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National Bird

Play trailer 1:52 Poster for National Bird 2016 1h 32m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 22 Reviews 60% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
This documentary follows the dramatic journey of three whistleblowers who are determined to break the silence around one of the most controversial current affairs issues of our time: the secret U.S. drone war. At the center of the film are three U.S. military veterans. Plagued by guilt over participating in the killing of faceless people in foreign countries, they decide to speak out publicly, despite the possible consequences.
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National Bird

Critics Reviews

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Alexandra Heller-Nicholas The Blue Lenses 08/25/2018
It is a thoughtful, sensitive and probing look at the ethics of drone warfare, carefully balancing its focus on those who press the buttons with the very real horrors faced by those on the receiving end, particularly innocent civilians. Go to Full Review J. R. Jones Chicago Reader 12/15/2016
The three subjects' personal stories don't really add up to a coherent critique of drone warfare, but their various experiences allow Kennebeck to attack the subject from multiple angles. Go to Full Review Kimber Myers Los Angeles Times 11/17/2016
"National Bird" is powerful cinematic journalism. Go to Full Review Joanne Laurier World Socialist Web Site 02/22/2021
The US drone assassination program epitomizes the criminality of the Barack Obama administration and the American military-intelligence machinery. Go to Full Review Erin Blackwell Bay Area Reporter 06/09/2020
Director Sonia Kennebeck has made a masterpiece. Go to Full Review Nathanael Hood Audiences Everywhere 12/27/2018
A-
A chilling, disturbing look into the realities of America's secret drone war in the Middle East. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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charles h @RT50283981 01/16/2025 This is not a documentary. This is an emotional and biased stream of consciousness by three low-level participants in drone programs. By his own admission, one of the “whistleblowers” was against the military drone program before joining the military, and only joined to end his homelessness. He went on to say that he felt it was wrong that the Department of justice “went after” people who disclosed classified and privileged information, when in fact, they are simply enforcing a contract that he voluntarily signed when he joined the military to secure the money and housing that he was unable to obtain on his own. See more 04/17/2017 4/17/17 Amazon Video See more 11/21/2016 Slow moving documentary that doesn't inform a great deal, nothing having watched eye in the sky wouldn't have addressed. See more 11/11/2016 poorly directed. Timeline contains to many errors See more 08/03/2016 Great documentation. Perfectly shot. See more Read all reviews
National Bird

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Cast & Crew

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Sonia Kennebeck

Director

Jesselyn Radack

Self

Wim Wenders

Executive Producer

Errol Morris

Executive Producer

Sonia Kennebeck

Producer

Ines Hofmann Kanna

Producer

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National Bird

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National Bird

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Movie Info

Synopsis This documentary follows the dramatic journey of three whistleblowers who are determined to break the silence around one of the most controversial current affairs issues of our time: the secret U.S. drone war. At the center of the film are three U.S. military veterans. Plagued by guilt over participating in the killing of faceless people in foreign countries, they decide to speak out publicly, despite the possible consequences.
Director
Sonia Kennebeck
Producer
Sonia Kennebeck, Ines Hofmann Kanna
Distributor
FilmRise
Production Co
Ten Forward Films
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 11, 2016, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 17, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$8.8K
Runtime
1h 32m