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The Fog of War (2003)
Runtime: 1 hr 47 mins
Synopsis: Documentarian Errol Morris directs THE FOG OF WAR, a captivating look at Robert S. McNamara, who served as the Secretary of Defense during the Vietnam War and the Cuban Missile Crisis. The movie does not exclusively focus on this part of McNamara's career, however, and instead gives a broad... Documentarian Errol Morris directs THE FOG OF WAR, a captivating look at Robert S. McNamara, who served as the Secretary of Defense during the Vietnam War and the Cuban Missile Crisis. The movie does not exclusively focus on this part of McNamara's career, however, and instead gives a broad overview of the man he was, his multitude of roles--a Harvard Business School graduate, a Colonel in the Air Force during WWII, president of Ford Motor Company--and his opinions on a variety of historical topics. Inspired by two books written by McNamara--IN RETROSPECT (1995) and WILSON'S GHOST (2001)--Morris gives McNamara a forum to talk about the decisions he made and the influence he had during his career. At the age of 85, McNamara has gained necessary perspective to do just that. Sharp as a tack, loaded with charisma, and generally fascinating, McNamara easily carries the film with his revealing interviews. Meanwhile, Morris's use of archival footage--along with maps and other effective visual aids--add context to McNamara's commentary, and Philip Glass's ominous, pulsing score gives the film's important subject matter the gravity it deserves. [More]
Genre: Education/General Interest
Starring: Robert S. McNamara
DVD Info
Release:
Nov 5, 2004
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- Keep Case
- Widescreen
Audio:
- Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Additional Release Material:
- Trailers
- 24 Additional Lessons From Robert McNamara
Text/Photo Galleries:
- Robert McNamara's 10 Lessons In Text Form
Reviews
This is a beautifully produced film, expertly edited with a haunting Philip Glass score and statistics that are meaningful and extremely disturbing.
An astonishing, mesmerizing portrait not only of one man, but also of what commonly used to be called 'the American century'.
[It] raise[s] complex questions about man's role in that most awful and inherent of human characteristics: our penchant for war.
When it comes to war, Robert S. McNamara wants us to know that our history with war has taught us plenty. Not that we've learned much from it.
A fascinating look into the mind of one of 20th century America's most controversial military figures
McNamara makes a very human monster, a flawed man who regrets that "in order to do good you have to be willing to do evil."
a deeply felt testament of a man struggling to wring meaning and redemption out of history’s hard, unyielding surfaces
The images and music combine with McNamara's voice and expressions to create a tapestry of a life lived toughly through a world that has looked over the edge at hell itself.
Morris seems to go deep. But does he? The film is Morris’s but the message McNamara’s... The film is effective emotionally -- sometimes unbearably so. Intellectually...?
Fascinating look at an influential old man looking back on his life, enlivened by strong graphics and news footage, with a great Philip Glass score.
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