The Martha Mitchell Effect
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The Martha Mitchell Effect
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Martha Mitchell Effect is a short documentary about White House Attorney General John Mitchell's wife who believes U.S. President Richard M. Nixon is behind the Watergate burglary. References and images include fear about personal safety, alcoholism, pipe smoking, male protester nude from the waist up, tranquilizer injection into a person's body without consent, mental health illness claims, body bruises, guns, war, incarcerations, protesters dragged by police officers, men arrested for ransacking and stealing, and alleged Watergate burglar and Nixon campaign member hired as a Mitchell household bodyguard who also takes the family's kid to school. Swear words include "ass," "damn," and "hell." Slurs include "nuts," "stupid," and "wacko." Positive messages include don't be afraid to speak up, seek the truth, and do the right thing.
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What's the Story?
In THE MARTHA MITCHELL EFFECT, the outspoken political activist, mom, and spouse of a White House official takes a no-holds-barred stance with the U.S. Executive Branch. Martha Mitchell faults the team for the 1973 break-in of the Democratic National Committee's Watergate headquarters. She also claims that accusations about the burglary may have put her own life at risk and shattered her marriage, but Martha remains steadfast in telling what may be true.
Is It Any Good?
Calling all history buffs to watch this stirring documentary about a woman's life during a notable bygone era. "A political wife isn't like a normal person that can do and say what they please," says Martha Mitchell in The Martha Mitchell Effect. "But I do say what I please." Speaking her mind sets Martha Mitchell apart from the usual Washington, D.C. social scene as seen through the lens of original interviews and archival footage and photos. The community was "run by White men at the White House," recalls journalist Connie Chung, "and men at every single Cabinet level."
Cabinet team member Dwight Chapin, Deputy Assistant to U.S President Richard M. Nixon, remarks that "if Martha was coming to dinner at the White House people were on alert. Women were more reserved then, but not Martha. It wasn't that [Nixon] didn't like women. It was that he didn't like loud women." The legacy of Martha Mitchell's legendary shout-outs may prove to be an important and educational tool for older kids and teens to learn about surviving with seemingly insurmountable odds.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the courage of Martha Mitchell in The Martha Mitchell Effect. How does she also demonstrate communication and perseverance? Why are these important character strengths?
Why is it important for Martha Mitchell to share with the public what she knows about the Watergate burglary? Was the outcome of the crime fair? Why or why not?
How effective is the teamwork between Martha Mitchell and the press in getting the Watergate story told? How would this historic chapter in politics play out in today's social media landscape?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: June 17, 2022
- Cast: Martha Mitchell, John Mitchell, Richard Nixon
- Directors: Anne Alvergue, Debra McClutchy
- Studio: Netflix
- Genre: Documentary
- Topics: Activism, Friendship, Great Girl Role Models, History
- Character Strengths: Communication, Courage, Perseverance, Teamwork
- Run time: 40 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- MPAA explanation: some thematic elements, language, and smoking
- Last updated: June 21, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
-
Gaslit
Great Watergate drama highlights sexism; has mature content.
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All the President's Men
Superb Woodward and Bernstein Watergate story.
-
Nixon
Dense psychodrama of much-disliked U.S. president.
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