Audience Choice Award
The Most Dangerous Man in America:
Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers
Directed by: Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith
This Academy Award® nominated documentary is a timely reminder of the costs of the American debacle
in Vietnam, and the importance of speaking truth to power. Daniel Ellsberg, once a dedicated cold
warrior and Vietnam war planner, came to see that war as a crime. In an attempt to end the war, he took
a 47-volume top-secret Pentagon study out of his safe and leaked it to the New York Times. Dubbed by
Henry Kissinger as “the most dangerous man in America,” Ellsberg was targeted by President Nixon, who
feared Ellsberg might leak some of Nixon’s own war plans. “Screw the courts,” said the President, “let’s try
the son-of-a-bitch in the press.” The compelling story of Ellsberg’s change of heart is also an incisive look
at government secrecy as revealed by the ultimate insider. This political thriller involves a First Amendment
battle between America’s most prominent newspapers and the President, a landmark Supreme Court
decision, and a twisting trail that leads to the Watergate scandal, President Nixon’s resignation, and, finally,
the end of the war in Vietnam. (93 minutes) Academy Award® nominee, Best Documentary.
This Academy Award® nominated documentary is a timely reminder of the costs of the American debacle
in Vietnam, and the importance of speaking truth to power. Daniel Ellsberg, once a dedicated cold
warrior and Vietnam war planner, came to see that war as a crime. In an attempt to end the war, he took
a 47-volume top-secret Pentagon study out of his safe and leaked it to the New York Times. Dubbed by
Henry Kissinger as “the most dangerous man in America,” Ellsberg was targeted by President Nixon, who
feared Ellsberg might leak some of Nixon’s own war plans. “Screw the courts,” said the President, “let’s try
the son-of-a-bitch in the press.” The compelling story of Ellsberg’s change of heart is also an incisive look
at government secrecy as revealed by the ultimate insider. This political thriller involves a First Amendment
battle between America’s most prominent newspapers and the President, a landmark Supreme Court
decision, and a twisting trail that leads to the Watergate scandal, President Nixon’s resignation, and, finally,
the end of the war in Vietnam. (93 minutes) Academy Award® nominee, Best Documentary. This film and the appearance of Mr. Ellsberg
are made possible by the generous support of
Old Gold and Mike and Mary Schuh
2010 Mendocino Film Festival