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The Trials of Henry Kissinger

Play trailer Poster for The Trials of Henry Kissinger 2002 1h 20m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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95% Tomatometer 57 Reviews 78% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
Decades after he left Washington, Henry Kissinger remains a divisive figure in American politics. Journalist Christopher Hitchens, who believes Kissinger should be labeled a war criminal, builds his case by shedding light on the high-ranking diplomat's many shadowy foreign actions, including an unauthorized bombing raid in Cambodia and a purported plot to oust Chilean leader Salvador Allende. Legal experts and former government officials also discuss Kissinger's controversial career.
The Trials of Henry Kissinger

What to Know

Critics Consensus

This compelling unauthorized biography takes a muckraker's view of the controversial diplomat.

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Critics Reviews

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Peter Rainer New York Magazine/Vulture 08/07/2004
In a larger sense, this powerfully muckraking film is about the accountability of public figures and about how, in regard to international justice, there can be no exceptions. Go to Full Review
Marrit Ingman Austin Chronicle 03/10/2003
3.5/5
Eugene Jarecki amasses a compelling body of evidence suggesting that Kissinger should be formally investigated for a possible role in the CIA-supported coup. Go to Full Review
Steven Rosen Denver Post 12/13/2002
3.5/4
The film is insightful about Kissinger's background and history. Go to Full Review
Jay Antani Cinema Writer 09/06/2010
2.5/4
An Incendiary piece of a rather innocuous order Go to Full Review
Kelly Vance East Bay Express 05/05/2010
Much of Kissinger's career has been spent smoothing the way for rich industrialists, ambitious rightwing politicos, military men, and, of course, himself. Go to Full Review
John A. Nesbit Old School Reviews 12/03/2009
B-
provocative study Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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03/22/2020 Though a bit dated, The Trials of Henry Kissinger provides a brief summary of the controversial career of one of America's most (in)famous diplomats. Based on the book, the film covers both sides of the debates against Kissinger. Presented in a trial format, the film allows the viewers to develop their own opinions. Whether Kissinger was a war criminal or a pragmatic realpolitik apparatchik, we decide. The film also delves a bit into Kissinger's personal life to help us understand his evolution. Viewers can emphasize why Kissinger adopts his own brand of amoral realpolitik over dogmatic idealism. As the film progresses, we see the adoption of Kissinger's rise to power/fame/infamy. 3.5 or 4/5. A bit dated, but a solid introduction to the career and life of Henry Kissinger. See more 03/05/2016 Lauding and riveting. This sheds light on the war crimes of former secretary of state Henry Kissinger. See more 10/03/2014 on sided but good. makes you ask if the ends justify the means. him and nixon were doing lots of dirty stuff against a dirty enemy. Hes undeniably smart and believes in his causes See more 05/24/2014 Hitchens, Gibney, and Jarecki make a great case against Kissinger, and you feel compelled to believe their impressions of the controversial figure. It's not quite as interesting as you'd think, but it's a good first outing for Eugene Jarecki and shows promise for his future career as a documentary filmmaker. See more s r @ScottR 01/11/2014 A film that raises the important points about the two faces of international peace prizes and courts by showing how Kissinger manages to contradict them both. One sided, but informative. See more 01/05/2014 Gotta love the Hitch. See more Read all reviews
The Trials of Henry Kissinger

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Movie Info

Synopsis Decades after he left Washington, Henry Kissinger remains a divisive figure in American politics. Journalist Christopher Hitchens, who believes Kissinger should be labeled a war criminal, builds his case by shedding light on the high-ranking diplomat's many shadowy foreign actions, including an unauthorized bombing raid in Cambodia and a purported plot to oust Chilean leader Salvador Allende. Legal experts and former government officials also discuss Kissinger's controversial career.
Director
Eugene Jarecki
Producer
Alex Gibney, Eugene Jarecki
Screenwriter
Alex Gibney
Distributor
First Run
Production Co
Think Tank Films, Jigsaw Educational Productions Inc.
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 25, 2002, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 23, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$515.7K
Runtime
1h 20m
Sound Mix
Stereo