Important, well-crafted. Wouldn't have worked 10 years ago, but hey, it wasn't needed then either

Rating: 10/10 (18 February 2006)

I really liked this movie. It's black and white, which I hate. It's kind of heavy, and it deals with sad political realities. Even so, it is an important movie. It is extremely well written and well crafted.
I always had a personal 'connection' with Edward R. Murrow. I never knew him--- I'm way too young, and not at all important--- but I got a master's degree from the Edward R. Murrow School of Communication at Washington State University, which was Murrow's alma mater as well. We were steeped in his history, and his culture. I feel a bit proud of our 'hometown hero'.
More, though, Murrow stood for an integrity and honesty in journalism that is virtually extinct today. He gave a speech in 1962 or so where he spoke to an audience of broadcasters in Washington D.C., noting with genuine horror that commercial adverts were now appearing adjacent to news broadcasts. He spoke of a foreboding future when he remarked to that crowd, 'It's not too outrageous to imagine a day in the future when there might actually be advertising WITHIN a news broadcast'. He was right, of course, much to the sorrow of the modern world.
This movie captures the 'Ed' spirit very well. The production of the film has obvious political motives. George W. Bush is clearly portrayed by the stupid yet cunning, selfish, self-aggrandising, greedy and all-around evil Joseph McCarthy. Sadly, the resemblance is spot on. The movie pulls in archival film of folks in the day, Murrow, of course, and even President Dwight D. Eisenhower to point up the short-sightedness and tawdry vibe of the McCarthtry/Bush style of politics. Eisenhower, who also warned America and the world of the growing threat of the power of the 'military industrial complex', is shown supporting the Murrow approach. It is not a stretch to imagine that Eisenhower, even though he was a Republican, and a military general, would be horrifed at George W. Bush, and the current administration.
All together, it is an important movie, and a splendid movie. It probably wouldn't have gotten the attention it has if it were made, say, 10 years ago. But then, it wasn't needed then.