Compelling, thoughtful and moving...easily one of the best documentaries in a year that's been rich with exceptional examples of them.
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
More than a 106-minute interview...'The Fog of War' also works as a civics and history lesson
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.
Though the movie may not change many minds about McNamara, it richly humanizes him, a valuable feat atop all the fascinating reflection.
Those already familiar with McNamara's book will notice few revelations here, and Morris's non-confrontational style allows McNamara to basically recite passages from his book in toto.
Morris has always engaged audiences -- and outraged stuffy Oscar voters -- by bringing the full range of narrative filmmaking to his nonfiction films. He doesn't stint here.
By asking the right questions and guiding the interview into compelling territory, Morris has produced one of 2003's most memorable documentaries.
Despite its more tendentious moments and sometimes irritating slickness, Fog of War is every bit as fascinating and unnerving as its subject.
This understandably ambivalent portrait of McNamara challenges conventional wisdom about the man and his place in history.
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.
As in Morris movies like Gates of Heaven and The Thin Blue Line, the filmmaking is meticulous and the ideas are endlessly thought-provoking.
This architect of war cum elder statesman directly benefits from Morris’ curiously stylish effort, making for enduringly captivating cinema.
This is spellbinding reality cinema about duplicity and, worse, ignorance at the highest level.
No matter what your opinion of McNamara, The Fog of War is a chastening experience.
The Fog of War has a central figure who himself is shrouded in a fog of mystery -- and the “truth” becomes harder to decipher or even intuit.
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