Browse Films

In 1971, Daniel Ellsberg, a high-level Pentagon official and Vietnam War strategist, concludes that the war is based on decades of lies and leaks 7,000 pages of top secret documents to The New York Times, making headlines around the world.

THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN IN AMERICA is a riveting story of how one man’s profound change of heart created a landmark struggle involving America’s newspapers, president and Supreme Court-- a political thriller whose events led directly to Watergate, Nixon’s resignation and the end of the Vietnam War. 

  "A great teaching tool!  The Pentagon Papers controversy remains the key test case of press freedom vs. national security and this film brilliantly lays out the competing claims with a rare combination of objectivity and passion."    -- Robert Scheer, Journalist and professor of Communications, University of Southern California

 “Riveting! A straight-ahead, enthralling story of moral courage. This story changed the world.  The movie offers one revelatory interview after another. CRITICS’ PICK!”  – David Edelstein, New York Magazine

“Detailed, clearly told, persuasive” – Mike Hale, The New York Times

 “A Must-See! Crams a wealth of material into 90 minutes without losing clarity or momentum.   Focuses on (Ellsberg’s) moral turnaround, which directly impacted history. A unique fusion of personal and social drama.”  – Ronnie Scheib, Variety


Academy Award Nominee- Best Documentary Feature

Freedom of Expression Award - National Board of Review

Official selection - Toronto International Film Festival

Special Jury Award  - International Documentary Film Festival, Amsterdam (IDFA)

Winner, Jury Award - It's All True (Sao Paulo, Brazil)

Best in Fest- San Luis Obispo Film Festival

Audience Award - Palm Springs international Film Festival

Detailed, clearly told, persuasive
Mike Hale
The New York Times
full review

A Must-See! Crams a wealth of material into 90 minutes without losing clarity or momentum.... A unique fusion of personal and social drama.
Ronnie Scheib
Variety
full review

"The essential new documentary."
Joshua Rothkopf
Time Out New York
full review

"Earnest, smart documentary.... the filmmakers do an astounding job relating how Ellsberg brought the Pentagon Papers (which laid out in plain language how the Pentagon and White House had been lying through their teeth to the public about the war) to light...a thrilling journalistic drama, easily the equal of Deep Throat."
Chris Barsanti
The Hollywood Reporter
full review

Gary Goldstein
Los Angeles Times
full review

More Reviews

AWARDS & SCREENINGS:

Resource Web Sites

Ellsberg website

The Pentagon Papers, Gravel edition

Theatrical playdates