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Viewers hoping to see Donald Rumsfeld admit making mistakes in public office (or hoping Errol Morris will force him to give straight answers) may find The Unknown Known frustrating -- but no less fascinating.
All Critics (105) | Top Critics (35) | Fresh (86) | Rotten (19)
[A] scary inquiry. Apr 18, 2014 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
[A] scary inquiry.
Bill Stamets
By now the director's technique is so savvy, so confident in its visual layering and atmospheric assurance, even a dodgy, cagey camera subject such as Rumsfeld becomes movieworthy. Apr 17, 2014 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
By now the director's technique is so savvy, so confident in its visual layering and atmospheric assurance, even a dodgy, cagey camera subject such as Rumsfeld becomes movieworthy.
Michael Phillips
Morris doesn't "break" Rumsfeld, as some think he did McNamara. He has held a mirror up to the man, and found no reflection. The viewer simply has to realize that what's important is what's not there. Apr 11, 2014 | Rating: 4/4 | Full Review…
Morris doesn't "break" Rumsfeld, as some think he did McNamara. He has held a mirror up to the man, and found no reflection. The viewer simply has to realize that what's important is what's not there.
John Anderson
What emerges is a fascinating portrait of a bygone approach to power, marked by a seemingly contradictory mix of transparency and obfuscation. Rumsfeld embodies that discrepancy. Apr 11, 2014 | Full Review…
What emerges is a fascinating portrait of a bygone approach to power, marked by a seemingly contradictory mix of transparency and obfuscation. Rumsfeld embodies that discrepancy.
Wesley Morris
A portrait of a wartime leader determined to avoid, at any cost, an honest perspective. Apr 10, 2014 | Rating: 3.5/4
A portrait of a wartime leader determined to avoid, at any cost, an honest perspective.
Tom Keogh
The Unknown Known is a worthy addition to Morris's body of work, an epic search that demonstrates the limits of language, the ease of sidestepping truth. Apr 4, 2014 | Full Review…
The Unknown Known is a worthy addition to Morris's body of work, an epic search that demonstrates the limits of language, the ease of sidestepping truth.
David Edelstein
A gladiatorial bout for the Information Age, we may not come out knowing a much more than we did going in, but it's hard to dismiss the historical value Morris' interrogation may have in the future. Mar 7, 2019 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
A gladiatorial bout for the Information Age, we may not come out knowing a much more than we did going in, but it's hard to dismiss the historical value Morris' interrogation may have in the future.
Daniel Green
[A] disconnect between content and intent characterizes the entirety of his film. Apr 10, 2018 | Full Review…
[A] disconnect between content and intent characterizes the entirety of his film.
Megan Basham
As a history lesson in digest form, it's eminently valuable for cracking Rumsfeld's cheshire grin without employing unsound interrogation methods. Oct 10, 2017 | Full Review…
As a history lesson in digest form, it's eminently valuable for cracking Rumsfeld's cheshire grin without employing unsound interrogation methods.
Jay Kuehner
He poses simple questions and lets them talk, and talk, and talk. In doing so, he gives them enough rope to hang themselves. Jun 18, 2016 | Full Review…
He poses simple questions and lets them talk, and talk, and talk. In doing so, he gives them enough rope to hang themselves.
Jason Bailey
Frustrating and fascinating. Oct 11, 2015 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…
Frustrating and fascinating.
Derek Smith
Delights in exploring sophistry and fine distinctions of language. Nov 27, 2014 | Rating: 8/10 | Full Review…
Delights in exploring sophistry and fine distinctions of language.
Tim Brayton
An extraordinary documentary about one of the most interesting figures in American politics, The Unknown Known is a fascinating look at former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. In the film documentarian Errol Morris conducts an extensive interview with Rumsfeld, covering his work in the Nixon & Ford administrations, the events of 9/11, and the War on Terror. A lot of this is done through Rumsfeld's restorations and explanations of his own extensive memorandums and dictations. And, surprisingly it's not as much of a liberal hit piece as one would expect. Though Morris steers the line of questioning at some points, Rumsfeld is allowed to speak for himself; leaving the audience to decide what to make of him. Refreshing and honest, The Unknown Known is a true documentary that allows its subject to take its own course without subterfuge or agenda.
Super Reviewer
A feature length interview with former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfield that (perhaps unfairly, perhaps understandably) turns into a referendum on the Iraqi invasion and the War on Terror. There are no bombshells---Rumsfield is far too savvy to sabotage himself---so this effort only adds a little context for political junkies, while being unlikely to sway anyone's opinion of this enigmatic and powerful man in one direction or another.
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