Film Review: Point of Order (dir. E. de Antonio 1963 [1998])

Just finished watching this classic documentary of the McCarthy-Army hearings of 1954 (documentary release in 1963; VHS version released in 1998). I have to say that the historical references are rather difficult 40 years later; but the underlying televised political drama is still rather captivating. The best point about the film (made by the better half): political controversy often takes place over rather low-level issues, even when the stakes are much greater. So in these hearings, much of the controversy is over whether McCarthy and/or his counsel, Roy Cohn, used influence with the Army regarding another staffer who had been drafted (and was reputed to be Cohn's gay lover). But in the end, the hearings ended in the discrediting of McCarthy.

The black and white television footage is really gripping, despite the low quality sound and video. McCarthy comes across, as I guess he must, as a rather dishonest character. Cohn comes across even worse. The real hero is Joseph N. Welch, special counsel to the Army and a partner at Hale & Dorr. Welch proves, yet again, the value of having the best lawyer in the room on your side.

Not a film for everyone. If you don't know anything about the hearings, there isn't much help here. The captions are even few and far between. But with a little reading beforehand, a real glimpse of U.S. political history in the (early) television era.