When it comes to Richard Nixon, there’s a set of recordings that his legacy will never be able to break free of: Those Watergate tapes.
But for three of his closest aides, it’s a different set of recordings that Richard Nixon will best be remembered by. Those recordings–all Super 8 home movies–were made between 1969 and 1973, and depict everything from Nixon’s inauguration to Tricia Nixon’s wedding.
In total, Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman, Chief Doestic Advisor John Ehrlichman and Deputy Assistant Dwight Chapin filmed over 500 reels of at home movies–all of which were seized by FBI during the Watergate investigation.
Now for the first time, those movies are being released to the public in a new documentary by filmmaker Penny Lane, called “Our Nixon,” which is in limited release today.
Director Penny Lane joins The Takeaway to discuss the home movies behind her own film.