Best of Enemies is a gripping docuseries that explores the explosive debates between two iconic intellectuals, William F. Buckley Jr. and Gore Vidal, during the 1968 US Presidential election on ABC News. This legendary feud captivated audiences across America, and became a defining moment in the evolution of modern political debate.
The series recounts the ten cataclysmic confrontations between Buckley and Vidal that took place over the course of the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, and the general election that followed. The pair's differing political ideologies became a petri dish for some of the most scorching exchanges of ideas ever to take place on American television.
The two were hardly strangers before their iconic on-screen meetings. Vidal was an accomplished author and intellectual who had built his reputation on the back of a series of high-profile novels about American politics, culture, and society. Buckley, meanwhile, was a conservative commentator who had made a name for himself as a fierce opponent of liberalism and socialism.
The series takes us back to the moment when these two titans of intellectualism first entered the public consciousness. Both men had already carved out a niche in their respective fields, but nothing could prepare them for the verbal sparring that would take place when they were pitted against one another on live television.
Through interviews with political commentators and experts, the series contextualizes the political environment of the late 1960s, as well as the wider social and cultural changes that were taking place across America. The backdrop to the Buckley-Vidal feud was one of widespread social unrest, as anti-war protests, civil rights demonstrations, and student activism rocked the nation.
Best of Enemies delves into the personal and public lives of these two giants, exploring the forces that shaped their political beliefs and their personal animosity towards one another. We get a sense of the extent to which their rivalry became almost personal, with each man determined to best the other at every turn.
Through masterful editing and archival footage, Best of Enemies recreates the shows that brought the two men into the public eye. From the iconic "token homosexual" remark that saw Vidal branded a "queer" by Buckley, to the fierce debates around national security, the series brings the major highlights of this feud to life.
Ultimately, Best of Enemies is a provocative and engaging exploration of the role that political debate plays in shaping our society. Through detailed interviews with experts and analysis of the political movements driving the men's beliefs, the series asks the question: who won this legendary feud?
Whether you love politics, history, or just great storytelling, Best of Enemies is sure to have something for you. This is a must-watch series for anyone interested in the dynamics of American intellectual life, and a vivid portrayal of one of the most famous rivalries in the history of American television.
