The Watergate Caper: Richard Nixon and the Death of the American Dream
“"Others may hate you, but those who hate you don't win unless you hate them, and then you destroy yourself" - President Richard Nixon”
Synopsis
The Watergate Caper is an archival documentary, narrated by Harry Shearer (This is Spinal Tap), tracing the rise and fall of Nixon from the presidential primaries of 1968 through the Watergate break-in of June 1972 to his resignation two years later, killing trust in the political process and the American presidency in the wake of the Vietnam War. The film draws on hundreds of hours of TV news taped off-air by the Nixon White House to tell the untold story of the Watergate burglars. How did tapping the wrong phone with a bug that didn't work lead to their arrests and Nixon's resignation? It also explores representations of the Nixon years in popular culture, using the music, commercials, and cinema of the era to evoke a fevered political landscape of culture wars, dirty tricks, paranoia and assassination.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
The Watergate Caper trailer
Type: Trailer • Published 2026-09-02
Top Cast
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Richard Nixon
(archive footage)
Daniel Ellsberg
(archive footage)
Richard Helms
(archive footage)
Harry Shearer
(voice)
G. Gordon Liddy
(archive footage)
E. Howard Hunt
(archive footage)
Robert Redford
(archive footage)
Warren Beatty
(archive footage)
Earl J. Silbert
(archive footage)
Rolando Martinez
James McCord
Angelo Lano
Self
Release History & Theatrical Window
September 29, 2026
VOD & Digital Platforms
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Shane O'Sullivan
- Screenplay & Story
- Shane O'Sullivan
- Original Title
- The Watergate Caper: Richard Nixon and the Death of the American Dream
- Country of Origin
- United Kingdom, United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 45m
- Production Studios
- E2 Films, The Watergate Caper LLC
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Shane O'Sullivan
Shane O'Sullivan
Shane O'Sullivan
Shane O'Sullivan
Department Leadership Roster
Shane O'Sullivan
Director
Shane O'Sullivan
Producer
Shane O'Sullivan
Editor
Shane O'Sullivan
Writer
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Watergate Caper: Richard Nixon and the Death of the American Dream.
Featured In Curated Collections
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Watergate Caper: Richard Nixon and the Death of the American Dream
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Watergate Caper: Richard Nixon and the Death of the American Dream about?
The Watergate Caper is an archival documentary, narrated by Harry Shearer (This is Spinal Tap), tracing the rise and fall of Nixon from the presidential primaries of 1968 through the Watergate break-in of June 1972 to his resignation two years later, killing trust in the political process and the American presidency in the wake of the Vietnam War. The film draws on hundreds of hours of TV news taped off-air by the Nixon White House to tell the untold story of the Watergate burglars. How did tapping the wrong phone with a bug that didn't work lead to their arrests and Nixon's resignation? It also explores representations of the Nixon years in popular culture, using the music, commercials, and cinema of the era to evoke a fevered political landscape of culture wars, dirty tricks, paranoia and assassination.
Who directed The Watergate Caper: Richard Nixon and the Death of the American Dream?
The Watergate Caper: Richard Nixon and the Death of the American Dream was directed by Shane O'Sullivan.
Who stars in The Watergate Caper: Richard Nixon and the Death of the American Dream?
The principal cast of The Watergate Caper: Richard Nixon and the Death of the American Dream includes Richard Nixon, Daniel Ellsberg, Richard Helms, Harry Shearer, G. Gordon Liddy.
When was The Watergate Caper: Richard Nixon and the Death of the American Dream released and how long is it?
The Watergate Caper: Richard Nixon and the Death of the American Dream was released in 2026 with a total runtime of 1h 45m.