The Trials of Henry Kissinger (2002)

95% of critics liked it
(57 reviews)
75% of users liked it
(975 ratings)

This incisive documentary offers a sobering portrait of statesman Henry Kissinger, quite possibly the most powerful and influential diplomat in U.S. government in the latter half of the 20th century. Based on the book of nearly the same name by journalist and critic Christopher Hitchens (the slender… More This incisive documentary offers a sobering portrait of statesman Henry Kissinger, quite possibly the most powerful and influential diplomat in U.S. government in the latter half of the 20th century. Based on the book of nearly the same name by journalist and critic Christopher Hitchens (the slender volume goes with the singularized Trial), the movie takes on the form of a legal argument, bringing forward case studies that aim to illuminate Hitchens' claims against Kissinger. Among the significant events in Kissinger's career that the movie tackles are his purported secret diplomacy during the 1968 peace talks to end the Vietnam War, the secret bombing of Cambodia in the early '70s without congressional authorization, and an alleged U.S.-backed plot to overthrow the leftist government of Chilean leader Salvador Allende. The movie features numerous interviews with legal experts, journalists, and high-ranking diplomats, such as Alexander Haig, Walter Isaacson, Roger Morris, and Hitchens himself; predictably, Kissinger did not participate in the making of the picture. ~ Elbert Ventura, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 20 min.
Directed By: Eugene Jarecki
Written By: Alex Gibney
Genres: Documentary, Special Interest

In Theaters: Sep 25, 2002 Limited
On DVD: Aug 19, 2003
Studio: First Run

Critic Reviews

Peter Rainer, New York Magazine
In a larger sense, this powerfully muckraking film is about the accountability of public figures and about how, in regard to international justice, there can be no exceptions.
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
Jarecki's film is jampacked with information -- both fact and opinion -- utilizing news and interview footage, archival photographs and talking heads.
Steven Rosen, Denver Post
The film is insightful about Kissinger's background and history.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Fascinating to watch as a portrait of political celebrity and ego.
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe
A stunning and overwhelmingly cogent case for Kissinger as a calculating war criminal.
Allison Benedikt, Chicago Tribune
While the filmmaking is standard documentary fare and the approach overtly biased, the narration, with tales of intelligence intrigue and ruthless foreign policy, is compelling and convincing.
Jay Antani, Cinema Writer
An Incendiary piece of a rather innocuous order
Kelly Vance, East Bay Express
Much of Kissinger's career has been spent smoothing the way for rich industrialists, ambitious rightwing politicos, military men, and, of course, himself.
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews
provocative study
Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
A fast-paced documentary that entertains as it informs.
Christopher Smith, Bangor Daily News (Maine)
Directly charging him with mass murder, the film colors Kissinger as a secretive, paranoid, duplicitous megalomaniac who rose to political superstardom while literally--the movie claims--getting away with decisions that left hundreds of thousands dead.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Um retrato fundamental do homem que certamente deve ser uma espécie de 'mentor espiritual e intelectual' de genocidas como Rumsfeld, Rice e cia..
Martin Scribbs, Low IQ Canadian
At best, The Trials of Henry Kissinger constitutes an indictment, not a conviction.
Kurt Dahlke, Apollo Guide
This documentary, far from a trial and not for geeks only, presents a focused, ferocious attack on a beloved target long overdue for his comeuppance.
Dan Lybarger, Lybarger Links
Jarecki and Gibney do find enough material to bring Kissinger's record into question and explain how the diplomat's tweaked version of statecraft may have cost thousands and possibly millions of lives.
Joshua Tanzer, Offoffoff
The bigger question it raises now is what to do with his ideological disciples in the Bush administration.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's both a necessary political work and a fascinating documentary...
Marrit Ingman, Austin Chronicle
Eugene Jarecki amasses a compelling body of evidence suggesting that Kissinger should be formally investigated for a possible role in the CIA-supported coup.