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The Fog of War

The Fog of War

2003
Documentary, War
1h 47m
The Fog of War is a 20th century fable, a story of an American dreamer, Robert S. McNamara, who rose from humble origins to the heights of political power. (Sony Pictures Classics)

Directed by:

Errol Morris

Starring:

Fidel Castro, Robert McNamara, Barry Goldwater, Lyndon B. Johnson, John F. Kennedy, Curtis LeMay, Woodrow Wilson, Richard Nixon, Franklin D. Roosevelt

Genres:

Documentary, War

Country:

USA

Language:

English
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The Fog of War

2003
Documentary, War
1h 47m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 71.4% from 1651 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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doctor7doctor7
Rated 14 Aug 2007
91
93rd
Upon rewatching this 4 years after it's release I have changed my opinion of it, for the better. The film had a very sobering "the curse of the big picture" feel. McNamara is a person with morals, or at least considers himself a moral person, but he also has a very high intelligence and viewed war by a far more numerical standard which highly influenced his decision making. This documentary perfectly captures that and though he admits he mad bad decisions, at the time, they seemed right to him.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
mentaculusMentaculus
Rated 10 Sep 2008
91
90th
Probably the best war documentary after "The Sorrow and the Pity". A riveting look at one man's complicity(?) and rationalization for war and murder under many controversial administrations.
Rated 10 Sep 2008
ayavaronAyavaron
Rated 14 Aug 2007
100
97th
Without a doubt, this is the best documentary I've ever seen. It provides a balanced perspective on a controversial figure from histery. By the end of it, I didn't know what to think of Robert S. McNamara. It's like a portrait of a man, expertly painted. Really amazing.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
moribunnyMoribunny
Rated 05 Apr 2014
75
84th
McNamara is obviously a highly intelligent man who has indeed gleaned valuable lessons from personal and national errors. We learn a great deal of history and political philosophy from his experience. Morris' film was extremely timely, and though he is hardly successful in prodding McNamara about personal responsibility, he rightly senses that it shouldn't be the central issue. "The Fog of War" is - McNamara's effort to demonstrate that knowledge and reason's limitations are responsible for war.
Rated 05 Apr 2014
davidkahaneDavidKahane
Rated 08 Nov 2008
84
74th
Morris's probing camera brings a man of grave contradictions to the fore. McNamara examines his own place in history with the detached intellectual bearing of cautious academic, sharing his front row view of a devastating period in American history with mere shades of regret. Morris has always built his films around individuals who reveal themselves subconsciously through conversations with the lens. It's fascinating to see that approach with a man whose impact on the nation was pronounced.
Rated 08 Nov 2008
tekteK
Rated 17 Dec 2012
100
99th
A must if you have got glimpse of responsibility and empathy in you.
Rated 17 Dec 2012
chemical404chemical404
Rated 29 Dec 2010
70
83rd
Excellent documentary that offers a view on a few american wars from the perspective of a man who made big decisions in them. Shaped in 11 chapters, that should serve as a lessons for future warlords, it is insightful and interesting, and often hard hitting.
Rated 29 Dec 2010
cinemaasiaCinema_Asia
Rated 21 Feb 2010
90
96th
A pretty chilling look at the thought process and logistics behind war and how there are hardly any black or white morals but a whole lot of gray. This documentary also came out during a particularly bizarre time when the U.S. was just entering into the war with Iraq as well. It's nice to get an inside look at McNamara's views but at times the direction is a little soft and could have probed a bit more into McNamara's personal morality and justifications.
Rated 21 Feb 2010
meerkatmeerkat
Rated 12 Nov 2007
80
51st
Wonderful. The best thing about Errol Morris is that he just shows people talking about the past. You can see how Robert McNamara both realizes the massive mistakes he made, yet also struggles to believe he did good. A great picture into the mind of someone who was once very powerful.
