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Best of Enemies

Film · 2015

A documentary about the legendary series of nationally televised debates in 1968 between two great public intellectuals, the liberal Gore Vidal and the conservative William F. Buckley Jr. Intended as commentary on the issues of their day, these vitriolic and explosive encounters came to define the modern era of public discourse in the media, marking the big bang moment of our contemporary media landscape when spectacle trumped content and argument replaced substance. Best of Enemies delves into the entangled biographies of these two great thinkers, and luxuriates in the language and the theater of their debates, begging the question, "What has television done to the way we discuss politics in our democracy today?"

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01

The people who made it

33 of 34

Behind the camera

  1. Robert Gordondirector · writer · producer
  2. Morgan Nevilledirector · writer · producer
  3. Eileen Meyereditor
  4. Julie Goldmanexecutive producer
  5. Aaron Wickendeneditor
  6. David Leonardcinematographer
  7. Jonathan Kirksceycomposer
  8. Graham Willoughbycinematographer
  9. Mark Schwartzbardcinematographer

On screen

  1. William F. Buckley Jr.lead actor
  2. Gore Vidallead actor
  3. Kelsey Grammerlead actor
  4. John Lithgowlead actor
  5. Brooke Gladstonesupporting actor
  6. Reid Buckleysupporting actor
  7. Todd Gitlinsupporting actor
  8. Christopher Hitchenssupporting actor
  9. Andrew Sullivansupporting actor
  10. Noam Chomskysupporting actor
  11. Dick Cavettsupporting actor
  12. Christopher Lehmann-Hauptguest actor
  13. James J. Kilpatrickguest actor
  14. James Wolcottguest actor
  15. Matt Tyrnauerguest actor
  16. Everett Dirksenguest actor
  17. Richard J. Daleyguest actor
  18. Godfrey Cambridgeguest actor
  19. John McWhorterguest actor
  20. Sam Donaldsonguest actor
  21. Arthur Millerguest actor
  22. Norman Mailerguest actor
  23. Muhammad Aliguest actor
  24. Paul Newmanguest actor
03

From the people who made Best of Enemies

36
  1. Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain2021 · FilmExceptional· 4 shared
  2. Piece by Piece2024 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  3. They'll Love Me When I'm Dead2018 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  4. Won't You Be My Neighbor?2018 · FilmExceptional· 4 shared
  5. 20 Feet from Stardom2013 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  6. Bono & The Edge: A Sort of Homecoming with Dave Letterman2023 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  7. Mickey: The Story of a Mouse2022 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  8. Pearl Jam Twenty2011 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  9. Becoming2020 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  10. Weiner2016 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  11. Hail Satan?2019 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  12. The Devil Next Door2019 · TV seriesStrong· 1 shared
  13. Finding Vivian Maier2014 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  14. Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution2020 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  15. Feels Good Man2020 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  16. Generation Wealth2018 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  17. The Eternal Memory2023 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  18. A Man on the Inside2024 · TV seriesStrong· 1 shared
  19. Miss Americana2020 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  20. One Child Nation2019 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  21. Life, Animated2016 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  22. The Velvet Underground2021 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  23. The Photograph2020 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  24. Take Your Pills2018 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  25. Life of a King2013 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  26. Just Before I Go2015 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  27. Sly2023 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  28. Always Shine2016 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  29. Cassandro2023 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  30. Black Christmas2019 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  31. Challenger: The Final Flight2020 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  32. Master of None2015 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  33. Reservation Dogs2021 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  34. Chad Powers2025 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  35. Based on a True Story2023 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  36. Loot2022 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
04

