10 Best Errol Morris Documentaries: A Definitive Ranking for Film Enthusiasts

Written By Sebastian Sauerborn

Errol Morris has established himself as one of the most respected and influential documentary filmmakers ever, masterfully blending art and journalism in his captivating works. With a career spanning over four decades, Morris has tackled various subjects, from crime and politics to science and history, creating a compelling body of work that is thought-provoking and educational.

This article will delve into ten of the best Errol Morris movies, each documentary showcasing his unique storytelling and interviewing techniques. These selected films offer insights into diverse topics, reflecting the filmmaker's desire to explore the human condition and unearth truths hidden beneath the surface. These documentaries serve as an excellent introduction for anyone looking to discover the brilliance of Errol Morris and the insightful world he creates through his lens.

The Thin Blue Line

"The Thin Blue Line" is a groundbreaking documentary by Errol Morris, released in 1988. The film investigates the story of Randall Dale Adams, a man wrongfully convicted of murder in Texas. Morris's documentary not only brings to light the injustice of the conviction but also effectively uses the power of storytelling and reenactments to demonstrate the truth.

Impact on Innocence Project

"The Thin Blue Line" profoundly impacted the Innocence Project, which uses DNA evidence to exonerate wrongfully convicted individuals. As a result of the documentary, people became more aware of the flaws within the criminal justice system, leading to heightened interest in the work of the Innocence Project. Morris's documentary exemplified the power of well-crafted storytelling and showed that it could directly impact the lives of innocent people falsely accused of crimes.

The Fog of War

"The Fog of War" is a profound documentary by Errol Morris that examines the life and decisions of former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara. The film delves into McNamara's role in shaping American foreign policy during the Cold War, particularly in the Vietnam War. McNamara's experiences are presented through a series of interviews and archival footage, providing insight into the complex nature of warfare and decision-making.

Lessons from Robert McNamara

Lesson 1: Empathize with your enemy. McNamara emphasizes the importance of understanding an adversary's perspective in order to avoid miscommunication and enhance diplomatic efforts. This essential element of warfare strategy can lead to more effective conflict resolution. In the documentary, McNamara cites his interactions with former Vietnamese leaders, shedding light on the differing perspectives held by both parties.

Lesson 2: Rationality will not save us. Decision-making in war often relies on quantitative and rational analysis. However, McNamara recognizes that this may not always prevent catastrophic outcomes. Human emotions, beliefs, and cognitive biases can override rational judgment, leading to disastrous consequences.

Lesson 3: There is something beyond one's self. McNamara highlights the significance of comprehending the broader implications of one's actions and stepping outside of self-centered thinking. Decisions made during wartime can result in immense harm to others, necessitating greater empathy and understanding.

Lesson 4: Maximize efficiency. As a former corporate executive, McNamara applied principles of efficiency and resource management to his role in the government. While this approach can lead to more effective operations, the documentary examines whether such a mindset is always suitable for the complexities of war and its human consequences.

Lesson 5: Proportionality should be a guideline in war. McNamara argues that the response to an attack should be proportional to the enemy's actions. Disproportional retaliation risks escalating conflicts and causing unnecessary destruction. This concept is a crucial component of the ethical conduct of warfare.

These lessons from Robert McNamara, as presented in "The Fog of War," represent a broader exploration of the intricacies and challenges of decision-making in times of conflict. Errol Morris' documentary offers valuable insights for politicians, military personnel, and anyone seeking better to understand the complexities of human behavior and foreign policy.

The Unknown Known

The Unknown Known is one of Errol Morris' remarkable documentaries, which showcases his unique storytelling style. This film focuses on Donald Rumsfeld, the former United States Secretary of Defense, and his extensive political career. Morris leverages his well-respected interviewing technique to extract insights from Rumsfeld's life and work.

Revealing Donald Rumsfeld

In this documentary, Errol Morris delves into the life and career of Donald Rumsfeld, who held numerous positions in the U.S. government, including serving as Secretary of Defense twice. The documentary provides glimpses of Rumsfeld's time in the Nixon, Ford, and George W. Bush administrations using various interviews and archival footage.

Throughout The Unknown Known, Morris focuses on Rumsfeld's role during the Iraq War and how his decisions shaped the conflict. The film offers a platform for Rumsfeld to address controversial subjects such as the use of torture and the manipulation of intelligence data. These topics are explored primarily through Rumsfeld's eyes, offering a first-hand account of his thought process and rationale.

The documentary's title, The Unknown Known, refers to a statement Rumsfeld made during a 2002 press conference concerning the presence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. It highlights the complexities and uncertainties of political decision-making and the concept of known unknowns – things we are aware we don't know – and unknown knowns – things we should know but neglect or fail to emphasize.

By providing an in-depth look at Donald Rumsfeld's life, career, and political thought process, Errol Morris' The Unknown Known successfully unravels the enigmatic figure and showcases the filmmaker's knack for exploring complicated topics with clarity and neutrality.

