A Rather big tick for truth

Robert Redford captures Dan Rather's genial sincerity in Truth. Photo / AP

Newsman gives thumbs up for film on Bush exposé .

How much of Truth, the movie about that infamous 60 Minutes story that ended Dan Rather's tenure as of one of network news' leading men, is, well, true?

"I was stunned when I saw it," Rather said. "This film is accurate - it's accurate about what happened at the time ... and it's also the most accurate thing put on the big screen about how investigative reporting works."

The Hollywood rendering of the lead-up to the 2004 story about then-President George W. Bush's Texas Air National Guard career is a mostly sympathetic portrayal that was based on the memoir of Rather's producer Mary Mapes, who is played by Cate Blanchett in the film.

Of course, the newsman's thumbs-up might also have something to do with the fact that his role is filled by ageing hunk Robert Redford, who nails Rather's genial sincerity - and signature striped suspenders.

On that point, Rather cracked a smile. "I'm humbled," he said. "That's not a word generally associated with TV anchor people."

During a post-screening discussion with director James Vanderbilt, Rather stood by the thrust of the controversial story: that Bush had avoided serving in Vietnam by getting National Guard duty, from which he was largely absent.

"We got to the truth," Rather said. Yet he conceded that the reporting was flawed - and the movie showed some errors, from rushed deadlines to overlooked red flags. "We made mistakes. I made mistakes," he said.

The discussion also featured Rather at his most Rather-esque: Asked what he would do differently in the reporting if he had the chance, he pointed out the futility of such musings. "It's like asking 'what if a camel didn't have a hump? Would it move faster?"' he said. "Well, the camel does have a hump."

Truth will be released in New Zealand next year.