Not bad. But I file this under the rubric of being yet-another face- saving exercise. It showcases all the horrors of Vietnam, and Elsberg as a kind of redemptive icon. Understand: I'm sure Elsberg had his realization and the work he did to undo the damage is... yes, even heroic. But there's something about producing a consumable media product that dances these elements about on a screen (and throws in a de rigueur love interest) for our delectation that only serves to hint at the fathomless American lostness; American perdition.The U.S. has yet to stand on a mountaintop and scream it: Vietnam was a war crime. The Vietnam Memorial on the mall is a monument to (more or less) unwitting dupes to planetary deadly gangster hubris. Germany has come to terms with its war crimes; when will the U.S. come to terms with its own?Sigh: I give it an 7 because, dammit, it's a technically fine product, and it does tell a story, and it's arguably (still) an important story. But it loses points for the same reason that a "Brave New World" "feelie" would lose points among sensible folks. I worry that this flick is yet-another makeover of the corpse of The-U.S.-in-Vietnam.

The Pentagon Papers looked interesting enough when I randomly grabbed it off the shelf. I admit I am not by any means a fan of James Spader, I've always found him stiff and very self serving but in this case it absolutely worked for his character. Based on an incredible true story that few people know or remember and in fact was an enormous turning point in history. It changed the way everyone looked at Government and (if you believe the film) single handedly ended the United States' longest and losing war. Veteran TV director Rod Holcomb did a brilliant job capturing the era without over doing it and more importantly capturing the man that the film was about. He draws you into the story and keeps you in the time for each event. The film is quite short considering it's depth and time line and yet it never feels rushed...it's almost perfection. A brilliant TV film that is a must see for conspiracy buffs and more importantly history fans.Spader plays Daniel Ellsberg. A self involved, pontificating but important man who creates war reports and strategies for the U.S. He wants nothing more than to work directly for The President of The United States and change the world with his mind. He lives in a world clouded by the opinion that the government is the be all and end all. He takes this opinion to Vietnam with him when he gets a job with the Secretary of Defense. It's only after he returns to the U.S. and is given a top secret document that he helped write that his whole world is shattered. Spader does a great job showing Ellsberg's deep patriotism, and his life devoted to his work. Spader is actually watchable and does a great job. I would have even given him an Emmy which is something considering I can't stand the guy usually. Claire Forlani also turns out a great performance as reporter Patricia Marx, and Spader's love interest and later wife. She usually plays such soft spoken characters I thought it was just in her blood to do so but Marx is an outspoken, strong female character and Forlani does great. Her and Spader have terrific chemistry and are great together. Paul Giamatti shows up as a co-worked and later peace advocate/hippie and he continues his streak of brilliant support acting. His presence is just welcomed and he always ups the ante of any cast. In this particular role, although small he does a great job. Actor Alan Arkin plays Spader's boss who acquires him The Pentagon Papers. He was Emmy award nominated and his role was good don't get me wrong, he's a terrific actor and been around for many, many years but his role is very small.The Film covers the brutal war in Vietnam, the Watergate scandal and the involvement of 4 sitting Presidents spanning nearly thirty years. It's intriguing and thought provoking and a must see. Brilliant performances on top of an even more brilliant story about a man who changed the face of history quite bravely. For everything this film does in ninety minutes it's remarkable because it never feels rushed and it covers so much. It's one of the most intelligent and entertaining films I've ever seen, and based on fact. Definitely a must see!! 9/10

This real story describes how did Daniel Ellsberg try to stop Vietnam War. He was one of them who thought the victory belongs to USA. But when he was being a inspector in Vietnam, he started to doubt himself. The papers for evaluating the situation of the war for Vietnam from Rand Corporation is totally changed him. I don't know anything about Vietnam War before seeing this movie. And this movie makes me to recall another movie, Fahrenheit 911. Both movies are different in style. One is telling the truth in back, the other one may be a truth, too. One is using serious way, the other one using a humorous way(but we should take it seriously, war is not a funny thing). I think anything has connection with politics, that will be the most terrible thing. Because everybody has a dark side. No one is totally bright!(That is that guy's dark side is having huge bright proportion.) I don't think Daniel Ellsberg is a traitor. If he is, he betrayed to the law which protect people who make wrong decision and don't want to take responsibility.

The television had been plaguing me with advertisements for The Pentagon Papers, and my interest in the government and conspiracies and the CIA et cetera had already been piqued, so I decided to watch it.Unfortunately, I wasn't at home when it came on, so I taped it, and when I finally got around to watching it, I was hooked.Excellent movie for anyone who enjoys movies about the government and conspiracies and especially Vietnam.