PAST IMPERFECT: HISTORY, IDEOLOGY, AND THE CULTURE OF CONSPIRACY IN OLIVER STONE’S PRESIDENTIAL TRILOGY
PAST IMPERFECT: HISTORY, IDEOLOGY, AND THE CULTURE OF CONSPIRACY IN OLIVER STONE’S PRESIDENTIAL TRILOGY

Summary/Abstract: The present study is an attempt to analyse the representation of history in Oliver Stone’s presidential films – JFK (1991), Nixon (1995) and W. (2008). All three films can be regarded as examples of conspiracy theory, a theme that is often present in the American director’s works. The paper will also try to discuss whether these films can be considered legitimate interpretations of history, considering the impact that cinematic historical representations have in contemporary society. Critics have often argued that revisionist interpretations of history are rooted in Oliver Stone’s leftist personal ideology that makes him always question the established political order. The paper discusses in turn each of the three films, arguing that JFK is Stone’s most obvious attempt to formulate a revisionist history of the Kennedy assassination, Nixon is a powerful biopic portraying its protagonist as a flawed tragic hero, while W. is a less coherent and somewhat disappointing cinematic narrative of the life and presidency of George W. Bush.

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