The Putin Interviews

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Season 1
  • Network: SHOWTIME
  • Series Premiere Date: Jun 12, 2017
Metascore
54

Mixed or average reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
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Critic Reviews

  1. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Daniel Fienberg
    Jun 6, 2017
    60
    It's not every interview-driven documentary that's a pleasure to look at, but The Putin Interviews is much more visually dynamic than either of its on-camera subjects. ... Nothing in these first two hours suggests Putin is a man likely to crack or blurt something out off-the-cuff, but it's plausible the pursuit could be entertaining.
  2. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: John Anderson
    Jun 8, 2017
    50
    In the absence of startling revelations, what’s fascinating about this elaborate production is the theater of it all. Also, the degrees of arrogance on display. And the unspoken motives.
  3. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: James Poniewozik
    Jun 9, 2017
    40
    The special is solicitous, even obsequious, but sometimes revealing anyway.
  5. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Ann Hornaday
    Jun 9, 2017
    40
    That moment [Comey's Senate hearing] and many others made for far more riveting cinema than the alternately static and stagy visual and narrative design of The Putin Interviews, which consists mostly of talking-head shots of Stone lobbing softballs and Putin dutifully, dispassionately hitting them back.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 47 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 47
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 47
  3. Negative: 16 out of 47
  1. NotAmerican
    Jun 14, 2017
    10
    If you read newspapers, there's no spoilers. Warning: Yes, this is my opinion, you might disagree with it.

    Very interesting dive into the    If you read newspapers, there's no spoilers. Warning: Yes, this is my opinion, you might disagree with it.

    Very interesting dive into the world of the Russian President. Stone, contrary to what journalists are saying, asked a ton of questions, several of them uncomfortable, then let Putin answer them and moved on. Sometimes the President did not answer them, however the footage is not edited, the voice is not dubbed and you get to see the awkward moments when he refuses to go further.

    However, if you think Stone is not fighting the President enough, you can fact-check everything he says and be satisfied. Personally, I think Putin romanticizes his entry in politics for obvious reasons as he probably was a cunning little fox, but acts as if he became the Acting President out of God's will. That's the extent of his lies. When asked what he thinks of American presidential candidates he answers that Americans will elect what they deserve. Asked what he thought of Bernie Sanders, he dodged the question. To these "lies", I'd say that: President Putin incarnates Russia. And Russia doesn't have a personal opinion of Sanders. If you consider this lying, then you're in for a bad trip.

    The conversations between Putin and Stone are done on the spot, without Putin knowing them beforehand and that is obvious by the amateurish feel the documentary has. There's no teleprompter or we would see it as there's nearly a dozen cameras rolling at the same time from different angles.

    Putin has extensive knowledge on Russian history, international law, U.S.-Russia relations, international relations and the President of Russia shows a dying breed of Statesmen: the ones who work in the national interests of their sovereign nations.

    As for the reaction from the American audience: I think Americans dislike any portrayal of a politician that actually believes in something. The American politicians being completely amoral, nihilistic and Machiavelian (House of Cards types), Americans explode of rage at the sight of someone who actually believes in what he does and does what he says.

    Stone could have done what others have done before him. Attack him relentlessly, quote the State Dept. of the U.S. (As if that was a credible source) and edit the footage. But he didn't. If you don't like the answers, you can watch the hundreds of anti-Putin documentaries. You'll feel better.

    This is an appreciated glimpse into the leader of the Russian Federation, a country we could potentially be at war with in the following years due to the hawkish stances of the American leadership. Oliver Stone's documentary is the chance to learn about your so-called enemy.

    Gave a 9 because of rarity of this documentary. This is a one-time deal coming at a perfect time. Everyone should watch it.    … Full Review »
  2. Shokol8
    Apr 23, 2018
    10
    Great interview as ever with Oliver stone, we learn a lot of new things about the complexity of Putin, and his relation with the occident andGreat interview as ever with Oliver stone, we learn a lot of new things about the complexity of Putin, and his relation with the occident and international politic scene… Full Review »
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