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| Movie Review: The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers Alternate Title: A Few Good Men
Story: It is hard to believe
it is almost 40 years since Daniel Ellsberg leaked
7,000 pages of top-secret documents to the New York Times. His courageous
actions can easily be traced to the more famous Watergate break-in and
ultimate resignation of President Nixon. This comprehensive, pro-Ellsberg film was
directed by Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith
and written by Lawrence Lerew, Mr. Goldsmith, Ms. Ehrlich
and Michael Chandler and based on the books “Secrets”
and “Papers on the War” by Daniel Ellsberg.
The film is also narrated by Mr. Ellsberg. This terrific documentary connects the dots from
Ellsberg origins as a top level Pentagon war strategist, ex-Marine and
Rand think tank employee through his slow conversion to peace activist.
His discovery, while working at the Rand Corporation, that the US Government
had been lying to the public through five administrations about the
build up to the Vietnam debacle convinced him he had to uncover these
lies and through his actions, the Vietnam war might end. The movie should be required viewing for all
students of history, concerned citizens and present day activists who
need to recharge their batteries as to what they can do as citizens
who do not agree with their Government's policies. By the way, the term ' The Most Dangerous
Man in America' was coined by the #1 War Criminal
on my list, Henry Kissinger. Mr. Ellsberg has been active in civil disobedience
causes for the past 30 years. For more information on him, check out
his website. http://www.ellsberg.net/ Watch the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0bIOMQIAKs
Acting: This is a documentary, so acting is not a
category. Other than narrator, Daniel Ellsberg the talking heads include,
among others, Patricia Ellsberg, Anthony Russo, Hedrick Smith,
Egil "Bud" Krogh, John Dean and Howard Zinn.
Trivia: Three quotes by Daniel Ellsberg: - If
monarchy is corrupting - and it is - wait till you see what overt empire
does to us. - Only we, the public, can force our representatives to
reverse their abdication of the war powers that the Constitution gives
exclusively to the Congress. - We were young, we were foolish, we were
arrogant, but we were right.
Predilection: As a young woman I was riveted to this
story as it unfolded and read all of the 7,000 pages in the New York
Times.
Visual Art: Some of the 'dramatizations' are a bit
hokey and I am head scratching as to why the directors chose to use
cartoons for a few of their illustrations of events.
Theater Audience: About 30 other long time protesters.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: Whenever I see Richard Nixon and his
gang I still get bothered.
Drift Factor: I was riveted throughout
Predictability Level: I lived it so was not surprised
but I did not remember a few of the details and was shocked at how similar
the run up to our involvement in the Vietnam War is to our involvement
in Iraq.
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: No
Big Screen or Rental: This film will most likely
not be playing in a theater near you, so rental would be the way to
go.
Length: 90 minutes
LOBO HOWLS: 8
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