Watch Fahrenheit 9/11

Fahrenheit 9/11, directed by Michael Moore and released in 2004, is a provocative and powerful documentary exploring the events leading up to and following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City. The film takes a critical look at the actions of the Bush administration, specifically focusing on the decision to invade Iraq and the subsequent war.

Throughout the movie, Moore presents a variety of evidence and interviews with experts, political figures, and ordinary citizens. He highlights the ways in which the Bush administration used the tragedy of 9/11 to justify the war in Iraq, despite lacking clear evidence of weapons of mass destruction. Moore argues that the war was based on false pretenses and that it resulted in immense loss of life and destruction in Iraq, as well as damaging the reputation and credibility of the United States on the world stage.

One of the film's most powerful moments comes in its opening scenes, which show footage of the World Trade Center attack and its aftermath. Moore portrays the horrific events of that day not as a catalyst for a righteous war, but as a tragedy that led to misguided foreign policy decisions and the needless loss of countless lives. In contrast to the images of destruction, Moore interweaves footage of George W. Bush as he reacts to the news of the attack. This footage helps to humanize the President and creates a sense of empathy for the emotions that he was experiencing in that moment.

Throughout the rest of the film, Moore relentlessly probes at the motives and actions of the Bush administration. He interviews individuals like Iraqi War veteran Lila Lipscomb and discusses events such as the Patriot Act and the treatment of detainees at Guantanamo Bay. Moore also interrogates connections between the Bush family and the Saudi Arabian government, and insinuates that the decision to go to war was based, at least in part, on the Bush's connections to the oil industry.

The film's climax comes in its depiction of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, which many viewed as a disastrous outcome of the War on Terror. Through footage of bombings, gunfights, and casualties, Moore portrays the war as a misguided and poorly executed intervention that led to the loss of thousands of Iraqi lives, as well as the lives of American soldiers.

Despite its controversial content, Fahrenheit 9/11 was a financial success and won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. However, it also drew criticism from right-wing pundits and was the subject of a largely negative media campaign by conservative organizations. Regardless of its reception, the film remains an important cultural artifact that captures the political, social, and cultural climate of the early 2000s. It continues to spark dialogue and debate about the role of the media, the motives of politicians, and the impact of U.S. foreign policy on the wider world.

Fahrenheit 9/11 is a 2004 documentary with a runtime of 2 hours and 2 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5 and a MetaScore of 67.