Through the cast

164
  1. The Left Handed GunGore Vidal1958 · FilmStrong· 2 shared
  2. The SicilianGore Vidal1987 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  3. Suddenly, Last SummerGore Vidal1959 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  4. Kelsey Grammer Presents: The Sketch ShowKelsey Grammer2005 · TV seriesStrong· 1 shared
  5. The Night of the GeneralsGore Vidal1967 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  6. Is Paris Burning?Gore Vidal1966 · FilmStrong· 1 shared
  7. Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the MediaWilliam F. Buckley Jr.Noam Chomsky1992 · FilmNotable· 2 shared
  8. CaligulaGore Vidal1979 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  9. Amazing Stories: The Movie IIJohn Lithgow1990 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  10. The God CommitteeKelsey Grammer2021 · FilmNotable· 1 shared
  11. The Rule of Jenny PenJohn Lithgow2025 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  12. FrasierKelsey Grammer1993 · TV seriesFaint· 2 shared
  13. Beatriz at DinnerJohn Lithgow2017 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  14. 2010John Lithgow1984 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  15. Barbie of Swan LakeKelsey Grammer2003 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  16. Like FatherKelsey Grammer2018 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  17. Why We FightGore Vidal2005 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  18. Shrek 3-DJohn Lithgow2004 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  19. Raising CainJohn Lithgow1992 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  20. Proven InnocentKelsey Grammer2019 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  21. ObsessionJohn Lithgow1976 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  22. Swing VoteKelsey Grammer2008 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  23. Daddy's Home 2John Lithgow2017 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  24. The World According to GarpJohn Lithgow1982 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  25. This Is 40John Lithgow2012 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  26. Bartok the MagnificentKelsey Grammer1999 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  27. Blow OutJohn Lithgow1981 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  28. BossKelsey Grammer2011 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  29. Animal FarmKelsey Grammer1999 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  30. FootlooseJohn Lithgow1984 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  31. Jesus RevolutionKelsey Grammer2023 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  32. 15 MinutesKelsey Grammer2001 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  33. Santa Claus: The MovieJohn Lithgow1985 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  34. The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th DimensionJohn Lithgow1984 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  35. The Manhattan ProjectJohn Lithgow1986 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  36. Wanted ManKelsey Grammer2024 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  37. The Celluloid ClosetGore Vidal1996 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  38. Trollhunters: Tales of ArcadiaKelsey Grammer2016 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  39. RicochetJohn Lithgow1991 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  40. Down PeriscopeKelsey Grammer1996 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  41. Rise of the Planet of the ApesJohn Lithgow2011 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  42. Harry and the HendersonsJohn Lithgow1987 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  43. Leap YearJohn Lithgow2010 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  44. Inside Deep ThroatGore Vidal2005 · FilmFaint· 3 shared
  45. Pet SemataryJohn Lithgow2019 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  46. Grand IsleKelsey Grammer2019 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  47. BombshellJohn Lithgow2019 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  48. CabriniJohn Lithgow2024 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  49. Trollhunters: Rise of the TitansKelsey Grammer2021 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  50. The Life and Death of Peter SellersJohn Lithgow2004 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  51. Father Christmas Is BackKelsey Grammer2021 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  52. Once Upon a Time in WonderlandJohn Lithgow2013 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  53. CliffhangerJohn Lithgow1993 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  54. Transformers: Age of ExtinctionKelsey Grammer2014 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  55. StorksKelsey Grammer2016 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  56. The MisfitsArthur Miller1961 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  57. Wizards: Tales of ArcadiaKelsey Grammer2020 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  58. An American CarolKelsey Grammer2008 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  59. AnastasiaKelsey Grammer1997 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  60. GattacaGore Vidal1997 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  61. Requiem for the American DreamNoam Chomsky2015 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  62. Bob RobertsGore Vidal1992 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  63. Money PlaneKelsey Grammer2020 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  64. Twilight Zone: The MovieJohn Lithgow1983 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  65. Death of a SalesmanArthur Miller1985 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  66. The CrucibleArthur Miller1996 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  67. Shrek in the Swamp Karaoke Dance PartyJohn Lithgow2001 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  68. Crisis in Six ScenesWoody Allen2016 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  69. Toy Story 2Kelsey Grammer1999 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  70. 7 Guardians of the TombKelsey Grammer2018 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  71. With HonorsGore Vidal1994 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  72. Reach MeKelsey Grammer2014 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  73. ShrekJohn Lithgow2001 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  74. MediumKelsey Grammer2005 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  75. TurbulenceKelsey Grammer2025 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  76. Mickey's Once Upon a ChristmasKelsey Grammer1999 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  77. ConclaveJohn Lithgow2024 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  78. A Civil ActionJohn Lithgow1998 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  79. Annie HallWoody AllenDick Cavett1977 · FilmFaint· 2 shared
  80. Sometimes a Great NotionPaul Newman1971 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  81. A Midsummer Night's Sex ComedyWoody Allen1982 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  82. Killing JesusKelsey Grammer2015 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  83. 3rd Rock from the SunJohn Lithgow1996 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  84. Terms of EndearmentJohn Lithgow1983 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  85. The Old ManJohn Lithgow2022 · TV seriesFaint· 1 shared
