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The Trials of Henry Kissinger

Play trailer Poster for The Trials of Henry Kissinger Released Sep 25, 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

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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 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. Aug 7, 2004 Full Review Marrit Ingman Austin Chronicle Eugene Jarecki amasses a compelling body of evidence suggesting that Kissinger should be formally investigated for a possible role in the CIA-supported coup. Rated: 3.5/5 Mar 10, 2003 Full Review Steven Rosen Denver Post The film is insightful about Kissinger's background and history. Rated: 3.5/4 Dec 13, 2002 Full Review Jay Antani Cinema Writer An Incendiary piece of a rather innocuous order Rated: 2.5/4 Sep 6, 2010 Full Review Kelly Vance East Bay Express Much of Kissinger's career has been spent smoothing the way for rich industrialists, ambitious rightwing politicos, military men, and, of course, himself. May 5, 2010 Full Review John A. Nesbit Old School Reviews provocative study Rated: B- Dec 3, 2009 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member 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. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member Lauding and riveting. This sheds light on the war crimes of former secretary of state Henry Kissinger. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Audience Member 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 Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/29/23 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review s r 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. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Gotta love the Hitch. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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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
Jigsaw Educational Productions Inc., Think Tank Films
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