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Features: DVD, Widescreen, Aspect Ratio 1.85:1, Dolby Digital (5.1), French, Spanish, Subtitled
Academy Award-winner for Best Documentary Feature, The Fog of War is the story of America as seen through the eyes of the former Secretary of Defense, under President Kennedy and President Johnson, Robert S. McNamara. McNamara was one of the most controversial and influential political figures of the 20th century. Now--for the first time ever--he sits down one on one with award-winning director Errol Morris (The Thin Blue Line) to offer a candid and intimate journey through some of the most seminal events in contemporary American history. As leader of the world's most powerful military force during this nation's most volatile period in recent years, McNamara offers new and often surprising insights into the 1945 bombing of Tokyo, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the effects of the Vietnam War. Featuring newly released Oval Office recorded conversations with Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, The Fog of War received critical acclaim for its up-close and personal insider perspective. See the film that Roger Ebert (Chicago Sun-Times) hailed as "a masterpiece!"
"Astonishing, mesmerizing, and sometimes horrifying! Chilling on so many levels." Bruce Handy, VANITY FAIR
"It will knock your for a loop like no other movie this year!" Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
Editor's Note
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.
| Features | 24 Never-Before Releseased Additional Scenes | | Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound | | Interactive Menus | | Previews | | Robert S. McNamara's 10 Lessons | | Scene Selection | | Subtitles: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese | | 25 Additional Lessons: Never Before Released Lesson Plans That Continue Where the 11 In The Film Left Off |
| Technical Info
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Release Information
| | Studio: Columbia Tri-Star |
| Release Date: 5/13/2008 |
| Running Time: 107 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 2003 | | Catalog ID: 01916 | | UPC: 00043396019164 | | Number of Discs: 1 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: English | | Available Audio Tracks: English [CC], English | | Available Subtitles: English, French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish | | Video: Color |
Aspect Ratio | | Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1 |
| Cast & Crew
| Awards |
Oscar (2004) |  | Errol Morris, et al., Winner, Best Documentary |
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| | Professional Reviews | Film Comment
"...The vivid formal touches that infuse FAST, CHEAP & OUT OF CONTROL are [here]..." 11/01/2003 p.73-4Rolling Stone
"...It will knock you for a loop like no other movie this year..." 12/25/2003 p.118 Entertainment Weekly
"...A stunning portrait of Robert S. McNamara....His answers to questions about war and peace build, via Morris' compositional artistry, to an exquisite peak of ambiguity and remorse..." 12/19/2003 p.55 New York Times
"[A] sober, beautifully edited documentary portrait of the former United States defense secretary Robert S. McNamara." 12/19/2003 p.E13 Los Angeles Times
"Never one to shy away from challenges, Morris has come up with one of the best documentaries of this or any year." 12/19/2003 p.C20 USA Today
"[With] fly-on-the-wall recollections by a subject who can bring history alive..." 12/19/2003 p.7E Sight and Sound
"THE FOG OF WAR is handsomely assembled..." 04/01/2004 p.49 Uncut
"[T]he old Cold Warrior seizes what may prove to be his last chance to make peace with history. Riveting." 09/01/2004 p.138 |
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