Skip to content

Tonight Collections Voices The Daily Library

Search films, people and collections/

Advanced search

A Criterion Channel companion.

Tonight
On 24/7
Leaving soon
Recently added
Fresh from theaters

Collections
Adventures in Moviegoing
Observations on Film Art
Meet the Filmmakers
Box sets
Editions

Closet
Top 10s
Commentators
The Feed

Lists
Want to watch
Favorites
Profile

© 2026 Criteria. Not affiliated with The Criterion Collection.

Still from The Fog of War — The Fog of War (2003) — Errol MorrisPhotographed by Robert Chappell and Peter Donahue

Poster for The Fog of War

The Fog of War

English / 2003 / 1h 47m

Not streamingNot currently on the Criterion Channel.

Documentary History War TV Movie

Letterboxd: 3.98/5·20.7K ratings·3K reviewson Letterboxd
Connections: View Connections

Synopsis

Using archival footage, cabinet conversation recordings, and an interview of the 85-year-old Robert McNamara, The Fog of War depicts his life, from working as a WWII whiz-kid military officer, to being the Ford Motor Company's president, to managing the Vietnam War as defense secretary for presidents Kennedy and Johnson.

Included in
Legacies of War: Vietnam Across the Divides
Position 12
Included in
30 Years of Art-House Hits: A Tribute to Sony Pictures Classics
Position 10
Included in
November 2022
Position 67

Credits

Crew

DirectorErrol Morris

CinematographerRobert Chappell, Peter Donahue

ComposerPhilip Glass

EditorDoug Abel, Chyld King, Karen Schmeer

ProducerErrol Morris, Michael Williams, Julie Ahlberg

Cast

Robert McNamaraas Self

Errol Morrisas Self (uncredited)

Fidel Castroas Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

Barry Goldwateras Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

John F. Kennedyas Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

Nikita Khrushchevas Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

Curtis LeMayas Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

Richard Nixonas Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

Harry Reasoneras Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

Franklin D. Rooseveltas Self (voice) (archive footage) (uncredited)

Woodrow Wilsonas Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

Double Feature

Streaming now, and why it pairs with this film

Poster for The Thin Blue Line

The Thin Blue Line1988

Both directed by Errol Morris

Or

Gates of Heaven1978Both directed by Errol Morris
Vernon, Florida1981Both directed by Errol Morris

The Fog of War (2003) | Criteria