Documentary, Rated PG-13
Director: Errol Morris
Cast: Robert McNamara.

The full title for Errol Morris’ latest documentary is The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara. Who is Robert McNamara?  Though retired now, McNamara has held several prestigious jobs throughout his life.  He served as an Air Force Captain during World War II (1943), was the first President of the Ford Motor Company who was not a blood relative of the Ford family (1960), and was President of the World Bank Group (1968-1981).  But Robert S. McNamara is probably most famous for being the Secretary of Defense for seven years (1961-1968) during the Presidential administrations of John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson.  To some, McNamara is an intelligent, philosophical, patriotic hero.  To others, he is an evil monster who is blamed for countless deaths, both American and foreign, especially during the Vietnam War.

The Fog of War examines McNamara’s full life through archival television footage, still photographs, recorded phone conversations, and McNamara’s own testament.  Born June 9, 1916 McNamara is now in his mid-eighties and seems sharp as a tack during his up-close, exclusive interviews for this movie.  Though he shies away from most personal aspects of his life, McNamara openly discusses other tougher issues like how many U.S. soldiers probably died because of his decisions during World War II and how even more died in Vietnam.  Never making excuses, or fully taking blame for anything, McNamara just tells his side of the story as he saw it then and how he sees it today. 

The movie’s director, Errol Morris (The Thin Blue Line, A Brief History of Time), is a silent observer/interviewer for the most part.  He remains off screen, only chiming in here and there with a quick question or comment, leaving most of the talking to McNamara.  The Fog of War nicely blends McNamara’s interviews between archival footage and audio conversations presenting the audience with an interesting timeline of history.  But some of Morris’ camera angles and editing choices during McNamara’s interviews are irritating and somewhat of a distraction.  Morris also chose not to interview other historians or people who had worked with McNamara for the documentary, making the film very one-sided.  The film’s title, though, says that it’s about lessons from the life of Robert S. McNamara and that’s exactly what it delivers.  His life, his story.  For better, for worse.  The Fog of War shows that the decisions made during war are not always clear, but will be recorded in history regardless.  And that only time will tell whether those decisions were right or wrong. 

Bottom line: Should you see The Fog of War?  Yes.

Review by Chad Goldich