the character has been revised (and the original story has been altered), adding a strong sexual subtext to the piece. Frank Langella's Dracula is as much a dashing figure of debauchery as he is a personification of pure evil. This novel interpretation helps revitalize the old-chestnut. Purists will probably be outraged at the changes, but I thought this new approach works beautifully. Once the film has established its true intentions, the story moves at a very fast speed. Badham's direction is energetic. Laurence Olivier looks a little tired as Van Helsing, but his commanding screen presence adds a touch of class to the story. The actual look of the movie is an achievement in itself. Gilbert Taylor's diffused cinematography is hauntingly beautiful, and Peter Murton's production design is also memorable. John Williams' score is very interesting and one of his most unappreciated works. Albert Whitlock's extraordinary matte work is in a class by itself. A zesty, interesting and thoroughly enjoyable reinterpretation of the old legend.
~~review from IMDB

In 1981, Home Box Office decided to film Frank Langella performing William Gillette's play at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. This was a play, [Sherlock Holmes - Main Stage July 12 - July 16, 1977] and released as a movie.

If you ever have a chance to see this, do so.