  86. Hannah and Her SistersWoody Allen1986 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  87. Shadows and FogWoody Allen1991 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  88. Husbands and WivesWoody Allen1992 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  89. Love Is StrangeJohn Lithgow2014 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  90. CheersKelsey Grammer1982 · TV seriesFaint· 2 shared
  91. Crimes and MisdemeanorsWoody Allen1989 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  92. SeptemberWoody Allen1987 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  93. Broadway Danny RoseWoody Allen1984 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  94. ManhattanWoody Allen1979 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  95. InteriorsWoody Allen1978 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  96. The Pelican BriefJohn Lithgow1993 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  97. Hollywood EndingWoody Allen2002 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  98. Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex *But Were Afraid to AskWoody Allen1972 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  99. Anything ElseWoody Allen2003 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  100. Woody Allen: A DocumentaryDick CavettWoody Allen2011 · FilmFaint· 2 shared
  101. Another WomanWoody Allen1988 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  102. ZeligWoody Allen1983 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  103. Don't Drink the WaterWoody Allen1994 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  104. Stardust MemoriesWoody Allen1980 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  105. Melinda and MelindaWoody Allen2004 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  106. Real Time with Bill MaherAndrew SullivanChristopher Hitchens2003 · TV seriesFaint· 5 shared
  107. To Rome with LoveWoody Allen2012 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  108. Orange CountyJohn Lithgow2002 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  109. SleeperWoody Allen1973 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  110. Small Time CrooksWoody Allen2000 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  111. AliceWoody Allen1990 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  112. Middle MenKelsey Grammer2009 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  113. Manhattan Murder MysteryWoody Allen1993 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  114. Deconstructing HarryWoody Allen1997 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  115. The Curse of the Jade ScorpionWoody Allen2001 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  116. Coup de chanceWoody Allen2023 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  117. Magic in the MoonlightWoody Allen2014 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  118. Radio DaysWoody Allen1987 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  119. The Purple Rose of CairoWoody Allen1985 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  120. Mighty AphroditeWoody Allen1995 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  121. You Will Meet a Tall Dark StrangerWoody Allen2010 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  122. The AccountantJohn Lithgow2016 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  123. Crazy on the OutsideKelsey Grammer2010 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  124. KinseyJohn Lithgow2004 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  125. The Day AfterJohn Lithgow1983 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  126. Midnight in ParisWoody Allen2011 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  127. Everyone Says I Love YouWoody Allen1996 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  128. X-Men: The Last StandKelsey Grammer2006 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  129. Match PointWoody Allen2005 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  130. ScoopWoody Allen2006 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  131. The Life and Times of Judge Roy BeanPaul Newman1972 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  132. Whatever WorksWoody Allen2009 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  133. KoyaanisqatsiDick Cavett1983 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  134. Love and DeathWoody Allen1975 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  135. Dirty PicturesWilliam F. Buckley Jr.2000 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  136. Late NightJohn Lithgow2019 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  137. Wonder WheelWoody Allen2017 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  138. I Don't Know How She Does ItKelsey Grammer2011 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  139. Play It Again, SamWoody Allen1972 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  140. A Rainy Day in New YorkWoody Allen2019 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  141. Sweet and LowdownWoody Allen1999 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  142. Blue JasmineWoody Allen2013 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  143. Vicky Cristina BarcelonaWoody Allen2008 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  144. CelebrityWoody Allen1998 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  145. BananasWoody Allen1971 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  146. SharperJohn Lithgow2023 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  147. Take the Money and RunWoody Allen1969 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  148. Café SocietyWoody Allen2016 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  149. Irrational ManWoody Allen2015 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  150. The CampaignJohn Lithgow2012 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  151. Janis: Little Girl BlueDick Cavett2015 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  152. Confessions of a ShopaholicJohn Lithgow2009 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  153. Bullets Over BroadwayWoody Allen1994 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  154. Cassandra's DreamWoody Allen2007 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  155. Rifkin's FestivalWoody Allen2020 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  156. When We Were KingsMuhammad AliNorman Mailer1996 · FilmFaint· 2 shared
  157. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance KidPaul Newman1969 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  158. The Tuskegee AirmenJohn Lithgow1995 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  159. The HomesmanJohn Lithgow2014 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  160. The Expendables 3Kelsey Grammer2014 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  161. What's New Pussycat?Woody Allen1965 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  162. InterstellarJohn Lithgow2014 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  163. New York StoriesWoody Allen1989 · FilmFaint· 1 shared
  164. BeetlejuiceDick Cavett1988 · FilmFaint· 1 shared