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The Unknown Known

Play trailer Poster for The Unknown Known PG-13,  2014,  1h 42m,  Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist 82% 103 Reviews Tomatometer 70% 5,000+ Ratings Popcornmeter
82% Tomatometer 103 Reviews 70% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Donald Rumsfeld discusses his political career, from his days as a congressman to planning the invasion of Iraq.
The Unknown Known

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Viewers hoping to see Donald Rumsfeld admit making mistakes in public office (or hoping Errol Morris will force him to give straight answers) may find The Unknown Known frustrating -- but no less fascinating.

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Critics Reviews

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Jason Bailey Flavorwire Jun 18, 2016
He poses simple questions and lets them talk, and talk, and talk. In doing so, he gives them enough rope to hang themselves. Go to Full Review
Jennifer Dworkin Film Comment Magazine Apr 21, 2014
Morris's commentary comes in the form of stunning images ... and a truly beautiful score ... The Unknown Known is revealing, but what it reveals is emptiness. Go to Full Review
Bill Stamets Chicago Sun-Times Apr 18, 2014
3/4
[A] scary inquiry. Go to Full Review
Vadim Rizov Filmmaker Magazine Jan 25, 2023
Why not a new style rather than hiring someone to ape a past collaborator? That’s the exact problem repeated on every level. Go to Full Review
Jordan M. Smith IONCINEMA.com Nov 4, 2020
3/5
The film may not be Morris's strongest film, but it's certainly a worthy edition to the pantheon of investigative oddities he's been building over the course of the last three decades. Go to Full Review
Daniel Green CineVue Mar 8, 2019
4/5
A gladiatorial bout for the Information Age, we may not come out knowing a much more than we did going in, but it's hard to dismiss the historical value Morris' interrogation may have in the future. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Leia R May 16, 2018 Unfortunately, with Donald Rumsfeld maintaining his political dodginess, The Unknown Known does not bear the similar vindicating tones as the similarly shot Fog of War. See more
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The Unknown Known

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Errol Morris

Director

Donald Rumsfeld

Self

Errol Morris

Self

Errol Morris

Producer

Amanda Branson Gill

Producer

Robert Fernandez

Producer

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The Unknown Known

The Unknown Known (2013) The Unknown Known (2013) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Donald Rumsfeld discusses his political career, from his days as a congressman to planning the invasion of Iraq.
Director
Errol Morris
Producer
Errol Morris, Amanda Branson Gill, Robert Fernandez
Distributor
Radius TWC
Production Co
Moxie Pictures
Rating
PG-13 (Some Disturbing Images|Brief Nudity)
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 4, 2014, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$276.4K
Runtime
1h 42m
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