The Trials of Henry Kissinger (2002)

A film about the war crimes of the American diplomat, Henry Kissinger.

Director:

Eugene Jarecki

Writers:

Alex Gibney, Christopher Hitchens (book)

Stars:

Brian Cox, Henry Kissinger, Anna Chennault

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Brian Cox	...	Narrator (voice)
Henry Kissinger	...	Himself (archive footage)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Anna Chennault	...	Herself
Amy Goodman	...	Herself
Alexander Haig	...	Himself
Seymour Hersh	...	Himself (author)
Christopher Hitchens	...	Himself
Barbara Howar	...	Herself
Michael Korda	...	Himself (Editor-in-Chief, Simon & Schuster)
Lewis Lapham	...	Himself (Editor, Harper's Magazine)
Geoffrey Robertson	...	Himself (Human Rights Lawyer)
William Safire	...	Himself (New York Times)
René Schneider Jr.	...	Himself
Michael Tigar	...	Himself (Professor of Law)

Storyline

Part contemporary investigation and part historical inquiry, documentary follows the quest of one journalist in search of justice. The film focuses on Christopher Hitchens' charges against Henry Kissinger as a war criminal - allegations documented in Hitchens' book of the same title - based on his role in countries such as Cambodia, Chile, and Indonesia. Kissinger's story raises profound questions about American foreign policy and highlights a new era of human rights. Increasing evidence about one man's role in a long history of human rights abuses leads to a critical examination of American diplomacy through the lens of international standards of justice.

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Plot Keywords:

diplomat | diplomacy | american politics | power politics | political criminal | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA UK Denmark France Canada Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 May 2003 (France)

Also Known As:

Angeklagt: Henry Kissinger

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$14,667, 29 September 2002

Gross USA:

$516,726

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$521,266

Company Credits

Production Co:

Arte France Cinéma, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Diverse Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in The 2003 IFP Independent Spirit Awards (2003)

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Soundtracks

Mr. Big Stuff
(uncredited)
Performed by Jean Knight
Played during the segment discussing Kissinger's celebrity status

User Reviews

Best film doc of 2002

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.