Rated 12 Nov 2007
blakeengelBlakeEngel
Rated 27 Nov 2016
10
93rd
The towering achievement thus far of Morris' career. Yes, his other work is amazing, but here he brings his keen eye and monumental patience to bear on some of the worst tragedies of the century - WWII and the Vietnam War. We get answers from the single human being in the history of the world who knew most about Vietnam and quite a bit about WWII. The subject matter is grand, but this is as intimate as his other works. The Glass score takes this to another level.
Rated 27 Nov 2016
anomalyAnomaly
Rated 13 Jun 2016
85
86th
Fascinating look into a man who found himself in an increasingly controversial position of power, his personal rationalizations, and the moral greyness of war. McNamara is open and responsive, just what you want from an interviewee. Morris' direction is riveting, as always.
Rated 13 Jun 2016
dardandardan
Rated 05 May 2015
85
90th
Constituent to an increasingly depressing saga of intelligent people taking morally reprehensible actions, something that only seems explainable by referring back to peoples like the Mongols, Romans or the Greeks under Alexander, in which creating a wasteland and calling it peace effectively enabled new structures through which power can used more efficiently, to eventually expand ones empire, increase net welfare and organizational capacity of the host. I.e. imperealism.
Rated 05 May 2015
uhrmacherUhrmacher
Rated 16 Apr 2013
92
96th
Enjoyable doc that does a good job of illustrating McNamara's contemporary perspective when making critical decisions. The WWII discussions are particularly fascinating and McNamara seems much more willing to speak freely about them than about his period as Secretary, where he is fairly tight-lipped. Lovely score from Philip Glass.
Rated 16 Apr 2013
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 04 Mar 2012
92
97th
More than specific events, the film is about war as a general cultural phenomenon and the lessons taken from experience on various sides of war by McNamara. the film was brilliantly laid out with very interesting anecdotes and perspectives to think about. There's so much information to absorb in the film, and not everything can be taken at face value, but it adds up to a very complex meditation on human conflict, and the contrast with the life of an individual only adds to the layers.
Rated 04 Mar 2012
andreasthauAndreasThau
Rated 03 Mar 2012
70
59th
I learned in school that I should never do a documentary with just the main character. I mean, it became a bit obvious that Morris had to fill out empty spaces with the same increasingly annoying music and long fade to black's. Other than that, I have nothing to criticise. McNamara is fantastic, and so are some of the secrets he reveals, so is the very questionable war history of the United States.
Rated 03 Mar 2012
begoniabolbegoniabol
Rated 21 Sep 2011
83
84th
Interesting, pretty chilling and informative, though sometimes it was for me personally hard to understand since I'm quite dim. Some parts were quite shocking, like the damage Japanese cities.. Brr
Rated 21 Sep 2011
hezarfenHezarfen
Rated 12 Oct 2010
50
23rd
Very standard talking head documentary, only saved by the subject material, the actually-not-often-lauded biggest fuck-up of the modern era casually commenting on his well meaning and wisdom-free series of disasters, with some family background.
Rated 12 Oct 2010
graveyardtangraveyardtan
Rated 12 Aug 2010
85
71st
McNamara is interesting enough without the directorial padding of redundant metaphorical shots (the dominoes!) and stock footage that's been slowed down considerably for added menace or meaning. Still, Morris captures the complexity, humanity, and hypocrisy of one of the most interesting political figures in the last 50 years, making The Fog of War required viewing.
Rated 12 Aug 2010
quickyQuicky
Rated 14 Nov 2008
66
51st
Quite interesting, though not really my cup of tea.
Rated 14 Nov 2008
tripwyreTripwyre
Rated 16 Mar 2008
83
81st
