The Trials of Henry Kissinger

This is the way a documentary should be done! I like it much more than "Bowling For Columbine," which doesn't fully justify its' positions as well as this film does. The filmmaker here interviews people from all sides of the political spectrum to illustrate why this man who seems so likeable in the public eye is in fact responsible for the most secretive, heinous attrocities in modern American history. The film also offers a disturbing portrait of American foreign policy and is made more poignant by the climate of current events. Clearly, one also has to wonder how we can justify bringing people like Radovan Karadic for heinous war crimes when we have such criminals in our own backyard. And, if we truly are the policemen of the world, then maybe it's time we clean up the force. Very good film. Should be considered the best of 2002, with "The Two Towns of Jasper" a close second.

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.

This movie deserves anywhere from 6.5 stars to 7. No more, no less. The editing & narration is done in such a shuffled & boring way that I had to stop the movie 3 times in 2 days. I couldn't finish it in one sitting. The reason why this is important is because I've been watching war documentaries all this week- hoping to compile my own with all I've seen. I've taken notes on SuperPower, Manufacturing Consent, Sicko, Commanding Heights, The Secret Government, 911 Road to Tyranny, Fog of War, and this. This by far as been the most boring movie I've had to take notes on. Not just boring, but depressing as well. How a man like this can assume so much power is beyond me, but then again he is a "Rockefeller" man, so I shouldn't be surprised one bit. As far as I knew he was Rockefeller pawn, in that the evil bastard used him to do his bidding. I know the 2 were in cahoots, so this explains why he gave Nixon & himself so much power, as well as the CIA etc. These evil men acted as a cancer to an already sick democratic society, and it is all but Game Over. I have learned enough to know that a lot of sick men like HK have spread their influence too wide, & too covertly to show any difference. (Too the unaware anyway.)

This movie has good information, and it's about the only documentary I know of that investigates Henry Kissinger solely. As someone mentioned he was involved with the 9/11 commission. More proof in my eyes that it was an inside job carried about by the Masons. Henry even gives a masonic handshake to one of the Vietnamese prime ministers or what not. As shown in the video 10-13 seconds at the very beginning. Don't think of me as a conspiracy theorist, but as a historical analyst. There's lot's of proof showing the plan/steps for a New World Order. Don't underestimate the Free Masonic influence in America & all across the world either. You shall see one day. I'll be working to prove it.

'The Trials of Henry Kissinger', directed by Eugene Jarecki and written by Alex Gibney (adapted from Christopher Hitchens' book) is definitely a film that, if it were actually given a wide enough audience, would provoke some fairly strong reactions. Not knowing a lot about Kissinger other than he is a successful and generally well-respected American diplomat, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I knew that the subject matter would be fairly inflammatory.

My assumption was correct, and the film provides some very compelling facts that aren't just food for thought; it is a veritable feast. Essentially, Kissinger is accused of, throughout his career, orchestrating actions and events that not only make him appear to be egotistical and Machiavellian, but basically a war criminal as well. Among the many topics covered in this 80 minute documentary are Kissinger's rise to prominence, the bombing of Cambodia, his involvement with the genocide in East Timor and the coup in Chile. Kissinger's rise hit a crescendo during the Nixon administration, and while Alexander Haig is still staunchly supportive of him, others such as William Safire are calling him a liar and criminal on camera. I have not read Hitchens' book of the same name, (though I am familiar with his work with the publication Vanity Fair) but if the excellent research in 'The Trials of Henry Kissinger' is any indication, the book must be an intelligent and compelling one worth looking at.

I am honestly not remotely familiar enough with the events and topics that were raised to form a solid enough opinion regarding Kissinger himself, but 'The Trials of Henry Kissinger' serves as a well-researched and thorough primer regarding Kissinger's rise and involvement in said events and topics.

The film also gets my greatest stamp of approval – I want to dig deeper into this subject so that I CAN form an opinion, and 'The Trials of Henry Kissinger' is the reason behind this need for further research. Inflammatory, but extremely thought-provoking, 'The Trials of Henry Kissinger' is a film that should be viewed. 8/10

Shelly

If you don't know who the 80 year old Kissinger is, you may want to pass on this film. However, if you watched his career as an intellectual, statesman, Playgirl centerfold, master of doublespeak, and perpetual bad hair day guy, then you may find this documentary compelling. The film is a credible and balanced indictment, given time constraints, which tells of Kissinger's rise to power and ultimate abuse of that power which, hindsight being 20:20, contributed substantially to the killing fields of Cambodia, the horrific war in East Timor, and an assassination in Chile which led to a brutal dictatorship in which American interests were strictly commercial. Directly or Indirectly, the renown Nobel Laureate de faux pas, may have caused the unjustifiable deaths of enough innocents to qualify him as a war criminal and yet today he has sufficient credibility to gain appointment, though short lived, as top cop in the 911 disaster investigation, still serves as CEO of his own consulting firm, and leaves the telltale odor of megaloegomania wherever he goes. An intriguing digest of Hitchens book of the same name. (B)