How to Win the TV Debate (2010)
How to Win the TV Debate (2010), directed by James Giles, starring Michael Cockerell and Neil Kinnock.
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Synopsis
With Britain's first-ever political leaders' television debate imminent, award-winning reporter Michael Cockerell uncovers what it's like to take part in these contests and how leaders try to win them. He tells the inside story of why it has taken so long for such debates to arrive in the UK. The programme features candid interviews with US Presidents and their advisers on the tricks of the debate trade. Blending new film and behind-the-scenes footage, some never seen before, it's a tragicomic tale of high politics and low cunning. From John F Kennedy and Richard Nixon through to Barack Obama, candidates are seen being prepared for their debates, then in the sometimes funny, sometimes disastrous results on live television. Cockerell shows why for our would-be next Prime Ministers - Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg - the three debate stages across Britain will be what one former US President calls 'Tension City'.
- James GilesDirector, Producer
- Denis McWilliamsEditing
- Michael CockerellProducer
Trivia
- It premiered on April 12, 2010, a Monday.
- It runs 1h00 — short for a feature film.
- This film's quiz has 7 questions — enough to play more than once without repeats.
Production
- StudiosBBC
- CountriesUnited Kingdom
- LanguagesEnglish
- StatusReleased
Cast
-
Michael Cockerell
Self - Presenter -
Neil Kinnock
Self -
Charles Kennedy
Self -
Michael Dobbs
Self -
Don Hewitt
Self -
Richard Nixon
Self (archive footage) -
John F. Kennedy
Self (archive footage) -
Robin Day
Self (archive footage) -
Nikita Khrushchev
Self (archive footage) - Ted Sorensen Self
- Ted Rogers Self
- Bill Wilson Self
-
Pat Buchanan
Self -
Pierre Salinger
Self (archive footage) -
Harold Wilson
Self (archive footage) - Alec Douglas-Home Self (archive footage)
-
Edward Heath
Self (archive footage) - Lady Falkender Self (archive footage)
-
Jimmy Carter
Self (archive footage) -
David Gergen
Self
Quiz about this movie
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Crew
- James Giles Director
- Denis McWilliams Editing
- James Giles Producer
- Michael Cockerell Producer
Questions about this film
What is How to Win the TV Debate about?
How to Win the TV Debate: With Britain's first-ever political leaders' television debate imminent, award-winning reporter Michael Cockerell uncovers what it's like to take part in these contests and how leaders try to win them. He tells the inside story of why it has taken so long for such debates to arrive in the UK. The programme features c…
Who directed How to Win the TV Debate?
How to Win the TV Debate was directed by James Giles in 2010.
Who stars in How to Win the TV Debate?
The cast of How to Win the TV Debate includes Michael Cockerell, Neil Kinnock, Charles Kennedy, Michael Dobbs and Don Hewitt.
How long is How to Win the TV Debate?
How to Win the TV Debate runs for 60 minutes, or 1h00.
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