Fast, Cheap, and Out of Control

Fast, Cheap, and Out of Control is a documentary released in 1997 and directed by Errol Morris. This film takes a unique and innovative approach to documentary storytelling, exploring the lives of four very different people yet finding connections in their work and passion.

Interweaving Four Lives

The documentary presents the stories of a lion tamer, a topiary gardener, a mole rat specialist, and a scientist in the field of robotics. The film dives into their individual lives and careers, revealing their determination and obsession in pursuing their respective passions.

Lion tamer: George Mendonça, a topiary gardener, has spent decades creating intricate and unique sculptures from trees and bushes in the Green Animals Topiary Garden in Rhode Island. His patience and dedication to his craft are evident through his work.

Topiary gardener: Dave Hoover, an animal trainer and lion tamer, shares his experiences in the circus and the danger that comes with taming wild animals. His lifelong fascination with animal behavior is a central theme in his story.

Mole rat specialist: Ray Mendez specializes in mole rats' unique and peculiar physiology. His fascination with these creatures has influenced him to thoroughly study and document their habits, behavior, and physical abilities.

Robotics scientist: Rodney Brooks, a robotics scientist, demonstrates his strides in creating life-like robots with artificial intelligence. His ultimate goal is to make robots that can function autonomously and interact with the world like any living being.

Throughout the documentary, Errol Morris masterfully interweaves these four lives, showcasing their individual accomplishments while simultaneously drawing parallels between their challenges and aspirations. He employs stylistic elements, such as split-screen visuals and an unconventional soundtrack, to create a captivating and immersive viewing experience.

In Fast, Cheap, and Out of Control, the viewer gains insight into four distinct lives, each driven by a unique passion and a relentless pursuit of knowledge. Errol Morris presents intriguing and informative stories and illustrates the power of human perseverance and curiosity.

Mr. Death

Fred A. Leuchter's Career

Fred A. Leuchter, an engineer by profession, took an unconventional path in his career. He became an expert in execution technology and gained notoriety for his work on improving the efficiency of various execution devices. In Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr., Errol Morris captures the strange story of Leuchter's rise and fall in a series of interviews with the man himself.

Leuchter's work took off after he improved the electric chair at the request of the state of Tennessee, earning him the label of a "death technician" in newspapers across the globe. Following this success, Leuchter worked on other devices, such as gas chambers and lethal injection machines, which he believed could be made more humane. His work centered on the concept that a more efficient execution method would minimize unnecessary suffering.

However, this controversial career didn't come without its drawbacks. Leuchter's downfall began when he was enlisted by a notorious Holocaust denier, Ernst Zündel, to publish a report challenging the existence of gas chambers at Auschwitz. The report, which eventually turned out to be flawed in methodology and conclusions, led to Leuchter's discrediting and ending his involvement in the execution technology field.

Throughout Mr. Death, Morris uses his signature interviewing style to expose the complexities and contradictions of Fred A. Leuchter's life. This documentary doesn't shy away from showcasing both the hubris and the tragedy in his story, making it a gripping and thought-provoking examination of an unusual subject matter.

Tabloid

Joyce McKinney's Story

Joyce McKinney's story is one of the most intriguing and controversial subjects of Errol Morris's documentary, Tabloid. Chronicling the alleged kidnapping and love affair between McKinney and Kirk Anderson, a Mormon missionary, the film delves into the mystery surrounding their 1977 encounter.

The documentary highlights McKinney's point of view, detailing her side of the story. She claims that she was deeply in love with Anderson and was simply attempting to save him from the restrictive and controlling nature of the Mormon religion. As a former Miss Wyoming World, McKinney's beauty and charm are on full display, making her a captivating character to watch.

Tabloid also explores the role of the British press in molding public opinion of the case. The documentary illustrates how the sensationalist media coverage influenced the perception of McKinney, portraying her as a salacious and scandalous figure. From lurid headlines to tabloid exposeés, the film demonstrates the power of media in shaping the public narrative.

Throughout Tabloid, interviews with key figures involved in the case are interspersed to provide a variety of perspectives. From private investigators to journalists, these interviews add nuance and depth to understanding the story.

The documentary's use of archival footage and photographs is particularly effective, immersing viewers in the world of 1970s British tabloid journalism. Overall, Tabloid is a fascinating examination of a captivating true crime case and the frenzy it generated, showcasing Errol Morris's skillful storytelling and unique documentary style.

Standard Operating Procedure

Standard Operating Procedure is a thought-provoking documentary directed by Errol Morris. Released in 2008, the film delves deep into the infamous Abu Ghraib prison scandal, where shocking images of prisoner abuse and torture surfaced in 2004.

