The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers

2010 Academy Award® Nominee

We’ve recently received a matching challenge donation of $10,000.  Please help us raise the matching funds for outreach to support the film during this critical period.  All donations are tax-deductible.  Thank you!


Complete list of upcoming playdates and live appearances

Berkeley, CALandmark Shattuck – Now Playing
San Francisco, CA
Landmark Embarcadero – Now Playing
New York, NY
Cinema Village – Now Playing
Boston, MALandmark Kendall Sq – Now Playing
Washington DCLandmark E Street – Now Playing
Calgary, ABPlaza Theatre – Now Playing
Winnipeg, MB
- Winnipeg Film Group – March 3-4
Santa Cruz, CA
- Nickolodeon Theatre – Opens March 5
Pittsburgh, PAHarris Theatre – March 5-11

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Riveting! A straight-ahead, enthralling story of moral courage. This story changed the world.  The movie offers one revelatory interview after another. CRITICS’ PICK!
- David Edelstein, New York magazine

Detailed, clearly told, persuasive…”
- Mike Hale, The New York Times

The most exciting thriller I’ve seen in a while – as powerful as anything Hollywood can throw at us.”
- V.A. Musetto, New York Post

“[A] gripping story… comprehensively detailed in Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith’s evocative documentary.”
- Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times

“A Must-See! Crams a wealth of material into 90 minutes without losing clarity or momentum. Focuses on (Ellsberg’s) moral turnaround, which directly impacted history. A unique fusion of personal and social drama.” – Ronnie Scheib, Variety

“The filmmakers do an astounding job… earnest, smart documentary…  “The Most Dangerous Man” offers a brisk and eye-opening approach to recent history.”
- Chris Barsanti, Hollywood Reporter

Most Dangerous Man Nominated for Academy Award®!!

It’s a Great Day for Conscience!

We are so honored to be included among the five docs nominated for the 2010 Oscar® for Best Documentary Feature!  This is a wonderful opportunity to spread awareness about Daniel Ellsberg’s amazing story and inspire new generations of whistleblowers.  Thanks to the Academy and all our supporters!

You can continue your support by donating and spreading the word….

New Reviews in Filmmaker Magazine, Still in Motion…

Filmmaker Magazine

As a history lesson, Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith’s enthralling new documentary, The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers, is as solid as a textbook, stitching together old broadcast footage, first-person testimony, tart excerpts from the Nixon White House tapes, and noirish recreations into riveting, revelatory political drama.

Still in Motion

With exceedingly well-crafted and intelligent interviews, deft, expertly-paced editing by Michael Chandler, Lawrence Lerew and Goldsmith, and a tightly written script by Lerew, Goldsmith, Ehrlich and Chandler, The Most Dangerous Man in America should be required viewing for every citizen in this nation.  The film opens at the Cinema Village in New York this Friday.  Check here for opening dates in theaters in other cities.

The Chosen One

This fascinating subject matter allows the filmmakers to create a documentary that is at times reminiscent of Man on Wire and The Fog of War both in tone and filmmaking prowess, and it’s equally as entertaining and informative in telling the story about a man whose legacy in helping end the Vietnam …

MDM wins Audience Award for Best Doc at Palm Springs IFF

Thanks to everyone who came out to support the film at the 2010 Palm Springs International Film Festival.  We’re honored to have been selected for the Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature!  The film also screened at the Palm Springs High School Auditorium for 1000 diverse and inspired students from across the Coachella Valley.  See some photos on our Facebook page and see the writeup from the Palm Springs Desert Sun:

The audience pick for Best Documentary Feature, “The Most Dangerous Man In America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers,” benefited from appearances by Ellsberg, who blew the whistle on White House lies about the Vietnam War in 1971 and moved many filmgoers to tears at his Q&As.

Screenings in Berlin, Warsaw, and Hudson, NY

We are screening in Berlin on December 2 at 9:15pm at the Kino Arsenal Saal 1 as part of the One World Berlin Festival.

And in Warsaw, Poland on December 5-6 as part of the Watch Docs / Human Rights in Film Festival.  Director Judith Ehrlich will be on hand at both events.

Also, from December 10 – January 2, we’ll be screening at Time and Space Limited in Hudson, NY.

MDM wins Special Jury Award at IDFA 2009!

After being invited to IDFA’s Central Pitch last year, we were honored to return with our film in the main competition and win the Special Jury Award this year.

The jury awarded the special jury prize to this documentary for its comprehensive chronicle of one man’s battle to end the war in Vietnam. This portrait of Daniel Ellsberg is important in every sense and particularly now, inspirational. It is a work of the highest craft and execution, that tells a riveting story while underscoring the lasting significance of Ellsberg’s most timely subversion.

Academy Award Documentary Short List Announced!

The 15 documentary features on the Academy’s Short List were recently announced.  Congratulations to all 15 films!

Dec. 2 – MDM Screening in Huntington NY at Cinema Arts Centre

The film will be screening at the Huntington, Long Island Cinema Arts Centre to celebrate the World March for Peace.  There will be a live webcast with either Daniel Ellsberg or Director Rick Goldsmith.  Tickets can be purchased at Brown Paper Tickets.

Opening Night Screening at the Ojai FF November 5

The 10th annual Ojai-Ventura International Film Festival kicks off on November 5th with a special screening event of “The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers.”

MDM wins Audience Award at Mill Valley Film Festival

We were honored to be presented with the Audience Award at MVFF!  Daniel and Patricia Ellsberg, Pete McCloskey, and Mike Gravel were all there for the screening and panel discussion sponsored by the New York Times.  Thanks for a great festival!