Watch The Man Nobody Knew: In Search of My Father CIA Spymaster William Colby

The Man Nobody Knew: In Search of My Father CIA Spymaster William Colby is a 2011 documentary film directed by Carl Colby. The film explores the life and career of William Colby, a former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) who served in the Vietnam War and was responsible for some of the most covert operations in the Cold War.

The film is a personal journey of the director, Carl Colby, who tries to uncover the mysteries surrounding his father's life and his work with the CIA. Carl Colby grew up with a father who was always absent and never talked about his work. William Colby was a man who kept secrets, even from his family, and his sudden death in 1996 left a lot of questions unanswered.

The film is a mixture of archival footage, interviews with family members, former colleagues, and experts in the field of intelligence. It shows William Colby's rise within the CIA, from his early days as a lawyer to his appointment as Director in 1973. It also covers his controversial decisions, such as the Phoenix Program in Vietnam, which some consider a success and others a failure.

The film sheds light on the complexities of the CIA's role in the Cold War, and the challenges faced by William Colby as he tried to protect the national security of the United States. It explores the ethical dilemmas that arise in the world of intelligence, such as the use of torture, assassination, and the secrecy surrounding the agency's operations.

The Man Nobody Knew is also a family drama. Carl Colby tries to reconcile with his father's legacy and understand the man he never really knew. He interviews his mother, his siblings, and his stepmother, each with their own version of William Colby's life. They all have their own opinions, some are critical of his work, others are proud of his achievements.

The film features interviews with notable figures in the intelligence community, such as Zbigniew Brzezinski, former National Security Advisor; Robert McNamara, former Secretary of Defense; and James R. Schlesinger, former Director of the CIA. They provide insight into the political climate of the time and the challenges faced by the CIA.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the film is the exploration of William Colby's role in the investigation of the Kennedy assassination. The film shows how he was part of a team that investigated the assassination and how he tried to uncover the truth behind the events of that day. It also sheds light on the controversies surrounding the CIA's involvement in the assassination.

Overall, The Man Nobody Knew is a fascinating and complex portrayal of a man who dedicated his life to serving his country. It is a personal and emotional journey of a son trying to understand his father's legacy and reconcile with his past. It is a thought-provoking film that explores the ethics and challenges of the intelligence community and leaves the viewer with a better understanding of the complexities of the Cold War and the world of intelligence.

The Man Nobody Knew: In Search of My Father CIA Spymaster William Colby is a 2011 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 71.