Crossing the Line

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Crossing the Line

2006,

1h 31m,

Documentary

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Watchlist

Watchlist

90%

20 Reviews

Tomatometer

85%

1,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

20 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

In this documentary, American Pfc. James Dresnok, on duty in Korea in 1962, walks across the border to the north and becomes one of four western defectors. Used as a propaganda tool by the communist government, Dresnok's motives are never political or made entirely clear. During a court-martial by the U.S., Dresnok does little to defend his actions and remains in North Korea. Marrying a Romanian woman, then later a Korean with whom he has children, Dresnok finds an odd peace in his new country.

Critics Consensus

An engrossing look at the aftermath of largely forgotten events during the Cold War, Crossing the Line raises questions that will haunt the viewer after the credits roll.

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Richard Brody

The New Yorker

Oct 26, 2020

The vertiginous play of ideology and identity and the sheer strangeness of Dresnok's experience (as well as that of three other American defectors from the sixties) make this film absorbing; the glimpses of life in North Korea make it important.

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Scott Tobias

AV Club

Aug 10, 2007

B

Crossing The Line lacks the force and power of a strong point of view, but like Gordon's other work about North Korea, it succeeds in revealing what it means for individuals to give themselves over to a collective.

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V.A. Musetto

New York Post

Aug 10, 2007

3/4

Fascinating.

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Sep 3, 2009

B+

Bizarrely fascinating documentary.

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Robert W. Butler

Kansas City Star

Nov 2, 2007

3/4

There are no absolute answers to these questions, but like a brain-tickling puzzle, Crossing the Line keeps us on our toes and digging for more information.

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Scott Foundas

L.A. Weekly

Oct 11, 2007

Crossing the Line, like its subject, remains a fascinating and frustrating enigma -- a declassified government report still marred by redacted passages.

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Read all reviews

Daniel Gordon

Director

Christian Slater

Narrator

Daniel Gordon

Producer

Nicholas Bonner

Producer

Nick Bennet

Cinematographer

Peter Haddon

Film Editing

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Synopsis

In this documentary, American Pfc. James Dresnok, on duty in Korea in 1962, walks across the border to the north and becomes one of four western defectors. Used as a propaganda tool by the communist government, Dresnok's motives are never political or made entirely clear. During a court-martial by the U.S., Dresnok does little to defend his actions and remains in North Korea. Marrying a Romanian woman, then later a Korean with whom he has children, Dresnok finds an odd peace in his new country.

Director: Daniel Gordon
Producer: Daniel Gordon, Nicholas Bonner
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 25, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $9.3K
Runtime: 1h 31m

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