Review of The Unknown Known (2013) by Matt D — 26 Jul 2014

"A fascinating and maddening documentary".

Movie Review: The Unknown Known.

Date Viewed: April 5 2014.

Directed By Errol Morris (The Fog of War and The Thin Blue Line).

Starring: Donald Rumsfeld and Errol Morris.

Legendary documentarian Errol Morris is back, this time he takes a look at former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. He was a key figure in the Iraq war and he worked with four Republican presidents. For those hoping to see Rumsfeld admit making mistakes will be disappointed by "The Unknown Known" but it is still a fascinating and maddening documentary.

Viewers may also be disappointed with Errol Morris by not forcing him to give straight answers but just like Colonel Nathan R. Jessup in "A Few Good Men", Rumsfeld thinks that the American people can't handle the truth. Morris guides Rumsfeld through a series of controversial choices he made during his political career. The two talk about absorbing topics like Vietnam, Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq, 9/11, The Iraq War and Saddam Hussein.

Errol Morris asks Rumsfeld, "Why are you obsessed with Iraq?", "Are you an obsessive person?". Rumsfeld says, "I'm not an obsessive person, I'm just cool and measured." Okay, I don't agree with Rumsfeld's policies but he grabbed my attention from beginning to end. No matter what political party you're from, he's compelling and we get a great look into his mindset.

From "The Thin Blue Line", "Fast, Cheap & Out of Control" and "The Fog of War", "The Unknown Known" is another great documentary from Errol Morris.

Footnote: Morris has dedicated this movie to Roger Ebert who passed away a year ago.