The Fog of War - Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara (2003)

98% of critics liked it
(136 reviews)
91% of users liked it
(13,869 ratings)

Former Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara is the sole focus of documentarian Errol Morris' The Fog of War, a film that not only analyzes McNamara's controversial decisions during the first half of the Vietnam War, but also his childhood upbringing, his education at Berkeley and Harvard, his… More Former Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara is the sole focus of documentarian Errol Morris' The Fog of War, a film that not only analyzes McNamara's controversial decisions during the first half of the Vietnam War, but also his childhood upbringing, his education at Berkeley and Harvard, his involvement in World War II, and his later years as president of the World Bank. Culling footage from almost 20 hours of interviews with the Secretary, Morris details key moments from McNamara's career, including the 1945 bombing of Tokyo, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and President Kennedy's suggestions to the Secretary that the U.S. remove itself from Vietnam. Throughout the film, the 85-year-old McNamara expounds his philosophies on international conflict, and shows regret and pride in equal measure for, respectively, his mistakes and accomplishments. ~ Michael Hastings, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: Errol Morris
Genres: Documentary, Special Interest

In Theaters: Dec 19, 2003 Limited
On DVD: May 11, 2004
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics

Critic Reviews

Stephen Hunter, Washington Post
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.
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News
Mesmerizing documentary.
Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel
What's genuinely suspenseful about the movie is its journey into the heart and mind of McNamara.
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post
A provocative case study in power and the powerful.
Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle
Fascinating documentary about Robert S. McNamara.
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer
McNamara, a robust conversationalist, is so lively that he bursts out of what is essentially a talking-head documentary.
Nick Rogers, Suite101.com
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.
Dan Lybarger, eFilmCritic.com
'The Fog of War' reveals McNamara to be an intelligent, insightful and sensitive man who was catastrophically wrong about the nature of the conflict that came to define him.
Thomas Peyser, Style Weekly (Richmond, VA)
A great and disturbing film.
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
This is the most culturally significant documentary imaginable and should be mandatory for repeated viewing by all public officials the world over.
Eric Melin, Lawrence.com
[It] raise[s] complex questions about man's role in that most awful and inherent of human characteristics: our penchant for war.
Christopher Smith, Bangor Daily News (Maine)
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.
Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness
A fascinating look into the mind of one of 20th century America's most controversial military figures
Douglas Pratt, Movie City News
It is a well made, captivating film, with a rich historical content to give it narrative drive and McNamara's self-awareness to give it emotional depth and complexity.
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
McNamara makes a very human monster, a flawed man who regrets that "in order to do good you have to be willing to do evil."
Sarah Chauncey, Reel.com
Even when [McNamara] is openly defending what many would consider indefensible actions, his earnestness walks a line between psychopathic and somewhat commendable.
Jay Antani, Los Angeles Alternative
a deeply felt testament of a man struggling to wring meaning and redemption out of history's hard, unyielding surfaces

Read all 17 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Ken S

Not a whole lot to say other than see it!
Jeremy S

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… More
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.
Mike S

The actual subject itself, which this documentary revolved around, wasn't really all that captivating to me. The reason for that is the simple fact that it doesn't hit very close to home, as it's mainly targeted towards an American audience, and therefore not something… More
The actual subject itself, which this documentary revolved around, wasn't really all that captivating to me. The reason for that is the simple fact that it doesn't hit very close to home, as it's mainly targeted towards an American audience, and therefore not something I can relate to as much as I would have liked. On the other hand, thanks to the brilliant way it is told and presented by Robert McNamara, it somehow became more appealing than I would have otherwise thought of it. His great narration gave it a very human and modest touch, which, in the end, came to lift up my rating a notch above "average".
Morgan G

Far scarier than a horror movie.
Daniel H

It's pro war! It's anti-war! It's pro-war... well, not really. It's just about McNamara, and his uncanny ability to avoid both of the previous questions. Some might find the neutral tone refreshing, regardless. Not about miltiary strategy, but the morally-neutral… More
It's pro war! It's anti-war! It's pro-war... well, not really. It's just about McNamara, and his uncanny ability to avoid both of the previous questions. Some might find the neutral tone refreshing, regardless. Not about miltiary strategy, but the morally-neutral engineering of military PR and morale in the late 20th century.. the day-to-day business of an unpopular war.
Michael G

A very interesting history lesson.
Jeffrey M

Fog of War is a brilliant, fascinating, and absolutely absorbing documentary. It features an elderly, introspective, but also very lively Robert McNamara as he reflects on the lessons heâ(TM)s learned from his life experiences, notably the quagmire in Vietnam. The documentary does an… More
Fog of War is a brilliant, fascinating, and absolutely absorbing documentary. It features an elderly, introspective, but also very lively Robert McNamara as he reflects on the lessons heâ(TM)s learned from his life experiences, notably the quagmire in Vietnam. The documentary does an excellent job of illustrating and relating all the lessons involved, and is particularly chilling in its recounting of the Cuban missile crisis. Fog of War will go down with Why We Fight and Inside Job, as the best political documentaries between 2000-2010.
Joseph E

One word..Amazing.
Curt C

This was meant find fault or inconsistancies in Robert McNamara's actions as Secretary of Defense I'm told. However, I came out of this finding him a brilliant man doing the best he possibly could under inconceivable conditions. Incredibly thought provocing and engaging… More
This was meant find fault or inconsistancies in Robert McNamara's actions as Secretary of Defense I'm told. However, I came out of this finding him a brilliant man doing the best he possibly could under inconceivable conditions. Incredibly thought provocing and engaging material, even if I got the "wrong" message; the 'evil music' tricks were quite apparent however.
Anthony V

McNamara gives 11 lessons he's learned from his vast experience with American warfare. Should be required viewing for US citizens.
Bill C

I've been watching a lot of forgettable fluff lately. This is not that. I watched this movie several years ago and caught it on cable a few times. Once I here his wavering voice it just draws me in. Like Alfred Noble, McNamara pioneered safety in the modern automobile but was… More
I've been watching a lot of forgettable fluff lately. This is not that. I watched this movie several years ago and caught it on cable a few times. Once I here his wavering voice it just draws me in. Like Alfred Noble, McNamara pioneered safety in the modern automobile but was part of orchestrating the fire bombing of Tokyo. He was hand picked by the Ford family to be the first non-Ford as president of the ford motor company. Kennedy snatched him away to be secretary of defense during Cuba through Vietnam. The movies shot with him talking directly to the camera. There are a few cutaways to some stock footage. He speaks with a degree of unfiltered honesty not to be expected from someone involved in government. He is a mathematician like me, with a strong moral compass. I guarantee you will not be bored watching this movie. It will give a new perspective on modern events it takes them from historic characters that made this happen to flawed people who did the best they could with what they had.
deb .

<b>"We all make mistakes. We know we make mistakes. I don't know any military commander, who is honest, who would say he has not made a mistake. ...the fog of war."</b> A shocking view behind the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, and the Cold War.… More
<b>"We all make mistakes. We know we make mistakes. I don't know any military commander, who is honest, who would say he has not made a mistake. ...the fog of war."</b> A shocking view behind the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, and the Cold War. Definitely thought provoking.
Constanza B

It is one of the best documentaries ever made. A very thought and provoking film, useful for teaching the Cold War to A Level or IB classes.
Linda K

One of the few great documentaries which truly addresses to the real questions of war. Something that some countries dont do much. But if you like politics, maybe this documentary will be the one to watch for and think about its importance in this point in time.
Kit X

beautiful