Donald Rumsfeld is something of a prose writer, a philosopher and a thinker. He plays with language and was known in press conferences for his linguistic play during question times. Errol Morris questions whether playing with words is the best approach when their meaning decides war and the fate of a nation.
The lure of Errol Morris is, like his contemporary Werner Herzog, his ability to cut deep into his subject to find the juice. I cannot think of any documentary makers except the two of them that are able to craft facts and history into such a glorious narrative to the point that it feels like a beautiful, fictional screenplay.
Donald Rumsfeld is framed simply, in the same light blue shirt and tie throughout. He speaks with purpose and poetry as if he is convinced he is weaving historical quotes on every breath – he probably is.
Famed for his "snowflakes" in The Pentagon, philosophical memos typed on white paper which amounted to millions over his almost half-century career, serving in various senior roles from Nixon to W Bush. Using stock footage of war, presidential history and photos from within the sanctum of The Pentagon and The White House, Rumsfeld talks about the most important of those memos and what they mean.
A fantastic gem of a film deserving many awards; the icing on the cake here is a soundtrack by Danny Elfman no less to elevate this factual interview piece to a work of art. Thoroughly unmissable and an important fingerprint in contemporary American history.
The lure of Errol Morris is, like his contemporary Werner Herzog, his ability to cut deep into his subject to find the juice. I cannot think of any documentary makers except the two of them that are able to craft facts and history into such a glorious narrative to the point that it feels like a beautiful, fictional screenplay.
Donald Rumsfeld is framed simply, in the same light blue shirt and tie throughout. He speaks with purpose and poetry as if he is convinced he is weaving historical quotes on every breath – he probably is.
Famed for his "snowflakes" in The Pentagon, philosophical memos typed on white paper which amounted to millions over his almost half-century career, serving in various senior roles from Nixon to W Bush. Using stock footage of war, presidential history and photos from within the sanctum of The Pentagon and The White House, Rumsfeld talks about the most important of those memos and what they mean.
A fantastic gem of a film deserving many awards; the icing on the cake here is a soundtrack by Danny Elfman no less to elevate this factual interview piece to a work of art. Thoroughly unmissable and an important fingerprint in contemporary American history.