MovieChat Forums > The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers (2009) Discussion > Ellberg + Randy Keller 2-shot

Ellberg + Randy Keller 2-shot

posted 14 years ago by profebc
5 replies | jump to latest

This doc has a lot to recommend it: a love story, great dialog courtesy of fmr. pres. Nixon, and a dramatic arc. But the moment in that dramatic arc that really makes it cinema for me is the shot of Ellsberg telling Randy Keller how the latter's civil disobedience inspired him. It's a simple two-shot over Keller's shoulder, but the backstory has been told with great archival footage so that we feel Ellsberg feel the emotions of his decision again and again.

Most secondary footage usually features one-shots of participants recalling events, but this two-shot holds Ellsberg's respect for a man who gave his all he had. Because of his position in the government, Ellsberg had much more to give; his willingness to give it up made him dangerous.

Now in Iraq, without the draft, who are the Kellers to inspire an Ellsberg?

[–] bruce-129 14 years ago

> Now in Iraq, without the draft, who are the Kellers to inspire an Ellsberg?

Good question. Just what do people think has changed in 40 years?

The security has gotten much much tighter and more compartmentalized.

Technology has made it possible to find out everything about someone, and to
follow their every move. Even our representatives in the House and Senate are
probably surveilled to ensure nothing ever happens like this again.

I thought the most interesting part of the movie was when Ellsberg was relating his
conversation with Kissinger about being exposed to classified secrets and the effect
it will have on him.

That is a great insight into what keeps this juggernaut moving in the same direction.
What makes anyone think that any President thinks any more highly of the American
civilians than the Viet Namese?

And of course the recordings of Nixon talking about how he did not care about any
of the civilians that were killed in Viet Nam, and talking about using nuclear weapons
to blow up the dikes.

An amazing movie that documents what is probably the last gasp of civialian attempt
at democracy.

[–] dab6 14 years ago

That was a powerful moment in the film. I kind of wish we got to know more about Ellsberg himself in the film. I hope someone writes a full biography of him before he dies.

[–] oneseat 14 years ago

Yes, that footage is very moving. He says something to the effect of, "My life was split in two." It was painful for him, but you almost have to envy someone having such a powerful epiphany that he has no choice but to start a new life.

So true about the draft, but the all-volunteer military has given us something of a Keller in the guy who got the damning docs to Wikileak. It may well eventually produce a less flawed modern-day Keller. What I want to know is where are today's Ellsberg's in the Pentagon, the CIA, etc.?

[–] profebc 13 years ago

Good point about Wikileaks. It would appear that Bradley Manning is not alone.

[–] KarinStrata 9 years ago

I met Daniel Ellsberg during a conference two weeks ago, where he stated that he greatly admires Chelsea Manning and Edward Snowden.