The Putin Interviews

Thank you Oliver for this professionally shot honest documentary. it's actually 8/10 but added two more stars because of your brave questions. we hear lots of stuff about Putin, most of them ain't good. That he is dictator and things like that. Well we shot his aircraft and he didn't act like an idiot and went into war, even god knows he could beat Turkey. But instead he had diplomatic move instead of idiotic one. as I Watched your film, I understood he is much more professional and good leader then I thought. His answers are great and he seems cold(typical Russian) but honest which what makes your doc looks like a propaganda. as I film maker myself, I can understand what is propaganda what is not. this one isn't. I've watched him on hard talk after this. He is same as here. cool and slow.

This documentary is very well-done and shows a side of Putin and Russia that is rarely seen by people here in the US. The mainstream media and most people here in America have a strong negative association to Russia, often times without actually even knowing very much about Russian history. It's refreshing to see someone taking the time to try to understand rather than simply condemn Putin and the Russian people. Highly recommend It.

Director Oliver Stone travels about with Vladimir Putin and produces four hours of "interview" time. It's not really an interview, as it shows Stone doing some interviewing and also accompanying Putin as he plays a hockey game - something he said he learned just three years before this was filmed (2015) - and as he does some judo - he holds a black belt.

The thing is, Vladimir Putin comes across as an eloquent and thoughtful guy, not like the fat little dictator of North Korea who is well fed and always tries to dress "cool" but as a result just looks ridiculous. Every time Stone tries to bring up something unpleasant about either Russia past or present, Putin has an answer. Stone brings up Stalin, what a monster he was, and yet there are still statues to him. Putin brings up Napoleon and how France admits that what he did was a disgrace yet there are still statues to him. He mentions England's Oliver Cromwell and how he became a dictator and that yet there are statues to him in his home country. When questioned about gay rights in Russia, he even has a compassionate liberal answer for that. He is well versed in history and politics past and present of both the West and Russia, and never loses his cool. And remember, this guy was in the KGB from 1975 to 1990.

Stone asks Putin if he has ever seen "Dr. Strangelove". Putin admits he has not. So Putin stops and takes the time to watch the movie with Stone, although from his expression - and it doesn't change much EVER - you can tell he is probably humoring him. In spite of that, at the end, Putin makes some well thought out remarks about the film that could have been forged into a superior review.

The point is - this is not the guy I was expecting. Plus, you can tell he somewhat charmed Oliver Stone. If this is the same Putin that Donald Trump met, who apparently knows how to shift his presentation to his company, Trump could have easily been putty in his hands.

Watch it - all four hours if you have the time - I think it will be a revelation.

Deep topics masquerading as small talk between Mr. Putin and Mr. Stone that surprisingly have some real insight into The President's mind.

I was impressed by these interviews and I'll follow him more from now on. Putin's stance on different economical, political, military and more personal topics made me respect him, something I rarely have for politicians nowadays.

I liked those hours with Putin. You don't have to like this person nor his work, but at least you should listen to this man. He is unagitated and articulates his view and interests. Also it's an opportunity to get a few insights of a man and a country which most people will never visit and only watch in the TV or read in the newspaper. Well, you won't learn much about the country but maybe some will realize there are other countries with interests too and like Oliver Stone did it: listen to them, you don't have to agree, but dialogue is the way we should choose.