Oliver Stone is known for his award-winning movies like “Platoon” and “Midnight Express.” In April 1967, Stone enlisted in the United States Army and requested combat duty in Vietnam. He served as an infantry soldier.
From September 16, 1967 to April 1968, he served in Vietnam with 2nd Platoon, B Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Infantry Division and was twice wounded in action. He was then transferred to the First Cavalry Division participating in long range patrols before being transferred again to drive for a motorized infantry unit of the division until November 1968.
His military awards include the Bronze Star with “V” Device for heroism, the Purple Heart with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster. See the photo above with his squad in 1967-68.
The filmmaker has interviewed controversial figures like Hugo Chavez, Benjamin Netanyahu and Fidel Castro. For his latest documentary, “The Putin Interviews,” Stone was granted extensive access to the Russian president and no topic was off limits. Stone was able to secure what journalists, news organizations, and even other world leaders have long coveted: extended, unprecedented access to Russian President Vladimir Putin. This from 12 interviews of Vladimir Putin by Oliver Stone spread over two years between 2015 and 2017.
It was first broadcast in 2017 in a 4 night event on the American premium cable and satellite television network ShowTime, from 12-14 of June.
Showtime presents The Putin Interviews
Oscar®-winning filmmaker Oliver Stone was granted unprecedented access to Russian president Vladimir Putin during more than a dozen interviews over two years, with no topic off-limits. This remarkable four-part documentary series provides intimate insight into Putin’s personal and professional lives, from his childhood under communism, to his rise to power, his relations with four U.S. presidents, and his surprising takes on U.S.-Russian relations today. Witness the most detailed portrait of Putin ever granted to a Western interviewer.
Oliver Stone is not a great interviewer, and that ultimately compromises this film – VOX – Todd VanDerWerff
Widespread criticism
The US and British media coverage about these controversial Putin interviews have been well documented with widespread criticism in the US. At some point during Stone’s press run Stone defended Vladimir Putin to CBS The Late Show host Stephen Colbert. The audience laughed at him. Watch below:
VOX: Oliver Stone’s Vladimir Putin interviews are accidentally revelatory
“CBS This Morning” – Oliver Stone on new documentary, “The Putin Interviews” (VIDEO)
The Guardian : “The Putin Interviews review – first Oliver Stone loses. Then the gloves come off”
NY Times: How Putin Seduced Oliver Stone — and Trump
Washingtonpost: Oliver Stone, ‘The Putin Interviews’ and when cinematic events are outrun by events themselves
Democracynow: Oliver Stone Interviews Putin on U.S.-Russia Relations, 2016 Election, Snowden, NATO & Nuclear Arms (VIDEO)
Stone often shoots Putin from over Stone’s own shoulder, which makes the leader seem distant and untrustworthy. Showtime – VOX – Todd VanDerWerff
Just watch for yourselves. In any case, however, it remains the world according to Putin. The viewer may fine-tune his judgment about the truth.
amazon.com
Order the The Putin Interviews Paperback book from Oliver Stone (Author), Robert Scheer (Foreword) here, it contains references and sources that give readers a deeper understanding of the topics covered in the interviews and make for a more robust reading experience.
The Putin Interviews are available on Showtime Anytime or via VIMEO below:
The Putin Interviews – I
The Putin Interviews – II
The Putin Interviews – III
The Putin Interviews – IIII
“I urge you to find a way to remain alone with yourself, listen to silence.” – Oliver Stone.
On February 19, 2017 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills Oliver Stone receives the Writers Guild Laurel Award. The Laurel Award for Screenwriting Achievement is given to that Writers Guild member who has advanced the literature of the motion picture through the years, and who has made outstanding contributions to the profession of the screenwriter.
The Most Honest Three Minutes In US Television History
Toward the end of his acceptance speech, Oliver Stone gave some nonpartisan, historical perspective on the Trump era and encouraged young writers to question their government. Watch the truthful, mesmerizing words from Mr. Stone below: