Fog of War

Gothamist is not the biggest fan of Chris Matthews and Hardball (we may be used to shouting, but Hardball makes our ears bleed), but we do recommend watching it tonight for Matthews's exclusive interview with former Secretary of Defense, Robert McNamara. McNamara, who served under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson and was involved with the Cuban Missile Crisis and Vietnam War, is the subject of the new documentary, Fog of War, by Errol Morris. Gothamist saw this film at the New York Film Festival last year and it was the best thing we saw there as well. It was fascinating to learn more about a man who tends to be reviled in two or three sentences in your high school social studies textbooks: He was an adviser during World War II (showing more "efficient" fire bombing could be); he helped develop the first seatbelts for Ford, later becoming president of the company; and he had a far more complex relationship with President Johnson than many suspected.

The Fog of War site has an interesting lesson plan (PDF) for teachers that acts as a great way for anyone to brush up on their history.

Robert McNamara's bio from the Department of Defense. An interview CNN did with him in 1996 for their Cold War series. The Village Voice on Errol Morris's process for making Fog of War.

Fog of War is playing at these NY theaters.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in Arts and Events on January 7, 2004 12:46 PM

Comments [rss]

Kate

McNamara was on Charlie Rose a few weeks back. Rose was pressing him hard, but McN refuses to comment on any current defense/political issues. He seemed both ashamed and unapologetic (a strange mix) about his involvement in some dubious events.

astrid

I saw it last week, and it is really quite good. Though in the Voice article Morris says that making it had nothing to do with our nation's current political situation, the parallels are obvious and eerie. Certain things McNamara says in the movie gave me a sinking feeling in my stomach because they are so applicable to current times -- about how in cases of war, people making decisions hear and see the things that they want to hear and see, and are blind to other explanations.

What does come through in the movie is what an intelligent and proud man McNamara is, and how clear it has hurt him to have been relegated to a scapegoat.

karatechimp

I need to see this film while I'm here in New York (as it's not playing anywhere else but NY and LA)

Big fan of Mr. Morris (Docs and Ads)

Jen

Maybe an exclusive for one hour between 7 and 8.

Serena

CNN's Diplomatic License interviewed McNamara a month or so ago...Hardball maybe a 2004 exclusive but hardly his only interveiw.

King Hippo

Not to seem insensitive, but I'm one of those that believe that rent control's a joke that serves no one but the few that managed to snag a place. According to the Times article:

"I live in fear with these increases," said Patricia McGovern, who pays $1,069 for a rent-controlled apartment in Tudor City in Manhattan. "They're just out of control."

If she's on fixed income and doesn't work, then why does she need to live near the UN? There are plenty of apartments in the outer boroughs near groceries and transportation for under $1000. So instead of renting the apartment to people who would most benefit from the location and can afford to pay the landlord what he would need to recoup his investment, the only result is that this woman gets to keep her apartment in prime Tudor City instead of having to move out to ::gasp:: Sunnyside or Rego Park.