The Final Days is a 1989 American television film adaptation of the 1976 book written by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. The film premiered on ABC on October 29, 1989. The film is directed by Richard Pearce and follows the events in the Nixon White House after the Washington Post's Watergate revelations.
Contents
Plot
J. Fred Buzhardt inadvertently reveals the existence of a taping system to the Watergate Committee minority counsel. After the committee's majority counsel discovers the information, Alexander Butterfield is interviewed and confirms the taping system's existence.
Four days after the Yom Kippur War, Vice President Spiro Agnew resigns. Nixon turns over the tapes after the resignations of Elliot Richardson and William Ruckelshaus.
Later at his Key Biscayne home, Nixon holds his "I'm not a crook" press conference. James D. St. Clair is hired as Nixon's defense lawyer.
As the walls close in on Nixon, he becomes increasingly erratic. Despite his family's pleas to fight on, he accepts the advice of his advisors and resigns the presidency.
Awards and nominations
1990 Casting Society of America (Artios)
Nominated – Best Casting for TV Movie of the Week: Susan Bluestein
1990 Emmy Awards
Nominated – Outstanding Cinematography for a Miniseries or Movie: Fred Murphy
Nominated – Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special: Richard Pearce
Nominated – Outstanding Made for Television Movie: Stu Samuels, Richard L. O'Connor, Susan Weber-Gold
Nominated – Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special: Hugh Whitemore
1990 Golden Globe Awards
Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film: Lane Smith