Dan Rather is a renowned American journalist, commentator, former national evening news anchor, and the subject of an upcoming documentary. According to Variety, the Frank Marshall-directed project, Rather, will be released on Netflix on April 24, 2024.
Reports suggest that Rather will showcase Dan Rather’s time on TV as well as the development of broadcast journalism. Furthermore, it will explore current problems faced by the free press and many other aspects of American society. Its director Frank Marshall recently released a statement in which he revealed that the project was close to his heart. Furthermore, he said that he appreciated the journalist’s contribution and his commitment to integrity. He said, “This is a very personal project for me. When you look at Dan’s body of work, it’s remarkable. The collection of stories he has covered, it’s my history too, and the history of our country over the past 60 years.”
He further stated, “I’ve always admired his passion, his intelligence, his humor and his commitment to the truth and it’s been an honor to get to know Dan and tell his extraordinary story.”
Wavelength and Original Productions, along with Anchor Entertainment and The Kennedy/Marshall Company, are the producers of this documentary. Interestingly, it premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2023.
Rather synopsis and cast
The runtime of Rather is 95 minutes. According to Tribeca Film Festival’s official website, its synopsis reads, “Frank Marshall’s incisive documentary is a long-overdue tribute to an icon of journalism, a late-in-life Twitter superstar, a father, husband, and a voice of reason, compassion, and brilliance: Dan Rather. To older generations, his name may be synonymous with quality journalism and stalwart diplomacy, but to younger audience members unfamiliar with his career, Rather provides the opportunity to travel back in time through his remarkable experiences and sharp-witted commentary.”
It further reads, “From his days embedded in the Vietnam War to his on-the-ground coverage of JFK’s assassination to his presence at the foot of the Berlin Wall as it fell, Dan Rather has reported on an astonishing number of iconic moments in history. Now, as a 92-year-old reflecting on seven decades of service and looking to the future of democracy, we meet a man freed from the auspices of any overarching network or deadline — a big-hearted human fueled by a tireless work ethic and dedication to the truth. Sprinkled with deadpan humor and often with a tear in his eye, Rather narrates the stories that define both him as a person and our nation’s alternately shameful and celebratory recent past.––Liza Domnitz”
Rather’s producers are Frank Marshall, Jenifer Westphal, Joe Plummer, Jeff Hasler, Ethan Goldman, and Aly Parker. Written by Dan Crane, its executive producers are Jenifer Westphal, Wayne Nelson, Jessica Sherif, One9, and Ryan Suffern.
Furthermore, alongside Dan Rather, this project will feature famous faces such as Robin Rather, Martin Rather, Ronan Farrow, Mark Cuban, Andy Cohen, Samantha Bee, Soledad O’Brien, Shepard Smith, Andrew Young, Margaret Sullivan, Douglas Brinkley, Rick Perlstein, Susan Zirinsky, Sir Howard Stringer, Jim Murphy, Tom Bettag, Dana Roberson and more.
Dan Rather biography
Dan Rather was born in Wharton, Texas on October 31, 1931. His father, Daniel Sr. worked as an oil pipeliner while his mother was a part-time waitress and seamstress.
Ever since a young boy, Dan was immensely interested in journalism. According to Biography, Rather began working as a journalist when he was still at Sam Houston State Teachers College. Subsequently, he progressed in his career and became the anchor of CBS Evening News in 1981. Before him, this role was made famous by the legendary Walter Cronkite.
However, Rather’s new job landed him in controversy. In 1989, after CBS delayed a broadcast to cover U.S. Open tennis, he walked off the set. Furthermore, after an interview with Vice President George H.W. Bush right-wing accused him of bias. Rather also hosted 48 Hours and 60 Minutes II. Interestingly, his stint with CBS came to an end in 2005 after he presented a report about President George W. Bush. This report suggested that the President was receiving special treatment when he was with the National Guard. In addition, he even revealed the news of inhumane practices in Iraq’s Abu Ghraib prison.
After parting ways with CBS News, Rather worked for mogul Mark Cuban’s network. In addition, he founded a production company. Throughout his career, he wrote several books on journalism. Some of them are:
- The Palace Guard, with Gary Gates (1977)
- The Camera Never Blinks: Adventures of a TV Journalist, with Mickey Hershkowitz (1977)
- I Remember, with Peter Wyden (1991)
- The Camera Never Blinks Twice: The Further Adventures of a Television Journalist, with Mickey Hershkowitz (1994).
- Deadlines and Datelines: Essays at the Turn of the Century (1999).
- Rather Outspoken: My Life in the News, with Digby Diehl (2013).
- What Unites Us: Reflections on Patriotism, with Elliot Kirschner, (2017).
Dan Rather is currently 92 years old. He has been married to Jean Goebel since 1957 and has two children with her.
