The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara

Although I'd heard his name linked to the Vietnam war many times in past documentaries it was fascinating to learn just how big a role McNamara played in decisions that shaped the United States.I was intrigued by his take on ethical decisions he'd made or been part of such as firebombing thousands of civilians to cut down on American deaths, or the use of Agent Orange chemical weapons.

The Fog of War is a great documentary because it has an intelligent subject and a wise filmmaker, who fearlessly tackles subjects that come stockpiled with burning questions. Director Errol Morris knows how to gear a discussion where he wants it to go, and utilizes the "Interrotron," which Wikipedia states is Morris' device where, "the image of each person's face is then projected onto a two-way mirror positioned in front of the lens of the other's camera.

The best of the best. Irrespective of your feeling for McNamara.

First, I will not waste our time here by enumerating all of the historical or factual inconsistencies, and detours around the truth as presented by Robert McNamara in this documentary. My intent and focus is not for the sake of historical correction.

This is an Errol Morris documentary where he interviews former US Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara. This is part lesson, part history, but mostly a confessional.

What an extraordinary life McNamara had. In this film an 86 year old Robert McNamara recounts his personal experience as Secretary of Defense under Presidents Johnson and Kennedy as well as his experiences advising General Curtis LeMay in WWII.

What an extraordinary life McNamara had. In this film an 86 year old Robert McNamara recounts his personal experience as Secretary of Defense under Presidents Johnson and Kennedy as well as his experiences advising General Curtis LeMay in WWII.

Robert Strange McNamara had a remarkable and commendable career until he became SecDef. Plainly he had risen to his level of incompetence.

This is an interesting documentary precisely because it makes so little effort to put McNamara's actions in a larger historical context. We catch glimpses of the world's opinion of McNamara in MTV-fast clips from newspapers, but mainly this is McNamara in his own words.