The Trap: What Happened to Our Dream of Freedom

I missed The Power of Nightmares recently so this was my first experience of the films from Adam Curtis. Perhaps, one could say, trying to get used to his style while also trying to take in his cases for societal changes about self interest, market forces, drugs, management styles, genetic control, economics and God knows what. And well perhaps you would be right to say that because no matter how well structured the three part series is, it is still a real challenge to take in and digest one point before the next one comes along.

Of course this is not a bad thing because normally watching television is quite a vegetative state (and if anyone can vouch for that, it is me) so having something that forces you to put your brain in gear is not bad thing. This isn't the same as me saying that Curtis is totally correct in his points or that I completely belief the basis for all the theories and points of view put across here. The reviews of Power of Nightmares (for example) seem to be good when the reviewer agrees with the viewpoint and bad when the reverse is true. I find this a shame and I suspect that it will mostly be the same here because of course if you spend three hours nodding and going "preach brother" then you will no doubt have already decided that it is great series.

Personally I found the delivery and degree of research to be very impressive. The archive footage is mostly very good and the non-relevant use (eg old movies etc) is not overused and is mostly in context. In regards the research and structure of the thesis I cannot even imagine how it is done with a team of people who are all either on the very same word on the same page politically or are very well directed by the man at the top because the basis for the whole argument (not just specific points) is really well done and supported. I don't agree with all the points made or the roots of some of the social changes that Curtis suggests and I think that if you come to this series without any opinion or thoughts of your own then you are probably not in the right frame of mind to appreciate it because I found it more valuable as a tool to spark thoughts in my own head and question what I "know" and also question what I am being told in this series.

Of course the accusations of political slant will be all over this series as with the last and perhaps at some points there is a case to be answered because New Labour is regular target – although I do think this is more to do with the part they play within society of the last ten years rather than a deliberate attempt to drag them into everything. Unexpectedly for me, the main problem I had with it was how it tended to repeat some arguments and go over topics it had already covered but this was a minor quibble for me.

Overall then an interesting and engaging thesis on the nature of recent societal change and theory. It didn't all convince me and had bits that I did disagree with no matter how well structured the argument was but it did make me think, which can only be a good thing. I'm not saying I agreed with it all or that I understood it all, but it was an engaging series of films and certainly different from the rather sedentary documentaries that tend to be in the majority.

You may agree or disagree with the vision this documentary exudes. I certainly thought the steps taken where a bit rash at some places. I do agree however, with the message which is given as a whole.

Regardless of what your opinion is on current day socio/economic/political society. This documentary is of such outstanding cinematographic quality, that it just cannot be ignored. It looks like they went through all the pieces of film of the last 4 decades to make this! And the use of sound is simply astonishing.

I usually loathe the 'leading' documentary, like Michael Moores cheap propaganda I just refuse to watch out of principle. However, 'What Happened to Our Dream of Freedom' is very direct and conscious about it guiding the viewer. To redeem itself it simply contains so much facts and correct historical reference, it doesn't become a 'mockumentary'.

If you do not agree with the vision that we are all trapped in a system of numbers and targets, just see this film document as you would a riefenstahl. Commend it on it's graphical excellence supported with great sounds, a vicious style and sublime directing. See it anyway if you like (political) documentaries.

If you are a person that does connect with the message this document conveys: Try to see it as soon as you can and be enthralled.

This was a mostly a waste of 3 hours...I did like the portion about 'targets' promoted to hold government accountable, which became a total disaster as workers found all manner of destructive loopholes to appear successful, to get their maximum paycheck...but as a whole, it was a disjointed, boring mess with giant leaps of logic and false, blind conclusions drawn...I also liked the highlighting of mass death under communism...but then, did he go on to call for more government regulation, less privatization, to fight income inequality??...don't get me wrong, I hate what bush/cheney did and continue to do as much as anyone, but I will never again believe that MORE central government planning/regulation will help the people more than it harms...I would listen to elon: get government and their immortal regulations out of the way...AND LEARN FROM HISTORY.

Adam Curtis has insight into the world, more than Boris, Thatcher or Trump. He understands our paradox and how we will destroy ourselves.

Shot in similar fashion to Pandoras Box, with his unique style, a disturbing view of the world and our future. It's about the illusion of control, we think we have free will, but that is an ingrained illusion.

Ep 1 deals with the bomb, communism, sanity and how we rely on the atom. Moving onto politics. At times tender, he focuses on R D Laing at one point. Psychology abounds, about the idea of freedom, oppression. Game theory comes up again. A topic underlying Curtis' films.

Curtis, still alive in 2024 is an exceptional documentary maker, ignored by society as we watch YouTube clips, controlled by adverts and AI. He can see Armageddon coming and is, (hopefully) trying to warn us. He would be on my dinner party list.

He has a very distinctive visual and audio style, not to everyone's tastes. They, like the Zeitgeist movies are important to watch. You may not agree, but it makes you think. A lot of re-used footage, and how does he finds the clips?!!

But, it is interesting, if you read, or have any psychiatric background. If you are doing the Prime Minister's Degree, (PPE) - I have little doubt it has been watched by most of the Oxbridge set. Understand why the common man may belittle it, it is hard to get into if all you know is Facebook. Which is a shame, but if you are happy to be led, rather than to lead - go ahead.

In these times, (2024) more relevant than ever. Unique on the BBC, so rare these days. Nick Bloomfield does Rock and Roll, Louis Theroux does the lighter side. I can't believe theses series have not been ripped away from iPlayer. Catch them while you can.

They say history is written by the victors, my worry is that sooner or later these will be wiped. Elon Musk should have sent some bootlegs off in his red Tesla - that would keep the Aliens away until we blow up the world.

Much like his previous work, THE POWER OF NIGHTMARES, Adam Curtis' THE TRAP takes an intriguing and complex idea, the idea of freedom used by western governments, and expands it to three superb and detailed episodes, that looks how this idea has been developed, through cold war strategy, American psychiatry, political ideology and eventually to the Blair government and its use of free market ideas and target strategy's in public services. There is a lot to talk about, but all i would say is that, you need to watch it. If you want to watch a series that questions the state of things in the world and allows an intelligent and sensible argument as to how we have fallen into this false sense of freedom, that has led to the rise of social inequality and the disastrous attempt to establish democracy in Iraq, which has led to a rise in violent factions in the country itself and the rise of the threat of terror attacks in Britain, Europe and America, this series will draw you in as it is both revealing and eye opening, and the sort of intelligent documentary film making that we need more of. Naturally what sounds like a subject that may seem boring to some on paper, is perfectly handled by Curtis, who inter cuts talking head interviews along with a mountain of archive footage that is funny, revealing and disturbing. This is essential viewing.