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The Pentagon Papers

The Pentagon Papers

Drama · Thriller · History · 2003

This compelling political drama is based on the true story of high-ranking Pentagon official Daniel Ellsberg, who, during the Nixon era, strove to preserve American democracy by leaking top-secret documents to the New York Times and Washington Post. The documents in question would eventually become famous as the Pentagon Papers, which revealed the true reasons for U.S. involvement in Vietnam.

Movie details

The Pentagon Papers

“His greatest act of patriotism was an act of treason.”

2003 Drama · Thriller · History 1h 32m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

5.8 / 10

Community rating

This compelling political drama is based on the true story of high-ranking Pentagon official Daniel Ellsberg, who, during the Nixon era, strove to preserve American democracy by leaking top-secret documents to the New York Times and Washington Post. The documents in question would eventually become famous as the Pentagon Papers, which revealed the true reasons for U.S. involvement in Vietnam.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over The Pentagon Papers?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Rod Holcomb

Written by

Jason Horwitch

James Spader

James Spader

Daniel Ellsberg

Claire Forlani

Claire Forlani

Patricia Marx

Paul Giamatti

Paul Giamatti

Anthony Russo

Alan Arkin

Alan Arkin

Harry Rowen

Kenneth Welsh

Kenneth Welsh

John McNaughon

Maria del Mar

Maria del Mar

Carol Ellsberg

Aaron Ashmore

Aaron Ashmore

Randy Kehler

Court is in session

Put The Pentagon Papers on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.