Morris crafts some strong and unshakeable images to go along with McNamara's bleak, chilling, unshakeable messages. It's about McNamara's life, so there are some boring stretches (mostly his time spent at Ford Motors, which I really didn't care about). When it hits the war, the good stuff flows like a flooded river, and we're left with a very rounded view of McNamara as a man, warts and all.
Rated 16 Mar 2008
scurryscurry
Rated 24 Jan 2008
95
99th
I didn't expect to come to understand Bob McNamara any better, and as expected I don't. Extremely interesting reflections on an extraordinary life, but ultimately the end result is very alienating.
Rated 24 Jan 2008
djrossdjross
Rated 14 Aug 2007
76
87th
Very interesting, even though the interviewer is rather soft on his interviewee, Morris seeing his role as something other than investigative journalist or judge.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
vince_leoVince Leo
Rated 14 Aug 2007
82
90th
The Fog of War is an excellent documentary, and indeed, was honored by winning an Academy Award for Best Documentary in 2004. Recommended for all history buffs, particularly for those intimately familiar with 20th Century United States conflicts, and just for all those who love well-crafted documentaries in general.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
stainStain
Rated 29 Apr 2007
90
86th
Striking and thoughtful portrait of a fascinating man who people often call "the ultimate PHB" but who consistently comes across as intelligent, educated, and very much about his wits for an 85-year-old man. This guy is walking history
Rated 29 Apr 2007
teddedonTedDedon
Rated 18 Mar 2007
88
81st
An incredibly gripping documentary chronicling the Vietnam War. If you like films about war and are interested in hearing an untold story by an American who was very important at the time, check this out.
Rated 18 Mar 2007
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 20 Aug 2022
98
95th
Fascinating and monumental historical document, which provides a critical but even handed dissection of mid 20th century warfare, combined with an equally fascinating, indirect portrait of McNamara, who Morris captures in all of his flavours - the genial grandfather mixed with a hard hearted (and unapologetic) political pragmatist. Beautifully constructed by Morris, who uses extensive archival footage to provide first person immediacy (combined with the startling Interrotron).
Rated 20 Aug 2022
tpbradburytpbradbury
Rated 08 Nov 2021
33
22nd
Worthy but good
Rated 08 Nov 2021
margustaMargusTa
Rated 10 Feb 2021
87
85th
Brilliant documentary of US spin doctor and minister of defense. Done by documentary genre genie Errol Morris. Movie won a Documentary Oscar in 2004. Enough said.
Rated 10 Feb 2021
ceekay19Ceekay19
Rated 24 Oct 2020
70
54th
Robert McNamara: "If we can't persuade nations with comparable values of the merits of our cause, we'd better reexamine our reasoning."
Rated 24 Oct 2020
jpfergusonJPFerguson
Rated 19 Jul 2020
80
89th
War is far from black and white, it's devilishly complex. McNamara is thoroughly pleasing to engage with as a viewer and come across as a 'nice guy', which perhaps goes to show that good people sometimes do bad things. Which is not to condone McNamara's actions in war, this is not Morris' intention, nor to dismiss them simply as American belligerence.
Rated 19 Jul 2020
mspraguemsprague
Rated 18 Feb 2018
70
60th
If only he'd had his epiphany sooner.
Rated 18 Feb 2018
radumsmnradumsmn
Rated 21 Feb 2017
79
84th
As learned from Bob, from now on I will only answer the question I'd like to be asked and not the one that I'm being asked. It worked for him, somehow.
Rated 21 Feb 2017
beautyblissBeautyBliss
Rated 27 Aug 2016
80
61st
Definitely an interesting story. If you liked this, check out Oliver Stone's Untold History of the United States. Oh, warning: it's depressing.
Rated 27 Aug 2016
donquixoticdonquixotic
Rated 12 Apr 2016
50
33rd
It's perfectly fine but dry. When I was watching it I couldn't place my finger on what was missing until I realised it was directed by Errol Morris who just isn't for me
Rated 12 Apr 2016
ehk2ehk2
Rated 31 Jan 2015
77
93rd
You are in fact found guilty, Mr. Mcnamara: "We find the government and armed forces of the United States are guilty of the deliberate, systematic and large-scale bombardment of civilian targets, including civilian populations, dwellings, villages, dams, dikes, medical establishments, leper colonies, schools, churches, pagodas, historical and cultural monuments..." [B. Russell Tribunal, 1967]
