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IMDbPro

The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz

  • 20142014
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 45m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
18K
YOUR RATING
Aaron Swartz in The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz (2014)
Traile for The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz
Play trailer2:11
2 Videos
5 Photos
  • Documentary
  • Biography
  • Crime
The story of programming prodigy and information activist Aaron Swartz, who took his own life at the age of 26.The story of programming prodigy and information activist Aaron Swartz, who took his own life at the age of 26.The story of programming prodigy and information activist Aaron Swartz, who took his own life at the age of 26.
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
18K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Brian Knappenberger
  • Writer
    • Brian Knappenberger
  • Stars
    • Aaron Swartz(archive footage)
    • Tim Berners-Lee
    • Cindy Cohn
Top credits
  • Director
    • Brian Knappenberger
  • Writer
    • Brian Knappenberger
  • Stars
    • Aaron Swartz(archive footage)
    • Tim Berners-Lee
    • Cindy Cohn
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 42User reviews
    • 62Critic reviews
    • 72Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins & 4 nominations

    Videos2

    The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz
    Trailer 2:11
    The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:11
    Official Trailer

    Photos

    Brian Knappenberger in The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz (2014)
    Aaron Swartz in The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz (2014)
    Aaron Swartz in The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz (2014)
    Aaron Swartz in The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz (2014)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Aaron Swartz
    Aaron Swartz
    • Selfas Self
    • (archive footage)
    Tim Berners-Lee
    Tim Berners-Lee
    • Self - Inventor of the World Wide Webas Self - Inventor of the World Wide Web
    Cindy Cohn
    Cindy Cohn
    • Selfas Self
    Gabriella Coleman
    Gabriella Coleman
    • Self - Wolfe Chair in Scientific and Technological Literacy - McGill Universityas Self - Wolfe Chair in Scientific and Technological Literacy - McGill University
    Cory Doctorow
    Cory Doctorow
    • Self - Author, Activist, and Journalistas Self - Author, Activist, and Journalist
    Peter Eckersley
    • Self - Technology Projects Direactor at EFFas Self - Technology Projects Direactor at EFF
    Stephen Heymann
    • Self - Asst. U.S. Attorney Massachusettsas Self - Asst. U.S. Attorney Massachusetts
    • (archive footage)
    Brewster Kahle
    Brewster Kahle
    • Self - Founder and Digital Librarian of the Internet Archiveas Self - Founder and Digital Librarian of the Internet Archive
    Orin Kerr
    • Selfas Self
    Lawrence Lessig
    Lawrence Lessig
    • Self - Director, Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University -- Founder, Creative Commonsas Self - Director, Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University -- Founder, Creative Commons
    Zoe Lofgren
    Zoe Lofgren
    • Self - Congresswoman, California's 19th Districtas Self - Congresswoman, California's 19th District
    Carl Malamud
    • Self - Founder of public.resource.orgas Self - Founder of public.resource.org
    Quinn Norton
    • Self - Freelance Writer, Wired Magazineas Self - Freelance Writer, Wired Magazine
    Tim O'Reilly
    • Self - Founder, O'Reilly Media Incas Self - Founder, O'Reilly Media Inc
    Elliot Peters
    • Self - Aaron's Defense Attorneyas Self - Aaron's Defense Attorney
    Alec Resnick
    • Self - Founder, Sproutas Self - Founder, Sprout
    David Segal
    • Self - Founder, Demand Progressas Self - Founder, Demand Progress
    Stephen Shultze
    • Self - Former Fellow, Berkman Center for Internet in Society at Harvardas Self - Former Fellow, Berkman Center for Internet in Society at Harvard
    • Director
      • Brian Knappenberger
    • Writer
      • Brian Knappenberger
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Quotes

      First Title Cards: Unjust Laws exist; shall we be content to obey them, or shall we edeavor to amend them, and obey them until we have suceeded, or shall we transgress them at once?- Henry David Thoreau

    • Connections
      Features The Wizard of Oz (1939)
    • Soundtracks
      Extraordinary Machine
      Written and Performed by Fiona Apple

    User reviews42

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    It's a sad story, but one worth hearing
    I don't know why the Aaron Swartz story was never on my radar, which is one of the reasons why The Internet's Own Boy was an eye-opener. His is a tragic story, and although the filmmakers secured screen time with (almost) all involved, it's sad that all we have from Swartz is archival webcam interview footage. The movie makes a persuasive case for his being made a high-profile example by the justice system, and there's enough here to leave you either irate or fearful (or both).

    Whether or not you agree with the man's politics, he made a difference - hell, he was instrumental in getting SOPA struck down, so he deserves our respect for that - and his story brings to light the need for fine-tuning the ancient copyright laws. Either way, this documentary delivers.

    7/10
    helpful•10
    1
    • Mr-Fusion
    • Jan 26, 2015

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 27, 2014 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Internets underbarn
    • Production companies
      • FilmBuff
      • Participant
      • Luminant Media
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $48,911
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $21,705
      • Jun 29, 2014
    • Gross worldwide
      • $48,911
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 45 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

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