The American Vice President explores the little-known story of the second-highest office in the land, tracing its evolution from a constitutional afterthought to a position of political consequence. Focusing on the fraught period between 1963 and 1974, when a grief-stricken and then scandal-plagued America was forced to clarify the role of the vice president, the film examines the passage and first uses of the 25th Amendment and offers a fresh and surprising perspective on succession in the executive branch.
Writing
Maddow's narration turns constitutional arcana into nail-biter
Editing
Crisp 57 minutes, no documentary bloat
Director
Michelle Ferrari
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The 25th Amendment has been invoked six times since 1967, but never for the 'unable to discharge' clause that terrifies Cold War historians.
Ford's ascension remains the only time neither the president nor VP was elected to their office—something the film suggests could happen again more easily than we'd like.
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