Netflix has just dropped "Rather," a deep dive into the storied career of veteran newsman Dan Rather, and audiences are tuning in to see the legendary journalist like never before. The documentary spans his groundbreaking work over 50 years, including the iconic coverage of the JFK assassination and his unflinching reports from the Vietnam War frontline. "To get to the truth—or as close to the truth as it's humanly possible to get—requires a lot of persistence, and also you have to be prepared to pay the consequences," Rather detailed in the doc, as reported by CBS Austin.
Featuring a trove of previously unseen footage and interviews, the film doesn't shy away from the grittier chapters of Rather's journey, including an assault he endured while interviewing a delegate at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. Also spotlighted are Rather's signature "Ratherisms"— his folksy, off-the-cuff metaphors that became a part of his charm. According to an interview with another source, these colorful quips include election night zingers like "as nervous as bird dogs in a duck bind" and descriptions of sweltering heat as "hotter than a Laredo parking lot."
Dan Rather's connection to his native Austin, Texas is also front and center. Despite achieving fame from the anchor desk in New York City, the city remained his sanctuary and touchstone. "I hope people really see how he's representing the ideals of this country. Even when he was an anchor in New York, he'd come back to Austin all the time... So this is a home base for us. He's really seen the city grow, and he's honored to be an Austin resident," his grandson Martin Rather shared, as captured by CBS Austin.
The significance of Rather's career is also painted as a reflection of wider American history. Director Frank Marshall attached an additional layer to Rather's personal saga. "It's not only the journey of Dan's incredible career, but it's a history for me and the history of our country for the last 60 years," Marshall stated, as pointed out by another publication. Despite depicting a media landscape that has evolved and sometimes convulsed, "Rather" positions its subject as a steadfast beacon of journalistic integrity, relentlessly chasing the truth regardless of whether it sways left or right on the political spectrum.