Rated 31 Jan 2015
billyshearsBillyShears
Rated 03 Aug 2014
90
92nd
I'm glad the biggest decision so far I've had to make was do I want the soup or the salad. I'd implode under a microcosm of this guy's pressure. I don't even know if I used microcosm right and I'm too scared to look? Do you get where I'm going with here, aaaaah.
Rated 03 Aug 2014
sirstuckeySirStuckey
Rated 14 Jul 2014
60
36th
Watched this in a political science class in college and I could barely stay awake. Mind you this was college so I was probably hung over and on little sleep but this did not hold my interest much.
Rated 14 Jul 2014
ocelotOcelot
Rated 12 Jun 2014
85
94th
An immensely effective documentary on one of the most enigmatic influences of the 20th century. Is McNamara justified in what he did? Probably not, which is why the answer is actually probably.
Rated 12 Jun 2014
adamj1982adamj1982
Rated 24 Apr 2014
73
65th
McNamara said it best "You don't answer the question asked to you, you answer the question you want asked to you"
Rated 24 Apr 2014
redactedredacted
Rated 14 Apr 2014
80
70th
Has glimpses of the logic behind burning 100,000 Japanese to death or sending 25,000 Americans to perish in Vietnam. Also interesting how little qualification is needed to be in a position to make those decisions. What a transition from heading a program making Ford cars safer to running an organisation that dumped enough Agent Orange on Vietnam, 500,000 babies were born with deformities.
Rated 14 Apr 2014
woozybWoozyB
Rated 13 Jul 2013
95
94th
Macnamara tries to pass off a lot as 'hey, I'm just American Joe caught up in things oh golly', but the material is great stuff.
Rated 13 Jul 2013
stevekimesstevekimes
Rated 09 Sep 2012
90
88th
A fascinating conversation with Robert McNamera, one of the central figures behind the Vietnam war. The structure is great, but the truth of history and the man who McNamera became is stunning.
Rated 09 Sep 2012
magmadiverMagmadiver
Rated 03 May 2012
40
7th
Bland.
Rated 03 May 2012
antaresAntares
Rated 25 Apr 2012
87
94th
I grew up during the Vietnam War and McNamara was vilified as the chief protagonist behind our involvement in it. How much of this fact and how much of this is revisionist history, we'll never know. But it does seem that McNamara is repentant in regards to his responsibility.
Rated 25 Apr 2012
3drevelation3dRevelation
Rated 10 Mar 2012
80
82nd
Fascinating. I could have probably listened to McNamara talk for a few more hours.
Rated 10 Mar 2012
ozonepaulozonepaul
Rated 01 Feb 2012
96
87th
It's hard to handle complicated matters fairly. It's much easier to simplify or to hide from facts. This documentary shows the complexity and doesn't pretend to know the answers and that in itself is a great value. "In order to do good , you may have to engage in evil." Or not?
Rated 01 Feb 2012
cosmicmonkeyCosmicMonkey
Rated 23 Jan 2011
93
97th
It's not often that Documentaries, particularly Historical ones, can double as a powerful character study and exploration on morality, but this one sure did. Must-See for any academic.
Rated 23 Jan 2011
meitmemeitme
Rated 01 Dec 2010
95
87th
Absolutely incredible! I learned a lot and loved every minute of it.
Rated 01 Dec 2010
slantmagSlantMag
Rated 30 Nov 2010
30
78th
"Morris allows McNamara the dignity of his memories, yet never allows the viewer to forget the deeply troubling moral questions bound to those memories." - Joshua Vasquez
Rated 30 Nov 2010
tinysausagetinysausage
Rated 28 Nov 2010
84
93rd
An intelligent and once-powerful old man tries to justify his life's actions, with some success. A riveting insight into the workings of power.
Rated 28 Nov 2010
sw0sw0
Rated 03 Nov 2010
78
55th
Politics and nukes pretty scary stuff.
Rated 03 Nov 2010
etherielEtheriel
Rated 05 Oct 2010
70
68th
An incredible interview.
Rated 05 Oct 2010
obidyObidy
Rated 16 Jul 2010
9
71st
Robert McNamara is a controversial, polarizing, and fascinating figure in American history. His role in the Vietnam War ensures debate whenever his name is mentioned. Errol Morris is a brilliant filmmaker, and he does much to unravel a man who did great and terrible things. It's fascinating to see someone talk about their life's work so honestly, although you shouldn't go in without background, because on a handful of occasions, especially when discussing JFK, McNamara manipulates the truth.
