The Fog of War film review

certificate_PG

THE FOG OF WAR

Robert McNamara was United States Secretary of Defence for seven years from 1960, serving first under JFK and subsequently under Lyndon B Johnson. It was a tumultuous time in U.S. and world history: the Cold War was at its zenith and the planet came close to extinction with the Cuban Missiles crisis. And then of course there was the little matter of the war in Vietnam. Errol Morris' absorbing new documentary features extended interviews with McNamara who proves to be a charming and effusive storyteller, and gives what will undoubtedly become a classic treatise on twentieth century world politics.

Originally intended as a one-hour television special, Morris conducted day-long interviews with his subject and soon realised he had enough for a full-length feature. In many ways, McNamara's story is the story of the twentieth century and for the first time we learn full and frank details of the American regime's thinking at a crucial period. Born in the first great war - which the then President Wilson cited as the war to end all wars - McNamara served in the Army during WWII and was a medium ranking officer during the destruction of Japan. An erudite and scholarly man, he then proceeded to work for the giant Ford company, becoming the first non-family President in 1960. A life of wealth and executive power seemed certain until five week later the call came from JFK.

Told as a series of lessons, the film is divided into eleven tenets which McNamara has learned from being at the frontline of international politics. Each one is illustrated with a remarkable selection of old footage, photographs and documents and scored with a beautiful Philip Glass composition. McNamara has seen and learned much more than the average man, but his down-to-earth approach and humble nature makes us realise that even at the highest level of politics, human nature still governs every decision.

Despite his advanced age of 85, McNamara appears in remarkably good health and has the energy of a man thirty years his younger. This is all the more startling when you consider the stresses he has endured when deciding to send thousands of American soldiers abroad to face possible death. Looking back now, he says, he admits that he made mistakes, and while he also realises that war is inevitable due to human nature, it is also the most futile act man can commit against man.