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Going Upriver: The Long War of John Kerry

Play trailer Poster for Going Upriver: The Long War of John Kerry PG-13 2004 1h 29m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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90% Tomatometer 84 Reviews 70% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Following Sen. John Kerry from his days as a soldier fighting in the Vietnam War to his 2004 presidential run, director George Butler captures many of the crucial moments that came to define and forge Kerry's career and leadership in the peace movement, and as a United States senator from Massachusetts. Conducting interviews with the men who knew Kerry best -- fellow soldiers, roommates and friends -- Butler searches for and depicts what made Kerry a leader.
Going Upriver: The Long War of John Kerry

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Interesting and revealing footage of both Kerry and the Vietnam era in general.

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Critics Reviews

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David Ansen Newsweek 03/13/2018
Butler's stirring film wasn't made to refute its slanders, though it does. It's a richly documented history of Kerry's war- time experience and of the Veterans Against the War movement. Go to Full Review
Andrew Sarris Observer 10/14/2004
This should be revelatory to most people -- but most people will probably never see Mr. Butler's film, and certainly none of those who consider George W. Bush as next to God. Go to Full Review
Richard Roeper Ebert & Roeper 10/11/2004
One of the most moving things for me was seeing that some of the high-ranking politicians really did recognize that, hey, we need to meet with these young men and hear what they have to say and that footage is amazing stuff. Go to Full Review
John A. Nesbit Old School Reviews 08/05/2012
B
compelling story without fancy gimmicks and trickery Go to Full Review
Mark Halverson Sacramento News & Review 08/07/2008
4/5
Jason Gorber Film Scouts 06/21/2007
C-
It's too bad that Kerry's likely to lose the upcoming election, because this type of hagiography would be far better in the unlikely event that Mr. "Wartime" President is going to be defeated. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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07/30/2011 Really, John Kerry has such an interesting life. I only wish more people could appreciate this movie, since he has been so slandered over the past decade. See more 03/04/2010 Most political documentaries suck. This one is a little better then most, but it still is along the same lines as most of the others. It's one-sided, not so much of a biography as propaganda for the cause of the time. Just another way of promoting Kerry before the presidential election. See more 01/20/2010 One of those films that has a short shelf life. Interest in Kerry goes up in 2004 and disappears soon thereafter. I found it and it is pretty good biopic of a rapidly fading public figure. See more 03/11/2009 Always nice to hear about others but my eyes hurt See more 10/28/2008 A thoroughly researched and documented biography of John Kerry as it relates to his heroic service in Vietnam and his subsequent opposition to its continuance. Lots of live footage of him and the people who knew or dealt with him along with archival film of both the events he attended and his statements at the time. Long clips, not just soundbites. Carefully details both his commitment to his fellow soldiers and American ideals through organizing and supporting vets and then his reluctant parting with Veterans Against the War when government paid infiltrators started pushing them toward violence. A sad chapter in American History. Shows Kerry as a man who steadfastly held to his principles regardless of the cost. An effective and essentially complete rebuke of the "Swift Boat" slander. See more 07/26/2007 What I loved about this documentary is how it shows his leadership and diplomacy on a controversial issue, and earning the respect or recognition of many at such a young age. See more Read all reviews
Going Upriver: The Long War of John Kerry

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Movie Info

Synopsis Following Sen. John Kerry from his days as a soldier fighting in the Vietnam War to his 2004 presidential run, director George Butler captures many of the crucial moments that came to define and forge Kerry's career and leadership in the peace movement, and as a United States senator from Massachusetts. Conducting interviews with the men who knew Kerry best -- fellow soldiers, roommates and friends -- Butler searches for and depicts what made Kerry a leader.
Director
George Butler
Producer
Mark N. Hopkins, George Butler
Screenwriter
Douglas Brinkley, Joseph Dorman
Distributor
ThinkFilm
Production Co
White Mountain Films
Rating
PG-13 (Disturbing Images of War|Some Dialogue)
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 18, 2004, Original
Box Office (Gross USA)
$613.3K
Runtime
1h 29m