Rated 16 Jul 2010
pierre_Pierre_
Rated 21 Jan 2010
75
38th
Very informative.
Rated 21 Jan 2010
quickyapiQuickyAPI
Rated 18 Dec 2009
61
42nd
Quite interesting, though not really my cup of tea.
Rated 18 Dec 2009
eggbeatereggbeater
Rated 12 Dec 2009
83
82nd
Director Morris explores myriad political, social, and moral issues that resonate even more tellingly today, and McNamara -- 85 when the film was made -- remains an outspoken and forceful personality who refuses to provide any easy answers about the history he helped to shape. An emotional powerhouse for anyone who lived through the era depicted here so vividly. Oscar winner for Best Documentary Feature.
Rated 12 Dec 2009
zealot185Zealot185
Rated 12 Oct 2009
59
39th
Recommended watching for history buffs and high school American history classes.
Rated 12 Oct 2009
bharathbharath
Rated 26 May 2009
70
57th
An interesting documentary, based on a persons interview. The interviewed doesnt come to turns with his consequential errors. He still believes what he did was for the good at the same time trying to come to terms with his errors.
Rated 26 May 2009
kahKAH
Rated 30 Apr 2009
3
74th
Scary shit.
Rated 30 Apr 2009
astrakhanastrakhan
Rated 19 Apr 2009
50
3rd
Probably the most boring experience in a movie theatre of my entire life. This movie just goes on and on. Eleven lessons? Really? ELEVEN? Based on the famous eleven-act structure? Please. I was begging for a swift death after 5 or 6 of his "lessons".
Rated 19 Apr 2009
ryanscoomerRyanscoomer
Rated 17 Apr 2009
92
97th
One of my favorite documentaries.
Rated 17 Apr 2009
dorkovskyDorkovsky
Rated 30 Mar 2009
7
79th
It is definitely aimless, but not of the enjoyable wandering variety. Here it is more jarring than anything. The subject matter along with Morris' visual style keeps things interesting, even if it doesn't take advantage of it's potential.
Rated 30 Mar 2009
wonderdogwonderdog
Rated 27 Dec 2008
81
61st
Puts a new context on your way of thinking about US government policy.
Rated 27 Dec 2008
lapierre520lapierre520
Rated 31 Aug 2007
90
73rd
This is really interesting. Very important to see.
Rated 31 Aug 2007
uksubsUKSubs
Rated 14 Aug 2007
82
82nd
After a great deal of prodding, I went out and rented this documentary. Despite not being very interested in McNamara before watching it, the footage and story were quite enthralling, making this an excellent choice for anyone who enjoys documentaries about war.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
svicciarellisvicciarelli
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
82nd
A history lesson from an important person in history. Morris is the best at his craft.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
daniellanDaniellaN
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
87th
Very Thought provoking
Rated 14 Aug 2007
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
89th
Excellent documentary.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 14 Aug 2007
72
41st
Interesting but unfocused (which I suppose in a sense is appropriate, given the title). Morris illustrates McNamara's points with striking imagery, but the film as a whole seems haphazardly edited as it jumps from one topic to another without apparent rhyme or reason. It's structured as a series of "lessons" and yet I felt that none of them had been given enough development to take root.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
starsirenStarSiren
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
78th
Really good and really compelling.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
coffeecoffee
Rated 27 May 2007
85
85th
I wish that much more people would've made documentaries like this one.
Rated 27 May 2007
fooliomFoolioM
Rated 31 Mar 2007
94
72nd
The ever lucid McNamara leads an all-star cast ( Fidel Castro, Robert McNamara, Lyndon Johnson, John F. Kennedy, Curtis LeMay, Woodrow Wilson, Richard Nixon, Franklin Delano Roosevelt) in this din on the tonality of war, life and the difference.
Rated 31 Mar 2007
derekstarDerekstar
Rated 10 Feb 2007
100
96th
Before seeing this documentary I thought that I was a Robert McNamara know it all. Oops.
Rated 10 Feb 2007

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