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Post-viewing Exercise

After viewing the film answer the following questions. You can also refer to the table from the pre-viewing exercise.

The opening seems to suggest that the Gulf of Tonkin incident needs special attention and will have particular importance in this film. On the basis of what you later learn do you think it deserves or receives this particular attention?

What do you make of the idea of presenting McNamara in a seemingly unguarded moment with the press? He appears to be eager to please them - bending over backwards to ensure they are fully informed in the way a lecturer would hope to make his subject clear to students. (McNamara was a university professor before commerce and then politics called on his services.)

During Lesson #10 McNamara makes the following statement: "Never, never, never say never! Never answer the question that has been asked of you. Answer the question that you wished had been asked of you." How does this alter your view, possibly, of him in the opening moments of The Fog of War?

What relationship do you feel the film is trying to suggest between McNamara and the feverish activity associated with a build up to armed conflict? How could the juxtaposition of a press conference and these scenes suggest both McNamara’s power and also his responsibility?