The Pentagon Papers (2003)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Pentagon Papers is a historical and political drama (based on a true story) which premiered in 2003. 

 

Here is some basic information about it:

 

** Directed by Rod Holcomb

** Written by Jason Horwitch

** Run time: 90 minutes

 

Since this drama is based on a true story, the basic facts are part of the public record. They are not a secret. This is why I feel free to mention some of them here.

 

While this drama is based on a true story, it is not a documentary film. It is a dramatized version of events. Not everything happened exactly as shown here.

 

Some details may have been added, altered or excluded for practical purposes or dramatic reasons.

 

But the basic story is true.

 

This is the story of Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers. In this film we follow his life and career during the crucial period from 1963 to 1973. We follow his transformation from a person who worked for the US government and supported the American war in Vietnam to a person who was against government policy and against the American war in Vietnam.

 

Ellsberg worked for RAND 1963-1964 and for the Pentagon 1964-1965. He was in Vietnam 1965-1966. Back in the US, he returned to RAND. Because he had worked for the Pentagon, he had in his office at RAND a top-secret study of US relations with Vietnam covering the years from 1945 to 1967.

 

The report, which consisted of 47 volumes with a total of 7,000 pages, became known as the Pentagon Papers.

 

The top-secret study showed that four US presidents had systematically lied to the people about what the government was doing in Vietnam.

 

Ellsberg wanted to expose the lies. He wanted the American people to know the truth. 

 

Following his conscience, he decided that he had to leak this document to the press.

 

He began making photocopies of the long report in October 1969. The story was published in the New York Times in June 1971.

 

The movie is based on Ellsberg’s book Secrets: A Memoir of Vietnam and the Pentagon Papers (2002) (2003).

 

An on-screen message placed at the end of the film says:

 

“Although partially fictionalized, the preceding dramatization is based on actual events. Certain composite, fictional and representative scenes and characters have been used for dramatic purposes.”

 

The cast includes the following:

 

** James Spader as Daniel Ellsberg (1931-2023)

** Claire Forlani as Patricia Marx (born 1938)

** Paul Giamatti as Anthony Russo (1936-2008)

** Kenneth Walsh as John McNaughton (1921-1967)

** Alan Arkin as Harry Rowen (1925-2015)

 

The release of the Pentagon Papers is an important chapter in the modern history of the US. What was at stake here was the freedom of the press, as well as the relation between the government, the Congress, and the people. Ellsberg risked not only his career, but also his freedom in order to follow his conscience and do what he believed was the right thing.

 

When the movie begins, we know how it is going to end: Ellsberg is going to release the Pentagon Papers and this moment will change his life forever. But even though we know what will happen, step by step, the film still manages to capture our attention.

 

The script is well-written and the actors play their roles well. When an important character appears for the first time, an on-screen message with the name and title of this person pops up on the screen. This is a very helpful device.

 

Some events are highly compressed, in particular Ellsberg’s time in Vietnam, but I guess this is necessary in order to tell the whole story within a time frame of 90 minutes. It is not fair to criticize the film for this. If you want more details, if you think the film is too short, you can read the book.

 

As far as I know, Ellsberg was not involved in the making of this film. When he saw it, he said certain conversations and certain scenes had been invented by the producers, but the basic story was true.

 

What do reviewers say about this movie?

 

Here are two results:

 

** Rotten Tomatoes = 64 per cent

** IMDb = 65 per cent

 

In my opinion, both ratings are too low. Why do I say so? Because this film is a successful portrayal of an important chapter in the modern history of the US.

 

I want to go all the way to the top with this product. I think it deserves a rating of five stars (100 percent).

 

PS # 1. For more information about the case, see the following item:

 

The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers

 

A documentary film which premiered in 2009.

 

PS # 2. For details about the New York Times and the publication of the secret report, see this book:

 

Fighting for the Press: The Inside Story of the Pentagon Papers and other Battles by James C. Goodale (2013).

 

PS # 3. For details about Ellsberg’s friend Anthony Russo, see the following article:

 

Barbara Myers,

“The Forgotten Pentagon Papers Conspirator,”

Mother Jones,

2 June 2015

 

PS # 4. Daniel Ellsberg can be described as one of the first whistleblowers in modern times. It is obvious to compare him with a more recent whistleblower:

 

Edward Snowden

 

In fact, these two people met in Moscow in 2015. The meeting was reported in The Guardian of 28 November and the New York Times of 30 November 2015.

 

*****

 

 Daniel Ellsberg

(1931-2023)

 

*****

 

 

Secrets: 

A Memoir of Vietnam and the Pentagon Papers 

by Daniel Ellsberg 

(Hardcover 2002) 

(Paperback 2003)

 

*****