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The Fog of War (2003)
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Reviews Counted:133
Fresh:130
Rotten:3
Average Rating:8.4/10
Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for images and thematic issues of war and destruction
Runtime: 1 hr 47 mins
Genre: Education/General Interest
Theatrical Release:Dec 19, 2003 Limited
Box Office: $4,052,471
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... 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]
Starring: Robert S. McNamara
Starring: Robert S. McNamara
Director: Errol Morris
Director: Errol Morris
Producer: Michael Williams, Julie Ahlberg
Composer: Philip Glass
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics
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Reviews for The Fog of War
Morris’ real genius is that he knows how to listen, knows when to stop questioning and thereby let people reveal themselves, more than they intended
Emerges as a fascinating enterprise that evokes nothing so much as Victor Hugo's 'dialogue of the deaf' in The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Offers a fascinating history lesson -- and one you'll probably never read in any book.
There is nothing simple about Robert McNamara and nothing simplistic about Errol Morris's involving look at him.
Startlingly forceful — an extremely intimate, sympathetic and provocative personal biography as well as an illuminative audit of human fallibility. One of 2003's best films.
History needs to be re-examined, but it is rare for a filmmaker to have unfettered access to a reclusive figure who was so crucial in making history.
McNamara, a robust conversationalist, is so lively that he bursts out of what is essentially a talking-head documentary.
Errol Morris tries to pin down Vietnam War chess-master Robert McNamara, and the results are fascinating -- also troubling, deeply confusing and way too artistically precious.
Whether or not you agree with his politics, McNamara is a fascinating man... it's a compelling documentary that may scare you a little and will certainly make you think.
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.
This is the most culturally significant documentary imaginable and should be mandatory for repeated viewing by all public officials the world over.
Morris uses McNamara's long life and firsthand experience to indicate how technology has made the ethics of war much more difficult to tread.
[McNamara's] humility is that of a player who has decided to keep certain hole cards his own, forever. We could think about this movie for just about as long.
Latest News for The Fog of War
July 01, 2008:
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