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2014
PG-13
RADiUS-TWC
1 h 43 m

2014
PG-13
RADiUS-TWC
1 h 43 m

Summary In The Unknown Known, Errol Morris offers a portrait of Donald Rumsfeld, one of the key architects of the Iraq War, and a larger-than-life character who provoked equal levels of fury and adulation from the American public. Rather than conducting a conventional interview, Morris has Rumsfeld perform and expound on his “snowflakes,” tens ...

Directed By: Errol Morris

Written By: Errol Morris

2014
PG-13
RADiUS-TWC
1 h 43 m

2014
PG-13
RADiUS-TWC
1 h 43 m

The Unknown Known

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 30 Critic Reviews

69

User Score Generally Favorable Based on 13 User Ratings

6.8

My Score

Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary In The Unknown Known, Errol Morris offers a portrait of Donald Rumsfeld, one of the key architects of the Iraq War, and a larger-than-life character who provoked equal levels of fury and adulation from the American public. Rather than conducting a conventional interview, Morris has Rumsfeld perform and expound on his “snowflakes,” tens ...

Directed By: Errol Morris

Written By: Errol Morris

Where to Watch

Top Cast

Donald Rumsfeld

Self

Errol Morris

Self - Interviewer

View All Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews

Metascore

Generally Favorable Based on 30 Critic Reviews

77% Positive
23 Reviews

23% Mixed
7 Reviews

0% Negative
0 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

Metascore

Generally Favorable Based on 30 Critic Reviews

77% Positive
23 Reviews

23% Mixed
7 Reviews

0% Negative
0 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

The New York Times

Apr 1, 2014

The film is a cat-and-mouse game in which each player thinks he’s the cat, making it both thrilling and disconcerting to watch. It is also a nature documentary about behavior at the very top of the imperial food chain and a detective story about the search for a mystery that is hidden in plain sight.

By A.O. Scott FULL REVIEW

New York Daily News

Apr 3, 2014

Intoxicating, and at times maddening, to watch.

By Joe Neumaier FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

User Score

Generally Favorable Based on 13 User Ratings

62% Positive
8 Ratings

31% Mixed
4 Ratings

8% Negative
1 Rating

User Reviews

User Score

Generally Favorable Based on 13 User Ratings

62% Positive
8 Ratings

31% Mixed
4 Ratings

8% Negative
1 Rating

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Chicago Sun-Times

Apr 17, 2014

Focusing on Rumsfeld’s 2001-06 stint at the Pentagon, Morris scrutinizes his rhetoric and rationale for attacking Iraq and Afghanistan. Tactics and costs take a back seat to semantics.

By Bill Stamets FULL REVIEW

Sep 17, 2013

Over the course of 106 minutes, Rumsfeld's rambling assertions grow exhausting, particularly because Morris never manages to direct them toward a larger argument.

By Eric Kohn FULL REVIEW

Entertainment Weekly

Apr 2, 2014

To take the playfully convoluted, semi-nonsensical aggression of Rumsfeld's language and make it the whole point of a movie is to fall into the trap of mistaking the spin for the story.

By Owen Gleiberman FULL REVIEW

Mar 26, 2014

Morris's new subject looks relaxed and comfortable as ever lobbing out the same old evasions. He probably loves the attention from the Oscar-winning director.

By Joshua Rothkopf FULL REVIEW

Sep 17, 2013

Morris gives it the old college try, but Rumsfeld is too smooth an operator to let anything slip.

By Robbie Collin FULL REVIEW

See All 30 Critic Reviews

Details

Production Company History Films, Moxie Pictures, Participant, RADiUS-TWC

Release Date Apr 2, 2014

Duration 1 h 43 m

Rating PG-13

Genres

Tagline Why is this man smiling?

View All Details

Awards

CPH:DOX

• 2 Nominations

International Film Music Critics Award (IFMCA)

• 1 Win & 1 Nomination

Bergen International Film Festival

• 1 Win & 1 Nomination

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