Why We Fight
A provocative political documentary traces Eisenhower’s warning about the military-industrial complex into the tangled realities of modern American warfare.
Overview
A thought-provoking exploration of the military-industrial complex and its implications for society.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- serious
- investigative
- provocative
- political discussion
- history study
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as provocative and timely in its exploration of the military-industrial complex and the forces that lead nations to war.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Eisenhower's warning anchors interviews about the entanglement of political, corporate, and Defense Department interests.
Eisenhower's departure address provides the framing premise for analysis of the world in 2004.
The film assembles perspectives from Chalmers Johnson, Gore Vidal, Richard Perle, William Kristol, and other policy commentators.
Its subject and documentary form build an analytical case through historical political material and interview testimony.
Films like Why We Fight, and why
The Fog of War
shared investigative documentary form and critique of military power, political influence, and national security institutions
The Unknown Known
shared political documentary mode examining war policy, government decision-making, and American power
Fahrenheit 9/11
shared polemical documentary approach to U.S. foreign policy, intervention, and the human consequences of war
The War Tapes
shared historical and political analysis of institutions, ideology, and the forces shaping modern warfare
Movie Details
- Director
- Eugene Jarecki
- Release Date
- 2005-01-20
- Runtime
- 98 min
- Rating
- 7.5 / 10 (125)
Cast
- Chalmers Johnson
- Joseph Cirincione
- Gore Vidal
- Charles Lewis
- Richard Perle
- William Kristol
- John McCain
- Ken Adelman
- John Ashcroft
- Osama bin Laden
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Artiflix
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Why We Fight about?
- A provocative political documentary traces Eisenhower’s warning about the military-industrial complex into the tangled realities of modern American warfare.
- What is Why We Fight like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Why We Fight as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Why We Fight violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Why We Fight as moderate.
- What did critics think of Why We Fight?
- Critics broadly regard the film as provocative and timely in its exploration of the military-industrial complex and the forces that lead nations to war.
- Which films are like Why We Fight?
- Films with a similar feel include The Fog of War, The Unknown Known, Fahrenheit 9/11, and The War Tapes.
- How long is Why We Fight?
- Why We Fight runs 98 minutes.
- Where can I watch Why We Fight?
- In United States, Why We Fight streams on Artiflix.
