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The Fog of War draws on decades of bitter experience to offer a piercing perspective on the Cold War from one of its major architects.
All Critics (140) | Top Critics (40) | Fresh (135) | Rotten (5) | DVD (13)
Although Errol Morris's film takes us through the nasty dramas behind various wars, few of McNamara's clarifications come as a surprise. Dec 18, 2017 | Full Review…
Although Errol Morris's film takes us through the nasty dramas behind various wars, few of McNamara's clarifications come as a surprise.
Antonia Quirke
An engrossing and illuminating documentary. Apr 6, 2004 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
An engrossing and illuminating documentary.
Nev Pierce
For those of my generation, the true resonance in the film may be in the constant juxtaposition between the then and the now of the McNamara life. Mar 16, 2004
For those of my generation, the true resonance in the film may be in the constant juxtaposition between the then and the now of the McNamara life.
Stephen Hunter
Mesmerizing documentary. Feb 27, 2004 | Rating: A-
Mesmerizing documentary.
Robert Denerstein
What's genuinely suspenseful about the movie is its journey into the heart and mind of McNamara. Feb 27, 2004 | Rating: 5/5
What's genuinely suspenseful about the movie is its journey into the heart and mind of McNamara.
Jay Boyar
A provocative case study in power and the powerful. Feb 27, 2004 | Rating: 3.5/4
A provocative case study in power and the powerful.
Lisa Kennedy
It's difficult to imagine anyone from George W. Bush's administration coming forth with such awe-inspiring, agenda-free candor, contrition, insight and misgivings about America's foreign policy. A documentary about morals, respect and blind luck. Sep 24, 2010 | Rating: 4/4 | Full Review…
It's difficult to imagine anyone from George W. Bush's administration coming forth with such awe-inspiring, agenda-free candor, contrition, insight and misgivings about America's foreign policy. A documentary about morals, respect and blind luck.
Nick Rogers
A great and disturbing film. Jul 7, 2009 | Full Review…
A great and disturbing film.
Thomas Peyser
This is the most culturally significant documentary imaginable and should be mandatory for repeated viewing by all public officials the world over. May 10, 2009 | Rating: A+ | Full Review…
This is the most culturally significant documentary imaginable and should be mandatory for repeated viewing by all public officials the world over.
Cole Smithey
Even handed, but never to a fault, this critical and at times even touching examination of Robert McNamara's life and role in the Cold War is as brilliant as I hoped it would be. Jun 21, 2007 | Rating: A- | Full Review…
Even handed, but never to a fault, this critical and at times even touching examination of Robert McNamara's life and role in the Cold War is as brilliant as I hoped it would be.
Jason Gorber
[It] raise[s] complex questions about man's role in that most awful and inherent of human characteristics: our penchant for war. Sep 29, 2006 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…
[It] raise[s] complex questions about man's role in that most awful and inherent of human characteristics: our penchant for war.
Eric Melin
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. Nov 18, 2005 | Rating: A | Full Review…
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.
Christopher Smith
A mesmerizing, slightly offbeat documentary from the great Errol Morris ("The Thin Blue Line") concerning former Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara and his experiences in both WWII and Vietnam, and looking back on his decisions and how to pertain to the days we live in now. McNamara appears to be a very likable, flawed individual (like we all are) who seems to be historically misunderstood given his reputation that he screwed up the Vietnam War quite badly. Instead we get an honest, genuine look at a man who gives a fair look at himself and his decisions, admits to his mistakes, but remains proud of his many accomplishments. Definitely a more humanizing look at a politician, in a day and age where people love to eat these people for lunch. One of the better documentaries I can recall, and anyone from the Kennedy-Johnson era should give this a look.
Super Reviewer
Robert McNamara explains his life during the two World Wars and the Vietnam War. For those of us who are students of history but didn't live during the times of the Vietnam War and WWII, this film doesn't have the resonance it might otherwise have. What I see is McNamara the apologist and McNamara the regretful soldier, personalities that he freely oscillates between almost at will. He wags his finger at the camera so many times that I felt like he was giving me, a small boy, a lecture on how to live. The film becomes a compilation of McNamara saying, "I did my best, but I fucked up, but damn it, I did my best!" Overall, I think this film is a good introduction to people who know little about the wars, but it ultimately devolves into a talking head documentary.
Not a whole lot to say other than see it!
Ranks amongst the most fascinating documentaries I have ever seen. More than a Vietnam War or politics or war itself, The Fog of War is a testimony to the life of Robert MaNamara, as if we the audience are godlike watching while a human being explains his life, his passions, his mistakes, asking for foegiveness and compassion in the face of history and death.
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