A vibrant, unconventional documentary about the conspiracy trial of the so-called inciters of the riots that occurred during the 1968 Democratic National Convention.
Chicago 10 (2008)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:22
Fresh:15
Rotten:7
Average Rating:6.5/10
Consensus: Brett Morgan's half-animated, half-documentary film is an arresting, sometimes visionary portrait of the historic and chaotic trial.
Rated: R [See Full Rating] for language and brief sexual images.
Runtime: 1 hr 43 mins
Genre: Education/General Interest
Theatrical Release:Feb 29, 2008 Limited
Synopsis: Brett Morgen follows up his dazzling THE KID STAYS IN THE PICTURE with another daring, inventive work of nonfiction. CHICAGO 10 tells the raucous story of the trial that resulted after the... Brett Morgen follows up his dazzling THE KID STAYS IN THE PICTURE with another daring, inventive work of nonfiction. CHICAGO 10 tells the raucous story of the trial that resulted after the tumultuous Democratic Convention in Chicago in 1968. During the convention, a group of Yippies and other confrontationists pulled off a series of sit-ins and pranks that led to an eruption of violence. The result was a trial that simultaneously amused, thrilled, and challenged the nation and our notions of freedom. The supposed leaders of these insurrections became defendants, who used their position in the spotlight to further provoke the powers-that-be. They included Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, Bobby Seale, David Dellinger, Tom Hayden, Rennie Davis, John Froines, and Lee Weiner. In addition to providing a solid historical context using stock footage of actual events, Morgen takes Rubin's claim that the trial was a cartoon to a literal level by recreating the trial's most infamous moments in full-blown animation. Famous voices (Hank Azaria, Nick Nolte, Dylan Baker, Mark Ruffalo, Roy Scheider, Jeffrey Wright, Liev Schrieber) provide the energetic dialogue that brings these scenes to electrifying life. Morgen also uses a sonic onslaught of aggressive modern pop music (Eminem, Beastie Boys, Rage Against the Machine) to remind younger viewers that at the time, these were the voices of genuine anti-authority. CHICAGO 10 works as an invigorating history lesson that aims to wake viewers up and remind them of their ability to help determine where American society is headed. [More]
Starring: Hank Azaria, Dylan Baker, Nick Nolte, Mark Ruffalo
Starring: Hank Azaria, Dylan Baker, Nick Nolte, Mark Ruffalo, Roy Scheider, Liev Schreiber, Jeffrey Wright
Director: Brett Morgen
Director: Brett Morgen
Screenwriter: Brett Morgen
Producer: Brett Morgen, Graydon Carter
Composer: Jeff Danna
Studio: Roadside Attractions
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Reviews for Chicago 10
Given the filmmaker's privileged perspective of hindsight, to notconsider the real-world repercussions of their theater, to not connect the dots between 1968 and 2008 is a squandered opportunity.
If you accept the premise that it's a multimedia happening rather than a history lesson, the half-documentary, half-cartoon Chicago 10 is a smash of a mash-up. Call it 1968, the Remix.
It’s a fresh and important new take on one of the most tumultuous periods in American history.
A cacophony of sights and sounds and a disjointed narrative dilute the message.
In the end, the truest thing that can be said for Chicago 10 is that, though Morgen did just about everything he could to make his movie unwatchable, the story was interesting enough to fight him to a draw.
In eschewing the use of a narrator or talking heads, Morgen leaves out too much crucial information.
A provocative reflection of its rule-breaking subjects, Brett Morgen's political documentary re-examines the past while drawing unmissable parallels to the present.
The director wants to bring recent history to life for people who weren't around to witness it, and in that he succeeds pretty admirably.
Chicago 10, Brett Morgen’s semi-animated, semi-documentary attempt to make the ’60s cool for a new generation of kids, does the opposite.
As an activist documentary with a contemporary agenda, it doesn't pretend to be "objective" (whatever that means), but to find inspiration in the passion and irreverence of its heroes.
If presentation of the tumultuous events before, during and after the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago will suffice for a feature-length film, then it's hard to imagine a more ferocious or inventive depiction than Chicago 10.
Morgen's best achievement is the news footage, more detailed looks at events outside the Conrad Hilton Hotel and in Chicago parks than you typically see on TV rehashes.
Chicago 10 is well worth seeing, if only because a good half of the film is devoted to extraordinary footage of the four days of rage that spawned the trial.
Chicago 10 not only brings to life one of the sorriest chapters in American cultural and political history, but breathes new life into a film genre that usually has all the imagination and verve of a visit to Madame Tussauds.
However authentically chaotic, Chicago 10 is insufficiently frenzied. For all its shock value, the trial was not the only game in town.
It wouldn’t hurt anyone, young or old, to catch up on the fascinating history lesson illustrated and embellished by Mr. Morgen and his crew in Chicago 10.
His political heart is in the right place but Brett Morgen can't connect the '60s anti-war movement to the political counter-culture from which it sprung.
Latest News for Chicago 10
August 27, 2008:
Docu-drama revisits historic free speech trial of anti-war activists arrested during the 1968 Democratic Convention. ![]()
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February 28, 2008:
Critics Consensus: Semi-Pro is Semi-Good, Boleyn Girl Not Quite Movie Royalty
This week at the movies, we've got hapless hoopsters, snouted socialites, and scandalous siblings. What do the critics have to say? More...
January 21, 2007:
Sundance News: "Chicago 10" Disappoints; Dakota Fanning's "Hounddog" Violating Child Pornography Laws? "Crazy Love" Causes Bidding War
Since the Sundance Film Festival started two days ago, three films have already drawn extra media attention. "Chicago 10," Brett Morgen's highly anticipated follow-up... More...
January 20, 2007:
Sundance Reviews: "Chicago 10" Is Unique But Flawed; "The Savages" Is Wrenching And True
Here are some short reviews of "Chicago 10" and "The Savages," both of which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. More...
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