The Putin Interviews

:

Season 1
  • Network: SHOWTIME
  • Series Premiere Date: Jun 12, 2017
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
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User Reviews

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  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 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    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.    … Expand
  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 and international politic scene

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. Yahoo TV
    Reviewed by: Ken Tucker
    Jun 12, 2017
    70
    The conversations are conducted via a Russian translator, and you have to be in the mood to read a lot of subtitles to engage with Putin and Stone’s policy discussions, but that small effort is well worth it. There are light moments here and there.
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  2. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    Jun 12, 2017
    83
    Stone humanizes the boogeyman of the 2016 U.S. election in this fascinating, rambling, and sporadically invaluable exercise. Best not come looking for balance or journalism, though.
    Read full review
  3. The Daily Beast
    Reviewed by: Marlow Stern
    Jun 9, 2017
    20
    Stone not only fails to challenge Putin, but essentially cedes him the floor, allowing the cunning ex-KGB operative to spin more than the president’s toupee in a tornado. ... The Putin Interviews offer, first and foremost, a staggering display of mendacity on the part of both interviewer and interviewee.
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