Abu Ghraib Explorations

The documentary explores the events at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq during the US-led occupation. It presents interviews with soldiers who served at the prison and participated in the abuse and torture of prisoners. These interviews provide an insightful glimpse into the psyche of the individuals and reveal their reasons for participating in the brutal acts.

Morris employs his renowned interview technique, known as the "Interrotron," which allows the subject to maintain eye contact with the camera. This technique captures raw emotions and presents a more intimate connection between the subject and the audience. The film also makes use of graphic images and chilling videos taken by the soldiers themselves, adding to its impact.

Standard Operating Procedure raises questions about the moral culpability of the soldiers who participated in the abuse and the policy-makers and commanding officers who allowed it to happen. By displaying the horrifying images and revealing the contextual factors that led to such actions, the film questions the responsibility of individuals versus the system they function within.

Wormwood

Wormwood is a captivating six-part docuseries directed by Errol Morris, released in 2017. It dives deep into the mysterious death of Frank Olson, an American biological warfare scientist, and explores the involvement of the U.S. government in his tragic demise.

Frank Olson's Mysterious Death

In 1953, Frank Olson fell from a New York City hotel room window. Initially, his death was reported as an accident or suicide, but rumors soon surfaced suggesting that he had been a victim of a secret government experiment involving LSD and mind control. Wormwood investigates the perplexing case, interweaving interviews, reenactments, and archival footage to shed light on Olson's life, his family's quest for the truth, and the possible government conspiracy behind his death.

Morris skillfully employs various storytelling techniques, making Wormwood a gripping and thought-provoking documentary. He makes a strong effort to uncover the other side of the story, interviewing individuals who were personally connected to the incident, including members of Olson's family and former CIA agents. The documentary also delves into the broader context of Cold War-era paranoia and the services’ biological and chemical warfare experiments.

Through Morris's meticulous research and attention to detail, Wormwood comprehensively examines Frank Olson's mysterious death and raises important questions about government transparency, accountability, and the lengths they might go to keep secrets hidden. The series leaves the audience pondering, initiating lasting discussions about the intricacies of the case.

American Dharma

American Dharma is a 2018 documentary directed by Errol Morris that explores the controversial figure of Steve Bannon, the former executive chairman of Breitbart News and former chief strategist for President Donald Trump. The film is structured around an in-depth interview between Morris and Bannon, covering various aspects of Bannon's career and ideologies.

Interview with Steve Bannon

In the interview, Bannon discusses his role in the 2016 presidential election, his vision of economic nationalism, and his thoughts on the mainstream media. He also touches on his support for populist movements worldwide and his belief that elites have led Western civilization towards decline.

The two delve into Bannon's time in the White House, addressing the internal dynamics and tensions that arose with other administration officials. The conversation touches on policy decisions related to immigration, trade, and national security, providing valuable insight into the Trump administration's early days.

Notably, throughout the interview, Morris challenges Bannon's views and questions the consequences of his actions in shaping American politics. This engaging back-and-forth allows viewers to witness a fascinating clash of perspectives between filmmaker and subject.

American Dharma gained attention for its unique structure, blending traditional documentary elements with a more experimental approach. The film combines archival footage, graphics, and reenactments, creating a multilayered narrative that adds depth to the discussion between Morris and Bannon.

Stylistic Techniques and Innovations

Errol Morris, known for his compelling and thought-provoking documentaries, employs a range of unique stylistic techniques and innovations that set his work apart. One of his most notable innovations is using the Interrotron, a device he designed to facilitate eye contact between the interviewer and interviewee. The Interrotron consists of two cameras with two-way mirrors, allowing the director and the documentary subject to maintain direct eye contact while looking directly into the camera. This technique creates a sense of intimacy and genuine connection for the audience.

Another defining aspect of Morris' work is his use of reenactments. In documentaries such as "The Thin Blue Line" and "Wormwood," he skillfully incorporates dramatized scenes to visually represent events or ideas discussed by the subjects. These reenactments enhance the storytelling and often feature unexpected or surreal elements, blurring the line between reality and interpretation.

In a departure from traditional voiceover narration, Morris often lets his subjects tell their own stories. This approach allows the audience to form their own opinions without the interference of a narrator's interpretation. By focusing on the individual perspectives of his subjects, Morris emphasizes the subjective nature of truth.

Finally, Morris' documentaries often feature unique and striking visual aesthetics. Utilizing innovative cinematography, editing techniques, and visual motifs, he creates a visual language that complements and enhances his stories. For example, in "The Fog of War," this Earl Morris documentary juxtaposes archival footage, animations, and interviews, all bathed in a distinctive color palette, to create a captivating and immersive experience for the viewer.

Throughout his career, Errol Morris has consistently pushed the boundaries of documentary filmmaking, employing innovative stylistic techniques and approaches that have ultimately elevated the genre. With his knack for storytelling and unique visual language, Morris has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the world of documentaries.

#matt heineman #matt kay director

 

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Sebastian Sauerborn
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